In the world of sheep, it pays to be the leader of the flock.

Middlesex Centre sheep producer Mels van der Laan, who began raising Dutch Texel sheep about seven years ago, was convinced that the breed was superior to existing Canadian breeds.

Increasingly, other Canadian producers are coming to the same conclusion. The breed is quickly gaining favour for its feed efficiency and the leanness of their carcasses.

Mr. van der Laan recently took some of his Dutch Texel sheep to the All Canadian Classic 2002 in Richmond, Quebec, which is the annual national gathering for the country's top sheep producers.

He came away with the top sale in the show. The auction of one of his pure Texel rams brought $1,700, which was the highest price paid for any of the more than 300 top quality sheep at the show. His ram "Dutch Triple Crown" was sold to a producer from Prince Edward Island.

While he did win reserve champion honours in the "breeder's flock" competition, getting the top sale at the event was much more gratifying than winning a ribbon, said Mr. van der Laan. "It gets a lot of people's attention."

There were 29 Texels at this year's event, compared to just four at the first national show he went to five years ago.

"It proves the Texel is here to stay," he said.

Genetics from Mr. van der Laan's flock are now all over Canada. His Texel sheep have been sold to producers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island. At the Classic, Mr. van der Laan also made a sale to some Mexican producers, who are looking to increase the quality of their flocks.

For his own flock, Mr. van der Laan is planning to import some fresh genetic material from Holland in the relatively near future. He is also preparing for the 2004 World Sheep and Wool Congress, which will be held in Quebec City. In order to be the right age for the show, lambs will have to be born this coming January.