Sometimes it pays to separate yourself from the flock, even if you're a sheep producer.

When Mels van der Laan first started breeding Dutch Texel sheep he was one of just a handful of Canadian supporters of the breed. Six years later, there are very few flocks in this country that don't have at least some Texel blood in them.

Texels are extremely feed-efficient and produce a lean, well-muscled carcass. Producers all across Canada are really beginning to see the advantage of adding Texels to their flock.

As a result, demand for breeding stock is up considerably.

"They're really going now," said Mr. van der Laan, who, along with his wife Ruth Ann, owns and operates Cold Stream Ranch in Middlesex Centre.

Mr. van der Laan brought home reserve champion honours for the Texel ram he showed at the All Canadian Classic in Calgary in July. The event, which was held in conjunction with the Calgary Stampede, attracts top sheep producers from across the country.

The growth of the Texel breed could be seen in the number of competitors at the event, he said. While at last year's Classic there were only two Texel breeders on hand, this year there were seven.

There's also been a lot more interest in the breed shown by other producers, said Mr. van der Laan.

"It's really paid off, going to the shows," he said. "We made some good connections."

Within 10 days of returning to the event, the van der Laans had sold six rams. "One guy came and bought four rams," said Mr. van der Laan. Demand for Dutch Texels is high and the van der Laans are having no trouble selling all they can produce.

Potential customers sometimes travel long distances. "They don't just come from next door anymore."

Texels from the Cold Stream Ranch are now in flocks all the way from Prince Edward Island to British Columbia.

"From coast to coast and in between," Mr. van der Laan said with a laugh.

The van der Laans have put in a lot of work over the past six years, fine-tuning their flock. It's gratifying to see the work starting to pay off, they said. More importantly it's nice to know that they've been on the right path all along.

While Mr. van der Laan says he was always certain that the Dutch Texel was the way to go, it hasn't been easy to convince other producers. "Sometimes you feel like you're up against a brick wall."

Seeing widespread acceptance of the breed, however, has made it all worthwhile. "The Texel is here, without at doubt, and it's going to stay."