EATON, Ohio — The Big Ohio Sale Weekend is probably the biggest sheep sale that has ever been in Ohio, said Greg Deakin, sales manager for the sale held Saturday, May 9,10 and 11 at the Preble County Fairgrounds. Seven leading breeds of sheep have chosen Ohio to host their 2013 national sales.

Approximately 1,100 sheep will be for sale, Deakin said. Breeds include Corriedales, Shropshires, Southdowns, Natural Colored sheep, Cheviots, Oxfords, Dorpers Montadeales, Hampshires and Suffolks, whether sires and whether dams.

“This sale has really grown,” Deakin said. “This year we have 1,100 sheep and 1,000 of them are registered, purebred sheep. There is a lot of enthusiasm for sheep in Ohio. We have sheep coming from California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire. The nice thing is, probably 80 percent of the buyers for this sale will come from Iowa to the east Coast. Within our industry, the corn belt area has always been strong for good farm flocks and top genetics.”

Some of the breeds will be shown on Thursday, and they will sell on Friday, Deakin said. The breeds that are shown on Friday will sell on Saturday.

“Commercially, our market is a little bit lower this year than last,” Deakin said. Last year $400 to $1,000 would catch most of these. Last year 650 head of sheep averaged $865 per sheep. The high animal sold for $10,000, but that was just one. You throw the high and low out, most are in the $700 to $800 range but you don’t have to start there. We had good buys from $300.”

Also in Ohio, the Tunis, Border Leicester and Romneys will hold their national sales in conjunction with the Great Lakes Sale held Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26 at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Wooster, Ohio, Deakin said. The Eastern Regional Rambouillet and Merino sales will also take place that weekend and there will be strong offerings of other breeds. The Great Lakes Sheep and Wool Festival will be in conjunction with the sale.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm for good, registered purebred sheep, Deakin said. “The Whether Sire and Dam portion is a good strong part of the sale as well. It is a testament for the enthusiasm that Ohio has. You have a good, big state fair, lots of good, well-respected shows.”

For additional information, visit Banner Sales Management Service at www.bannersheepmagazine.com or phone 309-785-5058.