The Willamette Valley Ram Sale has withstood the test of time. As the last remaining large scale on-site breeding sheep sale in the state of Oregon, this event attracts a number of folks from the West Coast and is a favorite among many in the sheep industry. Initially the brainchild of noted extension specialist O.E. Mikesell from Linn County, the original sale committee heralded an amazing set of prominent purebred breeders of the era. Reading like a who’s who of legendary industry influencers, the initial board was made up of the likes of trendsetters Chauncey Hubbard Sr., Ronald Hogg, Eldon Riddle, Jimmy Harper and Lynn Barnes. Legendary in their time, the impact these gentlemen left on our national sheep industry can still be felt today.

     More than the sale came from Mr. Mikesell’s vision to showcase the Oregon sheep industry.  From the initial effort grew not only the historic ram sale, but also the Oregon Purebred Sheep Breeders Association as well as the now retired original Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany, Oregon. As current sale committee chair, Kraig Ohling has extolled of the effort, “The sale was the spark that spawned the OPSBA.” 

     The sale would take place at the old Linn County Fairgrounds for many years until the land was sold to build the new fairgrounds east of town. At that time, the sale would transition through a few locations including the Polk County Fairgrounds several miles north as well as the historic Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem and in more recent years it takes place in the little town of Scio, Oregon.

     Generally scheduled for the last Saturday of July or the first Saturday of August, the sale continues the tradition of selling high quality rams and ewes to a variety of breeders from throughout the industry. It only takes a quick glance around the Big Red Pavilion to get a sense of the deep history involved in the sale. 

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