The prices received at the 87th Annual Idaho State Ram and Ewe Sale mirrored the current uncertainty in the general economy. The sale was held at the Twin Falls County Fair Grounds in Filer, Saturday, June 21st. Known as the premium Suffolk range ram sale in the West, the sale, sponsored by the Idaho Wool Growers Association, boasted good numbers and a average buyer turnout. Consignors sold 250 rams and 3 registered ewes with total gross receipts at $103,610, a decrease of $24,115 from the total gross receipts of $127,725 in 2007.
In the largest sale category, Suffolk yearling range rams, the average per head was down $167 per head from $600 in 2007 to $432 in 2008. The range ram category found 46 pens ranging from pens of one head to pens of five head with the highest selling pens at $925, one belonging to Andrus Suffolks sold to Faulkner Land & Livestock.
In the Suffolks ram lamb division, 12 lambs sold at an average of $175/head. The highest selling pens were consigned by Cergin Livestock and sold for $200/head to Ken Wixom.
Thirteen Suffolk X Hampshire yearling rams were sold at an average of $336/head.
Nine Columbia rams were sold at an average of $444/head and six Columbia X Rambouillet rams lambs sold for an average of $375/head.
Four Rambouillet Rams were donated by Julian Land & Livestock, Kemmerer, Wyoming, to the Idaho Wool Growers Association. Sold toward the beginning of the sale, the first pen of two brought $150/head, and the next pen of two brought $175/head, totaling $650.
In the Suffolk yearling ram stud division, the average was down from $1,025 in 2007 to $560 in 2008. Five studs were sold with the Reserve Champion Suffolk Yearling Ram consigned by Adams Suffolks selling for $900 to John & Anita Phillips. The Grand Champion Suffolk Yearling Ram, consigned by Blatter Suffolks, sold for $800 to Lorin Moeuch Jr., of Thousand Peaks Ranch in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The top buyer for the sale was Mark Henslee purchasing 25 head of rams . Other top buyers include Faulkner Land & Livestock, 22 head; Ron Shrits, 35 head; and Cenarrusa Sheep Inc., 34 head.
The Foothill Lads & Lasses 4-H Group provided concessions for the sale and sold out of lamb burgers. Joyce Schmidt with the Mennonites provided delicious homemade pies. The Filer Rodeo Club provided the manpower that enabled the sale to proceed smoothly.
2008 Idaho State Ram & Ewe Show & Sale
Idaho Wool Growers Association
