About Us
superior ovine Genetics for the Profit orientated lamb producer
Medicine Ridge Ovine is located in the Parkland Region of Central Alberta, Canada. The farm is owned and operated by Gerrit and Ute Brinkmann who also breed Sport Horses under the name Equitop Farm.
The original Medicine Ridge Flock was purchased in 2010 from Deb & Ian Clark of Bentley, Alberta. Gerrit & Ute expanded the size of the nucleus flocks and also extended the genetic base with innovative bloodlines. The high-health status and bio-security precautions were maintained.
The very first foundation stock was purchased by Deb & Ian in 1988. These were the first Rideau Arcott and Canadian Arcott, developed by the Animal Research Center of the University in Ottawa (ARCOTT). Deb & Ian Clark were also the first breeders in North America to introduce Charollais and Ile De France sheep by importation of embryos from Europe.
Medicine Ridge offers a wide spectrum of genetic options ranging from prolific Rideau Arcott with high milk production, to high carcass quality of the Ile-de France and the dual-purpose Canadian Arcott. Selection for specific traits within each breed allows us to generate bloodlines suitable for different management situations.
The flock used to be rated “AA” after 10 years on the Western Canadian Flock Health Program until this program was discontinued. The flock is also registered on the Canadian Scrapie Certification Program. Currently Medicine Ridge Ovine is one of only three flocks in all Canada that achieved the status ‘Certified Plus,’ which, since January 2022, makes the export of our sheep into the US possible.
We performance test all of our breeding stock, with Ewebyte and GenOvis for genetic evaluation.
Visitors are always welcome!
very high health status
