Texel Sheep Society 2013 Winter Bulletin

November 2013

For members of the Texel Sheep Society • Four new Regional Directors • New Chairman takes up his role • Technology used to combat crime • £10,882 issued to Regional Clubs • New fees for 2014 • Youth Committee launched

SHEEP SOCIETY

www.texel.co.uk

In Touch with Texel British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

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The Twilight Texel Sale Friday 29th November At 6.30pm at Borderway Mart, Carlisle Tel: 01228

406 230

In-Lamb Gimmer Sale From the flocks of ALWENT, ARKLE, BALTIER, BEAUTRY, COURTHILL, DOUGANHILL, DUNCRYNE, HULLHOUSE, LLANGWM, LOOSEBEARE, PENPARC, PLASUCHA, PROCTERS, STAINTON, THACKA

www.texel.co.uk

3 Dear Member #addtexeladdvalue has certainly been the conclusion to this breeding season for the majority of members.

The late winter, slow grass growth and the variety of economic challenges in the volatile lamb supply chain gave even the most optimistic member reasons for concern early in 2013. However for those that continue to invest in and believe in Texel concerns were unfounded.

The excellent summer followed by a rising and consistent demand for Texel breeding stock, in yet another year, bolstered confidence and provided excellent returns for members and the wider commercial sector. Texel breeders can continue to look to the future with confidence, but as always listening to your customers and developing the breed based on their needs will ensure continued success in the commercial sector.

The two largest commercial ram sales continue to provide an excellent measure of our breeds success with Shearling rams at NSA Builth Ram sale achieving a 95% clearance in volume, whilst at Kelso ram sale an average of £733, up £9 on the previous year, and Registered Ram lambs increasing by £77, provided significant commercial returns.

We continue to innovate aiming to develop sustainable initiatives, connect with our membership, contribute to the success of the breed and enhance the appeal of membership, as we near 40 years of progressive breeding in our Society.

The successful launch of DNA services has also been well received by the membership.

Those members that used Embryo Transfer in 2013 are reminded that ET Birth Notifications will not be possible without the necessary sire and dam DNA profiles on record at the Society. Don’t delay as late Birth Notification fees will apply and your ET progeny will be prevented from entry into 2014 National sales if the entry dates are not met.

I do hope you enjoy reading your bulletin and wish you a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Contents Pg 3 Welcome

Pg 4-9 Society Matters

Pg 10-11 Texel Lifestyle

Pg 12-13 Youth Focus

Pg 16-17 Science into Practice

Pg 19 Vet Outlook

Pg 20 Benefits of Imports & Exports

Pg 23 Merchandise

Pg 24 Society Fees If you want to offer feedback on Society Promotions email office@texel.co.uk While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the information contained in this publication, no responsibility can be accepted by the Society for any errors or any reliance on the use of information by readers

John Yates Chief Executive

The Texel social media has been massively successful in assisting members to stay in touch with the society.

Our Facebook page has received over a thousand likes which is a significant amount for our type of business.

This puts the Society Facebook as one of the most liked Facebook pages in the beef and sheep industry and close to the highest of any livestock society in the UK. If you have not liked us already make sure that you visit our page and “LikeUs” as you are definitely missing out on keeping in touch with Texel!

Our Twitter page continues to become more popular as members make better use of this type of social media. It is Twitters simplicity that offers the most value and now with over 450 followers in such a short time since we started making use of Twitter, we know its going to be ever more valuable in the future. If you haven’t followed us yet, stay in touch and listen to our tweets!

To see the short videos of the Texel breed either SCAN the QR Code above or visit www.youtube.com/ TexelSheepSociety More videos will be added during 2014.

The above barcodes or more correctly named QR code or Quick Response code allows readers to use their smart phones to access further information on our services.

Download a QR reader app to your smartphone or camera enabled tablet computer, then launch the app and hold the device over the barcode to access the extra content found on our website.

Visit the iTunes App store or Android Market to download a QR reader app for free.

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SOCIETY MATTERS

4 OBITUARIES

Results of the Regional Directors

March 2013 - November 2013 The Society was sadly informed of the loss of some dear Members...

Sue & Ronald Jones Sue and husband Ronald were well known and highly respected breeders of Texel, Cheviot and Beulah Speckled face sheep. Both very enthusiastic show people, having competed in Royal Smithfield and all the main Royal Shows. Ronald was the first person to have Texels in Wales in 1978. Sue sadly passed away in May 2013, tragically Ronald passed away in July.

Tommy MacTaggart In May 2013 the Society was informed of the sudden and tragic death of Director Tommy MacTaggart.

Chairman’s tribute to Tommy MacTaggart I first met Tommy when he was elected onto the board in 2001. It immediately struck me he wanted to get involved and was passionate about all things Texel. Tommy, like myself, was never one to just sit in the corner, but usually had an opinion on most issues and was forthright in expressing them!

When I became chairman of the board in 2011 one of my first decisions was to appoint Tommy as chairman of the sale and shows committee. This proved to be one of the best decisions I have taken. The dedication and time he devoted to this role was phenomenal. I know, when talking to his family he thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and threw all his energy into it. I would like to express my gratitude for the commitment Tommy dedicated to the Texel society on behalf of the membership.

His family lost a loving husband and father and our thoughts are with them. I and many others lost a great friend and colleague. Tommy is sadly missed.

Nick Tavernor (Society Chairman 2011-2013)

Elections 2013 As you may be aware four Regional Areas required a new representative on the Board of Directors to commence with their duties at the AGM being held at the Vale Resort on Saturday 2nd November 2013.

Area 2 Andrew Barr

Parkhouse Central and West of Scotland (2013-2017)

(Previously Alan Clark – Garngour/Teiglum/Clarks)

Area 4 Roy Campbell

Royel/Cowal South West of Scotland & North West of England (2013 - 2015 Remaining term of previous Director) (Previously Mr T MacTaggart - Rascarrel)

Area 6 Jeffrey Aiken

Procters

Northern Midlands of England & the Isle of Man (2013-2017) (Previously Mr R Cartledge - Plattin)

Barbara Chave In September the Society was informed of the death of Barbara Chave. Affectionately known as Mum Chave by many, she will be sadly missed by all.

Our deepest sympathies go to the families, friends and colleagues of Sue & Ronald Jones, Tommy MacTaggart and Barbara Chave.

Area 10 Iolo Prys Jones

Llangwm

North Wales (2013-2017) (Previously Mr A Phillips - Penygelli)

Northern Area

Northern Club Charity Presentation

www.texel.co.uk

The Northern Area Texel Breeders Club raised £451 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Members of the Club are shown presenting the cheque to Sally Conner and David Anderson of RABI at the Great Yorkshire Show

Welcome to Henry Gamble (Springwell) as Chairman of the Society 2013 - 2015

5 Performance Recorded Texel Committee

Peter Sutton

(Trinidad Investments)

Colwood & High Weald Flocks

Chairman - 2015

Aubery Andrews

Miserden Flock - 2014

Arnold Park

Drinkstone Flock - 2017

Paul Phillips

Kimbolton Flock - 2016

2013

Sale Statistics for the National Texel Sales Forward

Sold

Average

Northern I Premier Gimmers

80

46

£686

Ram Lambs

252

176

£723

Shearling Ewes

123

105

£579

Scottish National Gimmers

82

61

£1,648

Ram Lambs

491

369

£2,315

11

4

£722

Shearling Ewes

English National Gimmers

87

69

£622

Ram Lambs

221

149

£863

Shearling Rams

75

56

£732

Gimmers

81

60

£440

Ram Lambs

140

93

£651

Shearling Ewes

35

19

£856

Welsh National

How Technology Plays a Part in Combating Crime Livestock theft is on the increase, but DNA profiling can help return animals to their rightful owners.

Dr Richard Ellis of the Animal Health Veterinary Laboratory Agency (AHVLA), an executive agency of Defra, explained that DNA profiling was mostly used for surveying for disease.

“However it can also be used where registration documents are missing or ear tags have been swapped” he said. “DNA provides evidence of identification” Scientists require a sample from parents and offspring; they analyse the DNA and screen for matches.

Dr Ellis recently helped Lancashire police with a case of a flock of sheep stolen from farmer Robert Dean in Chipping. In February this year a flock of 55 heavily pregnant Texel and Mule ewes, worth around £15,000 were stolen overnight from a rented field. The theft was reported in the agricultural press, a haulier read

the story and realised that he had transported the sheep. He contacted Mr Dean and told him the sheep were in Durham. On advice from the police Mr Dean travelled to Durham and was able to clearly identify the sheep, describing unique features of several animals such as marking or ear notches.

Detective Constable Elaine Smalley who was leading the investigation explained that because of the information he was able to give, she was sure that the sheep were Mr Deans and that they had been stolen.

However proving it was difficult. She set about finding expertise on the issue and eventually found Dr Ellis who was able to carry out the DNA profile and prove that they were Mr Deans sheep. “Livestock theft is devastating to farmers, before this case I had no idea how much it impacted on them”, said Det. Con Smalley, “yet there is no database of expertise in relation to crime investigations using DNA and no information sharing” “Rural crime is big business and often organised. As police officers we need to raise the bar”.

Society support of Regional Clubs The Society continues to build on the recent year’s achievements aiming to develop sustainable initiatives, connecting with the membership, contributing to the success of the breed and enhancing the appeal of membership to our Society.

Whilst this is never without its challenges,

V

there are many encouraging successes. All of which require careful financial control enabling the Society to reach out to clubs and members, offering essential support at local regional and national level. The Society supported Regional Clubs with grants to the sum of £10,882 in 2013.

2014 Birth Notifications start with…

Valiant Ventura Vibe Victorious

V.I.P Virtue Viscount Vitality

The Board of Directors, Chief Executive and staff at the Texel office wish all members and friends of the society a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SOCIETY MATTERS

6

Members email addresses Reminder - ensure your current email is registered with the Society and on the Society mailing list for up to date news and information.

Email office@texel.co.uk or update your BASCO account profile.

NEW

members

Texel Sponsorship 2013 The Society continues to support promotion of our Breed by sponsoring Primestock Show prize funds as listed below.

As a further commitment to our Membership we will again be offering reimbursement of entry fees to Texel Sheep Society Members in 2013.

Members are eligible for reimbursement of their entry fees after attending and promoting the British Texel in the Texel classes at the following Prime Stock events. Members need to write to the Society detailing entries after each eligible event and by 31st March 2014 to be considered for the reimbursement.

The Society has the final discretion on any reimbursement.

Sponsored Shows

English Winter Fair - Stafford 16-17 November Countryside Live – Harrogate 19-20 October Borderway Agri-Expo – Carlisie 1 November Scottish Royal Highland Winter Fair – Edinburgh 30 November N.I Xmas Fatstock Show & Sale – Ballymena 2 December Royal Welsh Winter Fair – Builth Wells 2-3 December Smithfield Agri-Live 5-6 December

Sponsorship Prize Fund £250 for Supreme Champion Carcase if sired by Texel £125 to Reserve Champion Carcase if sired by a Texel £250 for Supreme Champion Live if sired by Texel £125 to Reserve Champion Live if sired by a Texel £150 towards Texel show classes

Welcome to the 156 new Members that have joined the Society since November 2012.

In-Lamb Club Sales

Results September Kelso Ram Sale 1055 registered Shearlings to Average £733.08 (+£9.04 for 28 less sold) 98 registered lambs £458.57 (+£77.72 for 13 more sold)

Builth Wells Main Ram Sale Females £325.08 Avg for 100 sold with 82% clearance Ram Lambs £333.28 Avg for 266 sold with 90% clearance

3rd December

NORTH SCOTLAND CLUB SALE - Thainstone Aberdeen & Northern Mart Tel: 01467 623710

6th December

SOLWAY & TYNE CLUB SALE - Carlisle Aged ewes, shearling gimmers, ewe lambs Harrison & Hetherington Tel: 01228 406230

7th December

GLOUCESTER & BORDERS CLUB SALE - Worcester In lamb gimmers, empty ewe lambs McCartneys Tel: 01905 769770

14th December

NORTHERN AREA TEXEL SHEEP BREEDERS 31st Annual Winter Sale CCM Auctions Tel: 01756 792375

20th December

SHROPSHIRE AND BORDERS CLUB SALE - Welshpool In lamb ewes, ewes and empty lambs Welshpool Livestock Sales Tel: 01938 553438

20th December

SOUTH WALES CLUB SALE - Llandovery In-lamb ewes Clee Tompkinson & Francis Tel : 01874 622488

4th January

NORTH WEST CLUB SALE - Chelford Aged ewes, shearling gimmers & empty ewe lambs Frank Marshall Tel: 01625 861122

Shearling Rams £627.24 Avg for 750 sold with 95% clearance

www.texel.co.uk

7 Texel National Sales National Sales Highest Priced in 2013

1st Season Sire of the Year award 2013

Northern Ireland

Milestonehill Utah Jazz - ALL1300826 Messrs Annett - Milestonehill

sold for 6,000gns to I & A Smith - Feddal Road

Scotland STRATHBOGIE TERMINATOR - IJS1200069 - Messrs James Innes & Sons - Strathbogie

Congratulations go to Messrs James Innes & Sons (Strathbogie flock), who has won the 1st season Sire of the Year 2013 award via the Texel Sheep Society National Sales with the three top sons of their home bred sire Strathbogie Terminator - IJS1200069.

Strathbogie Untouchable, IJS1300280 James Innes & Son, Strathbogie

Terminator is jointly owned with Graham Morrison (Deveronvale flock), who endorsed Jim Innes’s very high opinion of the ram by paying £30,000 privately for a share of Terminator in June 2012.

sold for 48,000gns jointly to Bruce Renwick - Castlecairn, Robbie Wilson, Milnbank and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn

Jim Innes confirmed that he has since developed into a well balanced outstanding mature ram, and his semen has been widely used during his 1st season. He will therefore have a widespread beneficial impact within the Texel breed.

Wales

For the full report visit www.texel.co.uk /sales/sireoftheyear.php or scan the QR code with your smart phone First Season Sire of the year 2013 1st - Strathbogie Terminator Breeder

Sportsman’s Urban, BGS1300912 Boden & Davies Ltd, Sportsman’s

1st

James Innes & Son

2nd

William McCaffrey

3rd

Clark Farms

4th

PJ&S Hammond

5th

Boden & Davis Ltd

sold for 3,800gns to David Houghton, Tophill

England

Strathbogie Unforgettable, IJS1300310 James Innes & Son, Strathbogie

sold for 6,800gns to David & Thomas Bradley, Farmer, Meon Down

2nd - Scholars Twenty Twelve

Sheep ID

3rd - Teiglum Tornado

Qualifying Sons

Price Gns

Aggregate Price Gns

Strathbogie Terminator IJS1200069

Strathbogie Untouchable Strathbogie Uno Strathbogie Unforgettable

IJS1300280 IJS1300258 IJS1300310

48,000 10,000 6,800

64,800

Scholars Twenty Twelve YWM1200040

Strathbogie Upgrade Strathbogie U2 Strathbogie Ultra Boy

IJS1300200 IJS1300233 IJS1300326

32,000 16,000 5,200

53,200

Teiglum Tornado CFT1201701

Milnbank Ur The Boy Milnbank Uranium Milnbank Underbelly

LYM1301019 LYM1301079 LYM1301046

40,000 6,200 5,200

51,400

Tullylagan Tonka HPY1200404

Sportsmans Umpire Sportsmans Unbeatable Sportsmans United II

BGS1300783 BGS1300814 BGS1300852

20,000 18,000 10,000

48,000

Sportsmans Trojan ii BGS1200587

Knock Ursus Knock Uragi Hilltop Uncle Buck

HAK1300523 HAK1300525 PKH1300856

34,000 3,500 2,400

39,900

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SOCIETY MATTERS

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Happy Birthday to Bert Verity (Barrowby) Bert’s Son Mick reports that his father was delighted to receive the lovely 100th Bert Verity 2013 Birthday Card sent on behalf of the Board of Directors, John, staff and Members of the Texel Sheep Society. He certainly had a day to remember He was presented with a lovely letter and photograph of her majesty the Queen by the local Lord Mayor, before enjoying a 100 year old recipe he remembered having many years ago, called “The Sheep Shearers Supper “ It was highly enjoyed , before he gave a splendid speech to thank all of his many friends in the UK. Mick conveyed his thanks to everyone in the Texel Sheep Society, and the many members who had sent their best wishes to his Dad on this special occasion.

Polite Notice: Using Embryo Transfer (ET) This Year?

All members are reminded that if they wish to Birth Notify 2014 embryo (ET) born lambs that DNA profiling of all Donor ewes and Sires ( 2013 born sires only) is required.

• Simple to use DNA nasal sampling kits are available from the Society office. Tel: 024 7669 6629

• Sample donor ewes and 2013

sires on your AI or ET day or

earlier if suitable. DO NOT leave

it too late to sample!

• Only samples profiled and invoiced though the Society, using our chosen service provider “Geneseek” will be acceptable.

• The cost of each DNA profile/ sample will be charged by the Society at £22.50 + VAT.

• No profiles - No birth notification. Don’t leave it too late!

The aim of collecting DNA profiles is to build a useful reference database that will be used for parentage testing and offer further integrity to the Texel flock book.

Dates for Your Diary Royal Show dates 2014 Royal Ulster Show - 14-16 May Judge John McKerrow - Grougfoot Royal Highland Show - 19-22 June Judge Yves Lacroix Great Yorkshire Show - 8-10 July GYS to confirm Royal Welsh Show - 21-24 July Charlie Boden - Sportsman’s/Mellor Vale Devon County Show - 22-24 May

National Sale dates 2014 N.I National - 11-12 August Judge - TBC Scottish National - 20-21 August Judge S Smith - Penparc Welsh National - 22-23 August Judge A Clark - Clarks/Garngour/Teiglum English National - 25-26 August Judge N Hamill - Ballynadrenta

NSA Events, Shows & Sales NSA Eastern Region Winter Fair Melton Mowbray - 31 January NSA Scot sheep Berwickshire farm of Quixood - 4 June NSA South Sheep Lewes, East Sussex - 28 June NSA Sheep 2014 Malvern - 30 July

Events to celebrate the Society’s 40th Anniversary National Flock Competition YDP - National Stock Judging NSA Sheep Event July 2014 Malvern Special Anniverasy AGM & Social Weekend - Carden Park, Chester Trips to: • Switzerland • New Zealand • Hanover (Eurotier) Read more at http://www.texel. co.uk/anniversary/index.php or scan the QR code with your smart phone

NSA Early Ram Sale Builth Wells - Judge Deri Morgan Tynewydd - 4th August

NSA Breed Society Forum, 21.8.2013 On behalf of the Texel Sheep Society, Bob & Anne Payne (Handbank Texel flock) attended the NSA Breed Society Forum. The Forum was held near Edinburgh at the invitation of the Moredun Foundation for Research in Animal Health. The facilities were excellent and as hosts the staff were both welcoming and informative.

Read more of Ann & Bobs report at http://www.texel.co.uk/ news/2013/46_nsa_ breed_forum.php or scan the QR code with your smart phone

www.texel.co.uk

NSA Wales & Borders Ram Sale Builth Wells - Judge Andy Barr Parkhouse - 21st &22nd September

Dispersal - Production - Reduction Dispersal = loss of flock prefix - no transfers/birth notifications are allowed to a flock that holds a Dispersal sale. If the Member wishes to purchase sheep and register/ transfer etc they have to become a new member with a new flock prefix.

Transfers in to the ‘dispersed’ flock cannot be done. If you are going to continue purchasing and transferring into your flock - advertise sales using the words Production and Reduction instead.

9 Congratulations to Keith Williams Hendy, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, on being awarded the Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the year 2013.

Read the full feature on Mr Williams at http://www. fwi.co.uk/articles/03/10/2013/141292/farmers-weeklysheep-farmer-of-the-year-2013-keith.htm

Scrapie Monitoring Scheme (SMS) a) Purchasing Stock

SMS members must only purchase stock-males and females from other SMS flocks OR ensure that purchases are Scrapie genotyped as Type 1. Flocks have lost status because of non- compliance with this rule

b) Fallen Stock

Be aware that fallen stock should be submitted on an annual basis to ensure you retain your SMS status. Renewal of your membership can be delayed if adequate numbers of fallen stock are not supplied to your local SAC/VLA centre.

For every 100 sheep in your flock there should be at least I submission. There is no Defra funding for testing fallen stock - cost has to be funded by yourself. Abattoir samples are not allowed - the obligation is on the SMS member to submit samples.

There has been considerable interest in SMS in the last year as the export trade is increasingly buoyant.

Please ensure you abide by the rules. If in doubt Please call PS&GHS Office 01463 226 995

SHROPSHIRE & BORDERS CLUB Evening Sale of In-Lamb Females

on Friday 20th December 2013 at Welshpool Market Call Welshpool Livestock Sales

on 01938 553 438

Gloucester & Border Counties Club Annual “Christmas Present” In-Lamb Gimmer, Ewe Lamb Show & Sale, Penberlan Dispersal for S.A and B.M. Bennett & Son

Saturday 7th December 2013 at Worcester Market Tel: McCartneys on

01905 769770

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

TEXEL LIFESTYLE

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David Warwick – Braehead Kermode Family of the Isle of Man for 1,000 guineas which went on to breed Orrisdale Paradise selling for 8,000gns, and another of the embryos was QDA08 002, the G. Dam of 5,000 guineas Braehead The Real McCoy. This ewe has bred gimmers to 2,400 guineas and ram lambs to 1,000 guineas and also bred the Ballymena Show Champion 2012.

Ewe lambs are retained each year, with a number of in-lamb gimmers sold each December to contain flock at around 30 females

Mullan Photogenic has been the most influential sire used in the flock to date with his 3 top daughters averaging 1376 guineas at the Northern Stars Sale in 2011 and daughters also breeding ram lambs to 6,000gns and 5,000gns.

David Warwick has been hooked on Texel Sheep since his father bought him his first ewes when he was a teenager

A gift of a pedigree Texel ewe prompted the formation of the Braehead prefix owned and managed by David Warwick, who farms on the outskirts of Ballymena, County Antrim. The flock has gone from strength to strength since, and in just twelve years progeny has become a force to be reckoned with a pen average of £4060 recorded for ram lambs at the Premier Sale at Ballymena in 2012.

The family farm extends to some 100 acres of good quality lowland grazing, ` the majority of which is used for silage production. It is home to the Braehead flock which is maintained at around 30 pedigree ewes, and a supplementary commercial unit of 50 ewes.

“Following the initial gift of a Texel ewe when I was in my early teens, my father and mother gave me a Springhill female one Christmas. This line has proved to be invaluable with the majority of my best females deriving from this ewe. This includes Braehead Touch of Class which sold for my highest price to date realising 6000 guineas last season. This ram lamb was sired by Mossknowe Pudsey.” states David.

Another purchase which proved to be successful was when David purchased embryos from the Cornerstone Flock, one of these embryos was Braehead Old Testament that sold to The

www.texel.co.uk

The flock lambs from mid February onwards, with all stock lambed indoors for convenience. David varies his breeding programme by using trend setting sires available through artificial insemination. These include Gyrhos Rambo, Kelso Pavarotti and Cornerstone Tin Tin. A number of ewes are also hand picked for embryo transfer work, with mules from the commercial flock used as recipients.

All lambs are creep fed until weaning which takes place at the end of June. This combined with the superior milking ability of the Texel ewe produces a quality lamb with the first ready for sale at the Premier event which takes place in mid August.

David adds “We like to aim for the Ballymena sale each year, followed by Lanark and provincial sales locally. We also sell ram lambs and gimmers privately from the farm every year. All of our ewe lambs are over wintered, with a number of gimmers offered for sale at the in lamb sales. In December 2013, we are guest consignor at the Northern Lights Sale where we will have in-lamb gimmers for sale. This allows the flock number to remain static at around 30 breeding females, which suits me well as I have a full time job like so many farmers nowadays.”

Commercial lambs also enjoy a ready market with lambs taken for sale at around 45 kilos live weight.

These regularly top the days trading as the Texel x mule lamb offers quality carcase and high kill out for buyers.

The Braehead flock consists of around 30 breeding females, with a number selected each year for flushing

11

Michael Leggat – Foreman Hill Having seen them used on the commercial flock at his home farm, Condland Mill, Michael Leggat was keen to work with Texels from a young age, and was able to fulfil that ambition by working with the Mairs at Muiresk for two years, before taking on the role as shepherd for Jim Innes’ 60-ewe Strathbogie flock, near Huntly, 11 years ago.

foundation ewes bought from Baltier – she’s bright, tall, long, with a good topline and great on her legs. She’s had sons to 11,000gns and daughters to 7000gns and she breeds consistently well, with a lamb in the Lanark pen every year – I’d love a whole flock like her!”

On the selling side, Michael has received up to 3000gns for gimmers and 1200gns for tup lambs, but of course he’s brought out several five-figure priced tups for Strathbogie, and 2013 has been a particularly memorable year. The flock secured its best ever price of 48,000gns at Lanark for Strathbogie Untouchable, with his two full brothers making 20,000gns at Carlisle and 6800gns at Worcester.

Jim and Michael support the shows as much as possible in their busy schedule. This year’s accolades included inter-breed titles at Turriff and Keith and the male championship at the Royal Highland with the lamb which went on to make 48,000gns.

But despite such a successful show and sale season this year, Michael insists his favourite time of year is lambing time.

“I like nothing more than lambing time, it’s exciting seeing the new lambs and how certain tups have bred…even though I get no sleep for a week! “I honestly couldn’t think of a job I’d rather do than work with Texels, and the bonus for me is seeing tups that I’ve brought out doing well and making good prices,” said Michael. “I think the breed on the whole is heading in the right direction; the carcase side has definitely improved in the last five years and breeders seem to be focussing more on commercial traits,” he added.

“I learned a lot at Muiresk, it was my first experience with pedigree Texels and I’ve never regretted becoming involved with the breed,” explained Michael, who is based with his partner Karen Law at Cairnton Farm, Huntly, where the Strathbogie flock is kept.

His own flock – which has recently changed name from Maka to Foreman Hill – consists of just six ewes and was established in 2009 with a ewe from Haremoss and gimmers from Deveronvale and Strathbogie. “I had bought the grand-dam of the Strathbogie gimmer for Jim, from Cambwell, so I knew I liked its back-breeding, but other than that I tend to go for character, shape and good legs. For me, females must have good heads, be bright, with good colours, but I don’t like them to be too powerful,” said Michael, who bought a share in a tup for his own use for the first time this year, Garngour Ultimatum, along with Strathbogie, Allanfauld, Deveronvale and Harestone.

If he had to point out his perfect Texel female, Michael says it would be IJS05012. “She is the daughter of one of the

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

YOUTH FOCUS

12

Youth Initiatives The Society, over the last 2 years has created…

• Three annual National Scholarship awards of a £1000 each. (£3000) • Four Student Educational achievement awards for 2013 of £500 each. (£2000) • Sponsorship package for three young

breeders to attend the Biannual Sheep Breeders Round Table costing up to £500 each. (£1000) • The Youth Development Programme Committee

And supported…

• A French exchange students visit to the UK • The Northern Ireland Young Texel Breeders 5 Nation Stock Judging Competition Introducing your YDP Committee…

Who will take these and new initiatives forward over the next year.

A

Kerr Jarvie - Scotland

Duncan Mellin - North England

A

1. North of Scotland 2. East of Scotland 3. South East Scotland

B

4.

5.

6.

South West of Scotland & Cumbria North East England Northern & Central North of England

C

7.

8.

9.

East & South East of England Central South England West of England

D

10. North Wales & Borders 11. South Wales 13. Mid Wales & Borders

E

12.

Northern Ireland

E B

David Bradley-Farmer - South England D

Anna Minnice-Hughes - Wales

C

Adrian Ligget - Northern Ireland www.texel.co.uk/youngtexels/index.php

www.texel.co.uk

13 The 5 Nations - Northern Ireland

Texel French Exchange Student 2013 As an HND farm management student, I completed an internship in order to validate my first year. Thanks to the OSON (Organisation de Sélection Nord; Nord Selection Organisation), the French Texel Society, I had the opportunity to complete this one-month internship in Great Britain within the Texel Sheep Society.

Octavie Berelle

After long consideration, I arrived in Birmingham on June 10th with my French dictionary as my only help. However, as the weeks went on, it became more and more irrelevant thanks to my hosts’ patience.

I had the opportunity to travel throughout Great Britain, notably Truro, Edinburgh and Welshpool! A journey that allowed me to discover three Texel farms, but also the NSA South West Sheep, the Royal Highland Show, the National Agricultural Centre in Stoneleigh Park with the Texel Society offices and Signet Breeding Services.

This internship has allowed me to discover the British Texel breed. In France, Texel sheep are also present, but I never had the occasion to see them so closely! British Texel are a robust competitive breed which deserves its high status in the industry.

I also observed consciencious farmers with quality animals and I admired the grass based system that I do not see much in my region (Picardie), where breeding and rearing is in buildings and feeding on concentrates is often the main management system.

Thanks to this internship which was organised and financially supported by the Texel Sheep Society and host Members. It gave me the opportunity to discover a breed and a breeding system that I admire greatly.

I discovered an agricultural system, I also discovered a country and its culture thanks to my host families and the pleasure they had by sharing their love of their regions! I visited the Eden Project in Cornwall, shopped in Leamington Spa, admired New Lanark and Powys Castle, and discovered the culinary peculiarities such as pasties, fish n’ chips, haggis, mint sauce and, of course, the many cups of tea!

For all these memories, a big THANKS to the Phillips (Restronguet flock), the Gray - (Ettrick flock) and the Smith (Penparc flock), families as well as the Texel Sheep Society and all the people I met who made this journey unforgettable!

Thank you

The first ever Texel Young Breeders 5 Nations event was held in Northern Ireland Davy Chestnut (Bushmills) showing some his flock to the in July, thanks to 5 nations competitors the NIYB. Eight teams from across the UK took part. Accommodation had been arranged for all teams at Greenmount Campus with many flock and agricultural visits and events taking place over the weekend.

Read more by visiting the web site http://www. texel.co.uk/groups/northern_ireland/young_ breeders.php or scan the QR code with your smart phones.

Sheep Breeders Round Table 2013 Texel Society supports future of sheep industry with sponsorship of Sheep Breeders Round Table Young Entrants.

In an extension of its already substantial support of the next generation of British sheep farmers, the British Texel Sheep Society sponsored the attendance of three young farmers at the Sheep Breeders Round Table (SBRT) conference in November.

Robert Pierce, Beth Lawrence and Sam Palmer attended the event, supported at the event by recently retired Society Director Alwyn Phillips, the students enjoyed a full itinerary at this biannual gathering of leading British sheep farmers and research scientists.

The theme was ‘Transforming data in to profit’ a message which sits clearly in the focus of the Texel Society…

Read more and their reports by visiting the website http://www.texel.co.uk/news/2013/43_ young_entrants.php Or scan the QR code with your smart phone

Educational Awards 2013 The Texel Sheep Society Educational Award is new for 2013 and is awarded to the student who has attained the highest mark on a sheep production related Honours Research Project.

The recipient Universities and winners in 2013 were…

Harper Adams - John Brocklehurst - £500 CAFRE - Greenmount - Kathryn McKeown from Ballymena, Co Antrim - £500

SRUC - Jenna Kyle & Jennifer Brown £250 each

Octavie The society thanks all involved in this inaugural exchange and looks forward to expanding the initiatives through the society’s YDP.

Read more and their reports by visiting http://www.texel. co.uk/youngtexels/education_awards.php or scan QR code

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

14

S A M T S I R CH CKERS CRA CARLISLE

Sale of

rs

me m i g b m a in-l

RT AUCTION MA

FRIDAY 6th DECEMBER 2013 EVENING EVENT Record Breaking Highest Priced Texel Females sold at this sale in 2010 & 2011 at 24,000 and 32,000gns respectively

Featuring

Cairness Deveronvale Glenside Haddo Knock Midlock Rascarrel Tophill

www.texel.co.uk

Catalogues from auctioneers Harrison & Hetherington Borderway Mart Rosehill, Carlisle, CA1 2RS

Tel: 01228 406 230 Fax: 01228 640921 www.livestock-sales.co.uk

15

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SCIENCE IN PRACTICE

16

Summary

Accuracy Values Animals with high accuracy values Selecting breeding stock with high accuracy values, minimises risk in breeding decisions. Widely used stock sires, e.g. reference rams with lots of recorded relatives will have high accuracy values. Fully recorded ram lambs with lots of recorded relatives will have acceptable accuracy values.

Animals with low accuracy values An important feature of Signet’s breeding evaluations is that they are risk adverse. EBV’s based on limited amounts of information get adjusted back towards an average figure until more data becomes available.

Among those animals with low accuracy values there may be individuals with good genetics, but a lack of performance data means they are difficult to identify using EBV’s

Accuracy values indicate the likelihood of an EBV changing (up or down) as more information about the animal becomes available.

Accuracy values account for the risk involved in making breeding decisions and provide buyers with the confidence that an EBV is accurate.

Using accuracy values in ram selection An EBV predicts the breeding merit of an animal for a specific trait. The degree to which this EBV reflects the “true” breeding merit of the animal depends on how much we know about its performance relative to the rest of the population.

Accuracy values indicate how much we know about an animal and its relatives for a specific trait.

Summary

Accuracy, connectedness and comparisons between flocks

Accuracy values indicate the likelihood of an EBV changing (up or down) as more information about the animal becomes available.

Accuracy is not a direct measure of the quality of connections between animals in the recorded population. This is better achieved using “flock connectedeness”. However, the value of across-flock comparisons between animals with low accuracy will be of limited benefits.

Accuracy values account for the risk involved in making breeding decisions and provide buyers with the confidence that an EBV is accurate.

Presentation of accuracy values Accuracy values are presented for each EBV and expressed as percentage points ranging from 0 to 99. In the example below are two rams with different EBV’s and Accuracy values. The ram lamb has superior EBV’s, but his lower accuracy values indicate there is a higher chance that they may change (increase or decrease) if he has progeny recorded in future evaluations.

For any trait, the accuracy of the EBV is influenced by several factors: • Amount of information for the animal • Amount of information from relatives • Heritability of the trait • Amount of information from traits correlated with the trait of interest and the strength of these correlations • Number of animals being compaired (contemporaries)

Recorded Stock Ram with 80 progeny Scan Weight EBV Muscle Depth EBV Fat Depth EBV Index

Scan Weight EBV Muscle Depth EBV Fat Depth EBV Index

EBV 4.6 2.8 0.2 230

Accuracy 92 86 87 88

Recorded Ram Lamb EBV 5.0 3.2 0.3 280

www.texel.co.uk

Accuracy 78 67 69 75

17 Performance Recording Embryo Transfer lambs in the Texel breed

not influence its mothers Maternal Ability EBV (genes of milk production), as she did not rear it.

Introduction

Handling recipient information

The use of embryo transfer (ET) is a widely used reproductive technology in the Texel breed.

For the purposes of the analysis – the fact that a lamb is reared by a recipient ewe is simply one more environmental influence (referred to as a “fixed effect”) on the lambs performance.

As with every other environmental influence (flock, season, management group) this is taken into account when trying to assess a lambs true genetic merit. As a result, ET lambs are not directly compared to non-ET lambs.

The breeding evaluations delivered by Signet are built to take ET procedures into account and rely on breeders supplying the right information about their ET lambs, donors and recipients.

This is no different to breeders supplying information on management groups, although in the case of ET lambs the Society checks the numbers of lambs notified each year for each Pedigree donor ewe. The Society actively monitors the number of ET birth notifications received from each member as well as monitoring flock prolificacy for lambs born naturally.

This year the Society launched its “Gene-Tex” service. Initially this service will require all ET Donor ewes and all 2013 sires, and inclusively season sires used thereafter within ET programmes to be DNA sampled and their parentage profiled against the Society DNA reference database.

The analysis of ET lambs has to do several things: • Correctly credit the ewe that provided the genes being expressed by the lamb (i.e. the ET donor ewe) • Acknowledge that the lamb was reared by another ewe and hence some of its performance needs to be credited to the milking ability of the recipient ewe • Finally it is recognised that the ET programme itself can influence performance – for example the drugs used to stimulate ovulation rate will influence prolificacy. This can be taken into account through accurate recording.

Signet’s analyses already have to tease out the degree to which the lamb’s weight at 8 weeks of age is due to genes from its sire, genes from its dam, its dam’s milking ability and the environment.

In the case of ET lambs this calculation has to go one step further in recognising that the genetic dam and rearing dam are two different animals.

Another important reason for correctly recording recipient dam is that it enables Signet to correctly identify whether a lamb was reared as a single or twin. {If an ET lamb is entered onto the database with an unknown recipient dam they are analysed assuming they were reared as a single}. Accurate recording of the recipient dam also enables the analysis to take into account factors such as her breed and age.

Preventing bias For some traits the information provided by ET lambs can’t be used when evaluating the lamb or its relatives. A classic example would be the lambs birth type; single, twin or triplet. The number of lambs born in an ET programme is largely influenced by the ET technician – so this data has no value in assessing the genes that influence prolificacy (and thus the Litter Size EBV). In a similar way, the weight gain of the ET lamb should

The analysis will even take “recipient breed” into account – as it is recognised that there are differences in the milking ability of different breeds.

Historical problems have been solved In 2009 Signet and the Texel Sheep Society became aware that some flocks were not able to correctly allocate ET recipient details to lambs birth notified into the BASCO database. Signet and the Society promptly embarked on a data cleaning exercise to update Texel ET records. The problem was rectified and the allocation of recipient ewe is now mandatory when birth notifying ET lambs to the Texel Sheep Society.

A common numbering policy is used for recipient ewes – which is Flock Code +RPT+Identity e.g. ALLRPT0003. Members should be aware of this as recipient ewes are now frequently appearing on printouts.

Preferential management Although the breeding analysis can “handle” ET effects, breeders sometimes comment that their recipient lambs have unwittingly had “an advantage”. For example – ET lambs might have born as a tight group, a month earlier and got less of a health/nutritional check than that suffered by later born lambs.

As with any external management influence – the best thing to do in this scenario is allocate lambs to different management groups. This means that the flock records are split to ensure that only lambs managed under similar conditions are compared.

This is one further way to alleviate any potential source of bias.

Summary • Breeding evaluations take into account the influence of Embryo Transfer (ET) • Pedigree breeders must correctly record recipient ewe details. Within the Texel Society the recording of this information is mandatory.

• The birth type of an ET lamb will not influence its mothers Litter Size EBV, as the number of lambs produced by the recipient was largely due to the AI technician.

• The weight of an ET lamb will not influence its mothers Maternal Ability EBV (genes of milk production), as she did not rear it.

Sam Boon,

Signet Breeding Services

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

18

‌ s t n e s e r p s l e x e t d r Oldfo the Unbeaten in n easo 2013 show s prize

1st including we RWAS e g in rl a she er and 2 furth es tl ti d e re interb

Oldford Tess

Her FULL SISTER will sell in lamb to the 8500gns Anglezarke Uno along with many other outstanding females of various ages

Friday 20th December 2013 at Welshpool Livestock Sales Oldford Texels ltd. Oldfields Farm, Pulford, Chester. Tel (Rob) 01244 571387 / 07732 340243

www.texel.co.uk

VET OUTLOOK Kath Dun BVM&S, Cert SHP, MRCVS – currently working in mixed practice with the Merlin Vet Group, Kelso, in the Scottish Borders.

Graduated from the Royal (Dick) Vet School, Edinburgh 1992, after 2 years in practice in Aberdeenshire, returned to the Dick Vet and worked in the Dick Vet Farm Animal Practice for 18 years.

Special interest in sheep health and production.

Secretary of the Sheep Veterinary Society.

Farms at home with husband on sheep and beef farm in the Scottish Borders.

Liver Fluke: The two consecutive wet summers of 2011 and 2012 led to some horrendous problems with liver fluke in UK flocks in autumn and winter 2012/2013. Traditionally, the wetter areas of the west coast are where liver fluke was thought to predominate, however the problem has now spread vastly and there are very few areas of the country which have not experienced issues with the liver fluke, fasciola hepatica.

With a warmer and drier summer this year, the question on everyone’s lips at the moment is “what do we do about liver fluke in our sheep this year?...........”

A method of predicting the likely incidence of fluke outbreaks was developed more than 50 years ago.

Forecasts are based on the weather data from May to September and include the number of days of rain, the total rainfall and evaporation levels. Forecasts obviously can vary from region to region and can be found at www.nadis.org.uk and in the farming press. By using fluke forecasts and knowledge of your own farm grazing conditions and previous fluke incidence, the risk factors can be established for your flock.

So, what we must not do, is to become complacent about the risk of fluke problems this year – even with the dry summer we have had and where the fluke forecast is low or average, don’t be caught out by assuming there is no risk to your stock, especially where you have a “flukey” farm. In dry conditions the best grazing is often found near watercourses and more permanent wet areas of fields.

These areas will still be harbouring the mud snails required for the completion of the liver fluke lifecycle and infective fluke cysts are likely to be found on grazing close by. In a dry year it might be worthwhile to fence off these areas.

Discuss with your vet the control measures for your individual flock and formulate a strategic dosing plan if necessary. Traditional dosing for fluke with triclabendazole in October and then with closantel or nitroxynil in January may be sufficient to control the problem this year, but it is always advisable to monitor fluke activity via faecal egg counts during the winter months. There have been reports of resistance to triclabendazole emerging throughout the country – this can be assessed using faecal egg counts or the newly available faecal copro-antigen test – seek advice from your vet or local veterinary investigation centre.

Ultrasound Scanning Results: Many early lambing flocks will be ultrasound scanning in the next month or so. It is important to discuss results with your vet where you have more barren ewes and/or less lambs than expected and there is no obvious reason to account for the situation.

Last year many flocks experienced poor scans and much of the problem was attributed to the continual awful wet weather leading to poor ewe condition and weather-related stress around tupping time. Sub-acute liver fluke was also implicated in many flocks. It would certainly be unlikely for the weather to be blamed for high barren rates this year and the hope would be that in most flocks sub-acute liver fluke should have had less of a contribution to poor fertility.

Diagnosis of the cause of poor scanning rates can be difficult because so many different management variables are involved. Where there are a high number

19 of barren ewes, we must also consider infectious causes such as toxoplasmosis, Border Disease, Tick-borne fever and of course in many areas of the country, Schmallenberg Virus. Trace element deficiencies can also be implicated, with selenium and iodine levels particularly relevant for good conception rates.

Some simple blood testing of barren ewes should help to identify any flock problems.

Although many breeders are using AI in flocks, individual tup fertility problems have to be considered where follow-up tups are used – pre-breeding fertility soundness and semen testing of tups is always a useful tool to have used prior to tupping.

Sheep Scab….keep vigilant: Here in the Scottish Borders we have seen a couple of outbreaks of sheep scab in the past month. Despite increased awareness and improved biosecurity on many sheep farms, scab seems to rear its ugly head on an alarmingly regular basis.

Any sheep which are Itching must be investigated by a vet to get a definitive diagnosis of the cause. With the decrease in use of OP plunge dipping in the UK, the incidence of lice in sheep has escalated. However, if the assumption of a louse problem is made incorrectly where sheep scab is actually the problem, the consequences could be severe, especially when the problem is diagnosed at lambing time.

Treatment by plunge dipping in OP solutions is the only method which will deal with both sheep scab and lice.

More commonly however, a suspected lice problem diagnosed by the farmer will either be left untreated or will be treated by a cypermethrin pour-on – this product will have no effect on the mite psoroptes ovis which causes sheep scab.

If not dipping in OP, sheep scab must be treated by either injectable moxidectin or doramectin solutions.

So, take home message…….get your vet to examine and skin scrape any itchy sheep, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE….. and certainly before lambing starts.

Untreated scab when you are lambing is a nightmare and results in all newborn lambs potentially being infected with scab and requiring to be treated.

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

20

IMPORTS & EXPORTS

Society hosts Brazilian Sheep Industry officials.

study to establish a new organisation in Brazil, similar to our levy bodies in the UK. They received a presentation on Society development and breed development strategies, providing useful insight on the delivery of a modern breed Society service. Henry Lewis, British Livestock genetics Consortium (BLG), gave a précis of the Stratified industry.

Daniel had met our Chief Executive in the Nineties and commended his work in developing trade links between the two countries. Daniel also commented on the growth of the Texel breed in Southern Brazil, where it was now the most popular terminal sire.

Daniel Benitez and Carlos Lacerda, involved in the Brazilain meat processing and marketing sector met with our Chief Executive this autumn. The visitors having been tasked with developing a government report on industry structure and levy funding systems, focused the meeting on Society structure and breed development, to assist in a feasibility

The benefits of imports and exports Courtesy of Clive Brown, Senior Regional Manager, Eblex.

Sheep market volatility over the past year, particular that stimulated by an unusually high influx of specific cuts from overseas, has prompted many people to ask why we continue to import. EBLEX Senior Regional Manager – Northern Region – Clive Brown examines the market.

While the UK is technically self-sufficient in sheep meat, we continue to import large quantities, primarily from New Zealand.

In 2012, for example, the UK imported 86,100 tonnes product weight of sheep meat, 73 per cent of which came from New Zealand. During the same period, the UK exported 94,700 tonnes.

This does beg the question: “If we’re self-sufficient, why do we need to import?” The answer is fourfold: historic, market, seasonal and economic.

The UK has been importing New Zealand sheep meat for 130 years, with unrestricted imports until 1973 when the UK joined the European Economic Community (EEC). At the time, the UK was only circa 40 per cent self-sufficient. However, while the UK market is now technically self-sufficient, it is not functionally

www.texel.co.uk

He added that there continued to be a challenge between fashion and function with breeders in Brazil, and commented on the positive attitude of the British Texel Society in relation to the investment and development of a robust database, the vast volume of breed measurements collected from the broad member base and the focus on developing new performance recording tools.

Carlos Lacerda, marketing consultant was impressed with the depth of communication the Society achieves within the Industry and commended the Society on the quality of its website and general media, which had allowed research prior to their visit.

self-sufficient. The UK demands a larger volume of higher end cuts, such as legs and chops, while UK exports consist mainly of carcases and a large proportion of low value cuts to emerging markets.

Most UK imports, particularly from New Zealand, are frozen, which is generally cheaper and aimed at providing a wider range of choice and availability for consumers. A significant drop in UK imports from New Zealand would likely result in an overall drop in UK sheep meat consumption.

The bulk of UK production takes place in the second part of the year and does not necessarily coincide with domestic demand.

At Easter, for example, New Zealand production peaks to coincide with UK demand. The complementary seasons allow grass-finished lamb and new season lamb to be available all year round, and the use of imports also allows lamb to maintain shelf space throughout the year. Ultimately, the balance of imports and exports helps iron out demand and supply peaks in the UK sheep industry and is therefore beneficial to the sector.

When you look at the bigger picture, it’s a question of striking the right balance between imports and exports to satisfy domestic and global demand, while maximising returns for UK producers through full carcase utilisation.

Read more and their reports by visiting the website http://beefandlambmatters.blogspot. co.uk/2013/07/why-uk-imports-lamb-fromnew-zealand.html Or scan the QR code with your smart phone

21

NORTHERN Ballynahone Clougher Forkins Tamnamoney SATURDAY 21st DECEMBER at 12.30pm Ballymena Mart Catalogues & Enquiries Tel: 028 256 33470

STARS

Guest consignors Straidarran and Ettrick

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Friday 27th Dec 2013 at 1pm Hilltown Livestock Mart, BT34 5YN Tel: 028406 30287

Main service sires Baltier Thunderbird - Oberstown Usain Bolt Cornerstone Tin Tin - Mullan Supremacy - Forkins Tombstone Teiglum Tornado - Strathbogie Terminator Five consignors:

Blackstown • Fairmount • Mullan Springwell • Tullagh • Braehead (Guest) Springwell Ulsterboy 38,000 gns

Approx. 100 females including ewe lambs & embryo pregnancies

For further details contact Louise Robinson:

Tel: 07980 212 016

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

22 North west Texel Breeders’ Club annual Female Sale “Chelford” Saturday, 4th January 2014

www.northwesttexels.co.uk

Comprising:

•In-Lamb Ewes •In-Lamb shearling Gimmers •Empty Ewe Lambs Judging 9.00am - Sale 11.00am Sponsored by: BARLOW TRAILERS Tel: 01772 600995 www.barlowtrailers.co.uk Catalogues available upon request from Frank Marshall Tel: 01625 861122 Secretary: Jill Mortimer-Taibatt Tel: 0772580665 Email: jill@northwesttexels.co.uk

R

ment Sa e r i t e l

e

David & Joan Orrells lle ock godig texel fl

All Breeding Ewes to be Sold in-lamb (MV) (approximately 150 heads) Friday 10th January 2014 at 6.00pm Welshpool Livestock Sales,Welshpool For more information call: 01686 630662 / 07805 147589 or WLS 01938 553438 welshpool@auctionmarts.com

www.texel.co.uk

MERCHANDISE Product

23 Size: S/M/L/XL/XXL

Two tone Fleece (Black/Grey)

Price inclusive of VAT £36.00

NEW PRICE

Result Extreme Fleece (Black or Navy) Body Warmer/Soft Shell (Black or Navy)

£25.00 £33.60

Body Warmer/Padded (Black or Navy)

£24.00

Polo Shirt (Raspberry, Heather Grey or Black)

£12.00

Show Coat (White)

£36.00

Tie (Acrylic) (Navy)

One Size

Baseball Cap (Black)

One Size

Beanie Hat (Grey)

One Size

New Style Beanie Hat (Red or Grey)

One Size

NEW PRICE NEW PRICE

£15.00

NEW PRICE NEW PRICE

£5.00 £5.00 £5.00

Society Back Pack Bag

N/A

Texel Pin Badges

N/A

90p

Trailer Stickers

A2 A3

£5.00 £4.00

Texel Mug

N/A

£6.00

Golf Umbrella

N/A

£15.00

Prefix per garment (write prefix)

£1.20

£10.00

The ideal christmas gifts for the Texel enthusiast Baseball Cap

Beanie

‘Just Add’ Mug

New Style Beanie

To see all merchandise go to: www.texel.co.uk or scan QR code

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SOCIETY FEES 2014 This Notice supersedes all previous notices of costs and overrides any printed material which you may have in your possession.

All fees take effect from January 1st 2014

10% disco online nt

2014 Male and Female Birth Notifications 1st Jan 15th April in Year of Birth

16th April 15th June in Year of Birth

NEW FEES

16th June 31st Dec in year of Birth

1st January following year of Birth Onwards

Method

Online

Paper

Online

Paper

Online

Paper

Online

Paper

Cheque/DD

£1.60

£1.76

£1.80

£1.98

£10.00

£11.00

£100

£110

(£1.92 Inc VAT)

(£2.11 Inc VAT)

(£2.16 Inc VAT)

(£2.38 Inc VAT)

(£12.00 Inc VAT)

(£13.20 Inc VAT)

(£120 Inc VAT)

(£132 Inc VAT)

Female Registrations and Import Registrations (having previously been birth notified) By 15th June in Year of Birth (YOB)

16th June YOB - 31st October in year following YOB

Method

Online

Tel/Paper

Online

Tel/Paper

Cheque/DD

£5.25

£5.78

£5.70

£6.27

(£6.30 Inc VAT)

(£6.94 Inc VAT)

(£6.84 Inc VAT)

(£7.52 Inc VAT)

Male Registrations and Import Registrations (having previously been birth notified) Method

Online

Tel/Paper*

Cheque/DD

£26.25

£28.88

(£31.50 Inc VAT)

(£34.66 Inc VAT)

Terms of Membership (Please note new members Adult fees will now only be accepted by Direct Debit payment) Adult Joining Fee - £60.00 (Inc VAT) Payable now Annual Subscription fee - £54.21 (Inc VAT) Payable now Junior (up to age 21) Joining Fee - Free Annual Subscription fee - £27.11 (inc VAT) Payable now

www.texel.co.uk

1st November year following YOB onwards

Online

Tel/Paper

£8.50

£9.35

(£10.20 Inc VAT)

(£11.22 Inc VAT)

Transfers (only fully registered sheep can be transferred) Method

Online**

Tel/Paper

Cheque/DD

£10.00

£11.00

(£12.00 Inc VAT)

(£13.20 Inc VAT)

Submit your flock data online and save 10% (applies only to notifications/registrations) when compared to Tel/Paper fees. (Not including Membership & Subscription fees) The VAT Inclusive prices include VAT at 20% and may be adjusted at any time. * For purchased rams that require male registration, the Society requires “proof of purchase” in the form of a “ram docket” or a copy of the” invoice of sale”. ** Available late 2014.