Texel Spring Bulletin 2023

MORE from Texel Breeders’ Bulletin

Texel Bulletin is published by the Texel Sheep Society Ltd twice a year in spring and autumn. 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.

Membership Subscriptions are available online at texel.uk/join-us

Advertising office@texel.co.uk

Registrations, sales cataloguing and texelplus registrations@texel.co.uk cataloguing@texel.co.uk

Accounts accounts@texel.co.uk

Society Governance

Chief Executive - John Yates

Chairman - Jeff Aiken Procters and Tatham Hall flocks

Vice Chairman - Peter Mitchell Avon Vale flock

Treasurer - Sam Beachell Samsar flock

Contributors

Jonathan Long and Society staff

Photography

Isla Campbell, Countrygirl Media, MacGregor

Photography, Alfie Shaw, Tim Scrivener

Design

Ghost Design

Registered office – The Mechanics Workshop, New Lanark, Lanark, ML11 9DB

Auditors – Dafferns LLP, One Eastwood, Harry Weston Road, Binley Business Park, Coventry, CV3 2UB

Solicitors – Lodders Solicitors, 10 Elm Court, Arden Street, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 6PA

Bankers – The Royal Bank of Scotland, 65 Stephenson Way, Wavertree, Liverpool, L13 1HE

British Texel Sheep Society Ltd (Texel Sheep Society) is a Scottish Charity, SC007271, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

British Texel Sheep Society, Unit 74 - 4th Street, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

Tel: 024 7669 6629

Email: office@texel.co.uk

Website: texel.uk

In touch with Texel

@BritishTexel #addtexeladdvalue

Welcome to the spring 2023 edition of the Society Bulletin as we look forward to another action-packed year of activity for breeders and the society.

While the last 12 months have seen unparalleled levels of input price volatility for farmers, Texel breeders have once again fared better than many others, with raging demand for both males and females.

This demand continues to be fed from the commercial sector, with Texel sired prime, store and cull stock earning significant premiums across the UK, helping further reinforce confidence in the breed.

Spring 2023 once again sees the Society at the forefront of innovation within the UK sheep industry, with the introduction of economic indexes to support genetic improvement in the breed, underpinned by commercial production data, supporting your commercial customers with their buying and breeding decisions.

The development of these new indexes; terminal and replacement, has come about as the result of close collaboration with industry experts and to ensure the Society maintains a modern genetic improvement service.

I would urge all members to take advantage of the much-reduced texelplus fees which have been in place for more than 12 months now and help themselves, fellow breeders and the breed by collecting performance data on their animals.

The farming industry has a big challenge ahead in meeting climate change targets. Identifying those genetics with the ability to maximise production while minimising environmental impact will be an important step in demonstrating the role sheep farming can play in reducing the impact of climate change, while maintaining profitability

Using CT scanning as part of texelplus recording further helps with the development of accurate and reliable breeding values and provides potentially vital data for future research and development projects helping boost the breed’s credentials at a critical time for the industry.

With the Society’s focus on providing MORE from Texel, there are many interesting topics published in this edition, from flock features to sales reports, an update on the youth development programme and an introduction to our show judges taking centre stage. I’m sure you will find this publication both informative and helpful.

In the meantime, the Society’s regional directors, staff and I look forward to seeing many members at shows and sales over the busy summer months, showcasing and celebrating this great breed across the UK and internationally.

John Yates Chief Executive #addtexeladdvalue

12 MEMBERS FLOCK TO AGM IN ARGYLL

76 SIMPLICITY FOR SUCCESS WITH CORRAS

20 GIL BURTON BIDS FAREWELL

Texel key to combatting rising costs

Texels continued to take pole position in the UK sheep industry during 2022, both at a pedigree and commercial level.

On the commercial front, the country’s major commercial sales proved highly successful for the breed, as Texels took 41% of the sale value at Kelso and 37% of the income at Builth.

Importantly, registered Texels achieved a 79% higher average than their nonregistered counterparts at Kelso, highlighting the added value offered by pedigree status.

the UK sheep industry.

Society chief executive John Yates said the breed was continuing to drive forward and meet the needs of the UK sheep sector, with the Society supporting breeders through a number of initiatives and developments.

“The slashing of fees for the Society’s texelplus genetic improvement service, coupled with the launch of economic indexes specific for the Texel breed are helping breeders make best use of the genetics available within the breed and allowing commercial customers to access accurate and relevant information about the animals they are buying.

“From this aspect it is important to also note that texelplus recorded ram lambs achieved a 48% higher sale average at the Scottish National Sale than their non-recorded counterparts.

Mr Yates said collaboration and data collection had been at the heart of the Society’s work for a number of years and is locked into Society strategy as the breed looked to the future.

He added that the Society was heavily focussed on production and health traits, with environmental traits also becoming an important focus.

Increases in production rates (i.e. carcass weight) from improving growth rates is diluting the effect of increased gross emissions, resulting in lower emissions intensity from Texel-sired animals (decreasing by 0.06%/year).

At a pedigree level demand for the breed’s top genetics continued unabated, with the Society’s flagship sale, the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, seeing three animals sell at 100,000gns or more, a first for the breed.

On top of this the same sale recorded a record ram lamb average of £4831 and saw an 83% clearance rate.

Meanwhile, the English National Sale, Worcester, also saw a record ram lamb average at £1350, with the Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena, recording a 91% clearance in the ram lambs and the Welsh

Source; *Abacus Bio study on behalf of the Texel Sheep Society 2022

National Sale, Welshpool, seeing 89% of ram lambs finding new homes.

In-lamb sales also saw demand for top drawer females surge once again, with records set when the Plasucha flock dispersed, setting a new ewe lamb record for the breed at 35,000gns and a new inlamb aged ewe record at 28,000gns.

Mr Yates said, while the year had provided further volatility for the industry, largely through increased input prices, the Texel breed remained a reliable solution, consistently supporting sheep producers across the UK.

Expected genetic improvement in the Texel breed over the next 20 years will be worth £23.5m/year for

Introducing economic indexes to the Texel breed offers an opportunity to increase future benefits by an extra £16.9m over the next 20 years, or £1.2m /year in annualised terms.

texelplus recorded ram lambs achieved a 48% higher sale average

at the Scottish National Sale than their non-recorded counterparts.

Society competition winner

The Society’s 2022 summer competition to win an EID reader in partnership with Kiwikit Roxan was won by Cambridgeshire-based Amy Rouse.

Miss Rouse, who runs a flock of Texel cross ewes says the prize will be a big boost to her sheep enterprise, helping record lambing details as well as movements on and off the farm during the year.

“This prize will be a great addition, helping make flock management much simpler and quicker and enabling us to keep track of the flock more easily,” she added.

Society Bye Laws nine and 10 updated

Society rules on the use and sale of semen, embryo transfer work and the sale of embryos have recently been updated.

Under the new rules a DNA sample must have been received by the Society for male registration purposes before semen is used for pedigree breeding or export. The vendor

must disclose if semen is retained when a pedigree male is offered for sale.

And, for embryo transfer, females must be fully registered, and a DNA sample must have been received by the Society for the registration of any service sire(s), prior to entering an ET Programme.

New Year honour for Victor

Former Society chairman Victor Chestnutt, Clougher, was recognised in the New Year Honours for services to agriculture.

As well as his former role with the Society Victor has, in recent years, played a central role in the Ulster Farmers Union, being deputy president for four years before taking on the presidency for two terms.

He said: “To be honest I’m a bit shocked. I didn’t know a thing about it, it has been a complete surprise and an honour.

“I’m an ordinary farmer. During my time at UFU, I was one who would have said what I thought needed changed.

“I spoke my mind, I gave praise and criticism when I thought it was necessary. I suppose I thought that because I was known to be so outspoken I would never be put forward for something like this,” he said

“There has been a lot of change within my time. Climate change affects everything in the sense of farmers trying to reduce carbon.

“The last two years I’ve had a fair fight politically to get what I thought was a sensible carbon bill passed in Northern Ireland.”

Also recognised was UK chief vet Christine Middlemiss who was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).

The honour recognises Christine’s crucial role in maintaining the high standard of animal health and welfare in the UK following the country’s departure from the EU, and her significant efforts in managing the largest ever outbreak of avian influenza.

She has also worked closely with the Texel Sheep Society over the last 18 months on post-Brexit issues around the NI Protocol and movement of sheep between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Society chief executive John Yates congratulated both Victor and Christine on their honours. “It is great to see two such valued colleagues within the agricultural sector being recognised for their contribution to the industry.

Additionally, any embryo/recipient ewe carrying an embryo, which is sold, must be accompanied by a copy of the relevant AI and ET certificate(s) signed and dated by the veterinary surgeon who carried out the procedure. The Society reserves the right to inspect or scrutinise records of any animals involved in ET work.

“Their commitment to the future of UK agriculture is second to none.”

Data key to future sheep success

Better decision making resulting from data collection offers huge value to sheep producers, Society chief executive John Yates said after the Smarter Sheep Farming conference, Edinburgh.

The conference, organised by SRUC, Texel Sheep Society, University of Edinburgh and AbacusBio, heard from leading sheep researchers from across Europe, with a focus on breeding for resilience and resistance to disease.

“As the most popular sire breed in the GB sheep industry and with a major influence on the national flock, Texels have a huge role to play in ensuring profitability and sustainability in sheep production.

“It is essential to convert this data to knowledge and sustain data collection across generations to maximise the breeding opportunities it creates. Combining phenotype and genotype data collection is paramount going forwards to increase the impact of the breeding goal,” he added.

Mr Yates said the Society continues to invest in digital resources to future proof delivery of its registry and genetic improvement services to members and enable easier data collection and dissemination of information.

Recent studies carried out by renowned genetics and economic consultancy business AbacusBio and presented at the conference showed the historic and future economic and environmental influence of genetic improvement of the Texel breed.

Data collection and analysis will be central to profitable production.

Looking at the impact of breeding decisions, researchers said it was essential to fully understand the relationship between key commercial traits and other desirable production, health and environmental traits.

Meanwhile, SRUC researcher Nicola Lambe said work looking at whether rumen size can impact greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from sheep, which the Texel Society is contributing to with access to CT data and use of texelplus performance rams, showed there were useful traits emerging to measure and predict traits associated with resilience, efficiency and GHG emissions. “However, it is vital to fully understand the genetic relationships between traits in relevant sheep systems before making wholescale breeding decisions,” she explained.

Speaking at the conference, Ed Smith, Society data and technical services manager said data was vital to breed development, with the Society focussing on production and health traits, with environmental traits also becoming an important focus in the next few years.

The value of data to the breed and the industry was explained by AbacusBio’s Tom Kirk who said the introduction of new economic indexes in the Texel breed could apply an increased benefit of £1.2m a year to the industry. “This is on top of the £23.5m that Texels already add to the UK sheep industry.”

Mr Yates stated that, from a Society perspective, he had welcomed the opportunity to be involved in these research studies. “Healthy animals perform better and have lower environmental impacts, continued investment in genetic improvement in our livestock breeds is essential if we are to provide the solutions to the many challenges facing global communities.”

Texel Attended Events Calendar 2023 - Dates for the diary

10th May. NSA South West Sheep, Honiton.

10th-13th May. Balmoral Show, Lisburn.

16th May. NSA Welsh Sheep, Newtown.

7th June. NSA North Sheep, Hexham.

16th-18th June. Royal Three Counties Show, Malvern.

22nd-25th June. Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh.

4th July. NSA Sheep Northern Ireland, Tynan Estate, Co Armagh.

11th-14th July. Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate.

22nd-25th July. Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells.

7th August. NSA Early Ram Sale, Builth Wells.

23rd – 24th August. Scottish National Sale, Lanark.

26th August. Welsh National Sale, Welshpool.

28th-29th August. English National Sale, Worcester.

2nd September. Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena.

18th September. NSA Main Ram Sale, Builth Wells.

“Development of data collection and evaluation technologies as well as a better understanding of the impact genetic selection can have is vital for the future of the breed and the industry.”

breeders scoop sale awards

First time winners picked up the Society’s awards for the texelplus flocks with leading averages at the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells and Kelso Ram Sale.

At the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, the winner was Stephen Abberley’s Old Hemley flock, with a pen of five shearling rams which averaged £1816.50.

Kelso, meanwhile, saw the Ingram family’s Logie Durno flock take the honours, with their pen of nine shearlings levelling the day at £6567. Having previously won the shield at Builth, this was the first time the family had lifted the prize at Kelso.

Society chairman Jeff Aiken said it was great to see the strong demand for Texels at both of these major commercial sales, with the breed dominating proceedings at both.

“Averages at both these sales leapt on previous years and texelplus rams were, once again, among the leading prices at both events. These award winners are clearly producing rams meeting the needs of their buyers, both pedigree and commercial and these awards are well deserved recognition of their efforts,” he said.

Society director Steve Smith presents the Builth texelplus shield to Stephen Abberley.

Carole Ingram receives the Kelso texelplus shield from Society director Graeme Knox.

UK breeding sets Brazilian records, again

UK genetics were to the fore when Texel records were smashed in Brazil in December at the second production sale for Sergio Takahashi’s Gran Reserva flock.

Following on from the success of the previous year’s event which saw a new male record set for the breed in Brazil, this year’s fixture grossed a Brazilian record turnover of R$1,281,360.00 (£195,535).

The event also saw the flock establish a new female record for the breed in Brazil, with a brace of females by UK rams selling for a new record price of R$244,800 (£37,356) each.

First to go at this money was Gran Reserva POI-UK 481, the 2019 Expointer grand champion and a daughter of Cambwell Trademark. She is ET bred from a dam by Teiglum Vision.

Gran Reserva POI-UK 745, the 2022 Expointer grand champion, then went on to make the same money, with this one being a daughter of Knock Talisker, ET bred from TDJ/DV-UK 45, another by Teiglum Vision.

Meanwhile, the USA has now opened its borders to embryos from the UK, adding another potentially valuable export opportunity for UK Texel breeders.

Show receptions

The Society will be hosting member receptions at all of this year’s major summer shows, with all members, exhibitors and friends of the Society welcome to attend.

At Balmoral in May the reception will be in the Stockman’s bar at 1330, while at the Royal Three Counties it will take place in the sheep lines after judging at 1300.

The Royal Highland reception will take place in the sheep lines at 1700, with the Great Yorkshire reception being at 1730 in the Texel marquee. And, finally, the reception at the Royal Welsh will be held at the Society’s Balcony stand at 1800.

Hot lamb rolls will be on offer at Balmoral, the Royal Highland and the Royal Welsh, with hot pork rolls at Royal Three Counties and a cold buffet served at Great Yorkshire.

Further information about tickets, where required, will be available in advance of each show. Please keep an eye on the Society’s social media channels for more details.

UK success in NZ

A ram bred from a UK embryo recently enjoyed show success in New Zealand when Maple 21289/21 collected the Texel breed championship at the Mayfield Show, Canterbury.

Sired by Handbank Aidan, himself a top 1% ram here in the UK, the ram is out of a Vorn ewe by Highcraigs Apex, with both his dam and grandsire also carrying top 1% texelplus indexes.

SCAN HERE

Scrapie status for export

Members should take care to check potential export markets for their scrapie requirements. In most instances animals destined for export or for semen or embryo collection will need to come from scrapie monitored flocks or to be of particular scrapie genotype. The only laboratories accredited for scrapie genotyping for export are APHA, Weybridge and SRUC, Edinburgh.

Maple 21289/21 is jointly owned by his breeder Don Edgecombe of the Maple flock and Elizabeth McEwan of the Broadgate flock.

For a full list of countries to which UK genetics can be exported

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Competitive rates and excellent service

Please contact Nick Pile on 01273 473232 or email: farmenquiries@cliffevets.co.uk

NSA Sale ballot changes

The Society has been informed by the NSA Ram Sales committee that entries for the Society sale rings at this year’s Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, will be subject to a two-round ballot to help re-balance the numbers in the shearling ram rings.

This will see NSA conduct a ballot of two parts, with the first part being run to determine which ring a consignment is sold in. The second ballot will determine each consignment’s position within that ring.

The first ballot will determine the ring for each consignment using the following size splits;

• Consignments of 20 – 30 will be divided equally between each ring.

• Consignments of 10-19 will be divided equally between each ring.

• Consignments of 5-9 will be divided equally between each ring.

• Consignments of four or less will be divided equally between each ring.

A second ballot will then be undertaken to determine the selling order in each ring.

The ballot will be conducted by the NSA Ram Sale organising committee and will be broadcast live on Facebook to provide transparency.

Selling order in both the ram lamb and female rings will be decided by the same balloting systems as used in previous years.

Members enjoy Argyllshire AGM

The Society’s AGM and social weekend at Drimsynie Estate, Argyll, was well attended, with 60 members and friends making the trip to the west of Scotland for the event which took place from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th November.

A packed weekend saw members taking part in a range of activities, including stock judging, a quiz and a variety of outdoor pursuits.

The AGM itself saw Roy Campbell retire as chairman, handing over the reins to incoming chairman Jeff Aiken, Procters and Tatham Hall, with Peter Mitchell, Avon Vale, taking up the position of vice chairman and Sam Beachell, Samsar, becoming treasurer.

Meanwhile, Robert Laird, Cambwell, takes on chairmanship of the breed development committee, with Alastair Gault now chairing the show and sales committee.

Society chief executive John Yates gave members a detailed breakdown of Society activity and the breed’s success of recent years.

“The Texel breed remains the number one sire breed in the country and the Society is the largest sheep breed society in the UK, this is entirely due to the continued efforts of members in producing sheep which meet the needs of commercial farmers.

“At a Society level the board has committed to supporting members in recent years through investment in the iTexel database, extensive member and industry communications and support for ground breaking research and development projects.”

Mr Yates also explained the board’s decision to significantly reduce fees for the Society’s texelplus genetic improvement services. “The increased collection of valuable phenotypic data which is resulting from these lower fees will provide immediate benefits to Texel breeders and the wider industry.

“It will also add support to the Society’s genomic research and development projects which are progressing toward the introduction of genomic breeding values.”

The weekend’s finale, a highly enjoyable dinner dance, also saw a brace of members, Harry Woodmass, Harene, and Gordon Gray, Ettrick, receiving President’s Awards from the Society.

Gordon Gray receives his President’s Award from outgoing Society chairman Roy Campbell.

Also receiving a President’s Award was Harry Woodmass.

With the breed the UK’s number one sire breed and the Society continuing to invest in member resources, Texels are in a strong position, said John Yates.

Members seek Journal back copies

The Society regularly receives requests from members for back copies of the Journal. Any member with surplus copies of past editions of the Journal should contact the office to be put in touch with a member wishing to source relevant copies.

Timely presentation of information for members has seen the Society move to producing two, larger, more professional publications a year, in the form of the Texel Bulletin. These publications are better suited to the needs of the Society in the modern era and compliment the Society’s digital first communication strategy.

Additionally, the Society produces its commercial publication, Primestock, each year, with this magazine circulated to more than 50,000 sheep producers across the UK through inclusion with a number of national publications.

Society plans

50th anniversary celebrations

The Society will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024, marking half a century since the formation of the Society.

A number of events are being planned as part of this celebration, including a National Show at Carlisle in July which will include an inter-club competition day as well as a National Flock Competition and a bumper AGM and Social Weekend.

Society chief executive John Yates said members should be rightly proud of the progress the breed has made in the UK since the formation of the Society.

“The breed is now the number one sire breed in the country as well as being a hugely popular maternal breed.

“Any breed society is only as strong as its members and the strength in depth of the Texel Society membership is second to none. Next year’s 50th anniversary celebrations will be events which the whole membership can enjoy being part of.”

Full details of the anniversary celebration events taking place in 2024 will be published in the Autumn Bulletin.

New YDP committee member

James Porter, Saltcotes, has been elected as the new YDP committee member for Northern England. Having founded the Saltcotes flock in 2018 James says he has been lucky to have good guidance from a number of other breeders. “Hopefully, through the YDP I can, in turn, pass on some of the experience I’ve gained to young and newer breeders.

“I’ve managed to achieve a lot in a relatively short space of time, thanks to the help and guidance of experienced breeders. It is important to give that chance to others,” he added.

Society Matters

2022 AGM in photos

Society Matters

Register rams early

Members are reminded to register rams as early as possible to avoid late fees and that a DNA sample is required from all rams to be registered. Last year the cheapest early fee period was increased from the end of October to the end of November, with late fees applicable from the 1st December onwards. Fees are applied on the date a DNA sample is received by the office, not date of kit request.

Male Registrations (having previously been birth notified)

The Society has introduced a DNA kit request form on iTexel to improve the efficiency of kit requests and ensure all the required information is provided. More than 1000 registration DNA samples were received before 30th November last year. More than 200 kits were given directly to members at the four national sales, a service the Society will continue this year.

Male registration will only be permitted once a genotype has been issued by the laboratory and has been received by the Society office. 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”. Upload these documents at texel.uk/dna-kit-request. Failure to provide a DNA sample for your ram may prevent your ram from being registered along with their resultant progeny, (an appeal fee of £250 (£300 inc VAT) applies).

Scrapie Genotype (Online

only)

£3.00 (£3.60 inc VAT)

Scrapie genotype for previously registered sires is available for >2020 YOB sires. Visit the gene-tex section on your flock admin page at itexel.uk.

The timeline below outlines the process involved in sample processing and ram kits should be requested at least 10 days before the fee change to ensure samples are received in the office to attract the cheaper fee. As the whole process can take more than two months from initial request to ram registration, delays can impact on members’ ability to birth notify lambs, particularly when requests are received after December.

Request DNA kit via iTexel

Responsiblity: Member

Duration: Day of Purchase

Include proof of purchase for bought-in animals

Batch submitted to lab (96 samples)

Responsiblity: Society

Duration: Up to 30 days

Results returned from lab

Duration: 30 days

For details of all Society fees

Genetic Improvement Service Fees (Online only)

SCAN HERE

Flock fee £21.50 (£25.80 inc VAT)

Members using the Society texelplus genetic improvement service no longer pay a per breeding ewe fee. The flock fee has also been reduced significantly. If you require further information, please contact the Society office or visit texel.uk/texelplus/

Kit posted to member

Responsiblity: Society

Duration: 1 day

Sample received in the office

Responsiblity: Member

Duration: 1 Day

Confirmation email receipt sent to member

Uploaded to iTexel

Responsiblity: Society

Duration: 5 Days

Kit arrives, collect sample

Responsiblity: Member

Duration: 5 Days

Female and Male Registrations certificates will Members are able to print certificates

Delaying sampling the animal will increase the overall time to registration

Proven, Pedigree,

Return to office

Responsiblity: Member

Duration: 3 Days

Date of receipt in office is the fee date used

Note: Incorrect or no postage applied can delay delivery to office by up to four weeks

Sire registered

Responsiblity: Society

Duration: 1 Day

Dedicated online Texel Sales with SellMyLivestock

The Society’s dedicated online sales portal on leading online sales website, www.sellmylivestock.com, has proven successful over the last 12 months, enabling members to trade stock, semen and embryos to a range of customers.

With the ability to sell either individual or groups of pedigree sheep via the portal, members can link their listings to animals’ pedigrees and estimated breeding values on iTexel to ensure buyers have the most complete information when browsing adverts.

Semen and embryo listings can be added via the upload forms that can

Total: 75 Days

be found on texel.uk via SML Forms on the SellMyLivestock menu. The dedicated portal within the SellMyLivestock website enables potential buyers to find Texel sheep more easily than if they are contained in the main listing.

Society events and cataloguing manager Ailish Ross said the new portal within SellMyLivestock had proven extremely successful in its first year and had made it much easier and quicker for members to offer semen for sale and increase awareness of available genetics both among breeders and those looking to start pedigree flocks.

2023 Dates for your Diary

14th May Club Show, Avonvale by kind permission of the Mitchell family

19th May

‘Here comes the Girls’ Sale, Worcester Market

16th—18th June

The Royal Three Counties Show, Malvern

11th August

Club Sale, Cirencester Market

2nd September

Moreton-in-the -Marsh Show

9th September

Hop & Cheese Ram Sale, Worcester Market

2nd December

Club in-lamb Sale, Worcester Market

Society Matters

Dressing inspections and bye law 11 supports breed development.

Each year the Society receives a number of allegations regarding sheep that are presented at shows or sales in condition which breaches the Society’s no-dressing rules.

In recent years the Society has employed ‘dressing inspectors’ at the National sales and the main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, to provide independent scrutiny of all entries and determine where dressing is deemed to have taken place.

Society chairman Jeff Aiken said the inspections were a key part of maintaining the integrity of sales operated under the Society auspices, the Society’s national sales and the Society as a whole and in support of the membership demand for this inspection.

“The Society’s Bye-Laws have always been clear on the dressing of sheep. It simply isn’t allowed at Society endorsed events, including National and Club sales and shows run under the Society’s auspices or in accordance with Society rules.”

Mr Aiken added that in recent years very few sheep had been rejected from sales due to dressing, but that there were instances where members had clearly failed to abide by the rules.

“While the message is undoubtedly getting through that it won’t be tolerated, there are members who continue to test the boundaries and the Society inspectors are in place to monitor Society sales to ensure a level playing field for all members.”

Bye-Laws

Members agree to abide by the Society rules and accept the decision of the Society’s inspectors. All sheep failing inspection will be ineligible to be shown or sold at the sale.

Members who own sheep that have failed inspection are reported to the Society board, with further disciplinary actions possible.

Members found to have breached the Society’s Bye-Laws face a number of potential penalties, including:

• Expulsion from the Society.

• Suspension from membership of the Society.

• Suspension for a period from entering sheep for Society shows and sales and taking part in any Society sponsored activities.

• Cancellation of registrations of the member in the flock book or temporary de-registration of the member’s sheep for a period, or disqualification of sheep from any Society event or activity for an unlimited period.

• A fine, to include costs associated with the disciplinary process.

• A reprimand.

Dressing rules

• No dressing

• No trimming

• No carding

• No excessive use of dips

• No artificial whitening

Shears Clippers

The following items should not be used to prepare fleeces of Texels for sales or shows.

Curry combs or pin combs

Carding combs

This is not an exhaustive list of banned items. Members should refrain from using any tool that is abrasive to the fleece.

Buying and selling stock

When buying stock and in particular rams, it is important to take the best possible care of them to ensure they have a full and long working life in your flock.

Rams presented at sales will often have had high levels of care and preparation prior to sale and as such similar levels of care and feeding should be maintained in the days and weeks immediately following sale. Sudden changes to regimes should be minimised.

In addition, purchasers should check with vendors about any health treatments which may have been administered pre-sale.

All bought in stock should be quarantined for at least three weeks after purchase to enable any relevant health tests to be undertaken and for quarantine treatments to be given. MV accredited flocks should also consider blood testing on arrival and complete a blood test in accordance with scheme rules for bought in animals.

Ram fertility and fitness to work should be assessed prior to use, with both a physical examination and a semen sample undertaken by a vet. Semen samples collected by electroejaculation can be poorer than those obtained with an artificial vagina (AV).

Where these examinations reveal issues, either physical or morphological then vet advice should be sought about ram care and any potential remedial care required. A veterinary ram and semen examination report should be obtained by the purchaser to support the auctioneer dealing with any warranty claim.

Under standard warranty terms a ram has 10 weeks from date of purchase in which to prove it is capable of and effective at natural service. A ram’s inability to provide semen suitable for use in AI is not a warranty breach.

When a ram is deemed to be infertile and unsuitable for effective natural service the purchaser should, in the first instance, contact the vendor to inform them of the issue and discuss a suitable remedy.

Buyers who have purchased a ram from a sale should also inform the sale auctioneer of the issue as they are the ultimate referee should any dispute arise around the warranty.

The purchaser should supply the auctioneer with a ram and semen examination report which details semen morphology and motility as well as information on the physical examination of the ram undertaken by the vet when the semen was collected. Ideally, semen used as the basis for this report should be collected using an AV.

In addition, purchasers should also inform the Society of any warranty claims to enable its involvement should it be required at a later stage.

Copies of the relevant warranties applicable at Society sales are available on the Sales page of the Society website and are referenced in sales catalogues.

Ram purchasing and fertility

• Quarantine on arrival.

• Ask vendor about pre-sale management and act accordingly.

• Assess fertility and fitness to work ASAP.

• Preferably ensure vet collects semen sample with artificial vagina.

• Contact vendor about concerns of ram performance. Inform auctioneer and Society.

• Failure to provide semen suitable for AI is not a breach of warranty.

• Breach of warranty is a ram incapable of and effective at natural service within 10 weeks of purchase.

• Full ram and semen examination report signed by a vet required for warranty claim.

For an example pre-breeding report

NSA Next Generation visit to Westminster

In early February the Society’s events and cataloguing manager was part of an NSA Next Generation visit to Westminster.

The group was hosted at the Houses of Parliament by NSA president Lord Inglewood and had the opportunity to meet with representatives from DEFRA and discuss their concerns about the industry with them.

An area of particular concern for many in the group was the future support schemes, with new entrants and UK food security also among the issues raised.

“What was clear was there is a desire to work with the farming industry and engage in shared decision making. That was hugely positive,” said Ailish.

The second part of the trip was a visit to retailer Marks and Spencer’s offices and a meeting with members of its agriculture team.

“This included an explanation of M&S’s Select Farm scheme and a butchery demonstration explaining how M&S has changed the way it cuts a lamb carcass to achieve the best product for consumers whilst also achieving the highest profit out of the carcass.

Gil Burton retires

Gil Burton retires this spring after 18 years of dedication to the Society, through a variety of roles during that time, whilst also supporting the dramatic change within the organisation as it has embraced the digital era.

Initially employed as a part time receptionist, her role changed considerably, when the current chief executive joined the Society in 2008, spending the latter part of her career working as assistant to the chief executive, while supporting the staff and members during that time.

Gil says she has made many friends through the Society. “Without a doubt what I will miss the most is my colleagues, John, Ailish and Ed, who have become good friends, and of course the members, who have always been very welcoming, whenever I’ve been out and about on the Society’s behalf, it will be sad to leave.

However, recalling one of the funnier moments of her tenure Gil does admit some board members may not miss her undertaking hotel bookings for them. “A couple of years ago I was unable to book some committee members into the usual hotel, so had to find an alternative for four of them. I booked them in to what looked like to be a suitable alternative in Kenilworth.

“Little did I know that each bedroom came equipped with leather walls and handcuffs on the side of the beds! Suffice to say the unnamed board members won’t forget that night in a hurry!”

“Both of the visits within the trip were informative and inspiring and everyone who attended took away new insights in to parts of the industry they may not usually have any dealings with,” added Ailish.

Society chief executive, John Yates said Gil has been a stalwart of the Society, with her personability and endearing, affable trusting nature, topped with her dry wit, making her a go to person for staff and members alike during her lengthy employment with the Society.

“Gil has always been available and reliable to support whatever the task at hand or the challenges presented. Gil will be much missed by the office staff and members alike. She has had a very long service history, proving her commitment and loyalty to the Society and its membership, during that time.

I, the board and staff, wish Gil a long and happy retirement,” added Mr Yates.

Gil retired at the end of March, members can contact Gil by emailing her current email address gil@texel.co.uk, which will be forwarded on to Gil. Members who wish to send cards or presents can send them to the Society office.

Megan Baker joins Society staff

The Society is delighted to welcome Megan Baker to the office team. From a farming background, Megan is joining the Society in an administrative role to support existing office staff.

Society chief executive John Yates

said he was delighted to welcome Megan to the team. “Megan has a great knowledge of farming and membership organisations, joining the Society from The British Horse Society.

“Megan’s experience and background will make her a great asset to the Society and myself and the rest of the staff are looking forward to her joining the team.

The Society has recently written to the Royal Welsh Show requesting the introduction of a texelplus ram lamb class to bring the Royal Welsh in to parity with both the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire shows.

Society chief executive John Yates said the Society last made this request in 2017 at which time it was denied. “However, it is to be hoped that the increasing direction of change within the sheep industry and the future needs of breeders and commercial farmers may lead to a change of heart by the Royal Welsh.

“It continues to be a disappointment that the largest show of Texel sheep in the UK lacks the inclusion of a texelplus class. The addition of a texelplus class would help to support members, many of whom are young breeders, who wish to showcase both performance and type at the Royal Welsh Show in full view of the public and farming community,” added Mr Yates.

Society requests texelplus class at Royal Welsh In remembrance

The Society was saddened to be informed of the passing of the following members.

Geoff Ball, Freeford, February 2023

Aaron Bell, Yorkshiredale, July 2022

Robert Mulligan, Brague, November 2022

Brenda Corfield, Fordwell, March 2023

Body Warmer Soft Shell Navy or black - £40.00

Texel Beanie Black or Grey - £7.50

Polo Shirt Navy or black - £15.00

Travel Mug - £6.00

South Wales Texel Breeders Association

Combine business and pleasure with a visit, JOIN US AT OUR EVENTS & SALES

BRYNDERI FLOCK (BQC)

C & S Ball, Upper Cwm Farm, Llantilio Crossenny, Abergavenny, NP7 8TG

Mobile: 07807 366640

Email: chrisuppercwm@gmail.com

TREFERE FLOCK (DBT)

Davies Bros, Trefere Uchaf, Penparc, Cardigan, SA43 1RN

Tel: 01239 810381

Mobile: 07773 144709

Email: gwyn.trefere@gmail.com

BEACONSVIEW FLOCK (DCY)

C Davies, Caebetran Farm, Felinfach, Brecon, Powys, LD3 0UL

Tel: 01874 754460

Mobile: 07814 232045

Email: cgdavies1234@gmail.com

CAEBETRAN FLOCK (DFC)

G & H Davies, Caebetran Farm, Felinfach, Brecon, Powys, LD3 0UL

Tel: 01874 754460

Mobile: 07811 943351 / 07891 118594

Email: hazelcaebetran@aol.com

SCURLAGE CASTLE FLOCK (EKS)

E Evans & Son, Scurlage Castle Farm, Scurlage, Swansea, SA3 1BA

Mobile: 07790 565746

Email: kevans243@gmail.com

ABERCRYCHAN FLOCK (HXA)

John & Josie Hardwick, Abercrychan Farm, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, SA20 0YL

Tel: 01550 720363

Email: jwhardwick@btinternet.com

VALE FLOCK (HAV)

Owen & Alan Hughes, Shepherds Rest, Aberthin Lane, Cowbridge, CF71 7FU

Mobile: 07843 664481

Email: valetexels@gmail.com

RIPPERSTON FLOCK (JMR)

Mark & Alison James, Sunnyhill, Castle Pill Road, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 1HE

Mobile: 07970 785822

Email: mfjames@hotmail.co.uk

COEDMORE FLOCK (JLC)

E Jones, Coedmore Hall, Cellan, Lampeter, SA48 8HU

Mobile: 07890 622318

Email: emily.coedmore@outlook.com

LLANTHOMAS FLOCK (JML)

GP & M Jones, Llanthomas Farm, Llanigon, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, HR3 5PU

Tel: 01497 820096

Mobile: 07432 281889

Email: paulandlynnejones@btinternet.com

MABON FLOCK (JGG)

GW & FM Jones, Garth Hall Farm, Llanfabon, Pontypridd, CF37 4HP

Tel: 01443 740292

Mobile: 07768 936202

Email: garthhallfarm@aol.com

MARLSBROUGH FLOCK (HMJ)

Marlsbrough Farm Ltd., Marlsbrough, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 3NP

Mobile: 07974 967010

Email: judith@marlsbrough.com

TYNEWYDD FLOCK (MDY)

DJ & MO Morgan, Tynewydd, Llangorse, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7UA

Tel: 01874 658413

Mobile: 07976 975363

Email: derimorgan@gmail.com

TOPBANK FLOCK (HUL)

Lewis Morgan, Penglanowen Farm, New Cross, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 4LX

Mobile: 07949 166129

Email: lowrireed@gmail.com

GEREAFON FLOCK (PFA)

Shae Price, 10 Llais Yr Afon, Garth, Llangammarch Wells, Powys, LD4 4AE

Mobile: 07792 652184

Email: shaeprice56@gmail.com

SCOLTON FLOCK (RWS)

WOJ Reed & Co Ltd., Upper Scolton, Spittal, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 5QL

Tel: 01437 731332

Mobile: 07811 186377

Email: upperscolton@gmail.com

STELFOX FLOCK (WES)

Stelfox Farms Ltd., Lower Solbury

Farm, Walwyns Castle, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 3SD

Mobile: 07814 912694

Email: stelfoxtony@gmail.com

ONNEN FLOCK (TAS)

S Thomas, Maesyllan, Login, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, SA34 0XA

Tel: 01437 563366

Mobile: 07508 596110

Email: sionedthomas99@gmail.com

CAENANTMELYN FLOCK (WCQ)

Owen Watkins, Caenantmelyn Bungalow, Hayon-Wye, Herefordshire, HR3 5RH

Mobile: 07812 685415

Email: owenwatkins@live.co.uk

MILLEND FLOCK (WCM)

Russell & Gill Watkins, Upper Cwm Farm, Craswall, Herefordshire, HR2 0PH

Tel: 01981 510249

Mobile: 07554 433099

Email: watkins249499@btinternet.com

TURBINE FLOCK (WXY)

AE & M Williams, Lower Solbury Farm, Walwyns Castle, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 3SD

Mobile: 07814 912694

Email: stelfoxtony@gmail.com

SOLBURY FLOCK (WOS)

O & J Williams, Llangwm, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4JB

Mobile: 07970 792995

Email: owenwills500@gmail.com

FERN FLOCK (WAF)

WA & AJ Windsor, Fforest Farm, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, SA34 0LS

Mobile: 07976 408966

Email: adrian.fforest@outlook.com

CLUB EVENTS

May AGM

June

Club Social Trip

Virtual Lamb Competition

July Flock Competition

August

Virtual Shearling Competition

Also other Members Social Events and Meetings.

SALES 2022

Monday, 7th August

Early NSA Ram Sale at the Royal Welsh Showground

Sunday, 10th September

Club Sale at Llandovery

Monday, 18th September

Main NSA Ram Sale at Royal Welsh Showground

Friday, 15th December

In-Lamb Ewes at Llandovery

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

For further information please contact the Club Officials.

CLUB OFFICIALS

Chairman - Owen Hughes

Tel: 07843 664481

Email: valetexels@gmail.com

Secretary - Derfel Harries

Tel: 01550 720440 or 07966 841304

Email: derfel@ctf-uk.com

Treasurer - Gill Watkins

Tel: 01981 510249

Email: watkins249499@btinternet.com

SouthWalesTexelBreedersAssociation

SET Tags

Birth Notify lambs ASAP

Members should aim to birth notify lambs as soon as possible to ensure they capitalise on the lower fees available earlier in the year. From 1st June birth notification fees increase for all natural and ET lambs.

The Society reminds members that all birth notifications will be subject to fees at the prevailing rates at time of submission. The latest fee sheet is always available on the Society website.

Should you require any assistance adding your lambs, in the first instance check your flock admin page to ensure your sheep are fully registered, followed by watching the tutorial video on the Society’s YouTube page and if you still have problems, email registrations@texel.co.uk

For full details of Society registration fees

Parentage Testing Lambs

When the parentage of animals is uncertain, parentage tests are required to ensure that accurate data are entered into the flock book. Members should consider the extra cost implications of these tests when using more than one ram to mate a ewe.

It is possible to complete these tests through the Society and members should contact the office or email registrations@texel.co.uk for further details. Any tests should be carried out as soon as possible after birth to prevent delays to birth notifications.

Female registrations

Members are reminded that females which are exported or used for pedigree breeding must be fully registered by the breeder.

This means that females must be fully registered before they can be entered into sales run under the auspices of the Society or catalogued by the Society.

This applies to upcoming sales, females sold privately between members or sold privately to purchasers intending to start a pedigree flock.

In all other circumstances registration of females is at the discretion of the breeder and if not completed it is the responsibility of the purchaser. The Society operates a scale of fees in relation to date of registration submission.

Making flocks easier to manage on iTexel

Members are encouraged to make sure their flock lists are up to date, the more accurate the information about your flock is on iTexel the easier and quicker it will be to manage your flock and undertake flock management tasks.

Society rosettes available for shows

Rosettes are available for champion and reserve champions of Texel classes at local and county shows.

When classes are held under the Society Auspices, show organisers can contact the Society to request them. Please email office@texel.co.uk with a copy of the Texel class schedules and the postal address.

Club sale rosettes

For 2023, the Society will once again be providing a first prize texelplus rosette to support the running of texelplus classes at club sales. Please email office@texel.co.uk to request them.

Please ensure that you give at least two weeks’ notice before the sale for rosettes to be sent out.

The year letter for lambs born in 2023 is G

Society fees

As of 1st June all Society fees will rise by 5%, with adult and junior member annual subscription rising by 12% in line with the Society articles.

Region 11 board vacancy

There remains a board member vacancy for region 11, South Wales. Any member interested in standing for election for this vacancy should contact the chief executive in the first instance.’

Welcome to new members

The Society is delighted to have welcomed the following new members to the Texel flock since the autumn.

The Society wishes them well in their Texel endeavours and is sure they will receive a warm welcome from members at Society and Regional Club events.

Useful information for new members can be found on the Society website at www.texel.uk/new-members

Society Regions

Club flock Competitions

The Society is pleased to be able to report the results of flock competitions organised by regional Texel clubs which took place last year across the UK and congratulates all the winners and those who took part.

Contact information for regional Clubs can be found on the Society website – www.texel.uk/contact-us

Derbyshire Club

Judge – Carl Bellis, Cosyn Texels

Champion flock

Boden and Davies, Sportsmans

Reserve champion flock

Ben Vernon, Charben

Dyfed Club

Judge – Kirree Kermode, Orrisdale

Champion flock

J E and L Davies, Teilo

Reserve champion flock

D J J Watkins and Co, Cwmcerrig

Gloucester and Borders

Club

Judge – James Draper, Claybury

Champion flock

Nicola Hartwright, Whitehart

Reserve champion flock

Jeremy Theyer, Chedworth

Northern Ireland Club

Judge – Donald MacPherson, Hexel

Champion flock

Roger Strawbridge, Tamnamoney

Reserve champion flock

Adrian Liggett, Corbo

North of Scotland Club

Judge – Cameron Gauld, Cairnam

Champion flock

Graham Morrison, Deveronvale

Reserve champion flock

Matthew Seed, Auchry

Northern Area Club

Judge – Stuart Calvert

Champion flock

Non-member flock

Reserve champion flock

Procters Farm, Procters

North West Club

Judge – Will Case, Nab Point

Champion flock

Procters Farm, Procters

Reserve champion flock

Jennifer Aiken, Coniston

Scottish Club

Judge – Roger Strawbridge, Tamnamoney

Champion flock

J and H Clark, Garngour

Reserve champion flock

Andrew Clark, Teiglum

Full results from regional flock competitions can be found on the Society’s website.

Shropshire and Borders Club

Judge – Dafydd Jones, Kitrob

Champion flock

Robert Bennett, Plasucha

Reserve champion flock

Claybury Texels, Claybury

Solway and Tyne Club

Judge – Nicola Hartright, Whitehart

Champion flock

Thomas Illingworth, Glenrock

Reserve champion flock

Ewan MacTaggart, Rascarrell

South Wales Club

Judge – Robert Laird, Cambwell

Champion flock

E G Morgan, Blaencar

Reserve champion flock

W T Davies and Co, Canllefaes

South West Texel Club

Judge – David Martyn, Barnage

Champion flock

Phil Martyn-Uglow, Hornacott

Reserve champion flock

Ian Heard, Yelland

SCAN HERE

NORTHERN IRELAND

HIGHLAND

NORTH OF SCOTLAND

DUTCH

RUTHIN

NORTH WALES

SHROPSHIRE & BORDERS

SOUTH WALES

DYFED

SOUTH WEST

SCOTTISH

SOLWAY & TYNE

NORTH WEST

NORTHERN AREA

DERBYSHIRE

MIDLAND

GLOUCESTERSHIRE & BORDERS

SOUTH EASTERN

SOUTHERN CENTRAL

Which rams have the most lambs?

Indeed, there are 25 sires which have more than 1000 birth notified progeny, 11 of which have more than 1300 birth notified (BN) lambs, with five of those having more than 1500 BNs attributed to them.

There has though been just one sire in the last 49 years which has clocked up more than 2000 BN’d lambs, with this being the first 50,000gns ram, the 2001-born Craighead Hercules, with an impressive 2460 birth notified progeny.

The most recent of these lambs was born in 2020, 19 years after Hercules himself was born. Hercules also has another claim to fame, being the dearest lamb of 2001, a year which saw the Scottish National Sale take the form of a video sale due to footand-mouth restrictions in place.

Bred by Alan Cullen, Hercules was sired by Ettrick Glenmorangie and out of a Nethermuir Confetti daughter.

Throughout the history of the Texel breed in the UK there have been ‘in vogue’ sires who have quickly gained popularity and left large numbers of progeny.

The first 50,000gns Texel, Craighead Hercules, is the breed’s most popular sire of all time.

Knock Yardsman ranks as the fourth most popular ram in the breed’s history.

Second most popular sire of all time is a title which falls to Knock Impulse, a 2002-born son of Milnbank Hitman which has clocked up a total of 1678 lambs in the 21 years since he was born. Impulse was bred by Albert and George Howie and sold for 12,000gns before going on to sire the 122,000gns Tophill Joe who himself has nearly 1300 BN’d lambs.

Third spot in the all-time rankings goes to Brackenridge Strongbow a lamb bred by the Neilson family and originally purchased by the Grays at Langside, before being sold by them at Kelso as a shearling for £14,000. Sired by Teiglum Rembrandt, he was out of a Knock Oregano daughter and sired a total of 1597 BN’d progeny.

Close behind him with 1589 is Knock Yardsman, one of the most popular sires of recent years. By Tophill Wall St and out of a dam by Sportsmans Supreme, Yardsman sold for 15,000gns at Lanark in 2016 and has progeny in more than 50 flocks across the UK. He went on to sire the 40,000gns Garngour Alabama.

Next up with 1552 lambs is Muiresk Forever, the oldest tup in the breed to achieve more than 1000 progeny and the only one born before the turn of the millennium to do so.

Forever was bred by the Mair family and sold for 8000gns at Lanark when bought by the Knox family, Haddo. His last progeny were born in 2020, with Forever himself being by Annan Diadem.

Six sires then have between 1300 and 1500 progeny, with the most prolific of these

Sportsmans Cannon Ball is the youngest ram to have more than 1400 lambs birth notified by him.

being Sportsmans Cannon Ball with 1466 lambs. This Garngour Alabama son is the most recently born ram to have more than 1400 lambs notified by him.

After him come two in close succession, Glenside Razzle Dazzle with 1383 lambs and Clinterty Yuga Khan with 1383 progeny.

From the same year as Yuga Khan comes Strathbogie Yes Sir with 1356 BN’d lambs, while close behind in the stats is Garngour Alabama with 1354.

And, the final ram with more than 1300 lambs is Sportsmans Tremendous II with 1350 notifications, a popular sire with progeny born in every year from 2018 to 2022.

Interestingly, yet perhaps not unsurprisingly, many of these popular sires carry genetics from each other, with Craighead Hercules featuring in the pedigree of three later sires and Muiresk Forever, Knock Yardsman and Garngour Alabama also being in the pedigrees of other leading tups.

TOP 15 SIRES OF ALL TIME

Show Judges

As summer beckons, so too does the 2023 show season, with the Society supporting a number of major shows across the UK as usual.

Meanwhile, later in the summer the Society’s National Sales will take place across the UK. Each of these events will see experienced Texel enthusiasts take to the ring to judge the entries, here’s a little more about each of them.

BALMORAL SHOW

10th - 13th May 2023

Roy CampbellCowal and Royel

A 40-year association with the Texel breed through his family’s Cowal flock has seen Roy judge at many of the major events across the UK as well as having an enviable record in the show and sales rings.

Recent years have seen Roy and his brothers, Keith and Allan, enjoy success at many major shows, culminating in clinching the breed and reserve interbreed championship at the Royal Welsh Show in 2022, with the same gimmer having won the reserve breed championship at the Great Yorkshire show just a matter of days earlier.

Other successes include winning the championship at the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, in 2011 with Cowal Saltire. In the sale ring the family have sold ram lambs to a top of 22,000gns twice for Rob Roy in 2010 and Bucking Bronco in 2018. Females, meanwhile, have sold to a high of 18,000gns.

Former Society chairman Roy says he is looking forward to judging at Balmoral Show this year, an event which offers an early season chance to see some of the best Texels in Northern Ireland.

ROYAL THREE COUNTIES SHOW

16th - 18th June 2023

Ryan Bradley - Far Hey and Bradleys

Involved with Texels from a young age, Ryan Bradley runs the Far Hey flock and Bradleys flock with his family at home in Lancashire.

With the Far Hey flock founded in the late 1980s and the Bradleys flock in 2010, the family now run a small nucleus flock, maximising the genetic potential through use of ET.

Both flocks have enjoyed a multitude of show and sale successes, including in recent years having the reserve female champion at Lanark in 2018 and selling Bradleys Eubank for 70,000gns in 2021.

The flock also had the overall champion at Lanark in the same year, as well as taking the male championship at Great Yorkshire Show in 2019 and going on win the interbreed pairs championship at the same show.

Ryan’s previous judging appointments include the Royal Lancashire Show and Royal Cheshire Show, as well as numerous local shows.

A full time builder, Ryan says Texels eat up all his spare time and he is looking forward to judging the Society’s Southern Feature Show at Royal Three Counties in June.

ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW

22nd - 25th June 2023

Flor Ryan - Lawn

Irish breeder Flor has been involved in sheep farming all his life and his first experience with Texels was as a young boy, when his father crossbred ewes scanned in lamb to Texel rams. The offspring of these ewes ignited a huge interest in Texels.

Breeding pedigree Texels started a few years later with savings gathered up over school holidays. Just over 30 years have passed since those early days and Flor now runs a flock of 150 Texel ewes and specialises in producing shearling rams and ewes with a strong emphasis on commercial traits.

Some of Flor’s previous successes include breeding and exhibiting Royal Dublin Show Texel champions and numerous class winners at the annual Growvite Texel All-Ireland championships. Highlights from the sale ring are topped by the sale of a shearling ewe FRI 16051 to the Hexel Flock in 2017, this ewe has gone on to breed exceptionally well and her bloodlines still feature in the top prices at Lanark, Carlisle and elsewhere.

Flor has been fortunate to judge shows and sales in Wales, England and Ireland and has made many good friends through breeding Texel Sheep. Flor deems it a huge honour and privilege to be asked to judge the Royal Highland Show 2023.

GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW

11th - 14th July 2023

Allan Wight - Midlock

Judging this year’s Great Yorkshire Show will be Allan Wight, Midlock. A noted breeder of not only Texels, but also Scottish Blackface, Bluefaced Leicesters and Scotch Mules.

The Wight family’s Texel flock began 30 years ago as a project for Allan and his wife, Karen. The flock has steadily grown over the years to a flock of 45 ewes, selling shearling tups and, more recently, tup lambs too. Notable animals to have come from the flock include the 200,000gns Midlock Capaldi, the £52,000 Midlock Express and the £23,000 Midlock Youre The One.

Previously Allan has had the privilege of judging numerous shows across the length and breadth of the country including the Royal Highland, Balmoral, Royal Bath and West, Royal Cornwall and the interbreed at the Great Yorkshire Show a few years ago.

Allan is honoured to be asked to judge the Texel section at the Great Yorkshire Show 2023 and is very much looking forward to it.

ROYAL WELSH SHOW

24th - 27th July 2023

Andrew ReedScolton

Judging this year’s Royal Welsh Show will be Pembrokeshire-based Andrew Reed of the Scolton flock.

Farming Texels alongside a pedigree Holstein dairy herd Andrew says commitments at home limit his travelling and showing, but he has enjoyed judging at a variety of County and local shows in the past.

Primarily a shearling producing flock, Andrew and family target most of their rams at the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, having twice had the champion in the pre-sale show, with rams often attracting the attention of other breeders.

The flock has also scooped the breed championship twice at the Royal Welsh Show as well as being allWales champion flock in 2015.

Andrew is relishing the task of judging the Royal Welsh Show and regards it as a great honour to have been invited. He is looking forward to the opportunity to judge a top class show of Texels.

Royal Ulster

Great Yorkshire

Royal Highland

Royal Welsh

Royal Three Counties

Sale Judges

SCOTTISH NATIONAL SALE

23rd - 24th August 2023

Richard HendersonBallynahone

Taking charge in the pre-sale show at the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, is Magherafelt, Co Londonderry-based Richard Henderson of the Ballynahone flock.

Northern Irish breeder Richard has been breeding Texels since 1990 and produced the male champion at the Scottish National Sale in 2015 with Ballynahone Winner and has sold gimmers to 19,000gns.

Running a small herd of Limousins alongside the 40ewe Ballynahone flock, Richard has judged at events across the UK, including Textravaganza in 2021 and the Royal Welsh Show in 2019 and is excited to have been asked to judge at the the breed’s flagship sale.

Richard said being asked to judge Lanark is a great honour and one he is looking forward to immensely. The standard of stock presented at this sale continues to excel.

WELSH NATIONAL SALE

26th August 2023

John GilmourHumeston

Having been involved in Texels all his life as well as milking 220 Holsteins, John Gilmour has built up his judging experience at a number of local shows, including Lesmahagow.

A previous SAYFC stockman of the year as well as the previous winner of the individual sheep and sheep pairs stockjudging titles at the Royal Highland, John is looking forward to judging at Welshpool.

Flock success over the years include selling Humeston Juniper for 30,000gns and Humeston Midas for 12,000gns. The family also took the male championship at the Royal Highland Show in 2007 with Milnbank Lion King.

Scottish National

Welsh National Builth Wells

Northern Ireland National

English National

ENGLISH

NATIONAL SALE

28th - 29th August 2023

Hywel ThomasCennen

Llandeilo-based Hywel Thomas is delighted to have the honour of judging the English National Sale, having previously judged many local and county shows within Wales.

Hywel farms in partnership with his mother, Oriel, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The family’s first involvement with Texels came when Hywel’s father bought a Texel ram to try on his commercial flock of ewes and saw a significant difference in lamb vigour and carcass quality.

Hywel then founded his pedigree flock in 1994 when his parents sold their pedigree dairy herd. Their prefix was Cennen, so he took the opportunity to keep the prefix in his Texel flock.

Flock achievements include selling Cennen Magnum for 3100gns in 2007 to the Loosebeare, Rowden and Peacehay flocks and, most recently, selling Cennen Digger in the NSA Sale 2021 for 6500gns to the Shadog flock.

Assisted with sale preparation by his wife, Andrea and daughter, Jessica, Hywel targets the best of the flock’s rams at the main NSA Sale, Builth Wells.

NORTHERN IRISH NATIONAL SALE

2nd September 2023

Steve RichardsonStonebridge

Steve started with Texels in 1991; his aim at that point was to sell a sheep for £1000 and to win the ram lamb class at the Great Yorkshire Show. Move on more than 30 years years and he has won the ram lamb class at the GYS twice, had the supreme champion once, had the champion at Skipton twice and has sold sheep up to 9500gns.

A former Texel Sheep Society chairman, Steve also farms a 320-acre arable unit and until recently was also running a 200-sow farrow to finish pig herd.

Having previously judged a number of major shows and sales, including the Royal Highland and the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, Steve is looking forward to returning to Ballymena for the Northern Irish National Sale.

Steve said he had fond memories of visiting Northern Ireland and particularly the Ballymena sale from his time as Society chairman and is looking forward to what he is sure will be some excellent sheep at this year’s sale.

MAIN NSA RAM SALE, BUILTH WELLS

17th - 18th September 2023

Fraser Tweed - Ballycoose

Having founded the Ballycoose flock in 2001 with the aspiration of breeding rams for the family sheep farm, Fraser Tweed now runs about 30 ewes with his wife Helen and their three children.

For the latest sale dates and catalogues

Over the years Fraser has tried to consistently improve the flock with use of performance recording and the purchase of rams or females from proven families, with the aim of producing shearling rams for commercial customers across Northern Ireland.

Breeding decisions in the flock are also influenced by Fraser’s work off farm as a farm animal vet where he witnesses what does and doesn’t work for his clients. This has meant he has always bred rams focussed upon the needs of the prime lamb producer.

Fraser’s judging experience has been built up through judging various local club shows and sales. He feels privileged to be given the honour of judging the NSA sale at Builth Wells.

NORTHERN AREA TEXEL CLUB

SAMSAR (BHY)

SJ & SL Beachell

Beswick, Driffield

T: 07989 402913

E: samsar39@hotmail.com

STONEBECK (BUT)

A C & J Butcher

Ulverston

T: 07884 411662

E: stonebecktexels@gmail.com

LOGRAM (CLV)

Mark Collins

Howsham, York

T: 07715 044439

E: markvetlg@gmail.com

SILPHO (DJS)

J & J Duffy

Silpho, Scarborough

T: 07976 373879

E: duffy.john@virgin.net

HALDANE (YLD)

L Dewhirst & D Knaggs

Stainsacre, Whitby

T: 07871 969168

BUTTERCROSS (KEG)

D Henery & T Keating

Little Houghton

T: 07702 566578

GREENARCH (HEV)

Ken Hodge

Mobberley, Cheshire

T: 07968 585698

E: ken@greenacreshouse.co.uk

HEYWORTH LODGE (LSH)

Jennifer S Lodge

Doncaster

T: 01405 785238

T: 07764 305571

WELLINGLEY (LJW)

PC & EJ Longdin

Doncaster

T: 07760 125513

New members always welcome.

FIMBER (LJF)

J & RM Lucas & Son

Driffield

T: 01377 236698

www.fimber-texels.co.uk

WINKSLEY HILL (MHW)

B & A Myers & Daughters

Ripon

T: 01765 658456

PERGILL (PMF)

CHALET (IBC)

Ian Bennett Langtoft, Driffield

T: 07940 220227

BEECHTREE (BSQ)

David Burkill

Driffield

T: 07983 718774

MIDDLEDALE (BIU)

Paul Byas Kilham, Driffield

T: 07748 946965

SAINT JOHNS (CAX)

A J Chapman

Driffield

T: 07932 419062

MANDERLEA (KAM)

Mark A Keighley

Leeds

T: 01132 843462

MOSELEY (LKL)

Luke Lodge

Doncaster

T: 07824 643259

GARBUTT (QCM)

Craig & Liz Mandale

Cold Kirby, Thirsk

T: 07387 971528

MOFFETT (QMF)

C B & D Moffett

Hummerbeck

T: 07717 85821

TYNEWOOD (PKM)

Kimberley Pickering

Gowthorpe, York

T: 07823 335088

STONEDGE (YDP)

Matthew Prince

Chesterfield

T: 07968 701780

QUARRYSIDE (SYN)

P D Sykes & Son

Holmfirth

T: 07775 898647

PARKHOLME (TGP)

Graham Taylor

Thirsk

T: 01845 526380

THORNCLIFFE (WKT)

R P & S Whiteley

Holmfirth

T: 07775 774637

Jill Perrings

Settle

T: 07731 936156

E: catkinsflorist@gmail.com

LOXLEY (NJL)

John & Alison North

Settle

T: 07753 842044

E: jlnorth22@gmail.com

HANDBANK (PRH)

RM & EA Payne & Son

Stocksbridge

T: 01142 883241

E: anne@handbanktexels.co.uk

HAMMERTON (PBH)

DA & H Pickles

Green Hammerton, York

T: 01423 330118

M: 07703 837332

BRONTEMOOR (PSR)

JM & SM Priestley

Brampton, Cumbria

T: 07812 456736 (Richard)

E: brontemoor@nevisinternet.com

PROCTERS (PFD)

Procters Farm Ltd

Wray, Lancaster

T: 07971 546623 (Jeff)

E: jenniferaiken99@gmail.com

STONEBRIDGE (RSS)

Steve Richardson

Barnsley

T: 07764 223231

E: steve@stonebridgetexels.co.uk

Solway and Tyne Club member Thomas Illingworth has been announced as the inaugural winner of the Society’s Spotlight Award.

Announcing Thomas as the winner Society chief executive John Yates said Thomas was a standout winner against high calibre nominations.

“Thomas’ knowledge and ability to clearly communicate his broad experience of the sheep industry and appetite to learn from, apply and give time to support others at such an early age is commendable.

“The spotlight award provides an opportunity for Clubs and the Society to promote the strength in depth of young

people in our membership. This year’s nominations were a pleasure to interview, all high achievers, some with high performing flocks, others who go the extra mile in supporting Clubs and local events. All had in-depth knowledge of the breed and the value it adds to them and the industry,” he explained.

Mr Yates said that regional Clubs had long been at the core of Society activities and it was important to recognise the role Clubs play in supporting and promoting the breed across the UK.

Spotlight Award to Thomas Illingworth The Winner

Thomas Illingworth Solway and Tyne Texel Breeders Club

The youngest chairman in his Club’s history Thomas doesn’t shy away from getting stuck into Club activities and regularly helps with Club activities or event stands.

Heavily focussed on the breed’s commercial attributes, Thomas focuses on shearling ram production and has proven a real asset to the Club in dealing with sale auctioneers and communicating with both Club and committee members.

Thomas’ nomination describes him as

a level headed young man who never misses anything and is always at the end of the phone, being a credit to his family, their business and the Club.

These are sentiments echoed by the judges who were unanimous in their selection of Thomas as the winner following an excellent interview in which he demonstrated exceptional knowledge and understanding.

A full profile of Thomas and the Glenrock flock will appear in the Autumn Bulletin.

“It was great to see a strong calibre of nominations for the inaugural year of this award and I hope more Clubs are able to put nominations forward next year, giving their members the chance of recognition by their peers.”

What is the Spotlight Award?

This new award, has been initiated to recognise some of the unsung heroes within the breed who work to support their local Texel Club and raise the profile of the breed in the process.

2023 Spotlight Award Nominees

Rosie Boden

Derbyshire Texel Breeders Club

Having grown up with Texels Rosie is a well-known face and personality within the breed, working with the Sportsmans and Mellor Vale flocks. Current committee member and treasurer for the Derbyshire Club, Rosie is keen to bring younger people in to the Club and the breed.

Hannah Gray

Who is eligible?

The award is open to members under 35, with Clubs asked to nominate members who they felt had made an outstanding contribution to the breed in their local area or nationally.

South West Texel Breeders Club

From a non-farming background, Hannah is the current secretary of the South West Club and has been pivotal in Club activities in recent years, helping organise the Club’s first progeny show and the annual Club flock competition. Having founded her own flock recently Hannah is working closely with local breeders to further the breed.

Andrew Neilson

Scottish Texel Breeders Club

The judges and judging process

All nominees were judged on an interview basis conducted via video call. Nominees were judged on their knowledge of the breed, sheep and wider agricultural industry and the skills and knowledge they bring to Club activities. The award was judged by Society chief executive John Yates, Society chairman Jeff Aiken and YDP coordinator Ailish Ross.

A breeder who badgered his family to start a Texel flock when he was just 12 years old, Andrew is now a noted breeder in his own right and has enjoyed sales success. Always making the time to attend Club events, he is also heavily involved with his local YFC and in 2022 won the coveted SAYFC Stockman of the Year Award.

Bryn Robinson Shropshire and Borders Texel Club

Bryn is an enthusiastic member of the Shropshire and Borders Texel Club’s committee who has helped the Club focus on increased promotion and encouraged younger members to engage with Club and Society activities. An increasing reputation for shearling ram production has seen the family’s Preenbank flock go from strength to strength in recent years, with Bryn a key driving force.

Mike Turner Derbyshire Texel Breeders Club

How to nominate for the 2024 award

All regional Clubs will be invited to nominate for the 2024 award during autumn 2023, with interviews for nominees taking place in Janaury 2024. Nominees should be under the age of 35 and be someone who the Club feels has worked hard to excel within the Club or with their own flock.

Described as a big character on the Derbyshire Club committee Mike is a willing volunteer for any job required and balances a hectic work life with a commitment to Club activities, including regularly acting as chauffeur for the flock competition judge. Keen to progress in the breed Mike invests both his time and money in Texels and earned his reward when selling Okehall Fireball for 50,000gns in 2022.

James Wilkinson Northern Ireland Texel Breeders Club

A strong advocate for the Texel breed and particularly young breeders, James was a founder member of the NITYBC and served as its chairman for a number of years as well as being among the team which got the inaugural Five Nations Weekend off the ground. Giving willingly of his time to support the Club, James has also worked to improve his own flock alongside other enterprises on the home farm, including a dairy herd, commercial sheep and a breeding pig herd.

Education awards reward top students

Each year the Society provides Educational Awards to students attaining the highest mark on a sheep production related Honours Research Project.

The awards of £250 are offered to four Universities one in each home nation. In Northern Ireland the award is made at Greenmount college, in Scotland it is made to an SRUC student, while in Wales it is awarded at Aberystwyth campus, University of Wales and in England the award is made to a student at Harper Adams University.

The Society’s chairman Jeff Aiken says the future of the sheep industry depends on knowledgeable, educated and inspired young people and the Society’s support of these awards is aimed at encouraging students with the ability and passion to drive the sheep industry forward.

The 2022 winner of the award at Aberystwyth University of Wales was Michelle D’Costa who studied the effect of oxygen scavengers and temperature on faecal egg counts in stored faeces to better understand how sample storage can impact subsequent FEC results.

At SRUC the 2022 winner was Georgina Milne whose dissertation investigated the effect of different forage type on lamb finishing in an indoor finishing system to ascertain which forage enabled the most profitable finishing.

The Greenmount college winner for 2022 was Luke Norris for his investigation into ‘Reducing Lameness in the National Flock’, which sought to outline how flock managers could best reduce the impact of lameness on productivity.

At Harper Adams the Educational Award winner was Claire Thompson with her report looking at whether catalase improves the function of frozen-thawed ram sperm.

“The Society’s Educational Awards are unique in the sheep sector and reward the hard work and dedication of students. They are a core part of the Society’s promotional work to engage with the next generation of sheep producers and influencers in the sheep sector.”

Michelle D’Costa Aberystwyth campus, University of Wales

Luke Norris Greenmount College

Georgina Milne SRUC

Claire Thompson Harper Adams University

NORTHERN IRELAND

TEXEL SHEEP BREEDER'S CLUB

NATIONAL SALE

2ND SEPTEMBER 2023 BALLYMENA LIVESTOCK MARKET

 CLUB SALE - Saturday 6th January 2024 At J36 Auction Mart

 FLOCK COMPETITION - Week commencing 16th October 2023

Northern Ireland breeders to host YDP Five Nations

Taking place from Friday 30th June to Sunday 2nd July, the weekend will include farm visits as well as social activities.

The first day will include two farm visits, the first being a visit to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute at Hillsborough, with topics including an overview of AFBI’s sheep research and development programme as well as methane mitigation research and virtual fence research.

Next on the agenda will be a flock visit to the Forkins and Cherryvale flocks of the Gault family, with this visit including a barbeque and two competitions including stock judging, this will be followed by an evening in Belfast.

Following that on the second day is a visit to the Millars flock of Martin and Cyril Millar, with a chance to see both their Texel flock and the family’s pedigree Holstein herd.

Second up on the Saturday will be a trip to the world-renowned Giants Causeway on the Northern Irish coast.

This will be followed by a visit to James Alexander’s multi-faceted livestock

enterprise which includes both pedigree and commercial sheep and beef.

There will then be another evening in Belfast for attendees to socialise further and enjoy the unique atmosphere of Northern Ireland’s capital city.

And on the Sunday the group will enjoy some social activities in Belfast, before attendees head home.

YDP coordinator Ailish Ross said the weekend would be one not to be missed with some top class stock on view as well as a great mix of social activities.

This year’s Five Nations event will once again be a weekend not to be missed.

For more information and to book your place see www.texel.uk/ydp

The YDP committee is grateful for the generous support of the event sponsors, AB Europe, Ballymena Mart, Smyths Daleside and the Texel Sheep Society for their commitment to the future of the Texel breed and the wider sheep industry.

This year’s Five Nations Event takes place in Northern Ireland, giving young Texel breeders the chance to gather in one of the breed’s most successful regions.

“Previous Five Nations events have all proven very successful, giving young people the opportunity to learn, socialise and build relationships with fellow Texel enthusiasts from across the UK and Ireland and this year’s event will be no different.”

FIVE NATIONS EVENT 2023

Bringing together Young Texel Breeders from five nations for a weekend of flock visits and competitions

Society overhauls Texel performance indexes to drive commercial focus

Economic indexes

texelplus indexes are changing this Spring to make them simpler to use and understand. They have been simplified to support an increased focus on commercial traits and profitability.

These two new indexes will enable breeders and commercial producers to select animals for terminal production and breeding replacements. Both indexes will be presented as the potential profit per lamb born in a commercial setting, compared to the population average. In simple terms, the higher the value, the better the performance of the animal.

The terminal index is focused on increasing profitability, improving the end product, so is weighted strongly for meat production. The replacement index also includes additional ewe traits to optimise production of female replacements. Both indexes have an emphasis on growth as this is a major contributor to farm profitability.

Includes maternal and meat traits

However, for both pedigree breeders and those commercial producers retaining female replacements then the replacement index is the one to use.

This index includes ewe traits alongside meat traits, giving breeders a balance of characteristics on both sides of the breeding goal.

Each index is underpinned by sub-indexes that capture the benefits and value of related traits. These enable breeders and commercial producers to make better decisions where necessary to select animals that offer advantages in specific areas to suit their production goals.

Updated information will be displayed throughout iTexel, on texelplus reports and, later in the year, in sale catalogues.

As a result, there are now two indexes for the Texel breed. A terminal index and a replacement index, reflecting the breed’s influence on the industry.

For commercial producers solely producing prime lambs, the terminal index is the go-to selection tool as this is weighted for meat production.

Understanding indexes in catalogues

TEXEL CAT IN THE HAT

Sire: BLOSSOM TREE SUPERSTAR ABC1101111(1) by DAYDREAM PICASSO

TXL1500300(2) by PARKLANDS YOGIBEAR ZZZ1600365(2)

Sire: BLOSSOM TREE SUPERSTAR ABC1101111(1) by DAYDREAM PICASSO

TXL1500289(2) by PLUMDALE VICTORY XYZ1400893(2)

Trait weighting

Different emphases are given to individual traits between the terminal and replacement indexes. This results in different sub-index values.

Growth sub-index

Captures the benefit from growth using eight-week weight and scan weight information. Faster growth is more advantageous.

Reproduction sub-index

The commercial benefit of lambing ease, litter size and maternal ability. Promotes optimum litter sizes and better mothers.

Carcass sub-index

The value of muscle and fat weight in the carcass. Encourages muscle growth with fat cover.

Index values

The sum of the sub-index values and potential profit per lamb born for terminal and replacement production.

Adult size sub-index

The benefit of mature size as a replacement ewe. Promotes smaller animals as they require less maintenance.

Accuracy

A measure of accuracy of the index. The higher the number the better.

Ranking

Where the animal ranks compared to the current average animal.

CT scanning gives breeders increased insight

texelplus members are strongly encouraged to CT scan a selection of ram lambs from their flocks to identify the best animals more accurately and contribute to the accuracy of the new economic indexes.

CT scanning benefits individual breeders, the breed and the wider industry in a number of ways, primarily by helping to build a better knowledge of an animal’s potential carcass traits without the need to slaughter the animal, or operate large scale expensive central progeny tests.

CT scanning gives unrivalled insight into carcass traits.

CT scanning also helps increase accuracies of breeding values across a flock, giving buyers increased confidence in the breeding values.

CT scanning also increases the accuracy of ultrasound breeding values and improves the ability of ultrasound to identify superior animals, helping improve evaluations.

For more information about CT scanning and the funding available from levy bodies and the Society in 2023 see here

For the Texel breed increased uptake of CT scanning will enable Society members to better understand the breeding potential of animals they are considering buying and also increase breeding value accuracy for any relatives of the animals which have SCAN

At a flock level breeders gain a rapid insight into the breeding potential of their animals, enabling them to select for core commercial traits with the greatest level of information available.

been scanned. Giving higher degrees of confidence in the data and enabling more informed selection and breeding decisions to be made.

CT

Using CT data to predict lambing ease

A study by SRUC has recently been published that used CT data collected from 437 Texel ram lambs between 2000 and 2015 to predict the lambing difficulty of their progeny or their daughters’ progeny.

Texel Society data supported the study by SRUC, with six individual traits defined from the CT scans comprising hip and shoulder measurements and four pelvic measurements (area, height, width and angle). These pelvic traits were the most heritable, suggesting more genetic control of pelvic dimensions than hip and shoulder widths.

Key findings

Read the full paper here

SRUC’s mobile Computer Tomography (CT) scanner is available at locations around the country during the summer, including Edinburgh, Stratford-upon-Avon and Aberystwyth.

CT scanning dates and locations 2023

27

15th – 19th May Edinburgh

25th – 26th May Stratford or Skipton*

14th – 19th June Edinburgh

29th – 30th June Stratford

24th – 28th July Edinburgh

14th – 18th August Edinburgh

23rd – 24th August Aberystwyth

11th – 15th September Edinburgh

*Please contact the CT scanning service if you’re interested in this date and / or for further details

CT data are uploaded into iTexel for inclusion in genetic evaluations, enhancing the accuracy of growth and carcass trait EBVs and the Society’s new economic indexes for individual animals and relatives of scanned animals. In addition, CT data can be used to help identify elite animals within your flock, which can contribute to breeding and management decisions.

The Society offers generous subsidies to members that CT scan their lambs, in addition to those provided by the levy bodies.

• CT lambing ease predictors measured in ram lambs are heritable.

• Preliminary genetic correlations suggest narrow hips and shoulders ease lamb birth.

• Wider, more vertical pelvises may result in easier lambing of ewes.

• Possible future potential to select for lambing ease via routine ram lamb CT scans.

CT scanning aids methane emission research

Research at SRUC has confirmed that increased reticulum and rumen volume, measured by CT scanning, is associated with increased methane emissions.

Differences in rumen volumes between divergent breeds, at a fixed weight, have been identified in lambs reared together on lowland pastures. Scottish Blackface lambs have a 30% larger rumen volume than Texel lambs.

Significant differences in liveweight-adjusted rumen volumes have also been identified among different terminal sire breeds. Rumen volume has been found to have a 45% heritability in the Texel breed, suggesting the potential to select for this trait, and potentially methane emissions, through breeding.

The relationships with breeding values for production traits imply that breeding for smaller reticulum and rumen volume which may result in less methane, would be associated with higher breeding values for body composition and muscularity, suggesting no trade-off with these production traits.

Read the full paper here

Laryngeal chondritis insight from CT study

A pilot study of CT scans collected in 2019 suggests that additional measurements taken during routine CT scanning of ram lambs could provide data to help fill knowledge gaps in the investigations of the health condition laryngeal chondritis in terminal sire breed lambs.

The study examined larynx area CT scans of 94 Texel ram lambs and compared the data to that from ram lambs in other breeds.

Despite there only being small numbers of lambs from the other breeds, significant breed differences were identified for some of the larynx measurements.  However, these breed comparisons were based on a limited number of lambs from few flocks, so may not be representative of each breed.

These results indicate that variation exists in the larynx both within and between breeds, even after adjusting for variation in liveweight.

Increasing

usage within the Texel breed adds significant value to the UK sheep industry due to the breed’s significant influence within the industry, accounting for more than 27% of all rams used.

SCAN HERE

SCAN HERE

Ultrasound scan at the right time

The Society has analysed the ultrasound data collected by more than 100 texelplus members in 2022 to improve the quality of this years’ data collection. The work has focused on three main areas: the weight (and age) of lambs scanned; the numbers of lambs scanned in individual flocks and the use of management group information.

Lamb weight

The recommended average weight for ultrasound scanning is 40kg. In 2022, approximately one third of flocks were within 10% of this average, most other flocks had higher average weights, indicating they should have scanned earlier in the year.

Using growth rates achieved last year, the Society predicts that flocks should aim to scan around 13-15 weeks of age (see graph) rather than sticking to the historical advice of scanning at 18-21 weeks of age. Collecting data as close to the recommended weight as possible will reduce the amount of data processing required as part of the genetic evaluations.

Texel providing a steer on GHG emissions

While there is a range of flock performance, this new Society guideline for ultrasound scanning about five weeks earlier than previous recommendations is testament to the genetic progress achieved by Texel breeders, and the breed. It means that animals are reaching their target weight in a significantly shorter time than a decade ago.

Numbers of lambs scanned

A minimum of 100 scanned lambs are included in the base ultrasound scanning fee. In 2022, more than 50% of flocks could have scanned more lambs at no extra cost.

It is important to scan as many lambs as possible to capture the full genetic variation present. Only scanning a subset, or the ‘best’ lambs will slow a flock’s (and the breed’s) genetic gain. This is because the difference between the best and worst performing animals is smaller than it should be. Limiting the animals presented for scanning can, therefore, bias the data and may result in animals subsequently not performing as well as expected. Failing to scan all lambs also means members are not getting best value from their texelplus membership.

Management groups

In 2022, 70% of flocks indicated that all lambs scanned were in the same management group. If all lambs are managed in the same way, they should be in one management group. However, when some are treated differently, they should be identified as different management groups, e.g. those being fed differently, pet lambs and lambs with orf / other illnesses. Indicating management group differences can help to adjust the evaluation for performance differences caused by variation in management rather than genetics.

As the sheep industry and indeed the wider agricultural industry faces up to the challenge of climate change greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are becoming an increasingly important issue.

A recent study by AbacusBio for the Society has given a strong steer on the future direction required within the breed in order to help industry meet GHG targets and potentially achieve net zero.

Society chief executive John Yates explained that the project had highlighted a trend of increasing ‘gross emission’ levels within the breed. “This is quite normal for livestock industries and breeds where the breeding goals are aimed at supporting profitability.

“However, due to increased productivity levels as a result of improving maternal and terminal traits, emissions intensity is decreasing.

Mr Yates said while this trend for reduced emissions intensity was welcome it is quite modest and the study pointed to a further need to consider future breeding goals. “Selecting for growth has helped reduce emissions intensity, but as it has resulted in generally larger adult animals which require higher maintenance levels, it has also led to increased gross emissions.

The Society breed development strategy supports this direction of travel, with the launch of two new economic indexes and further promotional drive for texelplus services, providing further support and equipping Texel breeders with fit for purpose indexes helping to drive the breed’s genetic progress.

“While this data presents challenges it also presents opportunities in future breeding goals. Breeders should consider adult size as a key parameter in their future objectives, seeking out those animals with fast growth, but also moderate mature size. This will aid a reduction in gross emissions while continuing to reduce emissions intensity,” he added.

Efficient, moderately sized Texels will provide opportunities for commercial flocks to reduce their climate change impact.

Figure 1. Predicted age of lambs at ultrasound scanning when targeting a 40kg average weight (based on growth rates achieved in 2022)

Mating predictor proves popular

Members are encouraged to use the mating predictor that is available on all devices through iTexel to manage levels of inbreeding within their flocks as ewe / ram combinations cannot be assessed by eye.

The mating predictor will estimate the inbreeding values of lambs produced from a mating of any birth notified or registered ram in iTexel and any ewe in your flock.

Simply click on the Mating Predictor button on your iTexel homepage, create a New Combination and enter the details of a sire, such as one you’re thinking of purchasing. Next, select the ewes you might mate him to and click Finish.

The predicted inbreeding results can be viewed on a smartphone, iPad or computer and exported to an Excel file. An inbreeding coefficient below 7% is desirable for resultant matings.

Importantly, figures produced in the mating predictor and the inbreeding figure displayed on all published pedigrees on iTexel from 2023 use five generations of pedigree information to support the calculations.

This approach provides a focus on recent generation inbreeding in the Texel pedigree, which can be more damaging than inbreeding in the back pedigree and will more effectively support breeders managing inbreeding in their flocks.

Breeders should be careful to limit close matings and the effects of inbreeding can be easily outweighed by good genetic selection, when no single trait is allowed to fall behind. A balanced approach to breeding with a focus on all commercially valued profit traits, with functional and growth traits given priority is essential for improved productivity of the Texel breed.

Inbreeding can be defined as the mating of related individuals, or of individuals with shared ancestors. A balance needs to be maintained between selecting animals to optimise rates of genetic gain and minimise levels of inbreeding, says Society data and technical services manager Ed Smith.

“Increasing levels of inbreeding can result in inbreeding depression, where performance can suffer. Studies in other sheep breeds have demonstrated that as inbreeding increases ewe breeding weights and fertility are reduced and lamb birth and weaning weights are lower.

“An individual animal’s level of inbreeding is reported as a percentage and presented in iTexel and sales catalogues as the Inbreeding coefficient (or F) value.

“In general, the lower the level of inbreeding the better, though a threshold value of 7% has been determined to be an acceptable level of inbreeding within a breeding programme. The percentage estimate of inbreeding is based on the relatedness of individuals in a pedigree.”

members respond to Society survey

Over the winter the Society engaged with texelplus members through an online survey to gauge their opinions in several areas. About one third of breeders responded to the survey, representing breeders that have been recording data for a relatively short period through to those that have been members of the scheme for more than a decade.

Genetic gain was the most frequently cited reason for recording their Texels (73% of respondents) as members want to improve their flocks. Coupled with this, marketing and decision making were also important features of the scheme, supported by 66% and 52% respectively.

At least 80% of respondents record data on early growth, but this drops to around 25% for growth to maturity; this is an area the Society would like to improve on. More than 95% of respondents said they received appropriate communications for submission deadlines and a similar proportion use the texelplus reports available through iTexel.

The Society is planning to build on this and engage in a deeper consultation across the whole membership later in 2023.

Expected level of inbreeding from example matings

In-lamb gimmers gross more than £1.1m

The winter’s collective in-lamb female sales where sales had three vendors or more saw another season of exceptional demand, with nearly 1100 gimmers sold to average more than £1050 and empty ewe lambs also well bid for at many sales. Demand was strong from the first sale to the last, with both existing breeders and new entrants making their presence felt at sale rings across the UK as they sought out new genetics for their flocks.

Blackstown lead Ballymena Babes

The Blackstown flock of Messrs Wilson and Moses topped the Ballymena Babes at 2800gns with a ewe hogg by Sportsmans Encore.

Sale leader, WWB2201815, is out of a dam by Allanfauld Archimedes and sold to Andrew Kennedy, Maineview.

Meanwhile, it was a Sportsmans Dynamite daughter from the Herdman family’s Templepark flock which topped the gimmers at 2400gns.

Their topper was HKP2102109, a gimmer out of a dam by Clarks Wagner and carrying to the 20,000gns Auldhouseburn Fandabidozi. She was taken by Southern Irish buyer Karol Gallen.

Second best among the gimmers was a 2000gns call for one from Stephen McNeilly, Drumadowney. This was SPF2100630, a Plasucha Charmer daughter out of a dam by Drumgooland Aga Khan and in-lamb to Cherrylea Fireball. She sold to Conor Devlin, Sperrin View.

Following her at 1800gns was the best of the sale from Aberdeenshire-based Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank consignment. This was LYM2104319, a Sportsmans Dirty Harry daughter out of a dam by Greenstar Alfie and in-lamb to Knockem Ferocious. Buying this one were Messrs Simpson and Calvin, Ballyhivistock.

Averages; 76 gimmers £618.40, five ewe lambs £844.20 (Ballymena Mart).

Knock gimmer heads Builth Babes

Topping the Builth Babes sale at 3700gns for Willy Davis and Paul Rowlands’ Usk Vale flock was a gimmer bred in the Knock flock, HAK2101607. Sired by Knock Dalwhinnie and out of a dam by Sportsmans Trojan II which bred previous sire of the year Knock Bantastic.

She sold in-lamb to Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants and was knocked down to James Dunne, Co Cavan.

Second best at 3000gns was the pick of the pen from the Morgan family’s Blaencar flock, YME2108787. She’s by Teiglum Crackerjack and out of a dam by Eden Valley Wiz Kid and was offered in-lamb to Haymount Filmstar when bought by Robin Ellis, Eglur.

Following her at 2500gns was another from the Usk Vale offering, HAK2101604. Again, bred at Knock, she is by Castlecairn Diamond Vision and out of a dam by Tophill Wall St which is full sister to the noted Knock Yardsman. In-lamb to the 100,000gns Glenside Forever II, she was taken by L Middleton.

And close behind at 2200gns was another from the same home and again Knock bred,

HAK2101602. This is a full sister to the 2500gns gimmer and was again in-lamb to Glenside Forever II when bought by P Stark.

Ewe lambs

Leading the offering of ewe lambs at 2200gns was one from Myfyr Evans Rhaeadr flock, ENM2202611. Sired by Sportmans Dare Devil and out of a dam by Kelso Pavarotti, she is ET sister to a 26,000gns lamb sold to Cressage and a

9000gns lamb sold to Claybury and was bought by Stephen Cobbald, Lavenham.

Next best at 1800gns was one from Teilo, VDT2201007. She’s by Procters El Paso and out of a dam by Knap Angus Ogg and sold with a top 10% index when bought by Sioned Thomas, Onnen.

Averages; 38 gimmers £1028.72, 19 ewe lambs £785.29 (Builth Market Auctioneers).

Charben tops Derbyshire Diamonds

Leading the Derbyshire Diamonds in-lamb sale at 1500gns was a ewe hogg from Ben Vernon, Charben, with this being VCB2204891.

She is a Haymount Earth Wind and Fire daughter out of a dam by Hexel Beast From The East and sold to Alan Glendinning, Lylehill.

Second best of the sale at 900gns was a gimmer from Barney Richardson’s Fernyford

flock. This was FFR2103368, a Sportmans Cannon Ball daughter out of a dam by Glenside Willie Winkie and in-lamb to Haymount Earth Wind and Fire. She found a new home with D Slaney, Freehay, Staffs.

Another from the same home, FFR2103369, a full ET sister to the 900gns gimmer then sold at 800gns. She was also in-lamb to Earth Wind and Fire and sold to Zara Watson, Crofthead Farm.

And another Fernyford gimmer then made 750gns. This was FFR2103370, another by Cannon Ball and this time out of a Charben Babe Magnet daughter. Again in-lamb to Earth Wind and Fire, she was taken by R and L Vernon, Rocester, Staffs.

Averages; three aged ewes £357, 14 gimmers £500.85, 10 ewe lambs £429.45 (Leek Auctions).

Top seller at 3700gns was HAK2101607.

Longtown Ladies sees 5500gns high A

Sportsmans Double Diamond daughter from Alan Blackwood’s Auldhouseburn flock took the top call of 5500gns at the Longtown Ladies in-lamb sale.

Price leader was BYZ2129118, a gimmer out of a dam by the 125,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best and in-lamb to the homebred Auldhouseburn Finbars Fury and bought by Nicola Howie, Cairnton, Aberdeenshire.

Following her at 4500gns was the best from the Castlecairn flock of Bruce Renwick, RNA2101219, a Sportsmans Dirty Harry daughter out of a dam by Strathbogie Your Tupped. She was offered carrying to Haymount Foremost and was taken by Johnny Cubitt, Northern Ireland.

Also making this money was one from the Usk Vale pen of Paul Rowlands and Willy Davis, UVP2104911. This Teiglum Cinnamon daughter is out of a dam by Hexel Born To Be Wild and sold in-lamb to the 100,000gns Glenside Fortune. She was taken by Wyn Thomas, Ammanford.

A 3800gns call then secured the best of the day from Robert Cockburn, Knap. This was CKP2105840, a Sportsmans Deal Breaker daughter out of the Textravaganza champion, Daisy Duke, herself a Sportsmans Cannon Ball daughter and inlamb to Haddo Falcon. She was the pick of A Hambleton, Dovedale.

Then at 3400gns was another from Usk Vale in the form of a Knock-bred gimmer, HAK2101657. She’s by Sportsmans Chieftain and out of a dam by Tophill Wall

St. In-lamb to Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants, she sold to Southern Irish buyers Pat and Barry Farrell, Oberstown.

And close behind and also heading across the Irish sea was one from Auldhouseburn at 3200gns. This was BYZ2129025 a Sportsmans Double Diamond daughter out of a dam by Rhaeadr Best of the Best. Sold in-lamb to Auldhouseburn Finbars Fury, she was taken by Paul Swindell, Royal, Northern Ireland.

Averages; 113 gimmers £936, 30 ewe hoggs £796 (C and D Auction Marts).

Ducati daughter races to the top at Worcester

ASportsmans Ducati daughter led the trade at the Gloucester and Borders Texel Club’s in-lamb sale at Worcester when making 1400gns.

James Theyer’s sale leader from the Clanfield flock, THE2100867 is ET bred out of a Marbleton-bred dam by Tophill Wall St. Sold carrying to the 100,000gns Auldhouseburn Expression, she had been champion in the pre-sale show and was the pick of Will Ridge, Church Stretton, for the Ridgeway flock.

Following her at 1000gns was the best of the day from the Chave family’s Peacehay

entry, CFP2102612. This Clarks Wizard daughter is out of a dam by Sheeoch Tardis and sold in-lamb to Craig Douglas Extra Special. She was knocked down to D Ridd, Barnstaple.

And at 750gns was another from Clanfield, THE2100866. Also sired by Sportsmans Ducati, she is a full ET sister to the sale topper and again sold inlamb to Expression. Buying this one was Nightingale Academy, London.

Two then traded at 700gns, with the first being THE2100751 from James Theyer. This Sportsmans Ducati daughter is out of a Plasucha-bred dam by Knock Yankee and was again in-lamb to Expression.

She found a new home with S A Loach, Kidderminster.

The other at this level was another from the Chave family, CFP2102686. Sired by Clarks Wizard and out of a dam by the homebred Peacehay Untouchable, she is in-lamb to Craig Douglas Extra Special and was again bought by D Ridd, Barnstaple.

Averages; 33 gimmers £497.44, seven ewe lambs £442.50 (McCartneys).

Rhaeadr leads Carlisle Crackers

Myfyr Evans’ Rhaeadr flock took the top call of the evening at the Carlisle Crackers in-lamb sale, when selling an in-lamb gimmer at 20,000gns. Topping the trade and rounding of an exceptional year for the Rhaeadr flock, which included topping the breed’s flagship Scottish National Sale at 160,000gns, was ENM2102442, a Sportsmans Dare Devil daughter out of a dam by Teiglum Younggun.

This full sister to the Lanark topping Rhaeadr First Choice was offered in-lamb to Lanark champion Knap Fred Flintstone and is from the same family as the 125,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best. She sold to the Arnott family for the Haymount flock.

Second best at 7500gns was the best of the sale from the MacGregor family, Allanfauld. This was XMM2121426, a Claybury Dunkirk daughter out of a dam by Knock Yardsman

Leading the way at 20,000gns was Myfyr Evans’ gimmer.

and in-lamb to Plasucha Fireball. She was the pick of Sheena Woodrow, Islay.

Next best at 5000gns was the leader among the ewe lambs on offer, another from Myfyr Evans, ENM2202595. This Sportmans Enforcer daughter is out of a dam by Garngour Alabama and was taken by J Cubitt, Rasharkin, Co Antrim.

Another of the lambs on offer then made 4000gns. This is another from Rhaeadr, ENM2202575, another by Enforcer and this time out of a dam by Teiglum Younggun which is also dam of the 160,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice. She was also knocked down to J Cubitt.

Following along at 3000gns were four lots, the first of which was the topper from the Teward family’s New View flock, TWF2101130. She’s by the 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond and out of a dam by Teiglum Braveheart. Sold in-lamb to Garngour First Class, she was bought by Alan Clark and family, Garngour.

Next up at this price was another from Allanfauld, XMM2121472. She’s by Claybury Dunkirk and out of a Knock Yardsman-sired dam and sold carrying to Seaforde Egyptian Warrior and was taken by Will Ridge, Shropshire.

Ben Vernon then took 3000gns for his best of the night, a ewe lamb, VBC2204893, by Haymount Earth Wind and Fire and out of a dam by Drumbreddan Centre of Attention. She sold to Mark O’Donnell, Co Donegal.

And the final sale at this price came for another ewe lamb, this time from the MacPherson family, Hexel. This was MZH2200913, a Procters Chumba Wumba daughter out of an imported dam by Duncryne Uber Cool. This full sister to the 65,000gns Hexel Django sold to Cian McGrath, Co Donegal.

Averages; 63 gimmers £1703.10, 19 ewe lambs £1525.58 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Bellefield gimmer proves the star at Festive Crackers

Topping the Festive Crackers collective in-lamb sale, Ballymena, was a Harestone Crackerjack daughter from Stewart Ferris’ Bellefield flock. This one, AFB2100779, sold carrying twins to Haddo Floyd and is out of a dam by Teiglum Bachelor. Selling at 7000gns, she went home with Gary Beacom, Lakeview.

Second best at 4000gns was one from Robert Cockburn’s Knap consignment, across from Perthshire, CKP2105830. She is a daughter of the prolific Sportsmans Cannon Ball out of a Knock-bred dam by Ettrick U Cracker and sold in-lamb to Haddo Falcon. She headed to the Lylehill flock of Alan Glendinning.

Another Cannon Ball daughter, CKP2105809, then sold at 3500gns, with this being a full sister to the 2021 Textravaganza champion Daisy Duke. She’s out of a dam by Mullan Amigo and sold in-lamb to Stump Cross Foreman in a two-way split to Mark Priestley, Seaforde, and Eugene Branagan, Largy.

A brace of Knap gimmers then traded at 3200gns. This was paid for two full sisters sired by Sportsmans Deal Breaker, out of a dam by Clinterty Yuga Khan and carrying to Haddo Falcon. The first of these, CKP2105694, now joins Liam McPolin, Tamnaharry, with the second, CKP2105685, selling to E G Thomas, Wydden.

And the Daisy Duke female line was then responsible for a 3000gns sale when a Knap gimmer out of Daisy Duke sold to Johnny Cubitt. This was CKP2105805, a gimmer by Sportsmans Deal Breaker and in-lamb to Haddo Fabio.

Gary Beacom’s Lakeview flock peaked at 3000gns, with this price paid by Robert Cockburn for an ET sister to this year’s Balmoral Show interbreed champion. This gimmer, LKV2108156, is by Castlecairn Doodlebug and out of a Plasucha-bred dam by Plasucha Aberfeldy. She sold in lamb to Spellbound Fame and Fortune.

Average; 77 gimmers £1357.84 (Ballymena Market).

Stewart Ferris’ gimmer topped the sale at 7000gns.

Selling at 4000gns was this Knap gimmer.

Hexel lead January Gems

Ewe hoggs from Donald and Sarah MacPherson’s Hexel flock were the top performers at the January Gems Sale, Ballymena, selling to a top of 6000gns, with others at 3200gns and 2400gns, with all three selling to Southern Irish buyers.

Topping the trade was MZH2200950, a daughter of the prolific Procters Chumba Wumba out of a Hexel Born To Be Wild daughter. She was taken by Brian Connelly, Co Galway.

Second best at 3200gns was the next lot in, MZH2200926, another by Chumba Wumba and this time out of a Castlecairn Vavavoom daughter. This one is a full sister to the flock’s 20,000gns from Lanark Crackers 2020 and sold to Dermot O’Dowd, Co Roscommon.

And at 2400gns was MZH2200932, a Coniston Equinox daughter out of a dam by Chumba Wumba, with this one selling to Jimmy Garrivan, Co Mayo.

Best of the sale in the in-lamb gimmers came from John Trimble’s Curley pen, TYC2101092. She’s by Lakeview Dirty Dancer and out of a dam by Mullan BFG and sold carrying to Auldhouseburn Fandabidozi and was knocked down at 3200gns to Alistair Breen’s Drumderg flock.

Following her at 3000gns was another Hexel sheep, this time a gimmer by Haymount Crackerjack in the form of

Top call of 6000gns came for this Hexel ewe hogg.

MZH2100780. She’s out of a dam by Duncryne Uber Cool and sold carrying to sire of the year Rhaeadr Entrepreneur and was bought by Christopher Riby, Stonehills.

Selling at 2200gns was another of the Curley gimmers TYC2101097. She’s another by Lakeview Dirty Dancer and out a Mullan BFG daughter and was again inlamb to Auldhouseburn Fandabidozi, when again bought by Alistair Breen.

Close behind at 2100gns was another from Donald and Sarah MacPherson, MZH2100816. Sired by Chumba Wumba and out of a dam by Plasucha All Star. Offered in-lamb to Entrepreneur she was taken by Colin Price, Loanends.

The best of the sale from Adrian Liggett’s Corbo pen then made 2000gns, with this gimmer being by Tullagh Dragon. She’s LIG2100615 and is out of a dam by Strathbogie Best Bet and sold carrying to Hexel Fan Club and was taken by Jonathan Neill, Co Down.

And, also, at this money was a ewe lamb from the Bell family, Kiltariff. This one, BBK2201232, is by Sportsmans Dare Devil and out of a dam by Knap Bonanza. She was the pick of J Bond.

Averages; 45 gimmers £865.67, 11 ewe lambs £1808.86 (Ballymena Livestock Mart).

Carmavy top Dungannon Dazzlers

Leading the Dungannon Dazzlers in-lamb sale at 1050gns was a Knock Classic daughter from the McCollam family’s Carmavy flock, MSY2101655. She’s out of a Tullylagan Tonka daughter and sold carrying twins to Auldhouseburn Ever So Clever and was the pick of Thompson Bruce, Enniskillen.

Second best was the top priced ewe lamb of the sale at 1000gns from the Lonicera flock of the Dickson family. This was DSO2200822, a Procters El Jeffe daughter out of a dam by Sportsmans A Star and sold to Michael Reynolds, Armagh.

Following her at 800gns was a gimmer from Murray Annett’s Milestonehill consignment,

ALL2101929. She’s by Glenhone DJ and out of a dam by Craig Douglas Buster and sold carrying to Craig Douglas Buster again when bought by Messrs Tinney, Co Donegal.

Averages; 36 gimmers £527.92, three ewe lambs £665 (Dungannon Farmers Mart).

Roxburgh gimmer tops Kelso Crackers

Leading the trade at the Kelso Christmas Crackers sale, Carlisle, was the Roxburgh flock of John Elliot with a gimmer by the £12,000 Walston Clansman at 2800gns.

This was EJR2104954, a gimmer out of a Haddo Balvenie daughter and sold with an index in the top 25% of the breed. In-lamb to Fimber Elysium, she was taken by Messrs Furness and Taylor, Buxton.

Then making 2000gns was one from Jonathan Watson’s Brijon flock, REW2108259. Sired by Craig Douglas Crackerjack she is out of a Brackenridge Strongbow daughter and sold carrying to Yarrow Diamond. Buying this one were R A Patterson and Son, Capheaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne.

And selling at 1800gns was the best from the Ingram family, with this being a Granite gimmer, IGM2138322, by Granite Chieftain and out of a Kimbolton Warrior daughter. She sold with an index in the top 25% and in-lamb to Feddal Road Easypeasy. This one found a new home with previous buyers Messrs Furness and Taylor.

A 1600gns call followed that with this money paid for another from the Brijon consignment. This was REW2108394, a Duhonw Backlash daughter out of a dam by Blaencar Bruiser. In-lamb to Loosebeare Digger, she sold to N and L Blenkorn, Driffield.

Averages; 65 gimmers £808.38 (Harrison and Hetherington).

NITBC sale Ballymena

The Northern Irish Texel Club’s in-lamb sale, Ballymena, hit a 3500gns high for a daughter of the 38,000gns Castlecairn Doodlebug out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Warlord, from Gary Beacom.

Sold carrying to this year’s English National Sale leader, the 18,000gns Spellbound Fame and Fortune, she sold to Thomas Sheehy, Co Kerry.

James Adams’ Kerryhill dispersal consignment was next in line for the buyers’ popularity taking 2200gns for a Hexel Diamond Joe daughter out of a dam sired

Myfyr leads Skipton at 4000gns

The 30th annual Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders Club ‘Skipton Stormers’ show and sale saw a top call of 4000gns for the first prize ewe lamb and reserve champion from Myfyr Evans, Rhaeadr.

This one is by Sportsmans Enforcer out of a Garngour Alabama-sired dam. She became a joint acquisition by Procters Farm, Procters, and Stephen Cobbald, Lavenham.

Further Rhaeadr ewe lambs sold at 1600gns, this for the third prize winner, a March-born Sportsmans Dare Devil daughter, out of a Hartside All Star dam purchased for 13,000gns, going to Northern Ireland with Philip Whyte, Innisrush.

The show champion, tapped out by judge Helen Keighley, of the Manderlea flock was the first prize shearling ewe from Gordon and David Gray’s Ettrick flock. Their Claybury Dunkirk daughter, from a Clinterty Yuga Khan-sired ewe had been served by the Sportsmans Cannon Ball son, Sadlerhead Frank The Tank.

by Midlock Yorkie. She sold in-lamb to Maineview Fireball and joined the Millars flock of Cyril and Martin Millar, Coleraine. Leading the ewe lambs was the Kerryhill dispersal, with both of the top priced entries selling to Andrew Kennedy, Maineview. First up at 2800gns was a Hexel Diamond Joe daughter out of a dam by Ballynahone Cantona. Second best at 2000gns was this one’s full sister.

Averages; 60 in-lamb females £637.80, 20 ewe lambs £648.38 (Ballymena Livestock Market).

First into the sale ring, she went under the hammer at a section topping 2500gns to B M and B I Mosey, Blackdale.

The Grays sold five shearling ewes at four-figure prices, including the runner-up in its show class, again by Claybury Dunkirk out of a Garngour Awesome dam in-lamb to Cosyn Texels Formula One, at 1800gns to Elliott Little, Ewes Valley.

Averages; gimmers £1274, ewe lambs £851 (CCM Auctions).

Dunkirk daughter sets J36 sale record

Gordon and David Gray set a new sale record at the North West Texel Breeders Club sale, J36, when selling a Claybury Dunkirk daughter at 4800gns.

Bred in David Gray’s Tima flock, this gimmer, GCT2112387, is out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Batman and sold carrying to Sadlerhead Frank The Tank and has an index in the top 25% of the breed. She caught the eye of South Yorkshire-based Jennifer Lodge, Heyworth Lodge.

Second best at 4000gns was the pre-sale champion, an empty ewe hogg from Myfyr Evans, ENM2202639. This March-born lamb is by Garngour Envoy II and out of a dam by Sportsmans Dare Devil which is full sister to the Lanark topping 160,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice. She sold to George Oare, Coach House.

Following her at 1900gns was another of the Rhaeadr ewe hoggs, ENM2202615. Again, by Dare Devil, she is out of a dam by Kelso Pavarotti and is full sister to lambs sold at 26,000gns and 9000gns at Lanark last year. She was taken by Thomas Ayrton, for the Ayrtons flock.

Another from the same home then made 1800gns, with this being ENM2202647. She’s similarly bred to the 4000gns hogg, being another by Garngour Envoy II and out of a dam by Sportsmans Dare Devil. She was knocked down to Ben Sartin, Battlehill. Trading at the same money was a gimmer from Procters Farm, PFD2104467. She’s by Sportsmans Double Diamond and out of a dam by Procters Abracadabra. In-lamb to the homebred Procters Forever, she headed to Ayrshire with David Morrison.

Averages; 44 gimmers £814.94, 19 ewe hoggs £862.11 (North West Auctions).

Myfyr Evans’ champion made 4000gns to George Oare, Coach House.

Sale topper was this Tima gimmer at 4800gns.

Northern Stars hits 8000gns high

December’s Northern Stars in-lamb sale, Ballymena, saw a top call of 8000gns, with 67 lots selling to average £1159.70 on an 88% clearance.

Leading the prices was Alan Blackwood’s Auldhouseburn flock with in-lamb gimmer BYZ2129024, selling to local breeders S and J McCollam, Carmavy.

This one is a Sportsmans Double Diamond daughter in lamb with twins to Auldhouseburn Finbars Fury and sold with a recipient carrying a pregnancy to the 130,000gns Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi from her full sister which has been retained for the flock. She is out of a dam by the 125,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best and from the same family as the 100,000gns Auldhouseburn Expression.

Following her at 3700gns was BYZ2129033 when selling to local breeder C McIlwaine for his Corrick Flock. Another Double Diamond daughter, but out of a 130,000gns Sportsmans A Star-sired dam, she also comes from a strong bloodline with her grand dam a sister to Auldhouseburn Crackpot. She sold carrying twins to the 50,000gns Okehall Fireball.

Auldhouseburn’s sale leader made 8000gns for Alan Blackwood.

Scan

Coming in a close third on the leader board was another of the Auldhouseburn consignment, BYZ2129001, when selling to Jordan Green, Moray, to join the Drumburn flock for 3600gns. This is another Double Diamond daughter out of a 15,000gns Knock ewe and a full sister to the 26,000gns gimmer sold at this year’s Select Seven sale. She was carrying to Auldhouseburn Finbars Fury.

Also in demand was the guest consignment from Mark Priestley’s Seaforde flock.

Leading this offering was PRQ2101832, sold to Liam McPolin, Newry, for his Tamnaharry flock at 3200gns. She is a daughter of the 17,000gns Sportsmans Cannon Ball and is ET sister to the 26,000gns Seaforde Egyptian Warrior and sold in lamb to the 24,000gns New View Electrifying.

Averages; 67 in-lamb gimmers £1159.70 (Ballymena Livestock Mart).

Centre record at Christmas Classic

Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank flock set a new breed centre record when selling a ewe lamb for 7000gns at the Aberdeen Christmas Classic, Thainstone.

Sale topper, LYM2204726 is an ET bred twin daughter of Harestone Eldorado out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid and sold to join Hugh and Alan Blackwood’s Auldhouseburn flock, Muirkirk.

Second best of the day was a 3600gns call for a gimmer from the same home, LYM2104424. This Teiglum Dancing

Brave daughter is out of a dam by Strathbogie Yes Sir and sold carrying to Knockem Ferocious.

Following her was another ewe lamb, this time from Sandy Lee’s Fordafourie flock. This one, LAF2200621, is by Teiglum Bandana and out of a dam by Milnbank Cortez and caught the eye of K Ingram, Grange, Keith, at 2500gns.

Averages; 79 gimmers £633.17, 14 ewe lambs £1284.29, one aged ewe £1365 (ANM).

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35,000gns ewe lamb leads Plasucha dispersal

The Bennett family bowed out of the Texel breed in style when they dispersed their Plasucha flock to a high of 35,000gns.

Leading the trade and setting a new breed record for a ewe lamb was BFE2212164, an ET bred daughter of Sportsmans Express out of a dam by Plasucha Boss Man and full ET sister to lambs which had stood first at the Royal Highland and Royal Welsh this summer. Selling with an index in the top 1% of the breed she sold to the Sportsmans flock of Messrs Boden and Davies.

Second best of the sale was a 28,000gns call for a 2019-born ewe, BFE1909214. Sired by Teiglum Braveheart and out of a dam by Brackenridge Young Gun, she is dam of the 22,000gns Plasucha Fireball, the reserve champion at Lanark earlier this year and sold with an implanted embryo by the 50,000gns Okehall Fireball. Buying this one was Stuart Barclay, Harestone.

Following her at 18,000gns was another of the ewe lambs, BFE2212101. This ET sister to the sale topper had herself been first at the Royal Highland and goes back to one of the top families in the flock. Selling with an index in the top 1% of the breed she sold in a split deal to the flock’s shepherd, Peter Stubbs and Nick Legge, Thornbury.

Close behind at 15,000gns was another ET-bred ewe lamb by Sportsmans Express, BFE2212117. She’s out of the 28,000gns ewe and with a top 1% index she sold to Johnny Cubitt, Northern Ireland.

A 12,000gns call then secured the top priced in-lamb gimmer, BFE2111224. She’s by Plasucha Dark Knight and out of a dam by Sportsmans A Star.

Having won fifth at the Royal Welsh this summer she was the pick of Robin and Caroline Orr, Halbeath.

Next in line at 10,000gns was yet another of the ewe lambs, BFE2212129. This is another from the same flush as the 35,000gns lamb and again sold with a top 1% index having been first at the Royal Welsh. Buying this one were Neil and Matthew Ellis, Cressage.

Nick Legge was then back in action, spending 8000gns on another lamb, BFE2212223. She’s a full ET sister to the 15,000gns lamb and is out of the 28,000gns ewe. She headed away with a top 1% index.

A trio then made 5000gns, with the first being a one lamb ewe, BFE2010133. This Plasucha Boss Man daughter is out of a dam by Brackenridge Young Gun which is ET sister to the dam of the top selling ewe lambs. She sold with an embryo by Okehall Fireball.

Second at this money was an in-lamb gimmer, BFE2111143, with this one being by Midlock Dynamo and out of the same Young Gun daughter as the previous 5000gns ewe. Buying her were Messrs Teward, New View

And the final 5000gns call came for another of the ewe lambs, BFE2212136, a Sportsmans Express daughter out of the same dam as both the other 5000gns lots. She sold to Patrick Murphy, Co Mayo.

Averages; 11 flush ewes £5507.73, 68 ewe lambs £2661.29, 42 gimmers £1637.50, six flock ewes £1417.50, 151 recipients carrying embryos £945.35 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Setting a new record at 35,000gns was BFE2212164. Making 18,000gns was ewe lamb BFE2212101.

Second best at 28,000gns was this Teiglum Braveheart daughter.

Craftsman daughter tops Welshpool T

he champion from the presale show led the trade at the Shropshire and Borders Club’s in-lamb sale, Welshpool, when heading away at 1050gns.

Heading up the prices was Joseph Williams’ Owl Valley ewe lamb, WPH2204323. She’s by Garngour Craftsman and out of a dam by Clinterty Yogi Bear. She sold to Martin Grant, Stranraer for the Aurlas flock.

Second best at 1000gns were a brace of shearling ewes, one from Robert Pierce, Oldford and the other from Dan Jones, Aldan.

The Oldford gimmer, PRE2101396, is a Craig Douglas Dancer daughter out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Bolt and had been reserve champion in the pre-sale show. She sold with an index in the top 15% of the breed and in-lamb to Midlock Escobar. Buying her was Anthony Jones, Field Day.

Meanwhile, the Aldan gimmer, JDY2101144, is an Eden Valley Wizz Kid daughter out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Bolt and was sold in-lamb to Morwood Five Star. This one found a new home with M M and R Morris, Oswestry.

Topping the aged ewes on offer at 650gns was one from Cefyn Price’s Caereinion

flock, PEC2000824. Sired by Kitrob Bangor, she is out of a dam by Kimbolton Venturer and sold in-lamb to the homebred Caereinion First Class and with an index in the top 25% of the breed. She was taken by E Edwards, Anglesey.

Averages; three aged ewes £483, 74 gimmers £491.89, 24 ewe lambs £349.56 (Welshpool Livestock Sales).

Double Diamond daughter sparkles at Select Seven

Topping the 25th anniversary Select Seven sale at 26,000gns was a daughter of the 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond from Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn.

Sale leader, BYZ2129003, is out of a 15,000gns Knock-bred dam by Allanfauld Am The Man and sold carrying to the 130,000gns Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi. Buying this one were Donald MacPherson and family for their Hexel flock.

Second best of the day at 10,000gns was the top seller from Willy Davis and Paul Rowland’s Usk Vale flock, UVP2104843. She’s by Teiglum Cinnamon and out of the same Castlecairn Vavavoom-sired dam as the 17,000gns Albatross and the 13,000gns Crackerjack as well as a 26,000gns gimmer.

Sold carrying to the 100,000gns Glenside Forever II, she found a new home with Johnny Cubitt, Ballymena.

And the same buyer then paid 8000gns for the next from the same home, UVP2104826. Again by Teiglum Cinnamon she is out of a Hexel Born To be Wildsired dam and again sold in-lamb to the 100,000gns Glenside Forever II.

Following her at 6500gns was the best from Alan Clark and family’s Garngour flock, CJN2107590. She’s by Wydden Ding Dong and out of a Procters Chumba Wumba daughter and sold with an index in the top 5% of the breed. In-lamb to Allanfauld Flaming Star she was knocked down to Gary Beacom, Lakeview.

A 6000gns call then secured one from Gordon and David Gray, Ettrick. This was GGH2111051, a Claybury Dunkirk daughter out of a dam by Midcombe Brigadier. She sold in-lamb to Mossknowe Focus and with an index in the top 25% of the breed when bought by A D and S A Campbell, Lochgoilhead, Argyll.

The Grays then took 5500gns for a full

sister to this gimmer, GGH2111057. She sold carrying to Cosyn Texels Formula One and was the pick of Craig Campbell, Cockermouth, for the Highfield flock.

And taking a 5000gns call was another from Garngour, CJN2107553. This Procters Chumba Wumba daughter is out of a Knock Yardsman daughter which is maternal sister to the 70,000gns Teiglum Younggun. She sold empty and was bought by Owen Donohoe, Derrylin, Co Fermanagh.

Three then followed that at 4500gns, with the first being PFD2104591, a Sportsmans Double Diamond daughter from Procters Farm. She is out of a dam by the 100,000gns Sportsmans Batman and sold in-lamb to Uppermill Fabio when bought by the MacPhersons, Hexel.

Second at this price was another from Auldhouseburn’s team, BYZ2129093. Also by Double Diamond, she is out of an Allanfauld dam by Garngour Yeltsin and sold carrying to the 50,000gns Okehall Fireball. This one headed home with S and J

And the final 4500gns sale was for an Ettrick gimmer from the Grays. This was GGH2111252, a Hope Valley Dazzler daughter out of a dam by Midcombe Brigadier and in-lamb to Claybury Dunkirk. She sold with an index in the top 5% of the breed and was taken by the MacGregor family, Allanfauld.

Averages; 75 gimmers £2565.50 (Lawrie and Symington).

McCollam, Crumlin, Co Antrim.

Sale leader at 26,000gns was this Double Diamond daughter.

Usk Vale’s best was this gimmer at 10,000gns.

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Double Diamond daughter is Procters’ Gem

ASportsmans Double Diamond daughter lead the trade at the production sale from the Procters and Tatham Hall flocks of Procters Farms, which also hosted the dispersal of the adult portion of Robert Osborne’s Durisdeer flock.

Taking the best call of 4000gns was PFD2104638, a gimmer out of a dam by Sportmans Batman which is in turn out of the 19,000gns Ettrick purchase. She sold with a top 10% index and scanned with twins to Uppermill Fabio when bought by Paul Swindell, for the Royal flock, Co Down.

Second best at 3200gns was a onecrop ewe from the Tatham Hall draft, THF2004067. This Caereinion Bonus daughter is out of a dam by Thrunton Younique and with a top 10% index. In-lamb with a single to Halbeath Everest, she sold to David and Vicky MacTaggart, Threave, Castle Douglas.

Following that at 2800gns was a Tatham Hall gimmer, THF2104943. Sired by Douganhill Dynamite and out of a dam by Smithy Ben, she was offered carrying twins to Old Hemley Eastwood. She was the pick of Thomas Ayrton, Ayrtons.

And then at 2600gns was another of the Procters gimmers by Double Diamond, PFD2104583. She’s out of a Knap Alligator daughter which was purchased for 22,000gns from Allanfauld. She sold in-lamb to Smithy Energizer and with a top 10% index when sold to Northern Irish buyer A Procter, Derry.

A trio then made 2000gns, with the first being a Tatham Hall ewe, THF2004212. This one crop ewe is by Caereinion Bonus and out of a dam by the £35,000 Scrogtonhead U Stoate. She sold carrying a single to Halbeath Everest when purchased by Michelle Lyth, Leaholm.

Second at this level was another by Bonus, THF2004119. She’s out of a dam

by Whitehart Woody and was again sold in-lamb to Everest, this time with twins. She has a top 5% index and was taken by W J Jack and Son, Redcastle.

And the final 2000gns call came for THF2004075, another Caereinion Bonus daughter, this time out of a dam by Thrunton Younique. She was again in-lamb to Everest with twins and headed home with Alistair Jack, Kilcoy.

Best of the Durisdeer offering at 1400gns was a one-crop ewe, ORD2009259. Sired by Milnbank Aristotle and out of a dam by Bradleys Agent Steel, she sold in-lamb to Nochnary Eusebio and was knocked down to Steve Richardson, Stonebridge.

Averages; 19 Procters gimmers

£1188.16, 16 Tatham Hall ewes

£1322.34, 29 Tatham Hall gimmers

£658.50, 21 Durisdeer ewes £555, 18 Durisdeer gimmers £514.50 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Thornbury gimmer leads Winter Warmers

AMidlock Dynamo daughter from Nick Legge’s Thornbury flock topped the trade at the Winter Warmers Sale, Melton Mowbray, when selling for 950gns.

This one, LEN2101200, is out of a dam by Tamnamoney Bullseye and sold carrying to Auldhouseburn Espirit when bought by C Hart, Braunton, Devon.

Another from the same pen then made the second best price of the day when selling at 850gns. This was

LEN2101274, a gimmer by the homebred Thornbury Chancer and out of a dam by Brackenridge Young Gun. Sold carrying to Espirit she headed to Cottingham with Sarah Bailey.

Following that were three at 800gns, with the first two coming from Tina Blythe’s Lincs flock. The first was AHL2101773, a Forkins Dalglish daughter out of a dam by Millar’s Vagabond and in-lamb to Procters Fernando. She was another heading to Devon with C Hart.

The same buyer then took the next from the same home, AHL2101779. She’s by

Dalglish again and this time out of a dam by Forkins Bullet Proof. She was again in-lamb to Fernando.

The final 800gns call came for one from Jennifer Lodge’s Heyworth Lodge flock, LSH2100967. She’s by Milnbank Dakota and out of a dam by Alwent You’re the One and sold carrying to Lakeview Flintstone. She found a new home with Leah Dallow.

Averages; 37 gimmers £537.48, 32 ewe lambs £363.56 (Melton Mowbray Market).

Cannon Ball daughters strike at Christmas Stars

Abrace of Sportsmans Cannon Ball daughters led the prices at the Christmas Stars in-lamb sale, Carlisle, when Robert Cockburn, Knap, sold two at 12,000gns.

His first at this price was CKP2105742, gimmer out of a dam by Mullan Amigo and in-lamb to Haddo Falcon. She is a full sister to the inaugural Textravaganza champion and sold to join Messrs Boden and Davies, Sportsmans.

The second Knap gimmer at 12,000gns was CKP2105843. She’s out of a Knock-bred dam by Ettrick U Cracker and was again in-lamb to a Haddo sire, this time Haddo Fabio. She was the pick of Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn.

A pair then made 10,000gns, with the first of these being from the Sportsmans pen, but carrying the Knap prefix. This was CKP2105739, by Cannon Ball again and out of the 50,000gns Glanllyn female purchased in partnership with Robert Cockburn in 2020. She was taken by Tom Morgan, Morwood.

The other 10,000gns sale came for another from Robert Cockburn in the form of CKP2105711. She’s by Sportsmans Deal Breaker and out of a dam by Clinterty Yuga Khan. In-lamb to Haddo Fabio she sold in a two-way split to Ken Hodge, Greenarch, and John Elliot, Roxburgh.

Then making 7000gns was one from Gary Beacom’s Lakeview consignment, LKV2108075. She’s by Castlecairn Doodlebug and out of a dam by Arkle Awesome and was offered in-lamb to the 18,000gns Spellbound Fame and Fortune. Buying her was Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn.

Two then made 4500gns, the first of which was from the Wight family, Midlock. This was WKM2133484, a Hexel Django daughter out of a dam by Midlock Al Pacino and in-lamb to Garngour Falcon. This one found a new home with Richard Wilson, Eden Valley.

The other at this money was another of the Knap gimmers from Robert Cockburn, CKP2105757. Another by Cannon Ball, she is out of the same 50,000gns Glanllyn female as the 10,000gns Sportmans gimmer and sold carrying to Haddo Fabio and was knocked down to Alan Powell, Monnow Hill.

And at 3500gns was the very next lot from Knap, CKP2105844. She’s another by Cannon Ball and is a full ET sister to the second 12,000gns gimmer of the sale. Carrying to Haddo Fabio, she sold to Craig Campbell, Highfield.

Another then made the same price, with this one being Robbie Wilson’s best of the sale from Milnbank, LYM2104280. Sired by Sportsmans Dirty Harry and out of a dam by the imported Greenstar Alfie, she sold carrying to Knockem Ferocious and was taken by Messrs Tennant, Ribble.

Averages; 72 gimmers £1980.42 (Harrison and Hetherington).

First at 12,000gns was CKP2105742 from Robert Cockburn, Knap.

CKP2105843 was the second from Knap to trade at 12,000gns.

Sportsmans’ Cannon Ball daughter took third spot in the price list at 10,000gns.

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The rams are sold to commercial flocks either privately or through their exclusive production sales. The Slaters follow a strict culling policy, if any breeding stock doesn’t meet their standards, then they are culled.

“I’m a firm believer in that you get out what you put in with stock, so with returning customers year on year and a selective breeding programme going back over 20 years it is imperative that our breeding stock are in the best condition possible and are ready to perform” says Paul.

Lambing is split into two batches; 700 ewes are lambed from February 26th until 25th March followed by 300 ewe lambs and the remainder of the shearlings are then lambed from April until Mid-May.

‘’We are generally very happy with the performance of the flock but we have been having issues with good, strong new-born lambs from the ewe lambs taking their first breath and then subsequently dying. We weren’t sure what was causing the issue but after lots of testing, our vets confirmed it was an Iodine deficiency that was causing these losses.”

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“We gave them a go and found them a doddle to administer, and we have been delighted with the results. The boluses have completely rectified the problems that we were experiencing, lambs have great vigour at birth and the ewes have looked really well throughout lactation. The boluses will now be a firm part of our pre-lambing flock health plan going forward’’ concludes Paul.

Dandy Farm is home to the Whiteley Hey Flock run by Paul and Nigel Slater along with Paul’s daughter Claire. The flock consists of 1,700 breeding females producing top quality butchers lambs and over 500 breeding rams every year.

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Williams Family- Caegarn, Tregaron (Caron Texels). Breeders of Caron Dynamite £32,000gns

Hedging the bets at Cressage

Much like most farmers Neil and Matthew Ellis of the Cressage flock have a habit of looking over the hedges of other holdings as they travel the country.

Frequent travellers on the A5 from Shrewsbury to North Wales, the Ellis family would often admire the Draper family’s Texel flock at Claybury as they went by, with Matthew often joking about adding a few Texels to the Lleyn flock they had at home.

That ‘over-the-hedge farming’ coupled with the encouragement of friend and fellow Lleyn and Texel breeder Brian Joseph

of the Waen flock, saw the Ellis family purchase the initial foundations of their Texel flock at the Claybury production sale in 2008, explains Neil.

“We bought three ewes at the sale and then added further purchases from the Muiresk dispersal as well as the Christmas Stars and Twilight sales.

Matthew continues: “Those early purchases set the tone for the future of the flock, with one of the purchases from the Twilight Sale being an Arkle ewe bought for 2300gns.

“She was a prolific breeder and is the foundation of what is without doubt the most successful family we have in the flock. She is behind the female line of the 5000gns Cressage Blockbuster, the 38,000gns Cressage Enforcer and the 30,000gns Cressage Epicentre as well as the 12,000gns shearling Cressage Everest,” he explains.

Like many breeders the Ellis family use embryo transfer as a means of getting the

most they can from those elite females, but admit it wasn’t in their plan when they started in the breed. “We fell into ET work as one of the Muiresk females we purchased was tricky to get in lamb. She flushed well, but a previous caesarean section meant she wouldn’t hold in lamb, so we opted to flush her to recoup the investment we made.”

On the male side tups such as Ellen Valley Trojan and Garngour Upperclass have

been behind some of the best breeding at Cressage, with Upperclass being the grandsire of Enforcer, Epicentre and Everest, as well as the sire of Cressage Vagabond a ram sold to Easterseat, Grougfoot and Wester Crosshill which went on to be male and reserve overall champion at the Royal Highland Show in 2015.

One abiding aim of the duo is to maintain positive fat indexes in their female lines, targeting this as a means of breeding

“That was the start of the Texel journey for us and it didn’t take long for us to be infected with the Texel bug, something many breeders will relate to,” he adds.

The Ellis’ best sale to date, the 38,000gns Cressage Enforcer.

naturally fleshing, easy kept animals which can thrive on grass, milk well and maintain their condition.

“We’re all about good tops, size and stretch,” says Neil. “Ewes need to be able to look after themselves and have some width and depth in their shoulder and loin.”

Recent years have seen the family purchase the Scholars flock of Will and Liz McCaffrey, with Will joining the Ellis’ enterprise as shepherd to both their pedigree and commercial flocks.

“Ultimately, between our farming enterprises and our other businesses we didn’t have the time to commit to the sheep and do them justice. We’ve known Will for many years and have always had a close relationship with him and it was a natural fit for him to come on board and work with us,” says Matthew.

“It has changed things dramatically, having someone dedicated to the sheep has meant the pressure is off us and enables the flock to be managed in a more timely and efficient manner.

“Our off-farm businesses must take priority and we can’t afford to jeopardise that for the sake of a few sheep. We needed to find a solution which allowed us to enjoy the sheep which is what they were bought for in the first place.”

Having previously run up to 400 Lleyn ewes the family have cut those back to less than 100, with a flock of crossbred ewes maintained as ET recipients and commercials and 60 pedigree Texel ewes lambed too.

And, while some flocks choose not to lamb their flush ewes, Neil is adamant that they have to work for their living. “Every ewe in the flock has to lamb, there’s no room for passengers and I worry about flush ewes that don’t lamb as you never know what they’re actually capable of.

“We’re hard on culling and anything that doesn’t pay its way is quickly down the road. Whenever we’re going through the sheep we’re always taking out the bottom end to keep improving,” he adds.

Going forward, while the flock has traditionally aimed to breed ram lambs, Matthew and Neil, with Will’s help, are now also targeting the shearling market, believing this to be a more reliable option. “We’ll still produce lambs for the main sales, but we are starting to turn out some shearlings too, with a strong demand locally for powerful, fleshy tups.

“On the female front we haven’t ever sold a big number of females, but have sold select ewe lambs and gimmers when we have sufficient spare of good quality.

“However, we’re careful with what we chose to sell and what stays at home. Some years ago we picked out some gimmers to sell from a flush, having already picked out the best looking ones to keep.

“As it turned out we couldn’t get to the sale, so the gimmers we intended to sell were retained. Every female from that flush bred well, apart from the best looking one which we’d picked to keep initially. Sometimes it can be better to keep flush sisters rather than the standout star of the crop,” says Neil.

Management of the flock centres around lambing in mid-February, with ewes fed for two to three weeks ahead of lambing depending on condition and scan results.

“The sheep run on about 200 acres of permanent and temporary grass, including chicory and multi species herbal leys which

Employing Will McCaffrey as shepherd has helped Matthew (c) and Neil (r) Ellis improve flock management and timeliness.

are used for growing lambs and producing shearlings, with a hybrid rape grown for sale lambs.

“While the Texels lamb inside, the commercials and Lleyns lamb outside in April on a simple system to keep a handle on costs. There’s no doubting that rising feed, fuel and fertiliser costs are going to have an impact on sheep producers and anywhere we can reduce costs has to be looked at,” explains Matthew.

“Texels are our enjoyment, but we don’t want to waste money on them and it is getting scary just how much money is now required to compete in the breed. Female prices are continually on the rise and getting a good ram now often means having to share him with other flocks in order to justify the expense.”

Indeed, on this topic Neil feels the breed may be better off if fewer breeders shared rams. “Syndicates have come about as a result of rising prices, but have driven prices up too. I’m not sure it’s helping the breed, as it has to be having an effect on the gene pool. Rams being used more widely must mean the genetic variation in the breed is being reduced.

“It also makes it harder when you go looking for a ram as the likelihood is you already have animals with similar genetics in your flock.”

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Together we’re growing something special.

Last year marked the show ring debut for the Corras flock, with the Watkins family enjoying success at both Royal Three Counties and the Royal Welsh.

Simple system for shearling success

With a good Texel you know what you’re getting says Robert Watkins.

ith a history stretching back to the earliest days of the breed in the Welsh borders, Robert and Nesta Watkins, who farm with their son, Ed, strive to maximise the carcass traits within the flock, aiming for growth and shape in the tups they sell.

“When I was 17 I was working in Canada and I came home and my father, Roland, showed me a Texel ram he’d bought, believing it was just the type of sheep we needed. Immediately I could see the potential the breed had and the next year we went to Lanark and bought another ram,” explains Robert.

“Initially, we were just buying to use on our own commercial ewes. But very quickly we established a pedigree flock, knowing the opportunity there would be to sell Texel rams in this part of the country,” he adds.

In the early days of the flock it was part of Premier Texel breeders, with the likes of Geoff Boden, Dick Neal, Charles Wright and Tom Redman all bringing ram lambs to Great Corras Farm to take part in progeny tests.

W“It was great to sit and listen to those early breeders and hear their thoughts and ambitions for the breed. They had strong views and for a young person interested in the breed it was a great education.

Initially selling a decent number of rams locally, as the family expanded their own commercial flock to in excess of 2000 ewes they ceased selling, concentrating on breeding rams for their own use.

An acute understanding of the needs of local commercial producers as a result of farming more than 1000 commercial ewes themselves, gives the Watkins family, Corras, a clear focus for their pedigree flock.

“Every ram was put to 40 ewes and the lambs were then slaughtered to assess the carcasses and identify the best sires. It was a great way of finding the genetics that did the job commercially,” says Robert.

“It got to the point where we wanted to keep the best rams to use ourselves and we couldn’t keep them and sell them, so we just stopped selling them,” he adds.

Then in the early part of the century the family farming partnership changed, with two of Robert’s brothers heading to farm in Australia and Robert and Nesta cut back commercial ewe numbers and put more time in to the Texels.

The family now runs in the region of 1000 commercial ewes, with most of these being North Country Mules put back to homebred Texel rams. The remainder are first cross Texel ewes, again put to homebred rams.

The focus always has been and still remains on the commercial customer, says Nesta. “We aim to produce rams to sire lambs that reach 21kg deadweight quickly, with most in the top half of the grid.

“We know from our own experience that our rams are doing the job we set out to, as we are able to finish about 95% of our own March-born lambs off grass and forage by the end of September.”

Rigorous selection, coupled with a forthright management regime has led the flock to this point. “Ewes receive no hard feed after lambing and lambs no creep feed. Ram lambs will be fed a small amount over the worst of the winter, but that is stopped again in spring, with a heavy reliance on grass, clover and chicory leys to grow shearlings.

“Any ewe with a problem, such as a prolapse or mastitis is culled with their progeny also culled. We are careful with ram selection to avoid anything with large heads, always thinking of ease of lambing.

“Additionally, with large numbers of Texelsired ewes in the national flock we also pay close attention to the maternal aspects of the breed and feel this is vital to the future success of the breed,” she explains.

Robert adds that the flock is bred without the use of either AI or ET and he has misgivings about the large numbers of ewes now being flushed. “I wouldn’t want to tell anyone else how to manage their flock or their business, but I am aware of how much ET is being used within the breed and worry what that means for the maternal attributes. We could very quickly lose a lot of what is good about the breed if breeders aren’t careful.”

Looking at the wider industry Robert adds that there can be no doubt the Texel is the best breed for producing prime lambs that leave the best results. “Texels have shape coupled with growth rate and consistency.

No other breed can offer what a Texel can and composite breeds definitely can’t.

“With a good Texel you know what you’re getting. With a crossbred or hybrid ram you could get the best bits or the worst bits of each breed, you won’t know until you try and finish the lambs,” adds Robert.

Now running 200 pedigree ewes the Watkins family prefer to buy shearling rams as stock sires, believing they present less of a gamble than ram lambs. “We’re more comfortable buying shearlings and tend to find the type we like.

“Looking back, we had a pair of Caereinion tups in quick succession, in the form of Powerhouse and Samson. Both of those did a great job for us, bringing size and power to compliment the carcass traits we have.

“Following on from him we purchased Roxburgh Apache and then Loosebeare Braveheart, both of which have done a great job for us, producing both rams to sell and ewes to add to the flock.

“And in 2021 we purchased Langside Dan Dare and his lambs from his first season have come through their first winter well and look promising for later in the year.”

On the other side of the coin the family have sold to a top of 6500gns for Corras Dundee at the Welsh National Sale in 2021, with this one heading to the Isle of Man to Danny Creer and family, with Corras Escobar heading to the same home at 4000gns the following year.

“We wondered for a while whether our sheep were good enough for the National

The flock’s best shearlings are targetted at Society National Sales, hitting a high of 6500gns for Corras Dundee in 2021.

Sales, then felt they were and have since had success at both Welshpool and Worcester, as well as our other regular outlets at the NSA Ram Sales and last year, for the first time, Kelso.”

For the first time in 2022 the family also took to the show ring at both Royal Three Counties Show and the Royal Welsh Show, enjoying success at both, with Nesta highlighting it as another way to raise their profile.

“On top of that it’s a great way to meet and socialise with other breeders and we really enjoyed that aspect of it. We want to enjoy what we do with the Texels, there’s more to be got from them than there is from producing prime lambs.

Showing is a great way to take some enjoyment from the flock and socialise with other breeders, says Nesta Watkins.

“We have Ed involved in the business now and that’s giving us a bit more time to do more with the Texels and get more from them.”

The couple have a simple plan for the future, explains Robert. “The only thing we want to do in future is continue to get better at what we do. Improve the flock further and sell more rams.”