LAKEFIELD, Minn. — The city of Spencer, Iowa, and the Clay County Fairgrounds will host the National Columbia Show & Sale on June 5-10. The National Columbia Show & Sale is an annual event held in a different location each year. This year, the organization heads to a Midwestern location.
The Columbia Sheep Breeders Association is sponsoring the event. They are rolling out the red carpet for the approximately 200 sheep enthusiasts traveling to Spencer.
Columbia sheep are a large, dual-purpose breed of sheep. They are known for their superb mothering and milking ability, as well as for producing a heavy, medium fleece with a long staple length which is highly sought after by textile manufacturers. Columbia wool is easily blended with other materials and is also desired by spinners and fiber artists. This year will feature the third annual online Fleece Sale where wool and fiber enthusiasts can buy top fleeces from Columbia breeders across the county.
Activities begin on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, with the National Wool Show. The Open Show is featured on Friday, June 9 with the National Sale on Saturday, June 10. The Juniors have their own show as do Production Sheep and Natural Colored Columbias. Stop by the barn and visit with our exhibitors.
The public is invited to attend and see the events. Interested buyers can visit www.columbiasheep.org to request a sale catalog or call the Columbia Sheep Office at 507-360-4243. Like us on Facebook for the most current information.
The Wool Show, Junior Show, Production Show, Natural Colored Show, Futurity Comeback Show, Open Show and National Sale will be available on Facebook Live. Online bidding during the National Sale on Saturday, June 10 will be available at Livestockmarket.com.
2023 NATIONAL COLUMBIA SHOW AND SALE SCHEDULE
June 7Â Â Â Â Â Â Wednesday
1 pm         National Wool Show, Fred Eagleson, Judge
2 pm         AI Workshop
6 pm         Corn Hole Tourney
June 8Â Â Â Â Â Â Thursday
AMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Junior Show, Todd Taylor, Judge
3 pm         Natural Colored Show followed by Production Show, Kent Spilde, Judge
6 pm         Host Barbeque
June 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Friday
8 am         Futurity Comeback Show, Kent Spilde, Judge
9 am         Open Sheep Show, Kent Spilde, Judge
12 pm        Fleece Sale goes Live on Facebook
6:30 pm    Awards Banquet and Annual CSBA Auction
June 10Â Â Â Â Saturday
10 am       National Sale, Danny Westlake, Auctioneer
— Columbia Sheep Breeders Association