For more than ¾ of a century we have been breeding quality sheep, producing superior seed stock for the commercial and purebred industry across North America. Each year many repeat customers return to the farm to purchase healthy, productive breeding stock that will work hard and perform well on their farm operations.  New customers are similarly welcomed to discuss the genetics we have available, our flock health, performance and management regime.

The present day flock numbers 500 breeding ewes. Purebreds consist of Hampshires, Suffolks, Rideau Arcotts, and Polled Dorsets. The majority of the flock is commercial ewes, mostly Suffolk x Rideau.

All purebreds and a number of the commercials have been on the Sheep Flock Improvement Program (Record of performance testing) since its inception in the early 1960s. The program is now called Genovis. Lambs are weighed at 50 days and 100 days and loin muscle depth as well as fat depth are measured by an ultrasound technician.  Terminal breeds are selected for superior conformation along with top growth and carcass traits. Maternal breeds that are retained in the flock or offered for sale to other producers must also possess excellent conformation and are selected for their mothering, rate of gain, number of lambs weaned and growth characteristics.  Through this selection program we continue to make steady genetic progress in our own flock as well as in all flocks that utilize our genetics.

Flock wide sampling for Maedi Visna (ovine progressive pneumonia) was carried out in 2021 with no positive animals found.  This assures our many customers that animals we sell to them are free of this devastating and productivity-losing disease.

All rams have their DNA genotype information for Scrapie resistance available upon request.  Individual animal testing for Q-Fever and Johne’s has been done in the past and can be arranged on request at the buyers expense.  All breeding animals sold will be vaccinated with Glanvac and deworming details will be shared as we rotate products and monitor fecal samples regularly.

Emphasis of the breeding program is geared to the commercial industry and present day markets. Feed efficiency, strong breed-type, multiple births, milking ability, longevity, high productivity, self-sufficiency, aggressive growth and excellent carcass quality including lean meat yield are all priorities of our breeding program.

Hampshires: This is our longest standing breed, having been on the farm since the early 1920’s. Our Hampshires are known across the country for their breed character, head type (ease of lambing), moderate size and conformation.  They have topped test stations for feed efficiency on more than one occasion.  We believe they are excellent terminal sires that produce lambs that are ready for any market at any weight.

 

Suffolks: We have bred our Suffolks to maintain moderate size, substance and milking ability and have avoided the extremes that this breed has experienced in recent years by using sires with British influence. Many of our commercial ewes are Suffolk crosses. Our Suffolk rams, with their rapid gaining ability, strong breed character and meat producing qualities, are in demand by commercial producers.

 

Rideau Arcotts: Maple Meadows first introduced this breed into our flock in 1993. This breed was developed by Agriculture Canada and released to Canadian producers in the late 1980s. It has been a real boom to our operation as it has to the entire Canadian sheep industry. Multiple births, milking ability, mothering qualities, and lamb vigour make Rideau ewes superb dams. While mostly a maternal line, we have bred them for acceptable meat qualities. Market lambs from our Rideau Arcott cross dams have won numerous 4-H market lamb competitions. We keep approximately 90 purebred registered Rideau Arcott ewes.

Polled Dorsets: Sold under the prefix Belmeade Acres, we began breeding Dorsets in 1990. We like this breed for its out of season breeding capabilities as well as the mix of strong maternal traits and good carcass quality. We have used some Australian bloodlines to improve the meat yield, maternal traits, growth rates and pasturing ability of the breed and are very pleased with the results.  We know you will be too!

 

Commercials: We cross Suffolk and Rideau Arcotts to supply breeding ewes for our flock and for sale to other producers. We also cross Polled Dorsets and Rideau Arcotts with the resulting offspring having an extended breeding period. Both of these crosses are available on a limited basis and can be bred to order.

 

Whether a new or established producer, contact us for your seed stock needs or just for consultation using our vast experience in the sheep industry. A warm welcome awaits you!