Sheep Breeders from around the province were in Humboldt this weekend for the 2016 Grassland Sheep Exhibition.

The event featured a show and sale and provided some key information for producers from Food Safe Farm Practices to Shearing and Stock dog demonstrations to Selecting Market Lambs.

Gord Schroeder is the Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board.

He says the sheep industry is in really good shape right now:

"We're looking at about 65-70,000 breeding ewes in the province. That number is fluctuating now because we're kind of in transition between replacements and cull animals leaving the farm. But roughly 70,000 is a fairly consistent number."

He says there’s some excitement in the industry about growth, as they’ve seen a lot of interest in purchasing breeding animals.

"On breeding animals it really varies on age, and records. You're looking at about $200-$400 per animal. Right now, rams will cost about $400-$750 for a good breeding animal.

The Market price for light feeders is about $2 a pound while heavy animals are going for $1.60 to $1.85 per pound.

He notes a good market lamb right now is worth about $200 which is a good price.

Owen Gentes – a commercial breeder south of North Battleford says it was a great event that really showcased the industry:

"For myself, it's really nice to see and compare the quality of the different breeds of purebred livestock that are here. There's also a breeds display that's set up, with 14 different breeds represented. It's great for new and existing producers to see where breeds they might not use stand, compared to other animals, and some of the benefits of them as well."

He notes the weekend also provided some key information on livestock handling equipment and industry technology like RFID readers and tags.

Photo courtesy of R McNally - Bolt FM