Texel Society Autumn Bulletin 2021

Bulletin |

SA L ES

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S H OWS

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TE CHN I CAL

TEXEL

R BE O 1 CT 202

N E W S

O

A T EX EL SOC IETY P UB L ICAT I O N

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L IF E S TY LE

For All Texel Breeders

Textravaganza draws the crowds

Texels are

top of the pops Society Sales See

#addtexeladdvalue

Records Smashed

Member Fees

Go Online

by using and save costs on Society fees

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

All fees take effect from 1st September 2021.

Import Registrations

Male and Female Birth Notifications 1st January following year of Birth Onwards

1st Jan – 31st May in Year of Birth

1st June - 31st Dec in Year of Birth

Method

Online

Paper

Online

Paper

Paper

Standard BN fees

£2.10

£3.10

£10.75

£16.00

£120.00

ET BN fees

(£2.52 Inc VAT)

(£3.72 Inc VAT)

(£12.90 Inc VAT)

(£19.20 Inc VAT)

£8.00

£12.00

£16.00

£24.00

(£9.60 Inc VAT)

(£14.40 Inc VAT)

(£19.20 Inc VAT)

16th June YOB 31st October in year following YOB

1st November year following YOB onwards

Online

Paper

Online

Paper

Online

Paper

£9.50

£7.50

£10.50

£10.00

£13.00

(£7.80 Inc VAT)

(£11.40 Inc VAT)

(£9.00 Inc VAT)

(£12.60 Inc VAT)

(£12.00 Inc VAT)

(£15.40 Inc VAT)

Male Registrations (having previously been birth notified) 1st July - 31st Oct

Method

1st Nov - 31st Jan

1st Feb – 30th June

Paper £32.00

(£38.40 Inc VAT)

£48.00

(£57.60 Inc VAT)

£100.00

(£120.00 Inc VAT)

Male registration will only be permitted once a DNA profile 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”. Failure to provide a DNA sample for your ram may prevent your ram from being registered along with their resultant progeny.

Genetic Improvement Service Fees (Online only) Flock Fee

Paper £35.10

(£42.12 Inc VAT)

Female

£13.60

(£16.32 Inc VAT)

Transfers (Females must be registered by the breeder before transfer. Males can be transferred prior to registration by the new owner.)

(£28.80 Inc VAT)

By 15th June in Year of Birth (YOB)

£6.50

Male

(£144.00 Inc VAT)

Female Registrations (having previously been birth notified)

Method

Method

Fees £97.00 (£116.40 inc VAT) Additional £/ewe

First 50 ewes

£2.60 (£3.12 inc VAT)

51 -150 ewes

£2.10 (£2.52 inc VAT)

151 – 400 ewes

£1.00 (£1.20 inc VAT)

> 401 ewes

Speak to the society office

Flock size is based on the total number of ewes (including recipients) that have a lambing event recorded on the Society database that year.

1st January to 31st December

Online £8.50

(£10.20 Inc VAT)

Paper (admin support) £15.00

(£18.00 Inc VAT)

Terms of Membership relating to fees Please note ALL new members are required to set up a Direct Debit payment and use our online services.

New members pay a joining fee and a subscription fee. Thereafter an annual subscription on the anniversary date each year.

Adult Joining fee £62.50 (£75.00 inc VAT) Annual Subscription fee £52.57 (63.08 inc VAT) Junior (Up to age 21) Joining fee £31.25 (£37.50 inc VAT) Annual Subscription fee £26.29 (£31.55 inc VAT) Members are encouraged to consider GIFT AID at no extra cost. More information is available at https://texel.uk/gift-aid/ The VAT inclusive prices include VAT at 20%, and may be adjusted at any time.

Female and Male Registrations certificates will not be printed and posted to members.

Members are able to print certificates from iTexel if they require them.

Proven, Pedigree, Performance

Breeders Bulletin Texel Bulletin is published by the Texel Sheep Society Ltd twice a year in Spring and Autumn.

No shortage of Texel to fuel sheep industry

W

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.

elcome to the autumn edition of the Texel Bulletin. The summer months have passed quickly, with members once again out and about in force at summer shows and sales many of which have reverted to normal following their absence last year.

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 - Roy Campbell Cowal and Royel flocks Vice Chairman - Jeff Aiken Procters and Tatham Hall flocks Treasurer - Andy Barr Parkhouse flock Contributors Jonathan Long, Lynsey Clark and Society staff Photography Country Girl Media, MacGregor Photography, Alfie Shaw, 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

The Society’s Textravaganza National Show at Carlisle in July was a great celebration of the Texel breed and it was tremendous to see such a strong show of sheep from across the country on display.

Congratulations to all those who enjoyed the limelight at those summer shows which did go ahead. We all look forward to an even fuller programme of events next summer.

Society sales were once again highly successful, with demand from breeders and commercial buyers evident at all sales and many records broken as averages rose at several sales, including an exceptionally strong performance across the board at the Northern Irish National Sale and among the shearling rams at the English National Sale.

The demand seen at these and the many Club sales has been universally robust and without a doubt reinforces the data seen in the AHDB GB Sheep Breeds Survey which saw Texels once again named as the most popular sire in GB. In the survey, conducted in late 2020, the breed accounted for 27.2% of all rams used in the GB national flock, with 26% of all ewes mated to Texel rams.

Tellingly, the next nearest breed accounted for less than a third as many rams at just 8.7% of all rams used and was mated to just 8% of the national flock. And while the Texel has held its position and increased popularity, the second most popular breed has seen its market share drop by a quarter.

Additionally, Texels continue to perform exceptionally well in the RamCompare project, being the top ranked sires for a number of economically important traits.

The major commercial ram sales also backed this up, with pedigree Texels earning significant premiums over other breeds and their non-pedigree counterparts at both Kelso and Builth Wells. There is certainly plenty of proof of the value in maintaining pedigree status.

At both these major commercial ram sales, registered Texels accounted for close to 30% of the gross value of all sales, demonstrating the latent demand for the breed among commercial producers.

At a Society level, developments within iTexel have continued and the new mating predictor, that identifies the level of inbreeding in potential matings, has been proving popular as breeders were busy planning this year’s purchases.

All flocks are also able to find out their flock inbreeding benchmark and trend by visiting iTexel and their My-flock reports.

The latest round of R&D work also got underway, with the Society fully engaged to support climate change initiatives. The GrassToGas ‘feed efficiency’ project, delayed by COVID-19, is now beginning data collection on Texel cross lambs at SRUC. With the continued investment in data driven services and novel research programmes, the Society is well positioned to drive breed development and promotion. The Texel breed continues to deliver and is hard to beat wherever in the country you are and no matter what your farming system.

John Yates Chief Executive

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

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Contents | Autumn 2021

N E W S 6 National Sales top £2m again 6 Texels are top of the pops

20 Milnbank gimmer leads at Royal Highland Showcase

8 Commercial sales show value of pedigree

26 Dynamo charges to the front at Devon

9 Vendors back Builth inspections

36 Inaugural Textravaganza National Show a hit

10 Members raise vital funds for FCN

30 Millcroft flock tops Great Yorkshire

14 texelplus stock in demand

TE CH N ICA L

S A L E S

17 texelplus survey seeks members views

42 Full reports from Society sales at Lanark, Welshpool, Worcester and Ballymena

17 Increased iTexel investments prove worthwhile

68 Texels top major commercial sales at Builth Wells and Kelso

16 GrasstoGas project gets underway

Y DP 18 Committee nominations open 19 Education awards recognise excellence

4

S H OW S

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

L I F E S TY L E 78 Profit from experience at Ettrick 82 Aiming for the top at Bellefield

IN THIS ISSUE

78

PROFIT FROM EXPERIENCE AT ETTRICK

Texels account for 41%

37%

of sale value at Kelso

of sale value at Builth Wells

08

PEDIGREE ADDS VALUE

10

TEXELS TOP RAMCOMPARE

82

AIMING FOR THE TOP AT BELLEFIELD

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

5

Society Matters

National Sales top £2m......again!

This year’s Society National Sales once again saw strong spending among breeders and a number of new records set, including a new centre shearling ram record at the English National Sale, Worcester, as well as a centre record shearling ram average.

Clearance rates were once again high, with both shearling rams and ram lambs achieving clearances in excess of 80% at the Northern Irish National Sale and both gimmers and shearling rams achieving the same feat at the English National Sale.

Meanwhile, the Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena, also witnessed a centre record, with a ram lamb at 26,000gns and a centre record ram lamb average too.

As expected, Lanark saw strong demand too, with a 76% clearance rate in the ram lambs and 72% in the gimmers.

And while the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, may not have seen record-breaking prices this year, it remains the star performer, with a top price of 100,000gns for Auldhouseburn Expression and a new record set when 23 ram lambs sold at fivefigure prices.

It was Caron Dynamite which blew away records at Worcester when this shearling from the Williams family sold at 32,000gns, lifting the overall shearling ram average to £2552.29, more than 33% up on the previous centre record shearling average of £1905.31 achieved just last year.

Shearling rams were in ready demand at Worcester, where they recorded an 81% clearance rate.

Across the water at Ballymena the ram lambs were the stars of the show, with Mark Priestley’s Seaforde Egyptian Warrior the sale topper. He sold at a new centre record price of 26,000gns, with another fivefigure sale in the form of Mark Patterson’s Alderview Explosive, pushing the sale’s ram lamb average to a new centre best of £1300.77.

Overall, the Society’s National Sales once again surpassed £2m of trading, grossing £2,009,663.52, an achievement no other breed can come close to matching.

Society chief executive John Yates said the performance of the Society’s National Sales continued to demonstrate the appeal of Texels and the desire of members to improve their flocks.

23 ram lambs make

10,000gns or more at Lanark

NI National grosses

70% more than 2020

New 32,000gns centre shearling record at Worcester Records were set at Worcester where James Draper, Claybury, judged the pre-sale show.

All National Sales

gross more than £2m

“An extremely buoyant sheep trade throughout 2021 has given members further confidence to invest in their flocks and seek out new genetics to deliver improvements in both type and performance.

“By staging four National Sales in a short space of time across the UK the Society aims to enable all members and commercial buyers the opportunity to buy and sell breeding stock in convenient locations and this year has clearly demonstrated the benefits this brings to all concerned.”

Ram DNA Kits Members requiring DNA kits to sample new stock rams can now request these via the Society website at texel.uk/ dna-kit-request/ Simply enter the ram’s ID along with all your details and upload a proof of purchase to request the DNA sampling kits you require. Proof of purchase is not required for homebred rams Members are reminded to register rams as early as possible to avoid late fees. In all cases the Society must have the ID of the animal (flockbook number, or UK number) and the flock code of the member requesting the DNA kit.

Birth notifications cannot be processed without a sire DNA sample.

6

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

SCAN HERE

SM

Texels are top of the pops The Texel breed has once again proved its popularity, being named the most dominant sire breed in the latest GB Sheep Breeds Survey conducted by AHDB.

value Texels brought to their progeny. “It is well known that Texel sired lambs are in demand across GB, both as prime lambs and as breeding replacements.

In the survey, conducted in late 2020, the breed accounted for 27.2% of all rams used in the GB national flock, with 26% of all ewes mated to Texel rams.

“This survey has once again highlighted the dual role the breed now performs for GB sheep farmers, being both a highly successful terminal sire and also equally adept as a maternal breed,” he added.

Tellingly, the next nearest breed accounted for less than a third as many rams at just 8.7% of all rams used and was mated to just 8% of the national flock. And while the Texel has held its position and increased popularity, the second most popular breed has seen its market share drop by a quarter.

The survey revealed 2.6% of the national flock to be purebred Texel and 15% of crossbred ewes were found to be Texel sired. Overall, the breed and its crosses represented 12% of all ewes in GB.

Society chief executive John Yates added that it was also important to recognise the change in the differential between Texels and other breeds since the last survey. “In the 2012 survey the next nearest breed accounted for 12.8% of all sires, some 14.3% behind Texel. By the time of the 2020 survey that gap had grown to 18.5% and all five of the next most popular breeds had lost ground against Texels in the same period, while the Texel enjoyed an increase in popularity.

He said the continued dominance of the Texel breed as a sire was the result of the added

27.2% of all sires are Texels

Importantly, from a sire point of view, Texel crosses were also responsible for a further 3% of all rams used, further extending the positive influence of the breed in flocks across the country.

The report highlighted the rise of the Texel breed since its importation as a fundamental shift in the GB sheep industry, stating: “In earlier reports, the importation of the Texel breed in the 1970s and its widespread adoption as the major terminal sire breed in Britain were highlighted. The role of the Texel has continued to evolve, such that it is now a major player on the maternal side of many crossbreds.”

15%

of crossbred ewes are Texels

12%

of all ewes are Texels

Of nearly 13m ewes in GB more than

1.55m are by Texel rams

Board elections Board elections this summer have seen a brace of board members reappointed unopposed and two new members join the board.

In the Northern Midlands & the Isle of Man Jeff Aiken, Procters, retained his seat unopposed, with Dafydd Jones, Kitrob, also unopposed in the North Wales and Borders region.

Meanwhile, in Central & West of Scotland Robert Laird, Cambwell, stood unopposed to fill the seat vacated by Andy Barr, Parkhouse.

And, in South West England Angus Howie, Millhouse, stood unopposed for a one-year term to replace Graham Hill, Rolle, following his decision to stand down.

Society chairman Roy Campbell thanked Andy Barr and Graham Hill for their service to the Society as Board members and welcomed Robert Laird and Angus Howie to the board, with both beginning their terms after the Society’s AGM in November.

“Both Andy and Graham have given many years service as board members and have represented the views of members in their area on a number of important issues. Andy has without doubt gone the extra mile, being both Society treasurer and also the Society’s representative on the Premium Sheep and Goat Health Scheme board.

“I am sure both Robert and Angus will bring enthusiasm and knowledge to their positions and I and the rest of the board look forward to working with them.”

Impact of Texel on National Ewe Flock Breed Mule (including N C Mule, Welsh Mule & Scottish Mule)

% of National Ewe Flock 18.8%

Texel Crosses

15%

Lleyn

3.9%

Composite

3.3%

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

7

Society Matters For more on the breed’s

Commercial sales show value of pedigree

performance in the GB Sheep Breed Survey see page 7

The value of pedigree was once again proven at the UK’s two largest commercial ram sales in September, with pedigree Texel rams earning significant premiums at both Kelso Ram Sale and the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells.

Texel dominance at Kelso saw the breed sell 657 registered shearling rams to an average of £1412.72, with these accounting for just shy of 30% of the sales total value at £928,160.

Meanwhile, the 531 unregistered Texel shearlings traded on the day levelled at £777, some £635.72 behind the registered shearlings. These grossed £412,800, taking 12% of the day’s total value.

At Builth Wells 573 registered Texel shearling rams sold to an average of £935.45, more than £355 ahead of their 141 non-registered counterparts. Here the registered shearlings took 27% of the sale’s total gross while the non-registered shearlings grossed 4% of the day’s takings.

Both Kelso and Builth resulted in registered shearlings growing their share of the sale gross, with Kelso seeing registered shearlings increase their proportion from 25.5% to 29.6% and Builth witnessing a similar increase from 23.6% to 27%.

Overall, Texel rams accounted for 41.6% of the total sales value at Kelso and 37% of the total sales value at Builth Wells, dominating the financial performance of both sales and underlining the importance of the breed in the industry.

A key change at both sales was a drop in the number of crossbred rams traded, with Kelso seeing a 21% fall in the number of crossbred rams sold and Builth witnessing a 52% cut in the number of crossbred rams selling.

Society chief executive John Yates said both sales had clearly reinforced the value pedigree brought within the sheep industry, with buyers valuing the assurance it gave them when buying new rams for their flocks.

“The significant jump in averages seen at both sales for pedigree rams clearly shows the added value pedigree can add to stock, with this reinforced by a reduction in the numbers of crossbred rams being traded at these two venues.”

Both sales also saw the percentage of sale revenue taken by unregistered Texels either remain static or drop, another firm indicator of the added value pedigree offers breeders, added Mr Yates.

“Importantly, these sales have highlighted once again the strong demand for quality Texel sires across the UK, a fact backed up by the figures from the latest GB Sheep Breed Survey.”

Average price of Registered Shearlings

8

Builth

Kelso

£935.45

£1,412.72

Average price of non-registered shearling

£577

£777

Registered shearling % of gross sale value

27%

29.60%

Non-registered shearling % of gross sale value

4%

12%

Registered shearling top price

£8,400

£65,000

Non-registered shearling top price

£1,449

£2,400

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

Registered shearlings

averaged £1412.72 at Kelso,

£635.72 ahead of unregistered Texels

Texels account for 41%

37%

of sale value at Kelso

of sale value at Builth Wells

Registered shearlings

averaged £355 more than unregistered shearlings at Builth Wells

Crossbred ram numbers dropped

21%

52%

at Kelso

at Builth Wells

SM

Vendors back Builth sale inspections A Society survey has revealed overwhelming support for inspections at the NSA Ram Sales, Builth Wells, with more than 68% of respondents saying they were concerned by plans to remove inspections from the sales.

Importantly, vendors also felt buyers would be concerned by the lack of inspections, with more than 70% of those responding believing buyers would be troubled by the move.

Furthermore, nearly 80% of those answering the survey said it was important that the Society carried out a dressing inspection at the sale whether or not there was a physical inspection carried out by NSA. And, backing the Society involvement further, more than 80% of respondents wanted to see the sale remain an official Society sale.

Society chief executive John Yates said the survey had shown the level of feeling among vendors about inspections at NSA sales. “It is important that all those with an interest in sales have the chance to put their views forward and this survey has helped shape the Society’s communications with NSA on this important matter over the course of the summer.

“Unfortunately, having previously said inspections would take place, the NSA Ram Sales Committee took the decision to cancel the inspections just a few days before the sale was due to take place.

“This was a disappointing decision which the Society believes undermines the ethos of the NSA Ram Sale. From its inception one of the unique aspects of the NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, has been the implementation of a trusted and respected inspection to give buyers assurance of the standard of the rams they are buying,” he added.

“The Society will continue to liaise with the NSA Ram Sale Committee on all aspects of the sale to ensure members’ views are reflected in any decisions made. The delivery of this sale remains the prerogative of the NSA Ram Sales Committee and the Society will continue to offer additional support where its involvement can benefit members attending the sale.”

Register your females 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 in-lamb 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.

Enhance your Society donations by 25% with Gift Aid Members can donate 25% more to the Texel Sheep Society at no extra cost, by completing a Gift Aid declaration, available online at texel.uk/gift-aid Gift Aid allows UK charities, such as the British Texel Sheep Society to claim back the basic rate tax of 25% from HMRC, that has already been paid on donations by members.

This means the Society can claim 25p for every £1 donated, boosting the value of your donations by a quarter.

How does it work?

For every £1 you give The Texel Sheep Society, the Society can claim back 25p in tax. It doesn’t cost you anything – all you have to do is fill in a short, simple form giving the Society permission to reclaim this tax. Your membership subscription is a form of donation which the Society can claim gift aid against.

How do I sign up for Gift Aid? Complete the short Gift Aid Declaration form online. However, if your membership subscription is paid through a business account, then the Society is not able to claim Gift Aid against it.

What’s the catch?

There’s no catch. It really is that easy. Just complete the declaration form to enable the Society to make your donation worth more without costing you a penny.

If you have any further questions about Gift Aid please visit: texel.uk/ gift-aid-faqs/

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

9

Society Matters

Texels top RamCompare Texel sires have demonstrated the breed’s ability to add value to flocks across the UK in the latest results from AHDB’s RamCompare project, with the breed providing 11 of the top 15 rams for carcass merit over the project’s duration from 2016-2020.

Seven of the top 10 rams for carcass merit across the project’s timespan were Texels as were seven of the top 10 of the rams used in the project’s latest research season, 2020.

The carcass merit index provides a ranking of RamCompare sires that takes into account EBVs for carcass weight, carcass conformation and carcass fat class. The index serves as a guide towards the genetic merit of sires used in a typical commercial flock. Actual financial performance will depend on the system, target market and seasonal price fluctuations.

Breed development committee chairman Steve Smith said the carcass merit index gives the most complete assessment of a ram’s potential to influence their progeny. “It is no surprise to see Texel rams scoring so well on this EBV and it reflects the breed’s universally acknowledged ability to improve carcass quality across a wide range of dam breeds in a diverse range of farming systems and environments”.

Adding to the breed’s success in the five years of the project, three of the top five scoring rams across all breeding seasons (2016-2020) for days to slaughter EBV were Texels.

“This is another key indicator for commercial flocks, with lambs which finish quicker bringing a

number of benefits. Quicker finishing lambs free up grass for other stock, generally achieve higher prices and reduce vet and medicine costs too,” he said.

“Importantly, quicker finishing lambs are also more environmentally efficient, reducing the climate change impact of red meat production and helping provide a sustainable protein source by converting grass to energy dense protein.”

“These results show that no matter how you chose to measure performance Texels lead the UK industry and provide commercial farmers with the genetics they need to suit their system,” he said.

“The strong performance of Texel sires in RamCompare won’t come as a surprise to either Texel breeders or commercial farmers already using Texel sires in their enterprises.

Breaking down the results further Texels also scored four of the top five rams for carcass weight in the 2020 breeding season and six of the top 10 rams for the same measure across all five breeding seasons.

“The breed’s ability to add value to its progeny as well as deliver quick growing lambs which grade well and are in demand from both independent butchers and mainstream processors alike is well recognised across the UK.

In addition, Texels were three of the top five rams for carcass confirmation across the five years the project has been running, said Mr Smith.

“These results further back up the Society’s own research and development work in recent years and give clear indications for commercial producers looking to improve their margins and reduce risk,” he added.

FCN raffle A highly successful raffle at the Textravaganza National Show in July raised more than £2250 for the Farming Community Network (FCN).

£2250 raised for the Farming Community Network (FCN)

10

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

On behalf of FCN Eleanor Parton said the organisation was grateful for the generosity shown by Society members at the event.

“As farming undergoes major change, FCN is actively encouraging farmers to embrace the changes that lie ahead and to seek help and support when they need it. The organisation is also proactively helping farmers and their families to build personal and business resilience and to plan ahead for the future.

“The generosity of Texel Society members will help FCN to continue supporting those in need and assist in creating a resilient farming future.”

SM

Member reminders Go online for cheaper fees Members are reminded that significant ety’s savings can be made by using the Soci birth rtake unde to online facilities at itexel.uk gs of savin with ns, tratio notifications and regis birth to g nuin conti with ared comp about 30% notify or register via the paper system.

making On top of that, being a digital member and have can bers mem full use of iTexel means mation via fingertip access to their latest flock infor uter and comp top desk or t table ne, tpho smar their make changes wherever they are.

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.

Making flocks easier to manage on iTexel Go Cardless The Society now uses the ‘GoCardless’ service to manage Direct Debits. New members will have received an email generated by the Society using GoCardless to register their DD mandates.

This provides improved cybersecurity and GDPR protection, removing the need for the Society to store members’ bank details. It also provides a seamless integration into the Society finance software ‘Xero’ providing further efficiencies in member management.

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.

Stripe Card Payments The Society has introduced Stripe to manage card payments. Members who pay by Cheque or BACS will now be able to pay their invoices by credit card following the link on their invoices.

The introduction of Stripe allows Apple Pay to be used within the Texel Shop. Enabling frictionless card payments and eliminates the need to manually type card or shipping details, authorising payments with Touch ID.

xero accounts

should let the manage their accounts Members using Xero to able any en to ed then be provid Society know as links can system, nts ou acc ir the in embedded invoices to be directly nagement. simplifying accounts ma members oices issued by email, Additionally, with all inv email address ir the orm the Society if should remember to inf be received. to ue tin con e invoices changes. This will ensur ro email ck that the Society’s Xe It is also important to che re. twa r in members’ email sof address is a safe sende oice but uld have received an inv When you think you sho . ers fold r junk email haven’t, please check you

Laryngeal chondritis The Society continues to engage with members and wider stakeholders to further the understan ding of this condition.

Supporting the work of Katie Waine and Ben Strugnell has provided insights into the variation of the anatomy of the Texel larynx compared to Bluefaced Leicester sheep.

The Society continues to discuss appr oaches to progress this topic and is keen to support furth er research efforts.

The Society maintains a confidential database of affected animals, if any members have anim als to add to this please contact Ed Smith at the Society offic e in the first instance.

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

11

Society Matters

YouTube showcase iTexel tasks

Paraguayan industry shows interest in Texel

Members are reminded that they can undertake a wide range of flock management tasks using the Society’s iTexel database.

From birth notifying lambs through to naming rams and entering sales, iTexel provides a quick, simple and effective way of managing your flock and ensuring your records are up to date and accurate.

The Texel Sheep Society is pleased to have been involved in recent conversations with representatives from like minded organisations in Paraguay with a view to aiding the facilitation of exports of British Texel genetics to the country.

To help members make the most of iTexel and the facilities it offers, a number of ‘How To’ videos are available on the Society’s YouTube channel.

Society chief executive John Yates said the Paraguayan interest built on the breed’s success in other South American countries, including Brazil, Chile and Mexico where British genetics have already been used to great benefit.

Each video details, step-by-step, how to undertake certain actions using iTexel to manage your flock and ensure your flock data is up to date and accurate.

Videos include; sale entries, how to use flock admin to amend records, how to register females, how to add birth notifications, how to view and download a pedigree certificate and how to use the mating predictor.

To see the videos click the YouTube link from the Society website homepage or go to www.youtube.com/TexelSheepSociety

SCAN HERE

“British Texels have proven themselves highly adaptable to a wide variety of environmental conditions and farming systems across the globe, with the breed’s abililty to add value to its offspring sought after by many overseas breeders.

“Breeders across the world continue to seek out the best sheep genetics able to produce high quality, high value lean meat in forage-based systems.

He added that discussions with representatives from the Asociación de Criadores de Texel del Paraguay and Asociación Paraguaya de Criadores de Ovinos (APCO), which had been facilitiated by NSA and involved the organisation’s chief executive Phil Stocker, were extremely positive and it’s clear there are many shared ambitions among sheep breeders the world over.

“The Society looks forward to helping facilitate further discussions with the Paraguayans and to seeing British Texel genetics delivered to Paraguayan breeders in due course,” said Mr Yates.

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

Joe Barlow, Mossgiel - May

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Wilson Kennedy, Irish Hill - May

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

Jim Easton, Lindair - July

Sue Legge, Thornbury - August

SM

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

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.

FLOCK PREFIX

FLOCK PREFIX

G & E P ROWLANDS

GAERGOED

WALTER MITCHELL

REDNECK

EDWARD LAURENSON

MULLAGHDRIN

ISLA CRAIG

INVERMAY

MARTYN SMITH

MALVERN HILLS

JAMES LITTLE

SKIDDAW VIEW

KIRSTY CAMERON

SUNART

ROBERT & GEORGE NUTH

THREE RIVERS

JAMES CLARK

HILLSHAW

PETER MCDONALD

BALEGRA

JOHN HARDING

INGST

ANGUS ROBISON

DINWOODIE FARM

J & J FINLAY & SIMPSON

FOXHOLE

ALISON MATTHEWS

ROPER

TANYA EARNSHAW

TANYAS

LYNN RITCH

TENSTON

JESSICA SIMPSON

ALLATHUMPACH

LOUISE LEA

POLBAR

WILLIAM LLEWELLYN

ANLYS

JONATHAN LEWIS

GLENDOWER

BN LAYFIELD

NACKSHIVAN

JAKE ANDERSON

FREESON

DENVER BRADLEY

DRUMBRAD

RUTH MACDONALD

NABHAR

ROBERT GRAY

BUDDABRAKE

EVAN WILLIAMS

HALLS

J & A BRADSHAW - HIRD

JANNIMESA

AARON QUINN

CLUNTOE

CHRISTOPHER KELLY

LISERNE

WILLIAM SMITH

GREENRIDGE

THOMAS FLEMING

BREKKAN

ROMAN BRADLEY

ROMANS

HUW ROBERTS

TIR GLYN

HARRY PERCIVAL

CLOVER FIELDS

CIARAN MCKEEFRY

BALLYDULLAGHAN

FINLAY & OLLIE ADAMS

FIN OLLIE

CALLUM BANKS

HARLEY THORN

ZARA MORRICE

BOHARM

JAMES TAYLOR

LUNSDALE

BEN BUCKNELL

HOLSWORTHY

ALEXANDER WESTHUNT

WESTHUNT

TROY WATSON

DALLAS

HOLLIE GRAVESTOCK

BERANDOR

BETHAN BREEZE

BREHILL

JOHN BLYTHEWAY

RAJON

SAM MCNEILLY

TITANIUM

ELLIOTT LITTLE

EWES VALLEY

ROSS CHAMBERS

ARDARAGH

NICK PARKER

HEIGHTS

BEAU COLE

TRIGATE

RONAN MCKAY

PAIRCMOR

LEWIS BOND

THE GRANSHA

ROBIN CREIGHTON

ENDWAY

MEGAN BOULTON

AUDSTAN

LEAH DEWHIRST

HALDANE

CERYS EVANS

FRENNI FACH

IAN BENNETT

CHALET

ELINOR PENDLEBURY

TOPEND

TOM IREDALE

LAKE DISTRICT

DAVID MYCOCK

BONSALL MANOR

NIAMH MCMULLAN

RINGBANE

LAURA LOWE

TIKI

GEORGINA CLEAVE

INCEPTION

KADY MCCONAGHIE

CASTLE VIEW

JOHN ARMITAGE

MANNER VIEW

CHARLOTTE POLLARD

MOORLAND VIEW

MICHAEL DOHERTY

LOW FIELD

GIDEON HENRY

PEARL

MARK HANNA

BROOKVIEW

RHYS JONES

LLYN Y BUGAIL

ANDREW YOUNG

DRUMAWHEY

TOM BEYNON

SONOP

TOM NEWTH

PRESTLEIGH

JEREMY SHARP

HAWS HILL

CHRISTOPHER PRICE

BANNERDAY

ADAM DEREK SCRIMGEOUR RAISE LODGE

ABI DAVIES

ROSEFIELDS

STEVEN POSTANS

POSTANS

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

13

Society Matters

lifts trade at Nationals Texelplus recorded stock were in demand at the Society’s National Sales, with ram lambs particularly proving the value of using the Society’s genetic improvement service.

The Scottish National Sale, Lanark, once again saw high demand for the top end of texelplus ram lambs, with those in the top 5% of the texelplus population achieving an average of £7583, nearly twice that of the whole sale and more than £4600 ahead of the nontexelplus ram lambs sold on the day.

Overall, the texelplus ram lambs sold at Lanark levelled at £5694.15, just shy of £2750 up on the non-texelplus ram lambs, ably demonstrating the benefits that can be achieved by performance recording.

It was a similar story in the gimmers sold at Lanark too, with texelplus gimmers once again achieving a higher average than non-recorded stock, with texelplus gimmers finishing up more than £300 up on their nonrecorded counterparts.

And at the Welsh National texelplus ram lambs were once again the pick of the trade, with these averaging more than £178 more than the non-texelplus ram lambs sold. In the shearling rams those with an index in the top 5% of the breed were the star sellers, averaging some £70 more than the overall sale average.

The English National Sale, Worcester, also saw top 5% shearling rams in demand with these averaging £3427.70, more than £865 up on the overall shearling ram average which was itself a centre record shearling ram average.

Ram lambs at the same sale achieved a result along the same lines when top 5% texelplus ram lambs averaged more than £322 up on the overall sale average.

And at the record breaking Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena, recorded ram lambs achieved an average more than £1000 up on the overall sale average, while top 5% ram lambs averaged more than three times the sale average when levelling at £4791.15.

This sale also saw a 100% clearance of texelplus ram lambs as against an 83% overall clearance rate for the ram lambs on offer.

These figures once again shine a light on the value texelplus can bring to flocks across the UK and the added value it brings to stock at sales, said Society data and technical services manager Ed Smith.

“High prime sheep values this year have seen commercial buyers increasingly willing to invest in the best quality sires they can and texelplus rams have been in demand as buyers look to ensure their rams can deliver premium earning lambs next season,” he added.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

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£2750

Difference between texelplus and non-texelplus ram lambs at Lanark

100%

clearance of texelplus ram lambs at Ballymena Texelplus shearling rams

average £865 more at Worcester

22%

higher clearance of texelplus shearling rams at Welshpool

Notice of the Annual General Meeting The 2021 AGM of the Texel Sheep Society will be held at 17.30 on Wednesday 17th November at the Woodland Grange Business and Conference Centre, Old Milverton Road, Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 6RN. All planning to attend must register their intention to do so by emailing the Society via office@texel.co.uk.

Pre-registration is required to ensure adherence to any Covid-19 restrictions in place at the venue.

Notice of the Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the British Texel Sheep Society Limited will be held at Woodland Grange, Old Milverton Lane, Royal Leamington Spa CV32 6RN, on Wednesday 17th November 2021 at 17.30 for the following purposes.

1.

To Receive apologies for absence.

2.

RESOLUTION: Approval of the minutes and Matters Arising of the 2020 AGM which took place on 26th May 2021 at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa.

3.

To receive the Chairman’s report.

4.

To receive the Chief Executives report.

5.

RESOLUTION: To receive, consider and adopt the income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 March 2021 and the balance sheet as at that date and to receive, consider and adopt the reports of the Board of Directors and the Auditors for the year ended 31 March 2021.

6.

RESOLUTION: To confirm the appointment of Dafferns LLP as the Auditors for the Society and to authorise the Board of Directors to fix their remuneration.

7.

Announcement of board of directors’ election results.

As easy as 1,2,3 Texelplus genetic improvement services provide an objective way for both pedigree and commercial breeders to assess the genetic potential of animals and also provides an important marketing tool for breeders when selling stock.

Area 2 - West of Scotland – Robert Laird – Cambwell - unopposed

Due to the breed’s influence in the national flock, performance recording in Texel flocks is currently the backbone of improving genetic progress in the UK sheep industry, with the Texel breed contributing 27% of the sires used across UK flocks and being the sire of 15% of all crossbred ewes in the country too.

Recording with texelplus is a straightforward and simple process, requiring the recording of birthweight and lambing ease, lamb weights at eight weeks old and ultrasound scanning of lambs at between 35kg and 40kg.

For more information and to sign up for texelplus texel.uk/texelplus/

Area 6 - Northern Midlands and the Isle of Man – Jeff Aiken – Procters – Tatham Hall - unopposed Area 9 – South West of England - Angus Howie – Millhouse – unopposed Area 10 – North Wales - Dafydd Jones – Kitrob – unopposed 8.

Any other business that has been approved by the Chairman for discussion.

By order of the board John Yates MBA Chief Executive & Company Secretary 18th August 2021 The Mechanics Workshop, New Lanark, Lanark, ML11 9DB

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GrassToGas project gets underway The first year of experimental data collection for the GrassToGas project, within the UK, is now complete.

In the trial data from 250 Texel x Scotch Mule lambs, sired by texelplus rams, was recorded from June to August, after weaning. Half the lambs were kept indoors and fed grass nuts only, using individual feed intake recording equipment, while the other half were kept outdoors on grass.

Five different texelplus sires were used, with index values ranging from the bottom 25% to the top 10% and the progeny from each sire were split between the two systems.

Weekly weights of lambs showed that the indoor lambs grew faster than the outdoor lambs, which had to contend with a surprisingly hot July in Scotland, and this was also reflected in the amounts of fat and muscle measured by both ultrasound and CT scanning at the end of the trial.

Although the same sire had the fastest growing progeny in both systems, the difference between sires in average daily live weight gain (ADG) was not as pronounced in the outdoor system as it was indoors with the faster growth rates.

Full analyses of the feed intake data is underway, but preliminary results suggest differences between sires in efficiency, in terms of kg of feed per kg of live weight gain.

Body composition (fat and muscle) changes, measured by CT scanning at the start and end of trial, will be added to these calculations to help determine efficiency.

The CT scans taken on all indoor, and a sub-set of outdoor, lambs will also allow rumen volumes to be measured, as a predictor of methane emissions. These measurements will be used to investigate relationships with feed efficiency.

This trial will be repeated next year, with lambs from five more Texel sires, and results combined with those from the other partners, to assess measurement and genetic control of feed efficiency and methane emissions across different sheep systems.

For the indoor lambs, individual daily dry matter intakes (DMI) were recorded for each lamb, which can be related to growth and body composition changes to assess feed efficiency.

New genomic project The Society has recently gained funding for a new project which could pave the way for the inclusion of genomic information in performance evaluations for the breed.

The project aims to provide routine delivery of genomic breeding values to Society members, a first for the UK sheep industry.

Using the Society’s database of genotypes and phenotypes to generate more accurate and novel information on individual animals, the work will be undertaken in collaboration with SRUC EGENES, AbacusBio and Map of Ag Group.

A major aspect of the project is to find ways to de-risk the adoption of genomic evualations, finding the most effective approach to ensure uptake of genomic information across the breed.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

CT scanning data will be used to measure rumen volumes.

Half of the lambs in the trial were grazed while the other half were fed indoors.

The GrasstoGas project is investigating different aspects of feed efficiency and methane emissions from sheep systems.

The work is being done by various international partners from the UK, Ireland, France, Norway, Turkey, Uruguay and New Zealand and the Texel Sheep Society has teamed up with SRUC to deliver the UK results.

T E C H N I C A L

survey seeks members views This autumn will see a major review and survey undertaken by the Society to enable continued developments to take place within the Society’s genetic improvement service, texelplus.

Society breed development committee chairman Steve Smith says the review and survey follows the recent investments in the iTexel database and the Society taking genetic improvement services in house in recent years.

“It is important members using the texelplus service take the time to respond to the survey when it is released to ensure the Society can deliver the best service possible. “texelplus is an important tool for many breeders and helps them target key economic traits within their flocks to improve flock performance and meet the needs of their commercial ram customers.

“However, the Society recognises that developing the service further is important to maintain its relevance and ensure it continues to be fit for purpose. After a few years of development this is a natural time to review the service and ensure future investment is directed in the right areas,” he added.

“It is vital that texelplus members provide feedback to help the Society deliver a service which fits their needs.

“Demand for texelplus stock at Society and Club sales was strong once again this year, with many of the top-priced lots being sheep with high level texelplus indices.”

Mr Smith said the survey would be emailed to all texelplus members and reminded anyone considering using texelplus as part of their flock management that detailed information was available on the Society’s website.

developments Online transfers Members are now able to transfer fully registered animals into their flocks without contacting the Society. Transfers of unregistered animals and registrations of new ram purchases still need to be completed with support from office staff. There is now a scale of fees for transfers with those completed online more than 40% cheaper than those completed through the office.

To transfer an animal to your flock Click on the Transfers button on iTexel, then ‘New Transfer’ and type the flock book or UK number of the animal you want to transfer into the search bar. Select the animal from the dropdown list when they appear; then click ‘Next’ and then ‘Finish’.

If the animal has been marked as sold by the owner, it will be transferred to you immediately; otherwise, the current owner will receive an email asking them to approve the request. Once it’s been approved, the animal will be transferred to your flock and you’ll receive an email confirmation.

To approve a transfer request To approve any transfer requests, go to the iTexel transfers page and click on the ‘View & Approve’ button. Select the animal and click ‘Approve’ and then ‘Finish’. This will complete the transfer and the purchaser will receive an email notifying them that this has happened.

Mating predictor A mating predictor has been developed and is available through iTexel that will predict the inbreeding values of lambs produced from a mating between any birth-notified pedigree Texel sire 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 (e.g. one you’re thinking of purchasing). Next, select the ewes you might mate him to and click Finish. The results can be viewed on a smartphone, iPad or computer and exported to an Excel file.

Pedigree sale charts Sale charts displaying an animal’s pedigree information are now available for birth-notified animals on your Reports page on iTexel. To access these, click ‘Choose Animal’ on the Pedigree Sale Chart line, type in the flock book number of the animal you need a Sale Chart for, select the animal from the dropdown list and press ‘Download’. The Sale Chart will download as a ready to print pdf file.

Edit animal sex It is now also possible to edit the sex of any unregistered animal on iTexel. Animals that have been added to iTexel with the wrong sex can now be corrected through your Flock Admin page, without the need to contact the office. To edit the sex of an animal, find it on your Flock Admin screen and on the left-hand side next to the gender icon is a small arrow, when clicked, this produces a dropdown box with both gender icons available. Simply select the correct icon from this box and press ‘Save’ at the top of the screen to update your animal.

Coming soon: Flock inbreeding analysis Society staff are working hard to deliver further iTexel developments to improve the site’s functionality and members’ abilities to manage their flocks online. The next development that will be released in the coming months will be an analysis of the level of inbreeding within flocks.

This will be a bespoke report for each flock that will show the trends in numbers of birth notified lambs born each year with inbreeding coefficients above and below 7%. This is the recommended threshold below which is an acceptable level of inbreeding within a breeding programme.

The reports will also provide information on a flock’s average level of inbreeding and the average level of inbreeding within the breed. These reports will include information for the last 10 years (where available) and will be updated periodically throughout the year.

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Y O U T H

D E V E L O P M E N T

P R O G R A M M E

YDP committee positions open The YDP committee is an elected representative subcommittee which reflects the views of young Texel breeders from across the UK. The YDP Committee consists of five elected members under the age of 35 who are full members of the Society or are actively involved with a full member’s flock. The committee meets during the year to discuss and develop new activities for the Society’s young members and coordinate members from regional clubs in developing youth activities.

The Society is requesting nominations for committee members for South of England and Northern Ireland as the current terms of committee membership for Jo Smith, Slapton flock – South of England and David Chestnutt, Clougher and Bushmills flocks – Northern Ireland are coming to an end. Jo Smith will not be standing for election again, David Chestnutt will be. The terms for these areas will be until Autumn 2024.

If you wish to be considered for these posts, for which only travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed as per Society policy, nominations are open from Monday 11th October to 9am on Monday 25th October 2021.

Please complete the online nomination form; including a proposer and seconder from two full members of the Society that reside in the regional area up for election, a 300 word manifesto and photograph of yourself at texel.uk/nominate If more than one nomination is received for each area, all relevant Society members will be notified and asked to vote for their preferred representative.

The successful nominee will be able to further develop and influence new initiatives and help progress the existing initiatives for the benefit of the Society. With more projects being discussed and developed for 2022, it is an ideal opportunity to contribute to the Society’s Texel Youth Development Programme.

Society supports NSA young shepherds competitions The Society was pleased to sponsor a brace of national awards for young people over the summer.

First up was the postponed NSA Next Generation Shepherds competition which had been due to be held at the Sheep Event 2020.

Held in August following the postponement of NSA Welsh Sheep due to Covid-19, the event was hosted by Clive and Helen Roberts and saw competitors judged on husbandry, lamb selection, ram MOTs, shearing and ATV handling.

Taking top spot here was 19-year old Cheshirebased Harry Lyons who was also victorious in the Under 21 category. Harry, who represented NSA Central Region in the competition is a student at Reaseheath College, Cheshire, studying a Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Agriculture.

This year’s winner was Tomos Glyn Davies who previously won the title at the 2019 Welsh Sheep event held at Glynliffon College. Tomos now goes on to compete in the national finals at the NSA Sheep Event, Malvern, next year.

Also performing well for NSA Central Region was second placed competitor Jack Charleton, assistant farm manager at Chatsworth Estate, Derbyshire. Jack is also an NSA Next Generation Ambassador. Completing the top three line up was contract shepherd, Matthew Fearon, Cumbria, representing NSA Northern Region.

Following along in second spot was Harri Griffiths, with Dan Owen coming third in a closely fought competition.

Later in the summer the Society also sponsored the NSA Cymru/Welsh Region Next Generation Shepherd competition.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

Society chief executive John Yates said recognising the need to encourage and develop the younger generation and supporting the NSA Next Generation Shepherds competitions was just one of a number of activities the Society undertook in support of the younger generation.

“There is no doubting that with a changing focus in agricultural support across the UK in future years the sheep industry is facing challenging times.

“The sheep sector has plenty of enthusiastic young entrants, but they need every opportunity available to them to succeed. This is vital if the UK is to remain a competitive player in the world sheep industry,” he explained.

Many of those who have competed in the Young Shepherds competitions in past years are now a key part of successful businesses, filling a wide range of essential roles within the industry. The Texel Sheep Society youth development programme is pleased to have played a role in helping to support NSA in developing these people for the benefit of both themselves and the wider sheep industry,” added Mr Yates.

Y D P

Awards for top sheep students Each year the Society makes 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, in Scotland it is made to an SRUC student, while in Wales it is awarded at Aberystwyth University and in England the award is made to a student at Harper Adams.

The Society’s chairman Roy Campbell 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.

Abbie McGillvray took the award at SRUC.

Greenmount winner Jennifer Devlin was congratulated by Society chairman Roy Campbell.

“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 decision makers in the sheep sector.”

The 2021 winner of the award at Aberystwyth University was Ffion Mair Harvard for her investigation examining the Effect of ‘Farm Type’ on Antibiotic Usage within Sheep Flocks in Wales.

Emily Turner was the recipient at Harper Adams.

‘Factors which determine the number of lambs weaned per ewe in a commercial lowland sheep flock’.

At SRUC the 2021 winner was Abbie McGillivray for her dissertation titled ‘Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma and it’s threat to the sustainability of hill farming in Scotland’.

The Greenmount winner for 2021 was Jennifer Devlin with her report looking at

Ffion Mair Harvard won at Aberystwyth.

At Harper Adams this year’s Educational Award winner was Emily Turner for her dissertation entitled ‘The effect of cryopreserved semen quality on implantable embryo recovery rates in sheep embryo transfer programmes.’

Young judges take centre stage A number of young Texel enthusiasts have been at the forefront of judging this summer, with Amy Laird of the Cambwell flock having the honour of judging the Texel, Beltex, commercial and any other breed sheep classes in the Scottish Agricultural Show 2021, a virtual event run by D C Thomson.

The event saw Jennifer Aiken’s ewe Coniston Crystal named Texel, overall sheep and overall show champion of champions, having come through the Texel section under Amy’s adjudication.

“This ewe has excellent breed character and stood out from the other entries,” added Amy. Meanwhile, young breeder Andrew Johnstone of the Bogend flock had the task of sorting through some strong classes at the Royal Highland Showcase event in June where Robbie Wilson’s gimmer stood supreme.

And the Society’s inaugural Textravaganza National Show, Carlisle, saw Rachel Wilson of the Milnbank flock take to the ring to place the young handlers classes.

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

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Milnbank gimm at Royal Highla After a prolonged and Covid-19 enforced absence Texels returned to the show ring at the Royal Highland Showcase at Ingliston in June.

W

ith judging in the capable hands of Andrew Johnstone of the Bogend flock, a high quality if limited turnout of sheep came under his careful consideration.

Catching the judge’s eye on the day was the winner of the gimmer class from Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank flock, Turriff, with this being LYM2003913, a daughter of the 15,000gns Knock Yardsman out of a dam by Strathbogie Yes Sir.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

Following through as second prize gimmer, reserve female champion and reserve overall champion was J and H Clark’s CJN2006926. This Garngour gimmer is a Procters Chumba Wumba daughter out of a dam by the 17,000gns Silvermere Baltic.

In the males the championship fell to Gordon Gray’s ram lamb from the Ettrick flock. This was Ettrick Earthquake, a Hope Valley Dazzler son out of a dam by the privately purchased Midcombe Brigadier.

er leads nd

Reserve male champion was the winner of the aged ram class from the Ingram family, Granite Chieftain. He’s full of homebred breeding, being sired by Logie Durno Braveheart and out of a dam by Granite Untouchable.

In the shearling tups it was another win for Gordon Gray with homebred tup GGH2010045, a son of the homebred Ettrick Cockney Rebel out of a dam by the 60,000gns Clinterty Yuga Khan.

And in the Texelplus ram lamb class the winner was another from Ettrick, Ettrick Everest. He’s by Claybury Dunkirk, a

Milnbank gimmer is champion

Ettrick win four classes

34,000gns purchase at Lanark last year, and out of a dam by the privately purchased Midcombe Brigadier.

It was another win for Gordon Gray in the aged ewes, with DNS1700326 taking top spot here for the Ettrick consignment.

This Woodhow bred daughter of Sportsmans Tremendous II is out of a Deneside dam by Clinterty USA. The final class of the day, the ewe lambs was won by young breeders Charlotte and James Nicholson, Knockem, with their lamb NIC2117010. She’s by the homebred Knockem Dennis the Menace and out of a Halbeath dam by Midlock Yorkie.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

Class Results Aged Ram 1 – William and Carole Ingram’s Granite Chieftain 2 – James Warnock’s Douganhill Chieftain 3 – Bruce and Alistair McKerrow’s Grougfoot Claudio

Shearling Ewes 1 – Robert Wilson’s LYM2003913 2 – J and H Clark’s CJN2006926 3 – Craig Douglas’ WEX2000022 4 – Tom and Ian Walling’s TIW2015329 5 – David Gray’s GCT2010218

Shearling Rams 1 – Gordon Gray’s GGH2010045 2 – T A and R Laird’s Waen Deja Vu 3 – Anthony Carter’s Auldhouseburn Dynamo 4 – Robert Wilson’s LYM2003870 5 – A and T Greenhill’s Murroes Duncan

Ewe Lambs 1 – Charlotte & James Nicolson’s NIC2117010 2 – Mr A MacGregor’s XMM2121417 3 – Andrew J Clark’s CFT2100335 4 – K, A & R Campbell’s CKC2113649 5 – Donald MacPherson’s MZH2100746

Open Ram Lambs 1 – Gordon Gray’s Ettrick Earthquake 2 – Charlotte and James Nicolson’s

Overall champion Robert Wilson’s gimmer LYM2003913

Knockem Explosion 3 – Andrew J Clark’s Teiglum Enigma 4 – K, A & R Campbell’s Cowal Excalibur 5 – A Macgregor’s Allanfauld Elvis Texelplus Ram Lambs 1 – Gordon Gray’s Ettrick Everest 2 – D J McKerrow’s Nochnary Edu 3 – T, A and R Laird’s Cambwell Eastwood 4 – K, A and R Campbell’s CKC2113522 5 – Gordon Gray’s Ettrick Empire Aged Ewes 1 – Gordon Gray’s DNS1700326 2 – T, A and R Laird’s LTC1703843

Reserve overall champion J and H Clark’s gimmer CJN2006926 Male champion Gordon Gray’s ram lamb Ettrick Everest Reserve male champion William and Carole Ingram’s aged ram Granite Chieftain Female champion Robert Wilson’s gimmer J and H Clark’s gimmer LYM2003913 Reserve female champion J and H Clark’s gimmer CJN2006926

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Topping the shearling rams was GGH2010045

Overall champion was Robbie Wilson’s gimmer LYM2003913

Reserve champion was this Garngour gimmer

Gordon Gray won the aged ewe class with DNS1700326

Male champion was Ettirck Earthquake

Leading the ewe lambs was the Knockem flock

Winning the texelplus ram lambs was Ettrick Everest

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

Top spot in the aged rams went to Granite Chieftain

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

Dynamo charges to the fore at Devon County Anthony’s Carter’s Millcroft flock came out on top at the Society’s Southern Feature Show, Devon County, taking the male and overall championship with shearling ram Auldhouseburn Dynamo.

H

e is an Usk Vale Corker son and is out of a dam by the 125,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best and took the top honours ahead of a ram lamb from the Wayside flock of Charlotte Alford.

Then in reserve female spot was the ewe lamb leader from Ian and Fiona Andrews, Cattistock, AIC2100605. She’s by Usk Vale Dark Diamond, who had himself stood second in his class to the overall champion, and out of a homebred dam by Duncryne Uber Cool.

This one, Wayside Enzo, the winner of both the reserve male and reserve overall championship under judge Alan Wight, Midlock, is by Midlock Yorkie and out of a Plasucha bred dam purchased for 18,000gns at Lanark and herself by Eden valley Wizz Kid.

Leading the way in the first class of the day, the aged rams, was William Braund with Tima Captain, a Garngour Awesome son out of a dam by Ellen Valley Warlord.

Taking the female championship was Georgie Helyer, Langford, with a two crop ewe, HML1800631, a Clarks Wizard daughter out of a ewe by Ettrick Voyager.

Meanwhile the gimmer class was won by John Harding, Ingst, with FME2000612, a Milnbank Cobra daughter out of a dam by Eden Valley A1.

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Class results Aged ram 1 – William Braund’s Tima Captain 2 – M G Lear’s Rusha Bon Jovi Shearling Ram 1 – Anthony Carter’s Auldhouseburn Dynamo 2 – Ian and Fiona Andrew’s and Fordwell Farm Partnership’s Usk Vale Dark Diamond 2 – Georgie Helyer’s Langford Dambuster Ram lamb 1 – Charlotte Alford’s Wayside Enzo 2 – Fordwell Farm Partnership’s Fordwell Entertainer 3 – William Braund’s Luckhill Empire 4 – Georgie Helyer’s Langford Emperor 5 – Fordwell Farm Partnership’s Fordwell Emblem Aged ewe 1 – Georgie Helyer’s HML1800631 2 – Fordwell Farm Partnership’s GGH1707049

Auldhouseburn Dynamo won the championship for Anthony Carter

Shearling ewes 1 – John Harding’s FME2000612 2 – Anthony Carter’s CAJ2000820 3 – Anthony Carter’s CAJ2000871 4 – Georgie Helyer’s HML2000840 5 – William Braund’s WBQ2001962

Reserve champion was Wayside Enzo

Judge Alan Wight, Midlock, with his champion (r) and reserve champion

Ewe lambs 1 – Ian & Fiona Andrews’ AIC2100605 2 – William Braund’s WBQ2102034 3 – Fordwell Farm Partnership’s CJF2101114 4 – Ian & Fiona Andrews’ AIC2100616 5 – Anthony Carter’s CAJ2100930 Group of three 1 – Anthony Carter 2 – William Braund 3 – S Stamp Male champion Anthony Carter’s shearling ram Auldhouseburn Dynamo

Aged ram leader was Tima Captain from William Braund.

Ewe lamb leader was AIC2100605 from Ian and Fiona Andrews

Reserve male champion Charlotte Alford’s ram lamb Wayside Enzo Female champion Georgie Helyer’s aged ewe HML1800631 Reserve female champion Ian and Fiona Andrews’ ewe lamb AIC2100605 Overall champion Anthony Carter’s shearling ram Auldhouseburn Dynamo Overall reserve champion Charlotte Alford’s ram lamb Wayside Enzo

First prize aged ewe came from Georgie Helyer

Anthony Carter led the Group of Three class

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Dynamo powers on at Great Yorkshire Anthony Carter’s shearling ram Auldhouseburn Dynamo maintained his form from Devon County Show just 10 days previous when he claimed a second breed championship of the summer at the Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate.

S

ired by the 20,000gns Usk Vale Corker, he is out of a dam by the 130,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best and went on to be reserve interbreed champion.

Judge Steve Nesbitt of the Alwent flock found his reserve overall champion in the form of the female champion, Craig Douglas’ gimmer from the Westburnhouse flock. This one, WEX2000022, is a daughter of Deveronvale Aftershock and out of a Teiglum bred dam by Knock Yardsman.

Taking the reserve male championship was Richard Wilson, Eden Valley, with the winner of the open ram lamb class. This was Eden Valley Elvis Returns, a Craig Douglas Dancer son out of a homebred dam by Aldan Blockbuster.

The Eden Valley flock then completed a double, taking the reserve female championship with a ewe lamb, WEV2101777. She’s also by Craig Douglas Dancer and is out of a dam by the homebred sire Eden Valley Warrior King.

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Judging was in the hands of Steve Nesbitt of the Alwent flock.

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In the day’s first class the aged rams, the leader was Cornmore Cracker from the Thorncliffe flock of R P and S Whiteley. He’s

by Deveronvale Braveheart and out of a dam by Cornmore Willy The Kid. Meanwhile, the exhibitor bred shearling ram class was won by Robin and Caroline Orr with Halbeath Daredevil, a Knock Bantastic son out of a dam by Halbeath VIP. In the texelplus ram lambs top spot went to Gordon Gray with Ettrick Earthquake, a lamb by Hope Valley Dazzler and out of a dam by Midcombe Brigadier.

The aged ewes were then won by Messrs Peel and Johnson with a Plasucha bred one crop ewe, BFE1909177. Sired by Mullan Awesome, she us out of a Knock Yankee daughter.

Myfyr Evans who was in among the tickets all morning then came to the fore when taking top spot in the group of three.

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Ettrick Earthquake won the texelplus ram lambs

Aged ewe winner came from Messrs Peel and Johnson

Cornmore Cracker took the ticket in the aged rams.

Exhibitor bred shearling ram winner was Halbeath Daredevil.

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Overall champion was Auldhouseburn Dynamo

Myfyr Evans topped the Group of Three class.

Class Results Age ram 1 – R P and S Whiteley’s Cornmore Cracker

Craig Douglas’ gimmer took the reserve championship

Exhibitor bred shearling ram 1 – R and C Orr’s Halbeath Daredevil.

2 – G H Gray’s Ettrick Desert Rat 3 – R and C Orr’s ONH2000919 4 – M A Evans’ ENM2000081 5 – G L Riby and Son’s Stonehills Dynamite Open shearling ram 1 – A J Carter’s Auldhouseburn Dynamo 2 –S Peel and H Johnson’s NJL2000285 3 – P C Longdin’s LJW2001325

Topping the ewe lambs was Richard Wilson

Ram lamb 1 – R Wilson’s Eden Valley Elvis Returns 2 – K, A and R Campbell’s Cowal Eagle Eyed 3 – M A Evans’ Rhaeadr Eye of The Tiger 4 – G H Gray’s Ettrick Everest 5 – M A Evans’ Rhaeadr Easy Rider Texelplus ram lamb 1 – G Gray’s Ettrick Earthquake 2 – R Wilson’s Eden Valley Expresso 3 – G Gray’s Ettrick E F L 4 – S J and S L Beachell’s Samsar Everest 5 – D J McKerrow’s DMN2100236 Aged ewe 1 – S Peel and H Johnson’s BFE1909177 2 – G Gray’s GGH1909028 3 – T V Keating’s GGH1909061

Open ram lamb winner was Eden Valley Elvis Returns

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Shearling ewe 1 – C Douglas’ WEX2000022 2 – D Gray’s GCT2010218 3 – J and H Clark’s CJN2006926 4 – R Bennett’s BFE2010208 5 – A Clark’s CFT2000028 Ewe lamb 1 – R Wilson’s WEV2101777 2 – M A Evan’, ENM2102463 3 – M A Evans’ ENM2102442 4 – G Gray’s GGH2111074 5 – R and R Bradley’s BRF2100571 Group of Three 1 – M A Evans 2 – R Wilson 3 – G Gray Male champion Anthony Carter’s shearling ram Auldhouseburn Dynamite Reserve male champion Richard Wilson’s ram lamb Eden Valley Elvis Returns Female champion Craig Douglas’ gimmer WEX2000022 Reserve female champion Richard Wilson’s ewe lamb WEV2101777 Overall champion Anthony Carters shearling ram Auldhouseburn Dynamo Reserve overall champion Craig Douglas’ gimmer WEX2000022

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2022

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Hosted by Northern Area Texel Breeders Club

Tel: 01756 792375

for more info.

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Knap gimmer lands inaugural Textravaganza championship A crowd of more than 400 Texel enthusiasts saw a gimmer from Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock, Errol, Perthshire, take the female and overall championship at the inaugural Textravaganza National Show, Carlisle, on Friday 30th July.

W

ith the event being one of the few summer events to go ahead this year, breeders flocked from across the UK to Borderway Mart, to take in a spectacular show of the best of the breed.

Society chief executive John Yates said the event had been a tremendous success, with a great show of sheep and a packed ringside crowd throughout the day.

The day’s champion came through from the gimmer class under female class judge John MacGregor, Allanfauld, and is by the 17,000gns Sportsmans Cannonball, himself a Garngour Alabama son, and is out of a dam by the 32,000gns Mullan Amigo.

She also caught the eye of male judge, Richard Henderson, Ballynahone, when the two judges came together to decide the overall championship.

Both judges praised the gimmer for her strength and style combined with an exceptional carcass. “This gimmer really caught my eye the minute she came in the ring and had flesh throughout as well as being really sparky and feminine too,” said Mr MacGregor.

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Taking the reserve overall championship was the reserve female champion and second prize gimmer from a strong class. This was BGS2004570 from the Sportsmans flock of Boden and Davies.

Sired by the 65,000gns Lanark 2019 champion Garngour Craftsman, himself sire of the record breaking 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond, this one is out of a dam by 42,000gns Knockem Abracadabra.

Leading the way in the male classes and the best exhibit of the opposite sex to the champion was the first prize ram lamb from the open ram lamb class, with this one coming from David McKerrow and family, Nochnary. This was Nochnary Eusebio a son of the 3500gns Tamnamoney Dalrida, himself a son of Procters Cocktail.

He’s out of a homebred dam by 28,000gns Knock Banker.

Reserve male honours fell to the second placed ram lamb from David Dunlop, Holtridge. This lamb, Holtridge El Primo is by Mellor Vale Dakota, a Garngour Craftsman son and is out of a dam by the 75,000gns Teiglum Younggun.

He later sold for 6000gns in a three way split to Alan Clark, Garngour, Messrs MacGregor, Allanfauld and Gordon Gray, Ettrick.

In the first class of the day, the aged tups, the winner was Milnbank Bacardi from J and C Connell, with this one being a son of the Irish sire Greenstar Alfie out of a Strathbogie Untouchable sired dam.

In the aged ewes the winner was the Knox family with their ewe KWJ1901849 from the Haddo flock. This ewe is by Texel Born To Be Wild and is out of a dam by Garngour Vintage.

And then the shearling ram class was won

by Gordon Gray with a homebred shearling, GGH2010045, with this being a son of Ettrick Cockney Rebel and out of a Clinterty Yuga Khan daughter.

The day’s texelplus ram lamb class was then won by Cowal Excalibur from the Campbell family. This son of Hexel Django is out of a dam by Knap Alligator.

Following on in the YDP shearling ewe class was Thomas Ayrton with a Sportsmans Cannonball daughter out of a Craig Douglas ewe by Mullan Amigo.

In a strong class of ewe lambs the winner was Jack Arnott with AWJ2102481. She’s a daughter of the homebred Haymount Crackerjack and out of a dam by Garngour Ambassador.

And in the YDP ram lambs the winner was Moorsley Edge from the Brennan family.

He’s by the homebred Moorsley Bertie and out of a dam by Milnbank Alejandro.

The day’s final class, the group of three, was led by a trio from Procters Farm.

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199 entries from 56 flocks

10

flocks win classes

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The champion and reserve champion with judges John MacGregor and Richard Henderson, Society chief executive John Yates and representatives of sponsor AB Europe.

First prize senior young handler was Fletcher Renwick

First prize junior young handler was Isla Goldie, pictured with judge Rachel Wilson (l) and YDP coordinator Ailish Ross.

Overall Champ Robert Cockburn

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Ettrick topped the shearling tups

texelplus leader came from Cowal

The Brannen family won the YDP ram lambs

Topping the aged rams were J and C Connell

Open ram lamb winner was Nochnary Eusebio

Class Results The Haddo flock topped the aged ewes

Shearling ewe winner and overall champion from Knap

Aged ram 1 – J & C Connell’s Milnbank Bacardi 2 – W & C Ingram’s Granite Chieftain 3 – J & S Priestley’s Logie Durno Braveheart 4 – J & S Priestley’s Granite Clansman

Open ram lamb 1 – D McKerrow’s Nochnary Eusebio 2 – D Dunlop’s Holtridge El Primo 3 – R Wilson’s Milnbank Ed Shearing 4 – Procters Farm’s Procters Emoji 5 – B Lowe’s LWE2100290

Aged ewe 1 – W J Knox’s KWJ1901849 2 – Boden & Davies’ BYZ1922968 3 – J Aiken’s AXC1900113 4 – R Wilson’s LYM1903470 5 – G Gray’s GGH1909028

Ewe lambs 1 – J Arnott’s AWJ2102481 2 – J & H Clark’s CJN2107503 3 – C & J Nicholson’s NIC2117010 4 – R Cockburn’s CKP2105697 5 – Procters Farm’s PFD2104654

Shearling ram 1 – G Gray’s GGH2010045 2 – D & T Bradley-Farmer’s Meonside Duke 3 – W Duthie’s Hexel Dragons Den 4 – G Gray’s Ettrick D Boss 5 – D & T Bradley-Farmer’s Meonside Darious

YDP ram lamb 1 – T M & R Brannen’s Moorsley Edge 2 – T M & R Brannan QBT2100542

Shearling ewe 1 – R Cockburn’s CKP2004684 2 – Boden & Davies’ BGS2004570 3 – J & H Clark’s CJN2006926 4 – W J Knox’s KWJ2002083 5 – R Cockburn’s CKP2004691 Jack Arnott won the ewe lambs

Texelplus ram lamb 1 – K, A & R Campbell’s Cowal Excalibur 2 – D McKerrow’s Nochnary Emerson 3 – Procters Farm’s Procters Eye of the Tiger 4 – G Gray’s Ettrick Envoy Allen 5 – D Gray’s Tima Ewe Pleaser YDP shearling ewe 1– T Ayrton’s AYR2007454 2 – E MacTaggart’s MTR2001287

Group of Three 1 – Procters Farm 2 – G Gray 3 – K, A and R Campbell 4 – T M & R Brennan Male champion D McKerrow’s Nochnary Eusebio Reserve male champion D Dunlop’s Holtridge El Primo Female champion R Cockburn’s CKP2004684 Reserve female champion Boden and Davies’ BGS2004570 Overall champion R Cockburn’s CKP2004684 Reserve overall champion Boden and Davies’ BGS2004570

Group of Three winners came from the Procters flock

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Auldhouseburn lead Lanark at 100,000gns Texel breeders were in spending mood at the breed’s Scottish National Sale, Lanark, with the sale seeing a top price of 100,000gns, four ram lambs selling at more than 50,000gns and a total of 23 lambs trading at five figure prices.

A

nd this year’s trade followed the form of previous years, with lambs by last year’s record priced Sportsmans Double Diamond among many of the top sellers and a host of other top priced sires in the back pedigrees of several leading lots.

On a day which saw 290 ram lambs average £3818.20, a total of 15 sons of Double Diamond levelled the day at £20,804, with grandsons of the 2019 Lanark champion, Garngour Craftsman dominating the trade.

Taking the day’s leading call at 100,000gns was Auldhouseburn Expression from Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Muirkirk, Ayrshire. Sired by last year’s world record setting sale topper, the 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond, this lamb is out of a dam by the 125,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best. His dam’s sister sold for 40,000gns, while the dam was sold for 13,000gns last year. This one was subject to a flurry of bids from around the sale ring before being knocked down to Oxfordshire-based James Theyer for his Clanfield flock, with the Blackwoods retaining a half share in him.

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S C OT T I S H NA T I ONA L S A L E , L A NA R K Second best at 80,000gns and sharing a sire with the sale leader was Procters El Presidente from Procters Farm, Lancashire, under the management of Jeff Aiken. This one, by Double Diamond, is out of a dam by the 100,000gns Sportsmans Batman and sold with an index in the top 1% of the breed. Buying this one in a two-way split were Messrs Boden and Davies, Sportsmans and Stuart Barclay, Harestone, Cheshire and Aberdeenshire, respectively.

The Boden family recouped their expenditure when taking 75,000gns for Sportsmans Express. Sired by Castlecairn Doodlebug, he is out of 2020-born ewe lamb by Garngour Craftsman and shares a maternal grand dam with Double Diamond. Selling with an index in the top 1% of the breed he was shared by Keith, Alan and Roy Campbell, Cowal, Argyll, and Robert Bennett, Plasucha, Welshpool.

Following on at 52,000gns was another from the Procters pen, Procters Eureka. Another by the 350,000gns Double Diamond, he is out of a Sportsmans Batman-sired dam which is from the dam family as a 14,000gns gimmer and the 12,000gns Procters Cheeky Monkey. He sold in a four-way share to Alistair Gault, Forkins, and Mark Priestley, Seaforde, Roger Strawbridge Tamnamoney and John Greene, Donegal and has an index in the top 1% of the breed.

Making 38,000gns was Cressage Enforcer from Matthew Ellis, Shropshire. This son of Mellor Vale Dakota is out of a dam by Hexel Beast from the East and has an index in the top 25% of the breed. Buying this one for the Hilltop flock, Aberdeenshire, was Kenny Pratt, with shares taken by Jim Innes, Strathbogie, also Aberdeenshire and Willy Davis, Usk Vale, Monmouth.

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A 24,000gns call secured one of the earlier lots of the day, New View Electrifying from the Teward family, Darlington. This Sportsmans Double Diamond son is out of a dam by Teiglum Braveheart. He sold to Gordon Gray for the Ettrick flock and Robert Cockburn for his Knap flock.

Gordon Gray’s Ettrick pen was a hive of activity, with buyers eager to secure lambs. Top here was 26,000gns for the reserve champion from the pre-sale show Ettrick Earthquake.

This son of Hope Valley Dazzler is out of a dam by the privately purchased Midcombe Brigadier and sold with an index in the top 5% of the breed. He was knocked down to a syndicate of Alan Clark, Garngour, Dye Clark, Clarks, David McKerrow, Nochnary, Brian Buchan, Clinterty and Messrs Teward, New View.

Myfyr Evans also took 24,000gns for his best of the day, Rhaeadr Entrepreneur, with this son of Sportsmans Dare Devil being out of a dam by Teiglum Younggun and selling to Jack Arnott, Haymount and Donald and Sarah MacPherson, Hexel.

Two traded at 22,000gns, with the first being Haymount Eye of the Beholder from Jack Arnott.

This son of Sportsmans Dirty Harry is out of a dam by Clinterty Yuga Khan and sold back to his sire’s breeder, Charlie Boden, Sportmans with a share taken by Danny Sawrij, Kedzlie Farm.

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Second at 22,000gns was Knock Eastwood from Albert and George Howie, Peterhead.

This son of Castlecairn Diamond Vision is out of a Knock Banker daughter and was taken by Andrew Clark, Teiglum and the Wight family, Midlock.

S C OT T I S H NA T I ONA L S A L E , L A NA R K Close behind at 20,000gns was Willy Davis’ best of the day, Usk Vale Eddie. He’s by Teiglum Cinnamon and out of a dam by Sportsmans A Star and sold to Eammon Vaughan, Partridge Nest, Staffordshire.

An 18,000gns call late in the sale secured Gary Beacom’s best of the day, Lakeview Earn Your Keep who certainly lived up to his name. Sired by Castlecairn Doodlebug, he is out of a dam by Arkle Awesome and went in a four-way split to Kenny Pratt, Hilltop, Thomas Muirhead, Orchilmore, Robert Cockburn, Knap and Willy Davis, Usk Vale.

A brace then reached 17,000gns.

First at this level was Stuart Barclay’s Harestone Eldorado, a Mellor Vale Déjà vu son out of a dam by Teiglum Braveheart, with this one shared by Robbie Wilson, Milnbank and the Knox family, Haddo.

The other to make 17,000gns was another from Gordon Gray, Ettrick Everest. This lamb with an index in the top 1% of the breed is by Claybury Dunkirk and out of a dam by Midcombe Brigadier. He was another to be shared, selling to A Gray and Son, Langside, Lynn Gray, Scrogtonhead and Ruaridh and Isla Graham, Craigdarroch.

A 14,000gns call followed that, with this paid for Sportsmans Eye Catcher from Messrs Boden and Davies.

Sired by Castlecairn Doodlebug and out of an Auldhouseburn Black Magic daughter he has an index in the top 25% of the breed and found a new home with Paul Castle, for the Ulmus flock, Peterborough.

Selling at 12,000gns early on was Jack Arnott’s Haymount Enter The Dragon, a Sportsmans Dirty Harry son out of a Plasucha Boss Man daughter.

He headed home with Allan Campbell, Strawfrank, Lanark.

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Also at 12,000gns was another from the same pen in the form of Haymount Earth Wind and Fire. Again by Dirty Harry, he is out of a dam by Clinterty Yuga Khan and sold to Ben Vernon, Charben, Staffordshire.

A third and final 12,000gns call came for Holylee Ewe Dancer from David Preacher. This son of Sportsmans Cannon Ball is out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid and sold to Danny Hair, Drumbreddan and Angus McColm, Crailloch.

And taking an 11,000gns call was Knock Eagle Eye from Albert and George Howie. A son of Castlecairn Diamond Vision, he is out of a Knock Banker daughter and heads south to Shropshire with Matthew Ellis for the Cressage flock, with a half share taken by Wrekin Shell Mouldings for the Scholars flock.

The first of four to make 10,000gns was Procters Exocet from Procters Farm. Another son of the 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond, he is out of a Sportsmans Batman daughter and goes back to the noted Procters Sugarbabe. He sold to Cammie Gauld, Cairnam and Kerr Jarvie, Duncryne.

Selling at 10,000gns was another by Double Diamond, Auldhouseburn Espirit from Hugh and Alan Blackwood. He’s out of a dam by Rhaeadr Best of the Best and sold to Nick Legge for the Thornbury flock, Leominster.

And a final 10,000gns call came for Garngour Egor from Alan Clark. By the great breeding Procters Chumba Wumba, he’s out of a dam by Knock Bantastic and sold with an index in the top 5% of the breed when bought by Messrs Dunlop, Elmscleugh.

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Another at 10,000gns was Glenside Emerald King from John Forsyth. He’s by Mellor Vale Déjà vu and out of a dam

by Fordafourie Big Ben and sold to Gary Beacom for the Lakeview flock, Northern Ireland.

Average; 290 ram lambs £3818.20 (Lawrie & Symington)

S C OT T I S H NA T I ONA L S A L E , L A NA R K

Corbo gimmer makes 13,000gns at Lanark Texel gimmers met a firm trade at the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, peaking at 13,000gns and recording the third highest average ever seen at the sale.

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n a sale which saw a clearance rate of 72%, the sale leader was Adrian Liggett’s gimmer from his Corbo flock, Northern Ireland, LIG2000558. This daughter of the homebred Corbo Coors Light is out of a dam by Hartside All Star and sold after a competitive bidding battle to the Cressage and Scholars flocks of Messrs Ellis and Wrekin Shell Mouldings, Shropshire and Cheshire, respectively.

Second best at 6000gns was the day’s female champion from the pre-sale show from the Plasucha flock of Robert Bennett.

This was BFE2010104, a gimmer by the homebred Plasucha All Star and out of a dam by Mullan Awesome. Buying this one was Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire-based Alan Powell.

Third top here at 4600gns was one from the Sportsmans pen of Boden and Davies, with this money paid for BGS2004606, a daughter of the 65,000gns Garngour Craftsman out of a dam by Fordafourie Amalert. She was the pick of Robert Evans for the Hope Valley flock, Shropshire.

Selling for 3800gns was Ewan MacTaggart’s Rascarrel gimmer, MTR2001282. She’s a daughter of Douganhill Bees Knees out of a homebred dam by Eden Valley Wiz Kid and sold to J E & L Davies, Teilo and Carwyn Lewis, Hathren.

Making 3200gns was Peter Woof’s gimmer, WPS2001582, from the Stainton pen.

Sired by Auldhouseburn Bolt she is out of an Eden Valley A1 dam and sold with an index in the top 25% of the breed. She found a new home with Craig Campbell, Cockermouth, for his Highfield flock.

Then came a 2400gns sale for a Mellor Vale gimmer from Charlie Boden, BCM2000831.

Adrian Liggett’s Corbo gimmer topped at 13,000gns

This Garngour Craftsman daughter is out of a dam by Teiglum Younggun and was taken

by Ben Vernon, Staffordshire, with an index in the top 10% of the breed.

And Gary Beacom then took the next two leading calls at 2300gns and 2200gns for gimmers from his Lakeview flock. At 2300gns was LKV2004323, a Rhaeadr Ace daughter out of a Plasucha-bred dam by Plasucha Aberfeldy. She sold back to her dam’s breeder, Robert Bennett, Welshpool.

Making 2200gns was LKV2004420. She’s

by Harestone Commander and out of a Plasucha All Star daughter. Buying this one was Thomas Pateman, Brompton-bySawdon, North Yorkshire.

Second best was this Plasucha gimmer at 6000gns

Average; 42 gimmers £1647.50 (Lawrie and Symington).

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Egyptian Warrior leads at Ballymena A new centre record of 26,000gns and an average up more than £495 on the year along with an 84% clearance rate left Northern Irish Texel breeders in buoyant mood after the Northern Irish National Texel Sale.

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ith many breeders keeping some of their best lambs back for the sale due to difficulties in trading in GB due to the Northern Ireland Protocol the sale offered a quality line up which were well sought after by the ringside.

Notably, the sale grossed some £127,000 more than the corresponding fixture in 2020, with demand from local breeders clearly driving the sale from start to finish, with the ram lamb average being twice the rolling five year average for the sale.

Leading the way at 26,000gns was Seaforde Egyptian Warrior from Mark Priestley. Sired by Sportsmans Cannon Ball, he is out of a Knap ewe by Mullan Amigo. After a concerted bidding effort he was eventually knocked down to Stuart Barclay, Harestone, Aberdeenshire.

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N O R T H E R N I R I S H S A L E , B A L LY M E N A

Second best of the day at 20,000gns was the champion from the pre-sale show, Alderview Explosive from Mark Patterson, Crumlin. This son of Kingspark Dynamite is out of a dam by Teiglum Bachelor which is maternal sister to the 17,000gns Alderview Barrister. He sold to an eight-part consortium consisting of James Wilkinson, Ballygroogan, Gary Beacom, Lakeview, Adrian Liggett, Corbo, Brian Williamson, Farmhill, Geoffrey Fleck, Ballymarlow, Andrew Kennedy, Maineview, L Donahue, P Murphy and P Varly.

Selling at 9000gns was Mullan Eureka from Brian Hanthorn and family. By the 100,000gns Sportsmans Batman, he is out of a dam by Strathbogie Yabba Dabba Doo and sold with an index in the top 5% of the breed found a new home awith Alistair Breen for the Drumderg flock, Enniskillen.

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Mark Patterson took 6400gns for Alderview Eldorado.

Again sired by Kingspark Dynamite, this one is out of a dam

by Plasucha Brooklyn and was bought in a three-way split by Messrs Coleman, Alexander and McAuley.

Mullan Eagle Eye then traded at 7500gns, with this son of Sportsmans Cannon Ball being out of a dam by Haddo Ringleader. Another with an index in the top 5% of the breed he was taken by Michael Cunningham for the Aughnacullion flock, Co Down.

Making 5400gns was Eugene Branagan’s Largy Exotic. Sired by the 125,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best, he is out of a dam by Mullan Amigo and sold to Stephen Etherson for the Killans flock, Co Antrim.

Gary Beacom earned 4000gns for Lakeview Earl of Erne, a Castlecairn Doodlebug son out of an Alderview dam by Arkle Awesome. He was knocked down to Stewart Ferris, Bellefield.

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Another from Mark Patterson’s Alderview flock sold at 3600gns, with this being Alderview Emperor. Again by Kingspark Dynamite, he is a full ET brother to the 20,000gns lamb and was taken by Peter Boyd for the Poseyhill flock.

N O R T H E R N I R I S H S A L E , B A L LY M E N A Sale leader Mark Priestley then sold another from his Seaforde entry at 3200gns, with this being Seaforde Express. He’s an ET brother to the 26,000gns sale topper and was the pick of Willie Doherty.

First of two to make 2700gns was Mullan Eli from the Hanthorn family.

Another by the 100,000gns Sportsmans Batman, he is out of a Garngour Vintage-sired dam and sold to AFBI, Hillsborough.

Next in line at 3000gns was Farmhill Eye Candy from Brian Williamson. He’s a son of Tullagh Dragon and stood third in the presale show. Bred from a Strathbogie Best Bet daughter, he went home with Ryan Brolly, Co Derry.

Second at 2700gns was Lakeview Eye Catcher from Gary Beacom. This son of Castlecairn Doodlebug is out of a dam by Arkle Awesome and was bought by J Wilson and J Wilson Moses for the Blackstown flock.

Close behind at 2600gns was Mullan Extra Long from the Hanthorns. Again by Batman he is out of a Teiglum Younggun daughter and was sold to Stewart McIlwaine, Ballymena.

And making 2400gns was another from the Mullan family, Mullan Englebert. This one is by the homebred Mullan Campese and is out of a Castlecairn Vavavoom daughter. He sold to H A Wilson.

Average; 179 ram lambs £1300.77 (+£495.67) (J A McClelland).

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Blackstown gimmer tops Ballymena

J

Top priced gimmer was this Blackstown entry at 3800gns

im Wilson and Jack Wilson Moses’ Blackstown flock led the way in both the pre-sale show and the sale ring at the Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena, taking a 3800gns bid for WWB2001495. This gimmer by Knock Classic had stood female champion ahead of the sale and is out of a dam by Allanfauld Archimedes. She was bought by John Foster for the Springhill flock.

Taking a 2250gns bid was the reserve female champion from Jack Gault, Cherryvale. This was GCN2002958, a Procters Cocktail daughter out of a dam by Strathbogie Terminator and sold to C and A Deegan.

Selling for 1650gns was ANY2000280 from Nathan Armstrong’s Dynawhite flock. She’s by Harestone Commander and out of a Milnbank-bred dam by Greenstar Alfie. Buying this one was P Murphy.

Henry Gamble, Springwell, sold one at 1350gns, with this being GRS2003453, a Derrylahan Big Balls daughter out of a dam by Thornville Alberto. She was taken by Ciaran McAuley.

And then came a 1220gns call for Brian Hanthorn’s gimmer, HBN2002286. She’s by Brackenridge Commander and out of a dam by Garngour Upperclass. Selling with an index in the top 5% of the breed she headed home with M Donohoe.

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Second best at 2250gns was Jack Gault’s Cherryvale gimmer

Average; 31 gimmers £871.50 (+£70.30) (J A McClelland).

For full sale report see www.texel.uk/sales

N O R T H E R N I R I S H S A L E , B A L LY M E N A

Lakeview leads shearling rams at Ballymena

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hearling rams hit a high of 2100gns at the Northern Irish National Texel Sale, Ballymena, when Gary Beacom sold Lakeview Dollars, the first prize winner from the presale show. Sired by Langside Bushwacker, he is out of a Plasucha-bred dam by Plasucha Aberfeldy. He found a new home with C McCloskey.

Second best at 1600gns was Fraser Tweed’s pen leader and the second prize winner from the show, Lower Reiss Dynamite. He’s by Deveronvale Aftershock and out off a dam by Knock Fantastic.

Buying this one was Shaws Hill Farm.

Another at 1600gns was Hillhead Dallas from M and J Watson, a son of Donrho Carbine out of a dam by Duvarren Whats The Craic. He was taken by N McGarrigle.

The Watsons also sold Hillhead Dickie at 1450gns. Sired by Duvarren Whats the Craic, he’s out of a dam by Ballydesland Vaughn and sold to R J Mowbray.

Average; 50 shearling rams £899.43 (J A McClelland).

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Mellor Vale takes Welsh National headlines A ram lamb from Charlie Boden’s Mellor Vale flock, Cheshire, took the top call at the Welsh National Texel Sale, Welshpool, when selling for 8000gns. Trade was strong throughout the day with averages rising in all sections and clearance rates in both the gimmers and ram lambs settling at just shy of 80%.

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ale leader at 8000gns was Mellor Vale Etambo, a Castlecairn Doodlebug son out of a dam by Garngour Craftsman and sold with an index in the top 1% of the breed.

This lamb, ET bred from a 2020-born ewe lamb, sold to Rob Evans for the Hope Valley flock, Minsterley, Shropshire.

Taking a 4000gns call was one from the Sportsmans prefix of Messrs Boden and Davies. This was Sportmans Ezra, the pen leader from this home and again by Doodlebug.

He’s out of a dam by Fordafourie Amalert and has an index in the top 25%. This one found a new home with Will Ridge, Church Stretton, Shropshire, for the Ridgeway flock.

Selling for 3000gns was one from Robert Bennett’s Plasucha flock, Plasucha Everest, a son of the homebred Plasucha Boss Man. He’s out of a dam by Teiglum Braveheart and was taken by Esmor Evans, Mold, for the Maerdy flock.

Another to make 3000gns was Robert Pierce’s Oldford Edwardian Conqueror. This son of the noted Garngour Alabama is out of a dam by Gyrhos Andy and is another with an index in the top 1% of the breed. He sold to the Williams family for their Clun flock, Craven Arms, Shropshire.

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After that it was Myfyr Evans’ Rhaeadr flock which was in the money, selling Rhaeadr Elector at 2400gns. Sired by Sportsmans Dare Devil and out of a dam by Hartside All Star he joins the Hafesp flock of Dafydd Owen, Newtown, Powys.

A 2000gns call saw Joseph Williams sell Owl Valley Elite, an Eden Valley Wiz Kid son out of a dam by Clintety Yogi Bear. This one sold to Adrian Davies for the Glyncoch flock, Llandeilo.

Shearling rams Leading trade in the shearling rams was the Corras flock of Robert Watkins when taking a 6500gns call for Corras Dundee. This one is by Loosebeare Braveheart and out of a dam by Hollyford Venus. He sold to an undisclosed buyer.

Second best at 2900gns was Preenbank Duke from the Robinson family, Church Stretton. This is a son of the homebred Preenbank Captain Carcass out of a dam by Alcaston Taylor and sold to Messrs Davies Bros, Cardigan for the Trefere flock.

Making 2600gns was Maerdy Delwyn from Esmor Evans, Mold. He’s a son of Strathbogie Bingo One out of a dam by Loosebeare Warlord and also sold to an undisclosed buyer.

WELSH NATIONAL TEXEL SALE, WELSHPOOL

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Second best was Sportsmans Ezra at 4000gns

Mellor Vale Etambo led at 8000gns

Top priced shearling was Corras Dundee at 6500gns

Robert Pierce’s Oldford Edwardian Conqueror made 3000gns

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Plasucha Everest made 3000gns

WELSH NATIONAL TEXEL SALE, WELSHPOOL Selling at 2000gns then was Caereinion Diamond from Cefyn Pryce, Welshpool. He’s by Kimbolton Ace and out of a dam by Ryders Varka.

With an index in the top 1% of the breed he was again picked up by an undisclosed buyer.

An 1800gns call then secured Whitehart Distinctive from Nicola Hartwright.

This one is a son of Brijon Youre The Boy out of a dam by Langside The Gaffer and was knocked down to B and C Francis, Welshpool.

And at 1650gns was another from the Hartwright family, Whitehart Diesel, a Cherryvale Shergar son out of a dam by Canllefaes Vantastic. Buying him were T E Duggan and Son, Leominster, for their Hengrave flock.

Gimmers Leading the female trade at 2400gns was Robert Cockburn’s gimmer CKP2004685, an ET bred daughter of Canllefaes Bright Spark out of a dam

by Ettrick Rainbow Warrior. She was the pick of Gary Scott, Denbighshire, for the Bryn-Y-Coed flock.

Second on the roll call was a 1700gns bid for Joseph Williams’ first in the ring from the Owl Valley flock. This was WPH2003144, a Garngour Alabama daughter out of a dam by Sportsmans Admiral II. She headed home with M and S Jones for the Racecourse flock, Oswestry.

Close behind at 1600gns was Myfyr Evans’ gimmer from the Rhaeadr flock, ENM2002378. This daughter of Brackenridge Crown Royal is out of a dam

by Glenside Wiz Kid and sold to Michael and Heulwen Owens, Llandysul.

And two then followed that 1300gns, with the first of these being a gimmer from the Ettrick flock of Gordon Gray. This was GGH2010200 a daughter of Sportsmans Cannon Ball out of a dam by Mullan Amigo and with an index in the top 25% of the breed. She was bought by J Cairns, Hexham, Northumberland.

The other at this price was from the Claybury flock of the Draper family, Shrewsbury. Taking this money was DHL2001671. She’s by Stainton Vantage II and out of a dam by Mellor Vale Tomahawk. She also joined the trailer back to Llandysul with Michael and Heulwen Owens.

Average; 46 gimmers £815.58 (+£152.11), 37 shearling rams £1248.65 (+£57.48), 76 ram lambs £819.84 (+£132.23) (Welshpool Livestock Sales).

Judge Naomi O’Hare receiving her momento from Society chairman Roy Campbell.

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Bryn Robinson’s Preenbank Duke sold for 2900gns

Maerdy Director 2600gns

Rhaeadr Elector 2400gns

WPH2003144 made 1700gns for the Owl Valley flock

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Robert Cockburn’s gimmer made 2400gns

WELSH NATIONAL TEXEL SALE, WELSHPOOL

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ENGLISH NATIONAL TEXEL SALE, WORCESTER

Dynamite goes bang at 32,000gns A new centre shearling ram record price of 32,000gns led the English National Sale when the Williams family’s Caron flock, Lampeter, saw their shearling ram, Caron Dynamite, blow the roof off at Worcester.

T 81% clearance.

he sale also recorded a new centre record shearling ram average of £2552.29 for the 66 shearling rams sold on an

Sale topper Dynamite, which had led the shearling class in the pre-sale show, is a

son of Tullylagan Commander out of a dam

by Tamnamoney Yeti and was the subject of much interest in the hours ahead of the sale. Setting off with an opening call of 10,000gns, bidding quickly went through the gears, with the hammer eventually falling at 32,000gns in favour of the Robin and Caroline Orr, Halbeath, and Esmor Evans, Maerdy, in a two-way split.

Caron Dynamite led trade at 32,000gns

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Selling at 22,000gns was John Elliot’s Roxburgh Dirrington, a son of Canllefaes Bright Spark out of a dam by Meinspride Usain and sold with an index in the top 5% of the breed. He sold to the Ingram family, Aberdeenshire.

Taking a 6500gns call was Canllefaes Dynamite from W T Davies & Co. This son of Scrogtonhead Bright Spark is out of a dam by Talcoed You Know and found a new home with Gary and Meinir Howells, Shadog, Carmarthenshire.

The Quick family took 5000gns for Loosebeare Duke, a son of the £10,000 homebred Loosebeare Chief and out of a dam by Loosebeare Show Stopper. He was knocked down to Messrs Rottenbury and Son, Chipstable, Taunton.

Three made 4000gns, with the first being the very first shearling of the sale, Clun Dynamo from A E Williams and Son. Sired

by Craig Douglas Ya Belter, he is out of a dam by Glenside Uri and sold to Messrs Watkins, Hay-On-Wye, Herefordshire.

Next best at 22,000gns was Roxburgh Dirrington

Second at 4000gns was another from the Quick family, Loosebeare Dictator, a Crookholm Bouncer son out of a dam by Arkle Armageddon. He goes back to the 18,000gns Pant Wolf and was bought

by Messrs Heighway, Craven Arms, Shropshire.

The third and final 4000gns call came for Halbeath DJ from Robin and Caroline Orr. This one is by the 23,000gns Peacehay Ya Belter and out of a dam by Halbeath Atom.

Buying this one were Messrs Hardwick and Son, Upper Talcoed, Llandrindod Wells.

Close behind at 3800gns was Phil Weaver’s Empire Dynamite, a Canllefaes Big Boy son out of a dam by Blackadder Well Hung.

This one was bought by Messrs Forrester, Twemloes, Whitchurch.

Canllefaes Dynamite sold for 6500gns

A brace then followed that at 3000gns, with the first of these being Preenbank Django from Bryn Robinson and family. Sired by Clun Captain Jack, he is out of a dam

by Whitehart Vodka and was the choice of Messrs Burrough and Son, Membury, Axminster.

Elgan Davies then took the same money for Llwyngan Drummer, a Midlock Youre The One son out of a dam by Tynewydd Switchon. Buying this one were Messrs Powell Partners, Vowchurch, Hereford.

Average; 66 shearling rams £2552.29 (+£646.98) (McCartneys).

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The Quicks sold Loosebeare Duke for 5000gns

ENGLISH NATIONAL TEXEL SALE, WORCESTER

Sportsmans Einstein 5600gns

Einstein leads lambs at 5600gns Sportsmans Einstein from Messrs Boden and Davies took the top call of 5600gns in the ram lamb sale at the English National Sale, Worcester.

T

his son of Castlecairn Doodlebug is out of a dam by the 65,000gns Garngour Craftsman and sold with an index in the top 1% of the breed. Having stood first in the presale show he was taken by G E Morgan, Blaencar and A E Jones, Ynystoddeb.

Amalert daughter. This one was taken by Andy Keedwell, Priddy, Somerset.

Next best at 3500gns was the champion from the pre-sale show from Myfyr Evans’ Rhaeadr flock, in the form of Rhaeadr Explorer. This son of the 130,000gns Sportsmans A Star is out of a dam by Kelso Pavarotti and sold to the judge James Draper, Claybury, with a half share taken by Carl Henry Bellis, Cosyn.

Charlie Boden took 2800gns for Mellor Vale Escobar, a Garngour Detroit son out of a dam by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid. He had stood second in the pre-sale show and sold with an index in the top 25% of the breed when bought by R Todd, East Yorkshire.

The reserve male champion from Gary Beacom, Lakeview Eye of the Tiger, sold at 3200gns. This is another by Castlecairn Doodlebug and is out of a Fordafourie

Selling at 2900gns was Robert Cockburn’s Knap Earl, a son of the noted Sportsmans Cannon Ball out of a dam by Procters Yankee. This one headed away to M G Lear, Loxbeare, Tiverton.

Also at 2800gns was Auldhouseburn Eagle Eye from Alan Blackwood. Sired by Sportsmans Double Diamond, he is out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Crackpot and sold to A P Prince, Church Stretton.

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A 2500gns call secured Garngour Einstein from Alan Clark. This Procters Chumba Wumba son is out of a dam by Knock Yardsman and carries an index in the top 1% of the breed. Buying this one was Robert Laird for the Cambwell flock.

Rhaeadr Explorer 3500gns

Selling for 2500gns was Cherryvale Etzebeth from Jack Gault. This son of Lakeview Dirty Dancer is out of a dam

by Sportsmans Ace and sold to join the Stonegrove flock of the Dorrell family, Worcester.

And then came a 2300gns bid for Hexel Eskimo Joe from Donald and Sarah MacPherson. He’s a son of Haymount Crackerjack and out of a Duncryne Uber Cool daughter which is also dam of the 65,000gns Hexel Django. Buying this one was J Lea, Market Drayton.

Close behind at 2000gns was Trevor Ball’s Lypehill Edmund, a Clarks Wizard son out of a dam by Peacehay Untouchable. He went home with Simon Kemp, Kingston, Canterbury.

Also making 2000gns was Procters Exocet from Procters Farm. Sired by the 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond, this lamb is out of a dam by Sportsmans Batman and has an index in the top 1% of the breed. He was the pick of D T Jones, Pwllheli, Gwynedd.

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Another at 2000gns was Auldhouseburn Empire from Alan Blackwood. This full brother to the 100,000gns Scottish National Sale topper is by Sportsmans Double Diamond and out of a dam by Rhaeadr Best of the Best. He heads home to the Lavenham flock of Stephen Cobbold, Suffolk.

Next to make 2000gns was Gordon Gray’s Ettrick Echo, a Claybury Dunkirk son out of a dam by Garngour Awesome-sired dam and with an index in the top 1% of

Lakeview Eye of The Tiger 3200gns

the breed. Buying this one was M Hughes, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

Another from the same pen, Ettrick Eejit, then sold at 2000gns. He’s another by Dunkirk and is out of a Clinterty Yuga Khan daughter. He also has an index in the top 1% of the breed and was knocked down to W T Davies and Co, Canllefaes, Cardigan.

Average; 136 ram lambs £999.62 (McCartneys).

ENGLISH NATIONAL TEXEL SALE, WORCESTER

Gimmers to 7000gns at English National Shearling ewes were in ready demand at the English National Sale, Worcester, which saw trade peak at 7000gns for a daughter of Garngour Craftsman from Charlie Boden’s Mellor Vale flock, Cheshire.

H

eading up the prices was BCM2000798, an ET-bred gimmer out of dam by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid. She is maternal sister to a dam of a 40,000gns tup and sold to John Sherratt, Wem, Shropshire.

Next in line at 4800gns was the very first gimmer of the sale from Myfyr Evans’ Rhaeadr flock, ENM2002436. She’s by Brackenridge Crown Royal and out of a dam by Garngour Alabama which was sold for 7500gns as a ewe lamb. She as the pick of James Amphlett and Ellie Owens for their Topwood flock, Leominster.

Following her at 4200gns was the reserve female champion from the pre-sale show from Martin and Cyril Millar. This was VMG2002200, a daughter of Lauder Cobra out of a dam by Charben Yankee Boy. She sold with an index in the top 10% of the breed and went to Stephen Cobbald, Lavenham, Suffolk.

After that at 3500gns was the female champion and reserve overall champion from the pre-sale show from Robbie Wilson, Milnbank. This was LYM2004009 a daughter of Knock Yardsman out of a dam

by Aman Vyrnwy. She’s a maternal sister to the 7000gns Milnbank Brooklyn and was taken by the day’s judge James Draper for the Claybury flock, Shrewsbury.

Then making 3200gns was the first of the sale from Robert Laird and family, Cambwell. This gimmer, LTC2005300, is by the homebred Cambwell Belter and out

Gimmer leader from Mellor Vale at 7000gns

Myfyr Evans sold his best at 4800gns

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of a dam by Procters Warlord. She sold to Tomos Charles Adams for the Ty-Medi flock, Cowbridge.

A brace then sold at 2500gns, with the first of these being from Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock. This third prize winner from the pre-sale show is by Sportsmans Cannon Ball and out of a dam by Ettrick Van Gogh.

Taking her home were D and J Dunlop for the Holtridge flock, Shropshire.

Second at this level was a Sportsmans gimmer from Messrs Boden and Davies, BGS20045127. Sired by the 65,000gns Garngour Craftsman she is out of a dam by Cairnam Talisman and sold with an index in the top 25% of the breed. Buying this one was previous buyer John Sherratt.

Following her at 2000gns was one from Willy Davis’ Usk Vale flock in the form of UVP2004079. She’s by Hope Valley C The Stars and out of a Glenside dam by Sportsmans A Star and sold to D Hind, Newthorpe.

And then making 1800gns was another from the same home, UVP2004074. This is another by Hope Valley C The Stars and out of a dam by Castlecairn Vavavoom and is a maternal sister to the 17,000gns Usk Vale Albatross. This one sold to Adam and Jessica Neachell for their Cromwell flock, Walsall.

A 1550gns call then secured one from Ben Roberts’ Poundapitt flock. This was RBU200003, a Hexel Beast From The East daughter out of a dam by Strathbogie Ya Belter and sold to previous buyer D Hind.

Reserve female champion from Millar’s made 4200gns

And at 1500gns was Paul Tippetts and Christine Williams’ gimmer TIP2003024 from the Wilodge flock. Sired by Midlock Cobra, she is out of a 16,000gns Beautry dam by Loosebeare Voldemort. Buying this one was Adrian Roberts, Llangynog, Builth Wells.

Average; 66 gimmers £1182.36 (McCartneys).

Robbie Wilson’s female champion sold at 3500gns

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2021

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Drambuie raises spirits at Kelso Texels dominated proceedings at Kelso Ram Sales, producing the highest shearling average and most of the top prices, including a new centre record of £65,000 and a further three five-figure sellers.

M

ore Texels were sold than any other breed, with the 657 registered shearling rams averaging £1412.72 and 115 registered ram lambs levelling out at £756.70.

Top price was the shearling ram Campsie Drambuie, which came from Jimmy and Donald MacGregor, Dyke, Milton of Campsie. Their Kelso consignment always produces a strong average, but this year, they went above and beyond, with the six shearlings averaging out at £14,433.

Despite being last in Ring Nine, the pen attracted plenty of attention throughout the day, with the pen number one, Drambuie, soaring to £65,000 – significantly surpassing the flock’s previous top of £5800. A son of Ettrick Cockney Rebel – which was bought in a three-way split at Lanark for 5500gns – he is out of a daughter of Garngour Yeltsin, one of 20 ewes in the flock. After a bidding war between several top breeders, he was knocked down to John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso, and Ken Hodge, for his Greenarch flock at Earlston.

Other sons of Cockney Rebel from the same home, sold at £8000, to Robert Rennie, Sydenham, Kelso; and £6000 to Tom Cockburn, Kingside, Leadburn.

Two shearling rams hit the £20,000 mark.

First of those was Teiglum Dirty Harry, a Knock Yardsman son from Andrew Clark’s flock at Blackhill Farm, Crossford, Lanark.

The dam, a ewe by Fordafourie Young Star, is a maternal sister to the £29,000 Kelso topper, Garngour Awesome. Like Awesome, he sold to Paul Slater, Whiteley Hey, Cheshire.

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From the same pen, Knock Diablo, a Sportsmans Chieftain son, sold at £5800, to Page Farms, Ripon.

The other £20,000 seller was Mitchellhill Diamond Star from Angus Kennedy, Mitchellhill, Biggar. A son of the 10,000gns Canllefaes Bright Spark, out of a ewe by Ettrick Wagon Wheel, he sold to Jim Gibb, Toftcombs, Biggar; Iain Minto, Townhead, Dolphinton and the Orrs at Wester Walston, Carnwath.

An ET brother to that one made £6000, selling to Prof Penny, Harehead, Cranshaws, Duns.

The final five-figure seller was Blackadder Doddie from Neil Harvey, Blackadder

Campsie Drambuie set a new record at £65,000

Mains, Whitsome, Duns, which sold at £15,000 to the McAllisters for their Artnagullion flock at Kells, Ballymena. He is by Walston Batman, out of a ewe by Wolfclyde Wawrinka.

Iain Minto received a top of £8200 for the best from his Townhead pen, from Dolphinton, West Linton. Selling to Ian Hunter, Dalchirla, Crieff, that one is by a homebred son of Blackadder Albertz, out of a ewe by a Toftcombs sire.

Gordon and David Gray continued their fantastic run this year, with shearlings from their Ettrick consignment selling to £7500 twice and averaging £3731 for 13. Sons of Ettrick Cockney Rebel – a homebred son of Garngour Awesome which the Grays

KELSO RAM SALE retained a third share in – sold at £7500, to Llion Jones, Pant, Gwynedd; £7200 to Chris Cornthwaite, Closes Hall, Clitheroe and £6800 to Russel and Gill Watkins, Millend, Hereford.

Meanwhile, another homebred Awesome son, Ettrick Cocky Bob, which was sold as a shearling last year for £11,000, was sire of

one at £7500, to Selby Robson, Yatesfield, Otterburn and Messrs McKay, Westhills.

Wolfclyde, Biggar, a shearling son of Elmscleugh Bright Spark.

Another £7500 seller came from John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso. A son of Canllefaes Bright Spark, that one sold to D H Jones, Wales.

Ken Hodge’s Greenarch consignment, from Upper Huntlywood, Earlston, sold to a top of £6000, for another son of the Canllefaes sire, which went to John Green, The Craggs, Melrose.

On the other side of the coin, Mr Elliot paid £6500 for the best from Meikle Jackson, One of two at £20,000 was Mitchellhill Diamond Star

Alex and Russell Gray received a steady trade for their Langside shearlings, from Lanark. Top there was £5500, for a son of the 23,000gns Peacehay Ya Belter, which went to Messrs Watkins, Hereford, while others by the same sire sold at £5200, to J B Pate and Son, Toxside, Gorebridge and £5000, to J Gray, Unthank, Whitingham.

Also selling to a top of £5500, was the Wights’ Midlock pen, with a son of Knock Bantastic making that money to John and Craig Connell, Wanton Walls, Lauder.

The Gray family’s Scrogtonhead consignment peaked at £5500 too. Their leader, by Cambwell Blackadder, sold to Paul Slater, Whiteley Hey.

Andrew Clark sold Teiglum Dirty Harry at £20,000

Robert Laird, Cambwell, Biggar was another to enjoy a steady trade throughout, topping at £5200 for a son of Cressage Blockbuster, which sold to M T Bulmer, Wellfield, York.

Best for the Quicks’ Loosebeare lot was £5000, for one by Sportsmans Bulletproof, which sold to Jonathan Watson, Bowsden Moor, Berwick upon Tweed.

Ram lambs sold to a top of £5000, for one from David Preacher, Holylee, Walkerburn.

A son of Sportsmans Cannon Ball, out of a ewe by Auldhouseburn Billy the Kid, he sold to Adam Grieve, Broadlaw, Ponteland and Wester Ulston Sheep, Jedburgh.

Neil Harvey’s Blackadder Doddie made £15,000

Second top in the lambs was a son of Procters Chumba Wumba from Andrew Clark, Teiglum, which sold at £3200 to the Ridleys at Haltcliffe and Messrs Hunter, Wedderburn, Huntly, while Bryden Nicolson sold one at £3000 to Gary Fleming, Galashiels.

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Dan Dare rockets to 8000gns at Builth An 8000gns top call and an average up by more than £165 saw Texels return to the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, in fine form after an enforced absence due to the cancellation of last year’s event due to Covid-19.

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t was regular high price achiever Cefyn Pryce who achieved the day’s top Texel price and indeed the highest price of the entire sale, when he sold Caereinion Dan Dare at 8000gns.

This son of Granite Untouchable is out of a homebred dam by Kimbolton Venturer and sold with an index in the top 1% of the breed. He found a new home with W G Davies and Son, Hirwaun, Mid Glamorgan, for the Cwmcynon flock.

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Next best were three at 6500gns, with the first of these being Cennen Digger from Hywel Thomas. Sired by the noted Knock Yardsman he is out of a dam by the homebred Cennen Yellowstone and was the pick of Gary and Meinir Howells for their Tycam flock, Llandysul.

M A I N N S A R A M S A L E , B U I LT H W E L L S Second at 6500gns was Scolton Dynamo from the Reed family, Pembrokeshire. This one is by Canllefaes Big Boy and out of a Caereinion Atlas daughter. Buying this one after some frenetic bidding were R G and R A Jones, Camrose, Pembrokeshire, for their Roblestone flock.

And the third 6500gns call came for one from local breeder Michael James’ Duhonw flock sold in the non-Society ring. This was Duhonw Dynamo, a son of Garngour Awesome out of a dam

by Hull House Texas Jack. Buying this one were Messrs Evans, Pen Rhos, Trefeglwys.

The Reed family then sold a full brother to the 6500gns Dynamo at 6200gns. Making this money was Scolton Dynamite when bought

by S and A Taylor, Cumberworth, Huddlesfield, for the Dearne House flock.

Russell and Gill Watkins then took 6000gns for Millend Democrat, a Peacehay At Your Service son out of a dam by Strawfrank Autumn Glory. This one headed away with T Davies and Co, Beulah, Powys.

Selling at 4800gns was another from Michael James, Duhonw Diamond. He’s another by Garngour Awesome and is out of a homebred dam. Taking him home in a shared deal were Messrs Abberley and Davies.

Also at this level was Blackadder De Boer from Neil Harvey. He’s was another sold in the non-Society ring and is by Walston Batman and out of a dam by Wolfclyde Wawrinka . He was the choice of Paul Tippetts and Christine Williams, for the Wilodge flock, Shropshire.

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Millend Dash Of Class then lived up to his name when selling for 4500gns for Russel and Gill Watkins. This son of Peacehay At Your Service is out of a dam Tumble Tye Vacation and sold to Treborth Uchaf Farm, Bangor.

Two then made 4000gns, with both of these coming from the same home in the form of Wilodge Download and Wilodge Dynamo from Paul Tippetts and Christine Williams. First away was Download, a son of Whitehart Big Style out of an Eglur Yukon daughter. He was also taken by Treborth Uchaf Farm.

Wilodge Dynamo, another by Big Style, but this time out of a dam by Deveronvale Ace of Diamonds then sold at the same price to H and E Powell, Llwyngwilym, Rhayader.

Then making 3800gns was Canllefaes Delight from W T Davies and Co. Their pen leader is a son of Scrogtonhead Bright Spark and out of a dam by Talcoed You Know. He sold to W and J Brown, Newdeer, Turriff.

Duhonw Dazzler from Michael James then sold at 3600gns, with this being a Garngour Awesome son out of a homebred dam. He headed home with J F Robinson and Son for the Preen Bank flock, Shropshire.

And the Reed family were back in action when taking 3500gns for Scolton Dictator, a Caereinion Rocket son out of a dam by Smith Adonis. Buying this one was Ted Fox for the College flock, Biggar.

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M A I N N S A R A M S A L E , B U I LT H W E L L S At the same price was Ballyglonney Dambuster from the Creer family, Isle of Man. Sired by Corriecravie Autumn Gold he is out of a dam by Procters Warlord and sold to J P L Owens, Rhayader.

A third and final 3500gns call came for Caereinion Destructor from Cefyn Pryce. This sone of the homebred Caereinion Commander is out of a dam by Granite Untouchable and has an index in the top 5% of the breed. Buying him were previous buyers Gary and Meinir Howells.

Jonathan Watson then took 3400gns for Brijon Dark Danger, a son of previous sale topper Pant Wolf. He was knocked down to Messrs Pennie, Sarkley, Llandyssil.

A 3200gns bid then secured Lowsonford Dynamo from Hywel Thomas. He’s by Auldhouseburn Big Bob and out of a dam by Coolingel Warlord. He found a new home with E Davies, Rhayader.

Ram Lambs

Shae Price’s Gereafon Easy On The Eye made 4000gns

Topping ram lamb trade at 4000gns was Shae Price’s Gereafon Easy On The Eye, a Knock Yardsman son out of a Douganhill Young Blood daughter. Buying this one was G A Morgan, Pembridge.

The Morgans then sold Blaencar Enforcer at 3000gns

Second best at 3700gns was Blaencar Equalizer from the Morgan family, Sennybridge. He’s by Teiglum Crackerjack and out of a dam by Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold and sold to Colin Roots, Southam, Warwickshire.

The same vendors then took 3000gns for Blaencar Enforcer a son of the 100,000gns Sportsmans Batman and out of a dam by the homebred Blaencar Bandit. Buying him was C Evans, Llaneli.

Selling for 2800gns was one from Willy Davis’ Usk Vale flock, UVP2104855, a son of Haymount Divine King out of a full sister to Hexel Born To Be Wild. He headed north with Messrs Whittaker, Jedburgh.

Blaencar Equalizer sold at 3700gns

Peter and James Vaughan sold their best, Kingspark Ezio at 2000gns. He’s by Rhaeadr Drum Major and out of a dam by Strathbogie Ya Belter. Buying him was C M Edwards, Llangaffo, Gwynedd.

Willy Davis’ UVP2104855 went at 2800gns

Averages; 573 shearling rams £935.45 (+168.92), 250 ram lambs £481.91 (+£109.91).

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Complete clearance of females at Builth Texel females were well bid for at the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, with a high of 1700gns in the gimmers and ewe lambs selling to 1100gns and 100% clearances in both sections.

T

opping the gimmer trade was the reserve female champion from E G Morgan’s Blaencar flock in the form of YME2007585 a Knock Yardsman daughter out of a dam by a Strathbogie sire. Buying her was K Jones, Dorstone, Hereford.

Second best at 1400gns was a Claybury gimmer from the Draper family. This was DHL2001712, a Strathbogie Cannonball daughter out of a dam by Cowal Your My Boy. She found a new home with Ross Withers, Probus, Truro.

Close behind at 1300gns was the female champion from the pre-sale show, another from Claybury, DHL2001776. She’s by Wilodge Bravo and out of a dam by Stainton Vantage II and sold with an index in the top 1% of the breed. This one sold to join A E Davies, Aberdulais.

The Morgan family then took 1100gns for another of theirs, YME2007570. Sired by Blaencar Bandit she is out of a dam by Midlock Yorkie and was knocked down to S Truszkowski, Glascoed.

And making 1000gns was another of the Claybury pen, DHL2001673. She’s by the homebred Claybury Crusader and out of a dam by Stainton Vantage II. Again with a top 1% index she was another bought by A E Davies, Aberdulais.

Ewe lambs In the ewe lambs the best price of the day was 1100gns paid for the first prize

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Top priced gimmer was YME2007585 at 1700gns from Blancaer.

Claybury led the ewe lambs at 1100gns

ewe lamb from the pre-sale show from the Claybury flock of the Draper family, DHL21018910. This one is by Mellor Vale Dakota and out of a dam by Strathbogie Youi. Selling with a top 5% index she was taken by A P James, Bridgenorth.

Peter and James Vaughan then sold at 740gns for VFK2101993. This one is by the 65,000gns Garngour Craftsman and out of a dam by Plasucha Aberfeldy and was taken

by R Whitton, Synodinn, Ceredigion.

Averages; 29 shearling ewes £798 (+£343.52), 26 ewe lambs £392.94 (+£135.03).

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Profiting from experience at Ettrick Having established the Ettrick flock 40 years ago, the Gray family are well accustomed to the highs and lows of pedigree breeding.

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H

owever, throughout that time they’ve remained true to the principle of breeding commercially viable sheep, which has ensured consistency year after year – with this year being one of their best yet.

The flock is one of the few that is successful in both the shearling and ram lamb markets, using the same breeding lines for both. The 2021 ram sale season has been testament to that, with highlights including Ettrick Earthquake securing the reserve championship and selling for 26,000gns and Ettrick Everest making 17,000gns at the Scottish National sale at Lanark.

Meanwhile, their pen of 13 shearlings – all sired by home-bred rams – sold to a top of £7500 and averaged £3750 at Kelso Ram Sales.

They’ve come a long way from the early 1980s, when Gordon Gray bought his first females from the Otter and Heatheryhall flocks.

“We had no pedigree livestock at that time and the Texel really appealed to me – I thought it was a breed with a future,” explains Gordon, who farms at Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk, with his wife Christine and son David.

The couple also have twin daughters – Lisa, who lives locally with her husband and three children, and Isla, who recently got married and is based in Dubai.

The family, including David’s wife, Clare, and their young children, Gregor and Molly, farm 160 acres at Sunnycroft and rent a further 280 acres locally.

noticeably improve the quality of the stock and then Tinwald Yorkie, bought jointly in 1993 for 17,000gns, proved a turning point for the flock.

Alongside the pedigree Texels, they also run a flock of Blue Texels; 800 cross ewes and the grandchildren’s small Beltex flock. On the cattle side, there’s a herd of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cows, producing breeding bulls and heifers, while store calves are bought in the spring and summer grazed, before being sold on in the autumn.

“Yorkie bred fantastically well for us,” says Gordon. “He left brilliant females and males, including Ettrick Action Man, which sold to Garngour and bred very well for them, and Ettrick Ace, which we kept a third share in and sold the other two-thirds to Annan and Kirtle. He did a great job for us too.”

“The cattle and sheep provide various benefits to one another and the store calves are the best grass toppers we can get,” adds Gordon, a past chairman of the Society.

After buying his foundation females, he developed the Texel flock gradually by purchasing ram lambs at Lanark, using them that year and selling them on as shearlings the following year. In 1988, Noresk Scotch became the first purchase to

In 1997, Ettrick Drambuie was the first big seller at 11,000gns and a few years later, Knock Firefly (bought in 1999) produced Ettrick Glenmorangie, which made 16,000gns in the year 2000 and went on to sire the record breaking 50,000gns Craighead Hercules. Firefly also bred daughters that sold up to 13,000gns and 8500gns.

Crookholm Impresario was another successful buy around that time – he bred the flock’s top price to-date, the 36,000gns Ettrick Jackpot (sold at Lanark in 2003), which in turn, bred the 110,000gns Newhill Major for Alan Walker in 2006.

More recently, Knock Papoose and Mitchellhill Paparazzi both performed well for the flock. Papoose bred daughters that made 26,000gns and 10,000gns, as well as Ettrick Rainbow Warrior, which the Grays sold at 10,500gns and kept a share in.

David cites the Paparazzi females as being the strongest and most influential family line in the flock.

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In 2016, the Grays were part of a consortium that paid 60,000gns for Clinterty Yuga Khan, which has proved to be a consistent breeder, including daughters up to 15,000gns.

David explains: “Yuga Khan ticked every box for us and his daughters are very strong. They have clicked particularly well with Midcombe Brigadier, which we bought privately in 2018, with that mix producing the dams of this year’s sale lambs, while Yuga Khan daughters are the dams of this year’s shearlings.”

The Grays put great emphasis on the quality of their females and it pays off, with 70 females sold each year between auction and private sales. They were founding consigners of the Select Seven sale of in-lamb gimmers, which takes place at Lanark in December, and their gimmers continue to be in demand at that sale and others.

“We flush a select number of the best females in the flock every year and it’s this that allows us to sell gimmers from our top lines. Our best flushing ewes are breeding our best lambs, shearlings and gimmers, so they have to have good carcases and be big, sound, active sheep. We’re always conscious not to lose size or character and carcass is always important. We performance record the flock too, which is definitely beneficial and something that a lot of buyers pay attention to,” says David.

Commercially viable sheep are the key for the Gray family

The ewe hoggs are grass wintered away from home and receive no extra feeding through the winter.

“We’ve learned from experience that it does them no good to be pushed – they have to be allowed to go and do their growing,” says Gordon.

“Back in the early days of the Select Seven sale, we never thought the demand for females would continue, but it certainly has. Decisions made in the early days of the Society have proved to be very far-sighted, such as the no dressing rule at Society Sales, which I think has been instrumental in the increased popularity of the breed.

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Functionally correct ewes with character are the backbone at Ettrick

“Marketing is very important now too, with social media and online sales, but luckily David’s on the ball with that,” he adds.

Dyke and Dalchirla with a share retained).

Cockney Rebel sons were popular in the Dyke pen too, selling up to £65,000.

In the effort to maintain the desired traits in the flock, the Grays often use homebred rams and this has proved effective for them on many occasions.

“This year, we’ve kept Ettrick Enforcer, a Hope Valley Dazzler son which is out of the same dam as Cockney Rebel and Cocky Bob. She’s seven-years-old and is still fighting fit – always the first through the gate,” says David.

This year’s shearling team were sired by the Garngour Awesome sons Ettrick Cocky Bob (used before being sold for £11,000 as a shearling in 2020) and his natural twin, Ettrick Cockney Rebel (sold for 5500gns to

Other homebred tups are used on the commercial flock – producing fat lambs which regularly gain a premium, selling

to local butchers through St Boswells Mart. The ewes were previously Suffolk cross Mules, but the Grays have recently been keeping Texel cross ewe lambs as replacements.

A pedigree herd of Aberdeen-Angus run alongside the extensive sheep enterprise

With the various breeds at Sunnycroft and David also running his own sheep and cattle scanning business, spare time is not aplenty for the team. However, they do support the local and national shows when they can and over the years, they’ve enjoyed ample success, winning the Royal Show twice; gaining top tickets at the Royal Highland and a reserve breed championship and interbreed pairs title at the Great Yorkshire.

At this year’s Textravaganza National Show, they stood first in the shearling class with a son of Cockney Rebel, which went onto make £7500 at Kelso.

“Showing is a great opportunity to gauge where your sheep are compared to other flocks and helps advertise the stock too, but we’re not keen on pushing females for showing, as it does them no good,” says David.

“Our main aim is to maintain the fundamental commercial traits in the flock – character is essential in pedigree breeding, but a sheep with an impressive head and nothing else is no good to anyone,” continues Gordon, who has judged the breed all over the UK and in France.

“As long as we keep the focus on the most important attributes of the breed, the demand will continue. It’s a breed that has so much to offer and I’m certainly glad I chose the Texel all those years ago – as a family, we have all enjoyed the camaraderie of the Texel breeders over the years and it’s great to see so many young people involved in the breed today. What started out as my hobby is now the mainstay of our business.”

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Aiming for the top at Bellefield A focus on elite genetics and a drive to breed the best have seen Northern Irish young breeder Stewart Ferris invest in top female families from a number of flocks in the establishment of the Bellefield flock.

D

romore, Co Down-based Stewart says that while he only runs a small flock, the aim is to breed the best he can from them and target the top end of the breed.

“I have a three-step strategy: Step one is to enjoy yourself, studying and buying the best sheep you can afford then add some new families after that.

“Step two is to run a total meritocracy. Flush the best, lamb the rest. This allows the best females to have more lambs in one year than they would have in a normal lifetime.

“And step three is that when you feel that most of your recipients should probably be having their own lambs - sell the flock - have faith in your retained embryos and return to step one,” he explains.

A small elite flock is the aim for Stewart Ferris

I believe, a good one. It improves one’s perspective of the families you already have and over a few years adds up to great improvement within the flock.”

“We look to invest in the best we can afford from strong female families and I’m always willing to add a new ewe to the team if I feel she’ll bring in something we don’t already have,” adds Stewart.

“This strategy may not be for everyone but the policy of introducing new families, is

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Founded in 2016 the Bellefield flock has already tasted success, selling to a high of 4000gns at Lanark in 2020 for Bellefield Double Dutch, with a ewe lamb sold at 3000gns at the Northern Diamonds sale last December.

Early female purchases which Stewart says have left their mark include a 6800gns Hullhouse gimmer from Lanark in 2016 and a 3000gns Tamnamoney gimmer purchased at the Northern Stars sale in 2017.

“Both these females have left their mark, with the Tamnamoney ewe, herself a Knap Wot A Nut daughter, being the dam of both Double Dutch and the 3000gns ewe lamb.

“Retained daughters from both of these and other females we’ve bought over the last five years are now the bed rock of the flock alongside a few select recent purchases,” he says.

And Stewart says that while the intention isn’t to spend money on females every year he believes adding new genetics to the flock through females is one of the quickest ways to accelerate genetic progress.

“That coupled with ET work is really helping the flock move forward quickly, compared to more traditional breeding patterns.”

On the male front he credits Harestone Crackerjack, a 7000gns purchase in 2019 as being a game changer for the flock, with both his males and females setting the flock on a sharp upward incline.

“He clicked with every female we used him with and delivered superb lambs, a real flock maker in that sense and we’ve retained a son, Bellefield Don Pablo to use last year and he did well too.

“This year’s we’ve bought a brace of tup lambs, Lakeview Earl of Erne who was bought for 4000gns at Ballymena and Corbo Eye Devil who was bought privately. Both of these lambs really stood out for me when I saw them. They have great correctness and carcass, but more than that they also have

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that all important star quality too. They just stand out from the crowd which is what I am always looking for.”

When it comes to flock management Stewart says there are no passengers carried at Bellefield and any lambs which aren’t going to make the cut are culled early. “I’m highly critical of our lambs and if I don’t think they’ll make it then they go to the abattoir. There’s no point feeding lambs through the summer and wasting money on them.”

The aim is to keep ewes out for as much of the year as possible with ewes being housed about three weeks ahead of lambing and getting back out to grass within two to three weeks of lambing as long as weather allows.

“We have to be mindful of the weather in this part of the world, but once lambs are that age they should be able to withstand it so long as they’ve got a belly full of milk.”

Creep is introduced to lambs at about eight weeks old with a view to giving lambs the best opportunity to thrive and progress.

“Ram lambs graze a mix of Italian Rye grass, Chicory, white clover, Hybrid Brassica & stubble turnip, Tyfon, after weaning at 16 weeks to bring them on for sales. This a great crop for the ram lambs and they really motor on once they’re grazing that.”

To maintain flock health Stewart advocates bolusing all flock ewes as well as giving stock access to free-access mineral at key times of the year. “We find this really helps keep stock in top condition and ensures good conception rates too, in both the pedigree flock and recipients and the 150 commercial ewes we run alongside them, all of which go to Texel tups,” he explains.

“All the commercial lambs are sold deadweight along with any Texel lambs which don’t make the grade for breeding and the returns over the last two years have been tremendous,” says Stewart who runs a joinery business, undertaking bespoke work in the local area.

“Between that and managing the sheep there isn’t much spare time, but I really enjoy the social side of Texel breeding and have made some great friends in the last five years across the country.

“I just hope that current trading difficulties between NI and GB can be sorted out in time for next year’s sale season to allow us to get back to normal and have confidence in taking our best stock across the water to sales again,” he adds.

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NORTHERN STARS TEXEL IN-LAMB SALE 2021 Est 2009

18th DECEMBER AT 12;30PM BALLYMENA LIVESTOCK MARKET ORIGINAL AND STILL THE BEST

AULDHOUSEBURN 40K

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Consignors: Auldhouseburn, Ballynahone, Clougher,Forkins, Sportsmans & Tamnamoney Guests: Largy & Whitepark

FORKINS 26K

TEXEL AT THE TOP OF THE INDUSTRY 27.2%

15%

26%

85%

of all rams used in GB are Texels *

of all crossbred ewes in GB are sired by a Texel *

of all ewes in GB are put to Texel rams *

of Texel lambs grade ‘in spec’ **

Texel rams add

£25/year

to their slaughter progeny.***

11 of the top 15 carcass merit EBV sires in RamCompare are Texels.****

335,000

pure Texels ewes in GB *

*AHDB British Sheep Breeds survey 2020 ** Texel Society R&D Projects 2017-2019 *** Abacus Bio 2015 **** AHDB RamCompare 2016-2020