Breeders, buyers flock to fairgrounds for ram sale

More than 3,000 sheep and goats are camping out on the Missouri State Fairgrounds this week, waiting to be sold during the Midwest Stud Ram Sale.

Karey Claghorn, executive secretary for the American Hampshire Sheep Association, has been checking in animals since Wednesday. Claghorn said the show has been held in Sedalia for more than 40 years.

“This is the largest pure-bred sheep sale in America,” Claghorn said.

Depending on the breed, the animals can bring in $200 or more. Claghorn said a ram was sold for $44,000 last year.

“There’s something for everyone,” Claghorn said.

Breeders come from all across the United States to show and sell their animals.

“They are from nearly every state,” Claghorn said.

The sale will bring in buyers from Canada, Mexico and across the country.

Joy Hawkins, of Shedd, Ore., and her cousin, Kraig Ohling, began preparing for the show Sunday by cleaning their sheep.

Hawkins has been attending the show for 45 years. She brought 15 Suffolk sheep to sell.

“You start when they are baby lambs with vaccinations, feed and good health,” Hawkins said.

Sunday she prepared the sheep by giving them a bath and cutting their wool to get ready for today.

“It’s usually a two-man job; one holds the head and the other positions the feet,” Hawkins said.

Once the sheep are shown, judges will place them and sales will begin Wednesday.

“It’s like kids, some of them are trained and some of them aren’t,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins does not set a reserve price on her animals because she wants to make sure none of her sheep have to make the two-day drive back with her.

Duane Bauck, of New York Mills, Minn., brought nine Dorset sheep of his own and 26 others from friends in Minnesota.

“It’s one of the largest sales,” Bauck said.

He has about 200 sheep back home that he breeds and has been coming to the sale since 1978. He first got interested in sheep through the 4-H Club and the Future Farmers of America group.

Bauck used dish washing soap on his sheep Sunday and then covered them with a cloth to keep them from getting dirty before the show.

“This breed will average around $1,000,” Bauck said.

The shows will begin at 11 a.m. today and Tuesday in the sheep and swine pavilions on the fairgrounds. Wednesday the show will wrap up in the Swine Pavilion and the sales will begin in the Sheep Pavilion. The sales will continue through Saturday.

Claghorn said the public is invited to see the show and possibly purchase a sheep.

“I think it’s a really great event,” Claghorn said. “If you just want to come and watch and see them, that’s fun too.”

This year’s sale also will be available to watch online through DV Auction by visiting the Web site www.dvauction.com.