Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal Eight leading breeds of sheep have chosen the state of Ohio to host their 2015 National Sales.
“Enthusiasm for purebred sheep is high and the state of Ohio sits midway between east coast and western cornbelt breeders who represent the biggest numbers of purebred breeders in the nation,” said Greg Deakin, sale manager for both events. “To have the trust of the leadership of eight different breeds pick Ohio for their National Sales gives potential buyers confidence to attend the sales and be offered some of the finest genetics in their breed. It also says a lot for the Ohio sheep Industry.”
Southdowns, Corriedales, Shropshires and Natural Colored sheep will be offered for sale during the Big Ohio Sale Weekend, Thursday through Saturday, May 7, 8 and 9 at the Preble County Fairgrounds in Eaton.
The three-day event will see approximately 750 head of sheep for sale representing eleven different breeds. In addition to Southdowns, Corriedales, Shropshires and Natural Colored sheep, Cheviots, Dorpers, Hampshires, Montadales, Oxfords, Suffolks and Wether Sires and Dams will be sold.
Most breeds will offer special futurity nominated ewe lambs and yearlings in their classes for sale. The timing of the event is before every National, 4-H, FFA and Junior Show ownership deadlines.
Border Leicesters, Lincolns, Merinos and Tunis have chosen to hold their National Sales in conjunction with the Great Lakes Sale held Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wooster. The Great Lakes Sheep and Wool Festival, also held that weekend on the fairgrounds, is an excellent backdrop for those three breeds, plus seventeen other breeds of sheep that sell in Wooster. The Eastern Regional Rambouillet, Katahdin and Romney Specialty Sales will also be held that weekend, as well as strong offerings of Cheviots, Columbias, Dorpers, Polled Dorsets, Horned Dorsets, Finnsheep, Hampshires, Montadales, Natural Coloreds, Oxfords, Shropshires, Southdowns, Suffolks and Wether Sires and Dams. Nearly 400 head will be sold at Wooster, along with new and used equipment, fleeces and crafts.
Deakin also complimented both the Preble County and Wayne County Fairgrounds for being very accommodating and functional for each event. The fairgrounds managers, James Mays, Eaton and Don Reichert, Wooster, and their work crews understand the magnitude of the weekends and do everything they can while hosting these national events. Last year’s sales attracted over 1,100 buyers from thirty-eight different states and Canada.
For more information about these sales, contact Banner Sale Management Service at 309-785-5058 or visit their website at www.bannersheepmagazine.com for the complete sale listings.
