Third annual WWGA ewe sale a success
The Wyoming Wool Growers Association (WWGA) offered producers another chance at “the Best in the West,” during the Third Annual Select Bred Ewe Sale, held on Feb. 22 at the CAM-PLEX in Gillette. This year, the sale was also broadcast live online.
Offering an elite selection of open ewe lambs and yearlings, bred two-year-olds and running-age and broken-mouthed ewes, WWGA ensures only the highest-quality range, commercial and purebred ewes are showcased in the annual sale.
“Only the healthiest, highest-quality ewes from some of the nation’s premier breeders are accepted for the sale, assuring buyers our ewes are truly ‘the Best in the West,’” boasts the WWGA website.
WWGA further notes, with the exception of open ewe lambs and yearlings, ewes were confirmed pregnant the day before the sale and strictly sifted based on their eyes, mouth, teeth, udders, teats, body and legs. Sifting was conducted by a panel of knowledgeable Western sheep producers and veterinarians.
“While the Wyoming Select Bred Ewe Sale is about the business of transferring genetics within the sheep industry, it is also a time when sheep producers get together to visit, discuss the industry and renew old and make new acquaintances,” the website continues. “The two days spent in Gillette are intended to be fulfilling, informative and fun, and we hope to meet those goals each year.”
Sale highlights
According to the sale report, the Third Annual Wyoming Select Bred Ewe Sale sold 159 head, grossing a total of $29,350 at an average $209.64 per head.
Sixty head of bred Targhee-Rambouillet cross running-age ewes made up the largest offering in the sale, bringing a total of $12,100 at an average $201.67 per head.
Bred Rambouillet running-age ewes averaged $200 per head, with 32 head bringing a total $6,400, while 19 head of bred Targhee running-age ewes brought $4,180 at an average of $220 per head.
The sale also featured 29 bred Targhee yearling ewes, which brought $6,670 and averaged $230 per head.
Additionally, 10 head of Rambouillet ewe lambs and nine bred Rambouillet broken-mouthed ewes were no sales.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
