The Rural Voice, 1980-02, Page 26Emke speaks
to sheep producers
BY DEBBIE RANNEY
Murray Emke, the ministry sheep
specialist spoke to sheep producers on the
selection and purchasing of ewes when a
sheep day was held at the Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) offices in
Clinton recently.
Mr. Emke suggested recording such
things as the date when the Iamb was born,
what type of birth it was as production
data on the ewe is crucial.
In talking about selection of breeding
stock, Mr. Emke said there are several
things the individual should be aware of.
He told his audience to ask themselves
first, whether they are really
interested in sheep or whether they are in
the city, thinking living in the country and
having sheep would be nice.
He said they should be looking around at
what's available to them, and checking
production data if it's available.
There are three methods of obtaining
sheep -- "public auctions, private trade or
possibly keeping your own flock replace-
ments," Mr. Emke said.
"It's important to deal with somebody
who has a good reputation, somebody who
is willing to stand behind their sheep.
If purchasing is done at an auction, he
said there's a group of sheep on display for
producers and they should go early enough
to get a look at them.
"If you see all the animals ahead of
time,you can make the close inspection that
I've already discussed. It gives you time to
make up your mind on what that animal's
worth," Mr. Emke said.
He suggested that when the producers
go to a breeder's farm they could follow the
market trend and this would help them
make a decision on how much to pay for the
sheep.
A Sheep Apprenticeship program for
people who have had little exposure to
sheep was also discussed at the meeting.
Last year such a program was held in the
Stratford area. To get one in the Huron
County area, there would have to be at
least six people who were interested along
with an experienced instructor. The $100
registration fee includes a man and his
wife.
Huron County Agricultur al
Representative Don Pullen told the
meeting that Len McGregor, 4-H Ex-
tension Assistant would like to get a 4-H
sheep club going in the county.
PG. 24 THE RURAL VOICEIFEB1RUARY 1980
Art Bakker of Seaforth talked about sheep with Murray
Emke, sheep specialist for the Province of Ontario,
when the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food in
Clinton held a sheep day there recently.
(Photo by Ranney)
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