As the number of sheep producers in Southeastern Kentucky continues to increase, so does the demand for local marketing opportunities.  To accommodate the need for local sales and to highlight the quality of sheep raised in our area, the Southeast Kentucky Sheep Producers planned and hosted their first annual Breeding Sheep Sale in July of 2023.  The sale was held at the Wilderness Trail Area Marketing Alliance, which provides a centralized grouping, sorting, and sale facility for local livestock producers.

The Laurel County Extension Office worked closely with the sheep association to plan and market the sale; conduct health screenings for all sale animals; arrange pen set-up; and coordinate sale-day sorting, bidding, buyer payments and load-out of animals.  The Laurel County Cattlemen’s Association and students from the South Laurel High School FFA Chapter were also instrumental in making the sale a success.

To ensure that the animals were of the highest quality, all were inspected and screened in several health categories prior to acceptance, including body condition score, FAMACHA, scabies, ringworm, pinkeye, hoof condition, vaccinations, and Scrapie’s tags.  The health screenings also made the animals eligible for county CAIP cost-share reimbursement.  The final sale catalog included 127 high quality ewes and rams from 18 regional farms.

Over 175 people attended the sale, with 48 individuals registering to bid.  Prior to the sale, Ag Commissioner Ryan Quarles spoke to the crowd as they enjoyed a free lamb dinner compliments of the sheep association. Lamb recipes with nutritional information were distributed at registration. Overall sales for the day exceeded $30,000 with the average price per head being $242.   Sheep Association president, Patrick Angel, stated that the sellers were very happy with the prices they received for their animals, and the buyers were pleased with the quality of the animals they purchased.  With the first sale successfully completed, the group has already started planning for a 2024 sale.