Simplicity the key for Tynewydd F
Deri Morgan - Brecon
rom humble beginnings with just four ewes, Deri Morgan’s Tynewydd flock is now regularly among the big-hitters at commercial sales in the Welsh borders, achieving averages in excess of £1000 for pens of 20 plus rams on several occasions at the NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells. “We’ve bought no more females since those original four, having expanded the flock to its current numbers of about 110 ewes by keeping the best of our own gimmers and working away to improve the quality of what we have by selecting rams with the
traits we needed at the time,” explains Deri who farms with assistance from his mother, Marjory, and sister, Wendy. Farming 270 acres, much of which is in a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Texel flock runs alongside a flock of 110 Lleyn ewes and a small suckler herd. “The flock was founded in 1991 and as we started to see success selling rams the Texel flock gradually replaced the farm’s commercial ewe flock. It quickly became clear it would be a better way to go when we sold our first two shearling rams at Builth in 1993 for £500 each,” he adds. As a keen young breeder Deri says the enjoyment and camaraderie at local shows was a big attraction in the early days of the flock. “We’ve pretty much given up showing these days, but there is still a really good local Texel community with several strong flocks in the area. The willingness to help other breeders hasn’t disappeared and that is one of the great things that stands out in the breed locally.” Focussed on breeding strong, commercially relevant shearling tups for sale locally the Tynewydd flock has enjoyed success in the South Wales Texel Club flock competition on a number of occasions, first entering in 2005 and standing third in that first year before going on to be champion flock four times after that.
“The great thing about the flock competition is the feedback from the judges over the years. That first year we entered the advice was clear and concise. We had a flock with great conformation, correctness and carcasses, but lacked the extra sparkle and breed character to stand any higher.
Lifestyle
38 Autumn 2020
texel.uk
