CHAROLLAIS TIMES May 2020
WORCESTER PREMIER SALE 2020 We have taken some decisions on our arrangements for this year’s Worcester Premier Sale. We all hope that some form of live sale in Worcester Market might be possible. To increase the chances of this happening we have decided to postpone the sale date until
SATURDAY 11TH JULY 2020 If a sale is possible on this date, it is very likely it will be in a different format from normal to adhere with social distancing rules, that will undoubtedly still be in place. We can inform you of all the details nearer the date.
Please supply all material available at this time including photographs and video. At this closing date you should enter all the sheep that you may wish to offer for the 11th July sale. If we have to revert to the on-line option, entries will be cut back to a maximum of 3 shearlings, 3 ram lambs / vendor. Vendors may also cancel their entire entry (with a full refund of entry fee) if they do not wish to be entered for the online sale. This is not an easy process for anybody, but the last thing we want to happen is to be left with no sale for you all to use either as vendors and/or purchasers. These dates will not alter now and we will stick with this process. Please support us and help us make our premier event as successful as possible.
However in the event that this sale is not possible, we will offer members and purchasers the opportunity to use the facility of a timed on-line sale. Both sale formats will be run by McCartneys at Worcester Market. The timed on-line sale would run from the
30th June until the 2nd July We will have a deadline of 21st June – at this date (or earlier) we will take a final decision on which route we can follow. The closing date for the sale has also been extended to:
This is unlikely to be the scene at this year’s Premier Sale, but we will have a sale to offer you the very best Charollais from our flocks, one way or another
FRIDAY 29TH MAY WWW.CHAROLLAISSHEEP.COM visit us on FACEBOOK
HEADING NEWS BREEDERS CONTENTS
Page
Worcester Premier Sale
1
RamCompare Results
2
Registrations
3
MV & Scrapie Testing
4
Malvern Sheep Event
5
Chairman’s Report
6
Annual Report & Financial Statements
7
Regional News
8-9
New Members
10
Females with Figures Sale
10
Charollais sire tops the list for Shear Force (again) as RamCompare results released One of the most interesting traits assessed within RamCompare, the National Progeny test for Terminal Sires is Shear Force – the pressure required to cut through a sample of meat. Shear Force is an indicator of meat tenderness, one of the main factors influencing consumer acceptability when it comes to eating lamb. Last year Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) were produced for this trait for the first time and Cannahars Panche, supplied by Robert Gregory and bred by Andrew Davies topped the list. This year Crogham Lambert, a ram used via semen supplied by the Ingram family, but originally bred by Jonathan and Carroll Barber – has knocked him off top spot. Four of the top six rams tested on RamCompare for Shear Force are Charollais, with Lowerye and Brettles bred genetics also performing well for this trait.
Growth, conformation and speed The Charollais has done well throughout the project this year, with rams from the Rainbow and Redhill flocks featuring strongly in the lists of top performing breeding lines for carcase weight and conformation. Rainbow Statistician and Rainbow Serendipity being the highest ranked this year, supported by data pulled through from the ChazCompare dataset. Also getting a mention is Rutland Humdinger, used so successfully at Norman McMordie’s Riverdale flock in Northern Ireland and later with the Ingram family. Charollais Times is published by the British Charollais Sheep Society.
Editors : Carroll Barber Jonathan Barber For more information on any of the subjects covered in this edition, please call the office or visit our website at www.charollaissheep.com Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy neither the Charollais Society nor the authors can accept liability for errors and omissions.
Days to Slaughter Last year’s leading breeder for Days to Slaughter, Dylan Laws provided yet another high performing Charollais for this trait. This year’s sire, Hardy 17WZW00126, sits comfortably inside the top 10 rams tested last season and is once again top Charollais for this trait. 2020 is a big year for Charollais on RamCompare The coming season proves to be one of the most interesting yet for Charollais breeders, with Dalby Ranieri, 16PE04907, supplied by Charles Sercombe, used as the linkage ram with progeny at each of the RamCompare farms across the country and a large number of new Charollais breeding lines being tested.
For more information, go to www.ramcompare.com for the latest results.
BCSS Youngmans Road, Wymondham, Norfolk. NR18 0RR
Tel : 01953 603335 Email : office@charollaissheep.com 2 - CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020
Crogham Lambert who headed the table for Shear Force
BREEDERS HEADING NEWS REGIONAL ELECTIONS Elections were due in two regions this year. In the South West region, the current Chairman has been returned unopposed for a further 3 year term of office. This is Amy Pedrick. In Scotland there was one nomination for the post and we are pleased to announce that Mr Russell Gray from Lanarkshire will be taking on the role. This post now covers the whole of Scotland. Our thanks to Jock Clanachan who retires from the post in the South of Scotland. These positions would have been confirmed at the AGM, but will run from the beginning of June.
WEB ADVERTISING We offer members the opportunity to advertise their rams, ewes, semen for sale on our website. The charge for this service for a 6 week period is £18 (+VAT) for those who have advertised in the Year Book and £36 (+VAT) for all other members. Included with this service is a FREE posting on Facebook of your advert. This also gets tweeted on Twitter.
SELL MY LIVESTOCK An alternative way to sell your Charollais stock. Sell My Livestock has 66,000 farmers signed in and last year many Charollais flocks were successful finding buyers for their animals. You can log on via the Charollais website and for just £3.50 have a special Charollais advert. Do get some good images of your animals before posting.
OFFICE & REGISTRATIONS We appreciate that after a very difficult and wet winter for many of our members and now the on-going problems and anxiety linked with the Coronavirus situation, you might appreciate our help. We are willing and pleased to be able to offer members no penalties charges for late birth notifications or registrations. For the forseeable future all registration processes will be charged at standard rate. Also if you need longer to pay for these transactions, we can try and facilitate this. If this is the case then you must contact us to discuss this - please just don’t ignore our invoices, get in touch. We will put out our email bulletins on a regular basis, so do read them and keep up to date with changes to sale dates and arrangements. It is all changing very rapidly, so do keep in touch. Luckily we can keep the office open and also maintain correct social distancing, so there is always someone at the end of the phone to speak to. Also post is dealt with on a daily basis. We are here for a chat if you need some company or support. Also your regional officers will be pleased to hear from you; just get in touch. Also there are other agencies that are available to help farmers and those in the rural community - support organisations such as the Farming Community Network (FCN) who can be contacted on 03000 111999 or by email help@fcn.org.uk, they also have a wealth of information on their website www.fcn.org.uk
Please do let us have your up-to-date email address. We use this method of communication for our bulletins, sending pedigree certificates, scrapie results and much more. So it is very important that we can contact you via this route. With the postal system being very slow and a bit unreliable at the present time, please can we ask that members settle their accounts either by bank transfer or card payment. Cheques are difficult and time consuming to process. Also allow extra time for sending in scrapie samples - we recommend sending them 1st class.
CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020 - 3
MAEDI VISNA & SCRAPIE TESTING Please read the information below from SAC consulting on the revised arrangements for MV testing at the moment. In short flocks will have 3 months from the time that routine testing is being carried out by vets, in order to get your MV test completed. Letter from George Caldow BVM&S, MSc, CertCHP, DipECBHM, MRCVS, FRAgS, SAC Consulting: Veterinary Services I would like to reassure the members of SRUC's Premium Sheep and Goat Health Scheme (PSGHS) and those involved in the wider sheep industry that SRUC will do everything that can be done to ensure continuity of the health scheme. We understand the vital importance that flock health status has for the sales later this year, and that is both for our members selling stock, but also for clients who look to buy great genetics in healthy animals from flocks that are accredited free of disease. We have very effective health schemes that have allowed members to manage the risk of maedi visna to a very high degree. We will ensure that this continues. We have consulted with our PSGHS Advisory board, made up of representatives from breed societies, National Sheep Association, British Goat Society and members of the veterinary profession. The following course of action has been agreed by the board. Right now farm animal vets are actively discouraged from visiting farms to collect blood samples unless they are of immediate value to manage animals that are unwell or where their welfare may be compromised. This means that routine periodic blood tests to support the scheme cannot be carried out. To manage this we will maintain flock accreditation status and issue certificates based on a signed declaration from the flock keeper that the rules of the programme are and will be followed. There will be no requirement to blood sample and test animals until such times as the restrictions to sampling at the farm are removed as a consequence of a change in the national Covid 19 infection control strategy. We will give a period of three months from the time restrictions to sampling are lifted, during which certification status is maintained, but the requisite blood sampling and testing should be completed. We will maintain clear communication with our members on the changing requirements. 4 - CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020
The PSGHS Advisory Board pointed out that in the short term, because of the scheme’s success in managing the risk of maedi visna, there was negligible added risk created by the alterations that are being made in the scheme. However, the additional advice was that the vendors and purchasers of breeding sheep should be particularly mindful of the need to manage biosecurity at this time and consult with their vet to minimise the risk of infectious disease. I would like to thank the members of our Advisory Board and those from the wider industry who have provided helpful comment. This is a difficult time for us all, but we cannot lose sight of the need to consult and to develop solutions to the problems that are arising as effort is made to safeguard the nation’s health.
SCRAPIE TESTING The Society offers a service to members to process scrapie tests. Members should contact the office to request sample collectors - one collector is needed for each sheep you wish to test. We will then send you all the details you need to take the sample and dispatch it to the laboratory. Sampling is by taking a small piece of ear tissue with the collector and pliers. The costs will be :-
Sample collectors Genotyping test 1 - 10 samples 11 - 50 samples 51 - 99 samples 100+ samples
£1.70 (+VAT) each
(+VAT) £13 each £12 each £11 each £10 each
Hire of applicator £4 (+VAT) for 2 weeks Purchase of applicator £30 (+VAT) To get the best rate for breeders, BCSS will collect samples here and send in one batch, typically on the last Wednesday of each month. However during busier times, we will send two batches per month - please contact the office to find the next posting date to Germany. Breeders should allow at least 3 weeks from sampling for their results. Results are supplied to the Society as well as the breeder, so we can enter these details on the sheep database. We are using a German company called Eurofins this year. They are accredited for export work, BUT we are still awaiting confirmation from Defra that they will accept their test results for this purpose.
BREEDERS INFORMATION HEADING MALVERN SHEEP EVENT
WAYS TO PAY YOUR BILLS WITH BCSS
Following the latest updates on the UK’s situation with regards to the Coronavirus outbreak the National Sheep Association (NSA) has updated all interested parties on this summer’s NSA Sheep Event. As the crisis continues to affect all aspects of life including the many popular agricultural events held each summer NSA, after taking time to review current Government recommendations is pleased to announce its new plans to proceed with its popular summer events, but a little later in the year than previously planned. NSA Sheep Event, the flagship event of the organisation will now take place on
Monday 19th October 2020 at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire.
The Charollais Society will consider our level of participation at this flagship event. It is late in the season for us to promote either rams or in-lamb ewes. There may well be more competitive elements to the event and also a bigger focus on commercial stock rather than pedigree animals. We will keep you updated.
Direct Debit If you wish to pay all your invoices from the Society by Direct Debit payment, then please contact us for the relevant form. Card Payment If you would like to pay by card then just call the office and we will take the details over the phone. There is no charge for credit cards. Ebank To pay by ebanking, please put your Flock Reference letters as the reference on the payment, so we can allocate it correctly. The bank details are : Sort Code : 20-99-08 Account No : 30196851
New Closing Date for the Worcester Premier Sale is Friday 29th May No Late Entries. Entries on BCSS forms or via Grassroots Genotype Results when available CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020 - 5
CHAIRMAN’S HEADING REPORT 2019 - ARWYN THOMAS without these luxuries we cannot survive without food. How that Whitehall mandarin who sent the message that this country can survive without farmers by importing all of our produce, must now be regretting tempting fate.
In writing my third Chairman’s report I did not expect to be doing it during the worse pandemic in modern times and I sincerely hope that by the time this is published that we are over the worse, that you all remain healthy and be prepared to bounce back as you have done when we have had other crises (albeit outside the kitchen door) in the industry over recent years. One thing is for sure. This will give everyone a reality check as to what are the priorities in life appreciating the values of family, community and friends that we may have taken for granted. It has also made many people aware for the first time in their lives how important the security of food is to the survival of the population. Something the older generation who survived the Second World War have never forgotten. We are all missing the vitality of social events and I personally am really missing the sporting calendar but whilst we can survive
As a majority this country have become a nation of supermarket shoppers and the one good thing to come out of this is the way that local retailers and butchers have persevered in tough times and are now busier than ever as they find that the population are looking to them to provide the essential provisions locally. Let us hope this trend is a continuing one with food sourced from this country with the emphasis on quality and local traceability.
6kgs & finishing 2 weeks ahead of their contemporaries. As breeders we have improved hardiness over recent years and our project farms have been impressed by the ease of lambing, speed to suck and more importantly survivability with lambs born outside in challenging upland conditions to say the least. The Mountain ewe is a fantastic cross with the Charollais and through promotion and social media we are working hard to spread this message to the industry.
On a personal note I was very proud to present the Terry Robinson award to Clive after 17 years as our auctioneer at Worcester. His commitment to the industry have been widely The ongoing restrictions pose challenges to the Society and I am recognised by many bodies this year but we were the first! indebted to your regional directors and the office for the Equally pleasing was the award by prompt dynamic way that they council of honorary life have responded in setting up membership to Charles Marwood, pandemic plans and a business who now joins Dr Morris in being strategy for any challenges offered this ultimate accolade by particularly to our sale the Charollais society. Charles programme. passion and long commitment to the breed are widely recognised This will evolve as the situation and the award is totally deserving. becomes clearer but we will regularly keep breeders informed There will be disappointment at with online bulletins. the cancellation of shows that make up a key part in our social Looking back over the last year it calendar but I urge you all to keep was pleasing to see Charollais in touch with each other, support tups doing well in the Ram each other and most of all stay Compare Trial coming out top of safe. the rankings in growth rate for days to slaughter. These findings were supported by the Welsh Hill Project where Charollais lambs were often averaging an extra
Arwyn Thomas
REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF F&GP COMMITTEE - CHARLES SERCOMBE I am pleased to report that the Society achieved a surplus on the year, which is as a result of savings on expenditure and a small increase in income. On the income side we have seen a small rise in registration fees and sale entry fees; otherwise income has remained static and the total is very similar to 2018. On the expenditure side, most savings have been achieved on Sale Costs, Motor and Travel and Management and Adminsitration. A total reduction in expenditure of £25,643. This has resulted in a small surplus on the year of just over £2,000. Our share porfolio had increased in value substantially by the year end, reversing the drop in value of 2018. However we all know what has arisen since that date, and valuations have slumped due to the coronavirus pandemic situation. We will have to be patient to await a revival in world markets. We are monitoring our finances very carefully in these very difficult times and will make the necessary adjustments, to keep the Society in a sound financial position. 6 - CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020
ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS HEADING 2019 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations, sponsorship & gift aid
2019 £
2018 £
4,018
4,066
Other trading activities Sale of promotional items
1,846
611
Investment income Interest and dividends received on investments
8,178
8,700
197
297
70,771 14,361 23,817 14,023 26,773 19,983
66,718 14,758 22,218 16,372 28,576 21,446
183,967
183,762
30,280
27,064
6,703 1,887 7,808 4,651 16,186 -
6,161 2,217 15,159 8,031 15,926 4,945
Sub Total Other Costs Postage and telephone Printing and stationery Subscriptions Office and storage accommodation Motor and travelling Hotel and meal charges Office expenses Meeting expenses Other sundry expenses
37,235
52,439
10,618 2,503 2,078 7,600 4,295 3,294 5,433 5,799 -
10,546 2,564 1,415 7,600 6,230 6,238 6,219 7,243 134
Sub total
41,620
48,189
Support Costs Management and administration Accountants fees Bank and Card Charges Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Loss/(gain) on sale of tangible fixed assets Sub total
66,000 2,239 1,189 3,311 72,739
76,614 2,039 1,160 3,512 (3,500) 79,825
Total resources expended Surplus (deficit) for the year Net gains/(losses) on investments NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME
181,874 2,093 30,030 32,123
207,517 (23,755) (21,513) (45,268)
Deposit account interest Charitable Activities Registration fees Commission on sales Sale entry fees Year book and other publications Subscriptions Genotyping income Total income EXPENDITURE Raising donations and legacies Advertising and promotional expenses Charitable Activities Show expenses Regional expenses Sale costs Yearbook, newsletter & other pubs Genotyping expenses Research and Development
CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020 - 7
HEADING NEWS REGIONAL NORTH OF ENGLAND Unfortunately due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID - 19 virus North of England Region are now unable to host the AGM. We would like to thank Kenton Foster for all his hard work put into organising the event as everyone in the region was looking forward to it.
routines. Planning events for this year will take a slightly different stance, with all the regulations around. However all things considered there are many options and ways to still keep in touch. Meetings will be tailored around the restrictions and held when appropriate. Ideas and plans are being made to allow the whole region to keep in touch. Fingers crossed the weather continues and we resume to some form of normality for the breeding sales.
The region have seen some excellent primestock prices in Oliver Chapman recent months including Charollais cull ewes from Messrs Trafford, Springfield selling to £240 at Harrison & Hetherington borderway mart Carlisle.
points of discussion at this meeting was the flock competition. As a region we decided to keep this as an annual event with the winner of that year, then being asked to judge the following year (as long as they are on the judges’ panel). Gerald Burroughs kindly agreed to judge 2020s flock competition and we hope to have a large uptake of entries later in the year. Also, at this meeting, we celebrated Roy Endacott’s birthday (pictured above).
SOUTH WEST REGION
We would also like to welcome new members to the region: Miss Ruby Rowbottom, Mr C F Parker and new associate member Ryan Todd. Unfortunately show season looks unlikely to go ahead but we look forward to catching up with everyone once restrictions have been lifted. Anna McTear
EAST OF ENGLAND REGION Another lambing is over and done with and after writing the report for the December issue its safe to say we didn’t think we would be sat in the current position we are. What with the weather going from being the wettest to some of the most glorious weather seen for some time but also the thought of no shows. When speaking to a few members it is agreed that a lot have some of the best lambs they have bred now on the floor. Fingers crossed for the Premier sale! However everything carries on as normal and we have to think ourselves lucky that we are still able to go about our daily
As I sit and write this, I honestly don’t know where to begin! I think the past 4 months must have been some of the most testing and trying months any of us have ever seen, with more reportedly still to come. However, on the more positive side, sheep prices have been exceptional with cull ewes absolutely flying within the south west. Many of us have had prices in the high £160s and £170s and even up into the £180s. Prime lambs have also started off very well with many of the December and early January flocks reaping the benefits of this. Let’s hope this may continue for many months to come. On 31st January, a large group of us got together for a lovely dinner at the Cat & Fiddle Inn for a general meeting. One of the main
8 - CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020
On Wednesday 15th April, we hosted our first ever virtual pub quiz (pictured below). This turned out to be an absolute hit and everyone who took part had a tremendous time. The questions may have been rather on the more difficult side (thanks to Amy Pedrick) but I truly believe everyone enjoyed the company of seeing and chatting with other members. We will be hosting more of these throughout the pandemic.
REGIONAL NEWS Looking towards the Spring and Summer months, many things have changed. Currently our three county shows are postponed to:
C
an ce lle d
Devon County Show: August 28th – 30th Bath and West Show: July 31st – 2nd August Royal Cornwall Show: September 10th – 12th I am hoping that these will happen on these proposed dates, but, at this moment in time and with the global pandemic, things may yet change. If you are planning to exhibit or attend any of these shows and also any one day shows, please keep up to date on the shows websites. Lastly, I hope that everyone is keeping safe and that you and your families are well. These are testing times and please remember that we are only a phone call away if you ever need to have a chat. Keep safe, stay indoors and save lives. Amelia Watts
NORTHERN IRELAND SLOW COOKED SHOULDER OF NEW SEASON LAMB SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 1 Lamb Shoulder (bone in) 2 Carrots, roughly chopped 2 Onions, roughly chopped 5 Garlic cloves, lightly crushed 4 Thyme sprigs 2 Rosemary sprigs 1 tbsp of Mint Sauce / Jelly 1 litre of Chicken Stock 150ml White Wine (optional)
pepper and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. 3) Remove the lamb from the pan and set aside on a plate. 4) Add the carrot and onion to the pan and fry for 2 minutes before adding the garlic, thyme and rosemary. 5) Fry for 1 minute before adding the mint sauce, stock and wine (if using). Bring to the boil and place the lamb, along with any resting juices, back into the dish and baste the lamb with the cooking liquid. 6) Cover tightly with a double layer of tinfoil or a tight fitting lid and place in the oven for 4-5 hours, keeping the meat moist by basting it every hour, until it easily pulls away from the bone. 7) After 4-5 hours, remove the meat from the dish and leave to rest for 20 minutes. 8) To make the gravy, strain off as much fat as you can and discard. 9) Using a sieve, strain the cooking juices from the lamb into a saucepan and place on a moderate heat. Reduce the liquid until you get the consistency for the gravy you want (you can add cornflour and a little cold water to thicken it). Serve with vegetables and potatoes of your choice.
MOROCCAN SPICED LOIN OF LAMB SERVES 4 Ingredients 2 Lamb Loins For the Marinade 1 tbsp Ras El Hanout (Middle Eastern Spice Blend) 1 tsp Ground Coriander 1 tsp Ground Cumin 1 tsp Black Pepper 1 tsp Salt 1 Lemon, juice & zest 2 Garlic cloves, finely grated/chopped 1 tbsp Pomegranate Molasses 2 tbsp of Olive Oil Method 1) Start by making the marinade. Mix all the ingredients together and rub onto the lamb. Leave it to marinade in the fridge for at least an hour, but overnight would be best. 2) After marinated, take the lamb out of the fridge and allow to come to room temperature before cooking. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a frying pan (or even better, cook it on the BBQ!), add the loins and excess marinade, and fry on a medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side until the meat is evenly caramelised. 3) The lamb should be cooked about medium after this time, but if you like it a bit more well done, cook it for longer! 4) Remove from the pan and leave to rest, before slicing thinly. Serve with roasted vegetable couscous and a minty yogurt dip.
Method 1) Preheat your oven to 140˚C 2) Place a large metal oven dish (you could also use a casserole dish) on the hob on full heat with a splash of vegetable oil in the bottom. Season the lamb shoulder with salt and black CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020 - 9
COMMERCIAL CHAROLLAIS Based in Cockermouth, Cumbria, lambing outdoors begins on 25th March for Alan Edmondson. Farming has been a lifelong affair for Alan, who previously farmed a hill farm and bred Charollais himself.
Grove Farm, South East Wales, AG & J Leonard recently sold some Charollais sired lambs to local butcher, Forest Meadow Meats, whom they work with to butcher their lamb and pork for meat boxes. The proprietor Helena Heaven More recently, Alan has introduced took some photos of the Charollais to his farm once again, process to show start to this time running them with finish. Herdwick ewes to produce prime lambs that are sold at livestock markets, normally Cockermouth. The Charollais rams came from local farmer and North of England Chairman, David Norman and son Jonathan's Kirkhouse flock.
Grove Farm lamb commercially indoors from January onwards, with lambs turned out ideally at 24 hours old. All are grass fed only. The Charollais rams that ran with the commercial ewes included two bought at Worcester Premier Sale 2018 as ram lambs, from Tom Mawer and Robert Hopper and older tups that the farm has had for a while. The ewe breeds vary, but the January lambers tend to be Suffolk X and Texel X with some Charollais X ewes.
Running approximately 400 Herdwick ewes, some are kept pure to breed Herdwick rams, which Alan sells at breed sales. Other Herdwick ewes are put with Charollais; having previously used Texel rams but found the lambs went too fat. In addition, Alan prefers Charollais sired lambs for easy lambing and sharp lambs, eager to suck. Born outdoors early The weights of lambs live/killed out were as follows (in kg): Spring, the lambs have plenty of 2 x 36 / 17.5 cover. 1 x 37 / 18 1 x 39 / 19 The Charollais X Herdwick lambs 1 x 42 / 20 are sold between 40-44kgs, 1 x 43.5 / 21 mostly grass fed with a little feed 1 x 45 / 23 to help. Lambs are normally weaned in the middle of August Charollais sired lambs have fast and sold from the first week of growth rates, without adding November; 550 of Alan's last excessive fat cover. season's lambs averaged £88 a head. Some Charollais X Herdwick As consumer trends show ewe lambs are kept back as preference towards mince replacements, whom then run products, Helena makes lamb with a Beltex ram. Some sausages and burgers, which Swaledale ewes are also put to Grove Farm offers with their meat Charollais rams, producing "good boxes, proving to be popular with lambs" that grow well. customers. Thank you Helena for the photos. More information on Forest Meadow Meats can be found on their website: https://forestmeadowmeats.com/
10 - CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020
Charollais X Lamb butchered ready to be sold in meat boxes from Grove Farm
Lamb Burgers popular with customers in their meat boxes
FLOCK PUBLICITY
Emma Mellen suggests some ways to promote your flock and increase sales. 1) HOW ABOUT RUNNING A FACEBOOK LIVE? We have seen how successful live streaming has been for our society at shows, events and sales over these last two years. Well, now it's your turn to do some broadcasting. Showcase your stock, show off your ram lambs, ewe lambs and yearlings, show them in their natural environment or pen them. If you have someone to help, they could film whilst you explain which animal is sired by which etc, handle them on camera and explain as you feel it’s conformation, so people get a virtual experience of being there with you.
2) HAVE YOU SPENT OUT ON SHOW ENTRIES? Assuming you get a refund, could that money be put into a targeted Facebook Ad or Instagram Ad campaign? Or could you invest in your business with a website? Make use of the time and money that you now have; put it to good use. Practice trimming, taking photos, create a flock Facebook page. (If I can help anyone with advice on how to set up a Facebook page or Instagram account please get in touch).
3) RAMP UP YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE Sounds simple but try to think how you can be even more present, show up in more Facebook groups, do even more (daily) Instagram stories and batch some content. Been thinking about joining Instagram/Pinterest/LinkedIn? Now is your time.
4) PROMOTE THE BREED IN ANY GROUPS OR DIGITAL FORUMS YOU MAY BE ON With less chance to communicate physically at shows this year, take time to get involved in online discussions that may persuade commercial farmers to choose the breed if the opportunity arises. This does not just apply to the digital world, for example, news papers with farming sections may be looking for on farm stories due to show cancellations: take the first step, get in touch.
5) PUT VALUE INTO YOUR COMMUNICATION Take the time to call previous buyers, find out how lambing has gone, show interest. After sales play an important role and if markets end up closing, buyers may need to go direct.
the sale and link to your catalogue information. These images will be especially crucial if sales take place on line. After sale day: provide after sales service, check up, thank buyers and see how stock has settled.
9) SUPPORT EACH OTHER. Boost morale. Stay communicated. Give value. Gain trust.
10) ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT, PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. (The DPJ Foundation 0800 587 4262 offers a 24/7 call line and counselling.) If you have any questions that the office or myself can help with please get in touch office@charollaissheep.com emma@charollaissheep.com
6) KEEP IN TOUCH WITH LOCAL GROUPS If you are part of any local groups who normally get together, see if you could arrange a zoom/ teleconference so that you can still communicate, share ideas and support each other. Quizzes are very popular.
7) ASK YOUR NETWORK, SOCIAL MEDIA FRIENDS, MEMBERSHIP & FELLOW BREEDERS TO SHARE YOUR CONTENT. Every single share goes a long way and imagine the increased reach if every single one of your contacts shared just one post! (This includes sharing Charollais Sheep page content, it all helps promote the breed!)
8) PREPARE FOR AUCTION SALES Whatevery format auction sales take this year, being prepared is really important. Before the day: practice trimming well in advance, maybe design a new banner or poster information to go on pens, health sheets for buyers etc. Close to the sale: share short videos or photos of your stock heading to
Don’t forget you can use the Charollais website to advertise your flock and semen.
CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020 - 11
HEADING
REGIONAL NEW MEMBERS REPORTS We are pleased to welcome the following new members to the Society. We hope that it will not be too long before you have the opportunity to meet other members at a Society event. Please do contact the Society’s office or your Regional Chairman if there is any aspect of breeding Charollais that you would like to discuss. For some members this may be their first experience with pedigree sheep, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. The Charollais Society prides itself on the friendly attitude of it’s members and a lack of elitism; so, however small or large your flock, please take an active part. If we all work together the Charollais breed will continue it’s rise in popularity amongst lamb producers.
REGION 3 NORTH OF ENGLAND Messrs Finlay & Simpson Mr Ryan Todd TODD Higher Sutton Lodge, Yeolmbridge, NorthsteadBack Lane, Wold Newto, Driffield Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8NJ YO25 3YH Miss Ruby Rowbottom West Cottage, Bilsborrow, Preston, Lancashire PR3 0RT
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Mr C F Parker Newsham Grange, Little Newsham, Darlington DL2 3QW
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REGION 4 EAST OF ENGLAND Messrs A Watton VHB 49 Cartmel Road, Daventry, Northants NN11 2NY
Breeding Potential for Sale If you are starting a flock or increasing your ewe numbers this sale is a great opportunity to buy recorded females that have not been overdone and can go straight to a tup of YOUR choosing to lamb when it suits YOU.
This year’s sale will have females from Brettles, Dudston, Rainbow, Bicton and other Signet recorded flocks
REGION 8 NORTHERN IRELAND Mr D Davidson VGW 69 Old Caulfield Road, Dungannon BT70 3NG Robin & Mark Cairns VHD 11 Tullymore Road, Poyntzpass, NewryCo. Down BT35 6QP Margaret & Jack Maxwell VHF 30 Killymuck Road, Upperlands, Maghera BT46 5SY
(Females) ) with ( ) (SaleFigures will now be
REGION 7 S. W. ENGLAND Rothamsted Research VHA Att: Mel Mills, North Wyke, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2SB
REGION 9 OVERSEAS Mr Gavin & Mrs Isabelle Nicol VHC 37408 Sand Road, Red Deer County, Alberta, Canada T4E 2S1
an on-line timed sale from 9 am Fri 19th June until 5 pm Sat 20th June View on McCartneys website
12 - CHAROLLAIS TIMES APRIL 2020
VHE
Last year’s Shearling Ewes sold for £250 up to £2,000
For more information contact:Andrew Walton - 07710 522387 ~ or ~ Mark Rushbrooke - 01299 861200