Texel bulletin spring 2017 issuu

TEXEL The bulletin for all

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Breeders A Texel Society Publication

MARCH 2017

4 EID Readers on offer

Maineview & Hexel Flock Features Building Resilience to disease Yorkshire treat on offer

Youth Developments

Five Nations Social Event

In Touch with Texel #addtexeladdvalue

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2017 NSA EVENTS* We have 4 EID Readers available Worth up to £500 each

Improve your record keeping and flock management with Texel Society and Shearwell Data.

Make the most of your flock data and maximise productivity without compromising on practicality.

Adding value and easing management.

#addtexeladdvalue * Events: NSA North Sheep, Welsh Sheep, Southwest Sheep, NI Sheep.

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Spring 2017

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TEXEL W Breeders Bulletin www.texel.co.uk

Texel Bulletin is published by the Texel Sheep Society Ltd twice a year in March and November.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the information contained in this publication, no responsibility can be accepted by the Society for any errors or any reliance on the use of information by readers.

Membership Subscriptions are available by contacting the Society Office Advertising office@texel.co.uk Registrations & sales cataloging registrations@texel.co.uk cataloguing@texel.co.uk Accounts accounts@texel.co.uk R&D projects edsmith@texel.co.uk Society Governance Chief Executive John Yates Chairman David McKerrow Nochnary flock Vice Chairman Steve Richardson Stonebridge flock Treasurer Graeme Knox Haddo Flock Photography Catherine MacGregor Robert Smith Alfie Shaw

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

Tel: 024 7669 6629 Fax: 024 7669 6472 Email: office@texel.co.uk

In touch with Texel @BritishTexel #addtexeladdvalue

www.texel.co.uk

ell its certainly been a busy period at the Society since we issued the last bulletin, with new initiatives and with development of our Disease Resilience and Carcase trait R&D projects.

There was plenty to report on from the In Lamb sales, with confidence in abundance and investment in Texel maternal genetics, showing no signs of abating with averages and clearances very healthy.

This year we are pleased to be supporting the “3rd 5 Nations bi-annual Texel Youth event – 9th-11th June”. Our YDP Committee and young members have provided plenty of time and effort to ensure that it will be unforgettable for those that attend. So if you are under 35 and have a major interest in Texel, then don’t miss this opportunity to meet up with breeders from across UK & Ireland to socialise, compete and take in visits to some of the very top Texel flocks in the North West.

To add, we expect our usual summer events are sure to offer breeders far and wide the chance to compete at local and National shows. We are already preparing for this years sales season and will supporting the promotion of your stock through our cataloguing service.

We have included short reports on “Texel in the international mix” and some top tips for those members that are uncertain on how to manage an export enquiry. We also outline our “Breed Development Strategy” and continue to lead the development in novel technology to help provide you with as much information for you to drive genetic improvement in your own flock.

sustainable benefits to all participants, Ram breeders, commercial producers, processors, retailers and ensure they work together to meet consumers needs.

This means listening to the meat consumer to understand what they want and will pay more for, and then working together across the supply chain to ensure their expectations are being consistently met.

This model is not new, but an important one that requires improved communication between ram breeders and processors, who are pivotal and are tasked with improving communication and feeding back carcase trait data as an essential requirement.

Recent studies commissioned by the Society estimate future benefits up until 2035 amount to £244.2 million or £23.1 million annualised benefits, from the use of the Texel breed.* We hope that you support our vision and help us to increase penetration or market share of the Texel breed. And also accelerate rates of genetic progress in economically important traits in your own flock, that contribute to our breeds development.

An increasing trend is apparent in the use of Texel rams from pedigree registered flocks, as opposed to Texel rams from commercial flocks. In 2015 an estimated 48% of Texel rams used, were from pedigree registered flocks, while in 1996 this figure was 29%*.

Best wishes for an exciting and rewarding summer.

It’s important that we help to influence the creation of a consumer-driven, integrated value chain for red meat, delivering

John Yates, Chief Executive

John

*Abacus Bio report 2016

Front cover from Maineview flock feature “Owner Andrew Kennedy states, identifying blood lines with relevant health traits is important and he is excited by the pioneering of genomics in the Texel breed.”

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March 2017 7

Miss it - Miss out. Book now for a “Yorkshire treat�

10 -11

David & Ross MacPherson - Hexel, combine Texel and commercial business with great success

14 -17

Gimmer sales round-up and reports

NEWS

LIFESTYLE

SALES

6. New Male Registration System

10. Hexel flock

14. Invitational In-Lamb sales report

7. Society welcomes new staff

12. Maineview Texels

8-9. Texel in the mix internationally

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Andrew Kennedy - Maineview, sets out his views on Texel breeding & use of technology

Spring 2017

16. Regional Club In-Lamb sales report

www.texel.co.uk

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Texel support development of CT Scanner to drive genetic improvement of commercial traits

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Texel Genomics

9-11 June 2017

FIVE NATIONS EVENT 2017 An exciting three day event for teams from each of the five nations. Join us for a social weekend of fun and light-hearted competition in northern England, open to all young Texel breeders aged between 18 and 35.

Itinerary includes a Friday evening barbeque and flock visit at Procters Farm, Saturday travel to Sportsmans for another flock visit and the start of our weekend competitions, including stock judging and other events, Saturday night out in Manchester* and late Sunday morning go-karting; the last of the weekend’s competitions. Accommodation is in Lancaster on Friday, Manchester on Saturday.

Tickets are £120 per person and include : • A Barbeque • • • •

on Friday night and Hog Roast on Saturday B & B accommodation in Lancaster and Manchester Coach travel between hotel and venues Flock visits to Sportsmans and Procters Farms All competition elements, including rodeo bull and go-karting

The Drumgooland Shield goes to the

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winning team.

Spaces are limited, so book by 3 April 2017. For more information see www.texel.co.uk/5nations or contact Duncan on 07540 053431. Email: ydp@texel.co.uk *Manchester night out is not included in the price.

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Society outlines ten year breed development strategy

YOUTH FOCUS

TECHNICAL CORNER

18. Five Nations Social Weekend

20. Managing inbreeding in the Texel Breed

19. John Brown - Culsh Texels Trip of a lifetime to New Zealand

22-23. Texel Genomics 25. Breed Development Strategy

www.texel.co.uk

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News Society Reminder Ram docket books, and, if you have run out of lambing books, both are available on request from the Texel office, just give us a call on 02476 696629 or e-mail registrations@ texel.co.uk

Society Reminder If returning paper Birth Notification forms please remember to check that: • •

•

• •

All personal details printed on the front page are correct The breeder declaration and processing requirements sections have been signed and completed ALL service sires are listed with both their names and Flock book numbers Birth details are FULLY complete and accurate A cheque is enclosed for the correct amount if you have not already signed up to pay by Direct Debit

New

Birth Notified or Fully Registered?

It has never been easier to check the registration status of any animal in the Texel Flock book. Simply use the BASCO sheep search facility available at https://basco.org/sheep/search/quick to find an animal and view its status.

Obituary The Society was informed of the loss of some of our dear members and friends.

Phil Barnes - Park flock - January Margaret Perrings - Pergill flock January

New

Get creative and name your Birth Notified rams online Members who are signed up to BASCO.org can now use the census to name their Birth Notified rams. Names can be up to 15 letters in length and must begin with the correct letter for the year. For 2017 born rams that letter is A.

Society Matters

Building “Resilience to Disease” discussed at sheep health and welfare group A recent meeting of the Sheep Health and Welfare Group saw a great deal of discussion around the subject of antimicrobial resistance and the challenge of reducing antibiotic use in the sheep sector, according to NSA communications manager Joanne Briggs.

Mrs Briggs said the NSA was already working with RUMA to find practical ways of reducing usage in the sheep sector, including potentially increasing uptake of abortion vaccines and reducing use of oral antibiotics in new born lambs.”

Texel Sheep Society chief executive John Yates said the Society fully supported the reduced reliance of antibiotics in the industry and this was one of a significant drivers behind the Society’s genomic research into health traits such as mastitis and footroot. “Delivering genomic estimated breeding values for these health traits will enable both pedigree and commercial breeders to make informed selection decisions and potentially breed stock more resistant to both these key diseases in the sheep industry.”

Meanwhile, the meeting also touched on Schmallenberg virus outbreaks seen across the UK this spring and sheep farmers were urged to submit any suspect cases for testing to ensure a full picture of the virus’ impact was known.

Important Reminder

New male registration system Members are reminded that new male registration certificates will only be issued once a DNA profile is held by the Society By now all rams used for the 2017 lamb crop should be fully registered. If the sire of your lambs is not registered, or you have ordered DNA sample kits but not returned them, please contact the office as a matter of urgency. Please be aware that Late Birth Notification fees will apply for any birth notifications delayed due to a new male not being registered.

Society Matters

2017 Birth Notifications start with…

A

News

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Spring 2017

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Event Dates

Society Matters

2017

Society welcomes new staff

NSA EVENTS

Anna Bradley as our receptionist and general administration assistant and Dr Ed Smith, our new Research & Development Project Manager. Both already a part of the team and enjoying getting to know the Texel Members.

Sadly we are losing a long term member of staff, Steve Wilson. We wish him well in his retirement at the end of March and offer our thanks for his dedication to the Society for the last 12 years.

16th May NSA Welsh Sheep Llwyn Bedw, Talybont-On-Usk, Brecon, Powys 31st May NSA Highland Sheep Kinnahaird Farm, Contin, Strathpeffer 7th June NSA North Sheep West Shields Farm, Tow Law, County Durham 3rd July NSA Sheep Northern Ireland Ballymena Livestock Mart 17th November AHDB - NSA Sheep Breeders Round Table - Nottingham

Ed Smith

Will Sawday, our initial Technical manager for our 18 month Genomics of Mastitis project, has also moved to pastures new and we wish him well as he focuses his attention on his home farm enterprise.

ROYAL SHOWS 10th - 13th May Royal Ulster Show Judge: Phillip Kermode Orrisdale Anna Bradley

31st May - 3rd June Royal Bath & West Show Judge: David Bradley-Farmer Meon Down

Steve Wilson

22nd - 25th June Royal Highland Show Judge: Iolo P Jones - Llangwm 11th - 13th July Great Yorkshire Judge: Gordon Gray - Ettrick 24th - 27th July Royal Welsh Show Judge: Gwilym Williams - Caron

Benefits of being an online member

2017 AGM & Social Weekend BOOK NOW!

SHEEP SOCIETY

2017 AGM & SOCIAL WEEKEND

November 10th - 11th - Oulton Hall, Leeds Members have been provided with a booking form or available to download at www.texel.co.uk/node/58

MISS IT - MISS OUT

Friday 10th - Saturday 11th November

Oulton Hall Rothwell Ln, Oulton, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS26 8HN

UT

S

IS

www.texel.co.uk

S

IS

M

IT

O

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BO OW N

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Major Discounts available if you choose to submit your flock information online!

News www.texel.co.uk

Spring 2017

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IN THE MIX Exports

Texel Exports – a short guide.

Texel sheep in their many variations and characteristics are famous across the EU and beyond.

We live in a world of instant access to information. Social media connects Texel breeders across countries, taking photos with smart phones and sharing them requires little skill. The accessibility of the Society’s website and its database BASCO makes it easy for breeders everywhere to look at what we are doing and find information on any given sheep complete with EBVs and pedigrees. This has created a steady stream of demand from breeders in other countries. With this in mind – here is a short guide to exporting live sheep to continental Europe.

All sheep for export, or more precisely trade within the EU and Switzerland, are subject to the same rules. Although the UK’s departure from the EU will bring changes in the long term, it will take a while before we see any new regulation.

If you have an enquiry and a sale is agreed, the first step is to talk to your vet. Discuss with him the tests the sheep need, the correct timing for his visit to take blood samples, test fees and his own charges.

For EU trade, all sheep have to be genotyped group 1 (ARR-ARR). A blood test will establish this. If your flock has been in the Scrapie Monitoring Scheme for a minimum of seven years, there is no need to genotype the sheep. However, some breeders insist on buying only group 1 sheep as their own flock has the status “Scrapie resistant” or to comply with national rules set by their breed organisation.

At this stage and if your buyer has selected and agreed to buy your sheep it is standard practice to ask for a deposit.

This will secure the buyers commitment to completing the purchase.

Your vet will send blood samples to one of the two approved labs, either Weybridge or SRUC’s lab (SAC Consulting). Weybridge is more expensive, but their turn-around time is quicker.

You are responsible for sending the application for an export health certificate to the APHA (Animal & Plant Health Agency) in Carlisle who deal with all live exports. Allow about ten days for this to be processed.Your sheep will obviously be tagged with the official UK EID and these go on the application form.

You will also need to add the animal’s sex and age. There are people who can help you with this but it is always best to talk to your vet and APHA first who will help you with the forms.

Rams and ram lambs have to reside continuously on your holding for a minimum of 60 days before they can be exported. This also means they cannot attend any shows or markets.

Male sheep also have to pass a Brucella Ovis test (another blood sample). Once known the test result is valid for 30 days. As it can take up to three weeks to get the results of the genotype, some fine tuning of testing is needed which is sometimes difficult with the possibility of a changing date of transport. Genotype tests are quite expensive £30+, whereas the Brucella test is in the region of £10.

Remember your vet will add his own charges.

When the application for the export license has been approved APHA will send all paperwork to your vet who will have to come out again to check the sheep and sign the export license. This has to happen within 24 hours of their departure.

The buyer will normally organise an official transporter to collect the sheep.

The transporter will have a long-distance license and a certificate of competence in caring for the sheep during transport.

He submits a planned itinerary (journey log) which will also be approved by WIT - Welfare in Transport - department at APHA in Carlisle and sent together with the export license to your vet.

Make sure you receive the entire payment for the sheep before they leave - all you need then is have them ready for transport, hand the paperwork to the driver and wave them Good-Bye. Successful exports of good Texels will often result in repeat orders. Maintain contacts and keep sharing those photos on social media. There’s nothing like a fresh and inviting shop window to attract customers.

Contact: APHA - Animal and Plant Health Agency Tel: 03000 200 301 Article courtesy of Mrs S Rawlings Wiston Flock

Exports

Society Export Register

All Members on our register will be circulated with any appropriate enquiries as they are received at the Society office.

Members who wish to be included on the register should enrol by emailing office@texel.co.uk If you are already enrolled please ensure your contact details are up to date. This service is for Members via email only.

News

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INTERNATIONALLY Exports

Texel in Sweden Swedish breeder Maycon Vinborg has introduced British Texel bloodlines to Sweden over the last two years, initially sourcing semen from Robert Laird’s Cambwell flock and in 2016 importing embryos from both Robert and Jimmy Warnock.

The first semen imports in 2015 were from Cambwell Trademark and Sportsmans Vantastic, while in 2016 semen was imported from Procters Ventura and Grougfoot Wizard to widen the bloodlines in the country, explains Maycon.

“I am from Brazil but moved to Sweden in 2012 and, having worked with sheep in Brazil I decided to continue to do that in Sweden as well. Today we have 800 commercial ewes and 150 pedigree ewes.

The pedigree sheep are manly Texel but we also have some Finn sheep and Swedish Gotland sheep. However, when I

came to Sweden I realised that the Texel sheep in the country were of a very poor quality. There was a lot of inbreeding and there was a real need for some fresh genetics.

“As a result I began looking for new lines to bring into the country and was convinced that the British Texel sheep were by far the best. In 2015 I got in touch with Robert Laird, Cambwell Texels, and brought in semen. We were pleased with the results and in 2016 I went to the Royal Highland Show, Scotland, to be able to meet Robert and other breeders in person.

It was an honour to meet fantastic

breeders like Jimmy Warnock and many others, explains Maycon. “In the autumn 2016 we brought in more semen and embryos from Robert Laird and Jimmy Warnock as well as Border Leicester embryos too. These are a new breed for Sweden.

“The embryo transfer was done by Brazilian vet Sergio Nadal and the AI by myself. From the insemination we got a result of 84% and from the embryo transfer 29 of 51 embryos were held which gives a result of 57%.

“We also have a company called Oviex Sweden where we distribute semen and do insemination in other herds,” he adds.

Exports BRITISH TEXEL - The UKs most popular Terminal Sire

Texels in Ukraine

• Die popularste Rasse Fur Schachtlamm produczenten • La race a beliuers la plus populaire au Royaume-Uni

www.texel.co.uk

• Тексель: найпопулярніший плідник — м’ясна порода

The sheep and goat population in the Ukraine dropped from 9 million to just 2 million in 2015, but there is now increasing interest in sheep.

There has been considerable contact from farmers, agents and investors looking to use Texels on indigenous breeds for improved carcass quality and several wishing to form nucleus pedigree flocks.

Hopefully progress is being made to obtain certification to export live sheep, embryos and semen to Ukraine after face to face talks with Olga Shevchanko, chief of International Collaborations. Both France and Austria have the protocol and it is hoped this will be extended to the UK in the next few months.

Texel Lambs: • Vigorous • Hardy • Fast Growing • Meaty • Lean

Agneaux de Texel: • Vigoureux • Robuste • À croissance rapide • Conformé • Sans gras

Texel Ewes: • Hardy • Fertile • Prolific • Excellent Milkers

Brebis Texel: • Robuste • Fertile • Prolifique • Excellentes trayeuses

Texellämmer: • Kräftig • Widerstandsfähig • Schnellwachsend • allerbeste Bemuskulung • Fettarm Texelmutterschafe: • Wiederstandsfähig • Fruchtbar • Produktiv • Hohe Milchleistung

тексель ягнят • енергійний • витривалий • швидкозростаючий • м’ясистий • пісний тексель Ewes • витривалий • родючий • плідний • Відмінні доярки

British Texel Sheep Society @BritishTexel

British Texel Sheep Society

TexelSheepSociety

Tel: +44 2476 696 629 Email: office@texel.co.uk www.texel.co.uk

Texel Ukraine Poster Portrait _128x83cm_01_17.indd 1

27/01/2017 15:38

News www.texel.co.uk

Spring 2017

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Hexel Ewes

Hexel flock

D&S Macpherson - Berwick-upon-Tweed

T

he Hexel Texel flock has experienced highs and lows over it’s 23-year existence and has had to take a backseat while the MacPherson family have concentrated on building their growing catering business – but the family’s passion for pedigree breeding has ensured that their Texels have survived and in fact, gone on to thrive, in recent years.

Donald and youngest son Ross, 17, with the Royal Border Bridge over the Tweed

The 2016 run of sales is testament to that, with Hexel Wildcard making 32,000gns at Lanark and another ram lamb, Hexel Wild Bill, selling for 14,000gns at Carlisle. But previously, it was the shearling market that was the main focus for this Berwick-uponTweed-based flock, as Donald MacPherson explains: “When we were building the numbers up, the main priorities were carcass, length, legs and bums – heads were secondary. For several years we worked away fine, selling between 15 and 25 shearlings a year at Kelso, and averaging £700-£800.”

It was the success of using Texel rams on their cross ewe flock that first attracted Donald and his wife, Sarah, to the breed and they established the flock with ewes purchased from the Barrowby and Hull House flocks. A few years later, 10 gimmers and two ewes were bought from Fred and Ian Murray’s Horton flock (now Glenway), with one gimmer in particular going on to have a big influence on the Hexel flock.

at a video sale at the local rugby club instead. Still, they sold well, to a top of £2000. Incidentally, at a later video sale, the year of the foot-and-mouth scare in 2007, Hexel shearlings also proved popular, making up to £6000.

“We built the flock up to 140 pure ewes, which was too many to sell them all as shearlings, so we started selling a few lambs each year at Lanark, making up to 3000gns in 2005 and 6000gns and 4800gns in 2006. Hexel Mofo, sold for 4800gns to Robbie and Kym Mulligan, went on to breed well in Northern Ireland,” explains Donald.

“She was called Cherry and was a big, bare sheep, probably ahead of her time in those days. We flushed her and she bred really well for us. “Tups we bought jointly around that time, Baltier David and Corrie Father Ted, did a lot of good for us too,” says Donald.

“But one that helped us a lot from a marketing point of view was Hexel Lexus, which we sold for 1600gns to the Garngour flock in 2005. He bred the 40,000gns Garngour Nirvana and the 16,000gns Garngour Nobleman, both sold in 2007.”

Shearling sons of Father Ted should have been destined for Kelso two years later, but foot-and-mouth meant that they were sold

Donald also credits the ram, Straidarran Legacy – bought jointly with the Goldies flock in 2005 – for breeding particularly well.

Lifestyle

10 Spring 2017

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Hexel Yukon Gold, sold at the Solway and Tyne club sale for 1000gns

“He had everything we were looking for – stretch and skin, as well as breed character,” he says.

In fact, it was Legacy daughters that made up the best of the females when the MacPhersons sold the majority of their Texels in 2010 – the sale peaked at 4200gns for a gimmer out of a Legacy-sired dam.

“We made the decision to sell off all the adult sheep at that time because we had just bought the farm that we’re at now, Castlehills, and we needed the capital to help make improvements and build a shed,” explains Donald.

“We always knew we would get back into them – we kept six ewe lambs with that intention – but we had to concentrate on building the catering business at that time,” he adds.

As it turned out, one of those ewe lambs, a Douganhill McFly daughter which also goes back to a Legacy-sired female, went onto breed the 32,000gns Hexel Wildcard, when teamed up with the ram Drumpark Unique.

“We call that ewe Rosie, she’s a really good, correct female.

We’ve AI’d her, plus her daughter and grand-daughter to Castlecairn Vavavoom this year,” says Donald, who now keeps just 12 pure ewes, which he flushes, and runs Suffolk crosses as recipients.

“We’ve got to try and fit the Texels around everything else now.

We’re farming just 90 acres, with 15 Aberdeen-Angus cows too, so we have to keep the numbers low.”

That ‘everything else’ refers to the family’s successful catering business, Well Hung and Tender, which began with Donald and Sarah selling their home-produced beef at farmers’ markets in 2001 and has evolved into a fully fledged mobile catering outfit – selling top quality burgers at various events. And to further entice the tastebuds, in addition to the burgers, they also now have extra mobile units named ‘Wicked Pizza’ and ‘Cajun Moon’.

The whole operation is very much family-run, with Donald and Sarah’s three sons all involved in its management, although oldest son Murray is slightly further afield at the moment, working in

airfield lighting, near London. Middle son Nicol, runs Well Hung and Tender, and Ross, in his final year at school, is particularly keen on the farm.

In fact, Donald says, it’s been several years since he’s actually seen a lambing at Castlehills, as each February he heads out to Australia to cater at the Adelaide version of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, leaving Sarah, Ross and Nicol in charge of the lambing shed.

“That’s one of the reasons that we AI, as it means we can control when and how long the lambing period will be.Then from April, through to September, we are very busy with Well Hung and Tender, so the sheep get little attention before the sales, and we have absolutely no time for showing,” says Donald.

But although the Texels are a sideline to the family’s main business, Donald says it’s important that they ‘wash their face’, and AI also allows them access to top breeding when they’re not in a position to spend huge amounts on stock tups. And, he notes, with smaller numbers, they can also be very selective in what they keep – just one or two of the best gimmers each year.

“Pedigree breeding can get addictive; the incentive is trying to breed something really special – that’s what we’re striving for and that’s what keeps us in it. But, there’s a lot of luck involved with a small flock like ours and we need to be realistic.The 2016 trade was amazing, but we certainly don’t expect that every year.

The fact that a lot of our females have gone on and bred well for other flocks is really satisfying too.”

Donald is fairly confident that the breed as a whole is going in the right direction and that breeders are now more aware of potential breeding issues.

“I’d say that skins are so much better than they used to be, and there are a lot of long, good ended sheep going about now.

Mastitis and breathing problems are issues that people seem a lot more aware of now and are willing to do something about.

“I think Texel breeders are generally quite progressive – they know what’s wanted commercially and they respond to it and that’s why the breed has lasted so long and continues to go from strength to strength.”

Lifestyle

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Left hand ewe is KMR1400339, right hand ewe is KMR1400355, both by Duncryne Uber Cool

Maineview Texels

Andrew Kennedy - Ballymena

W

ith a history in Texels going back most of his life Andrew Kennedy of the Maineview flock, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, is clear about the best way to manage his flock of 15 ewes.

“For me maintaining a small, elite flock and using embryo transfer to proliferate those genetics is the best way forward.

It makes the most sense and allows me to deliver top quality stock all the time.

“From a management point of view it means we have a couple of busy spells lambing, but that’s it. And, bearing in mind that I also have off-farm employment the concentrated lambing spell it delivers is a significant help too.”

Andrew flushes ewes twice in the season, once in early September and again a month later in early October, giving lambing batches for early February and early March.

Andrew Kennedy

“It’s not how we’ve always done things, says Andrew who runs the flock with help from his

mother, Helen, wife, Caroline, and sister, Sara. “We would have run more ewes in the past, but over the last five or six years this is the way we’ve gone. Of course it’s not without its costs, but it does deliver good uniform batches of lambs which can be managed well. Also it means we are focussed on lambing for a week and can then get back to other work which includes 36,000 broiler chickens and heifers which are reared on contract each winter.”

Foundations for the flock were bought in the mid 1990s from a number of sources, including Caroline Hasting’s Courthill flock as well as the Carson family’s Downkillybegs flock and the Garngour flock too.

“They were some good foundation lines and at one point we would have been up to about 30 ewes, but in recent years I’ve culled out the poorer performers and concentrated on those which can deliver the sheep we need. In fact I’d go so far as to say if we could guarantee getting a good flush off every ewe every year we could cut back to less than 10 ewes and still deliver the number of quality stock we do at the moment,” explains Andrew.

He also says that by only keeping a small flock it affords him the chance to keep one or two top quality gimmers each year and sell some classy females too. “Without a doubt it’s the female trade which drives the flushing for many flocks, ourselves included, and while we aren’t involved in an in-lamb sale at the moment, we have enjoyed a good trade for empty gimmers sold at both National and Club sales in recent years, including selling to a top of 2000gns for a gimmer sold to the Brackenridge flock of Andrew Neilson.”

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Gimmer is KMR1400379 a Curley Ted daughter and maternal sister to the gimmer sold to Brackenridge

Wife Caroline with daugher Ella

Andrew says that while the flock hasn’t enjoyed the glittering success of some it continues to deliver solid averages for both males and females, with plenty of gimmers selling for 1000gns or more.

“Having one at 10,000gns or more would be nice I’m sure, but only if you can sell the rest well too.There’s no point having one dear sheep and the rest not being up to the standard.”

A ewe which has been performing well in recent years is KMR1400339, a Duncryne Uber Cool daughter out of a dam by Ettrick Rainbow Warrior, with Andrew saying she is a ewe which clicks well with a range of sires.“Her dam was the same, she’d knit with a range of tups and deliver the goods every time.”

When it comes to the male side of things Andrew points to Maineview Lionheart as being one of the highlights of the flock’s sales, when he sold for 5800gns to Tom Bailey’s flock in Eire. He was the sire of both the €18,000 Baileys Moneymaker and the €30,000 Baileys Mega, both of which sold to John Forsyth’s Glenside flock.

But it is the future of the breed which excites Andrew more and particularly the impact which new breeding technologies such as genomics could have in the years to come.“Working in the dairy sector I’ve seen the massive impact genomics has had on dairy breeding and can see it being a really useful tool in the sheep sector too.

“Importantly I think it will be most beneficial in finding those bloodlines with relevant health traits which is where it is paying real dividends in the dairy industry.That said it will be important to remember it is another tool in the breeding programme rather than being the sole driver of breeding decisions. It has the potential to really revolutionise the breed, but must be used carefully, I believe.”

Back in the present day and Andrew is focussed on getting the best possible start for lambs, with the early Februaryborn ET lambs remaining inside on their dams for up to six weeks, depending on weather and ground conditions. “We can’t really get them out any earlier than that and the grass isn’t really coming forward any earlier either. On top of that, having invested the money in flushing it makes no sense to me to put the lambs out early and hope they thrive. They’re hardy lambs and could handle it, but it just isn’t a risk worth taking, particularly with me spending a fair amount of time away from the farm during daylight hours.

“At least this way I can check, feed and bed them before I go in the morning and do the same in the evening when I get back.

Later born lambs don’t stay in so long, but do get a couple of weeks to settle before being turned out.”

In keeping with the aim of making the most of the lambs Andrew likes to wean them fairly early, taking the older lambs off their dams in mid-May to allow them a bite of better grass on either reseeds or aftermath. “That helps keep the ram lambs growing on ready for the sales and at that stage they’re not getting anything really from their mothers so I’d sooner see them weaned and growing on. Obviously the later lambs aren’t weaned so early, but they do follow a similar pattern, being weaned in early to mid-June maybe.”

With all rams sold as lambs having well grown lambs by the autumn sales season is vital and earlier weaning helps in this regard, says Andrew. “We don’t run any on to shearlings as I’m a firm believer that if they’re not good enough to make lambs they won’t make good shearlings either. That said we generally only sell females as gimmers as there is a limited market for ewe lambs and gimmers sell well.”

Going forward Andrew says the aim will be to continue to build on the solid female base the flock already has and keep improving the quality of the ewes. “Embryo transfer will continue to play a big part in our management programme as I feel it remains the best way of developing the flock and the breed.”

Lifestyle

www.texel.co.uk

Spring 2017

13

Sales

The invitational in-lamb sales once again proved a popular source of new genetics for many in the breed, with prices peaking at 15,000gns at the Christmas Stars Sale, Carlisle, with this price paid for a gimmer from the Sportsmans flock of Messrs Boden and Davies.

Christmas Stars Taking the best bid on the day was an extra to the catalogue, BGS1501682, an ET bred daughter of the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid out of a dam by Milnbank Special One. She sold with a single ET pregnancy as luck and was subject to a flurry of bids before being knocked down to Jim Innes for the Strathbogie flock, Huntly, Aberdeen.

Highest price at Invitation sales Boden & Davies - Sportsmans, sold for15,000gns - Christmas Stars, Carlisle

Then at 13,000gns was BGS1501755, another Vicious Sid daughter. This one is ET bred out of a Tullylagan Tonka dam and sold in lamb to the 52,000gns Clinterty Yogi Bear. She was taken by Robert Evans, Hope Valley, Shropshire.

Vicious Sid’s breeder Robert Cockburn was next in the money, taking 12,000gns for a Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold daughter out of a dam by Baltier Rascal I. She was carrying to Clintery Yuag Khan and was knocked down to Keith, Alan and Roy Campbell for their Cowal flock, Lochgoilhead, Argyll.

Another bid at the same level saw Jim Innes recoup some of his earlier outlay when selling his best, IJS1501358. This Aman Vyrnwy daughter is out of a dam

by Glenside Razzle Dazzle and sold inlamb to the homebred Strathbogie Yes Sir. She was bought by Kenny Pratt for the Hilltop flock, Peterculter.

The final five figure bid of the sale came for Robbie Wilson’s best of the day, LYM1501843, a Glenside Valhalla daughter out of a dam by Teiglum Tornado and in-lamb to Strathbogie Yes Sir. Buying this one was W K Duthie.

Twilight The Twilight Texels sale of in-lamb gimmers and ewe lambs saw a top call of 5000gns, with a good trade for all consignments.

Heading up the prices was a gimmer from the Wilkinson family’s entry, WGA1502063 from their Arkle flock.

This Milnbank Van Wilder daughter is out of a dam by Curley Orlando and sold in lamb to the 24,000gns Midlock Yorkie.

She carries an index of 256 and was bought by A E Jones, Llangadog, Dyfed.

This one, which goes back to Muiresk Northern Dancer sold carrying twins to the 60,000gns Clinterty Yuga Khan and was knocked down to Myfyr Evans, for the Rhaeadr flock, Denbigh.

Second best at 4500gns was a gimmer from the Loosebeare flock of the Quick family, with this being QEL1505538, a Whitehart Spot On daughter out of a dam by Loosebeare Oh Yes and in-lamb to the homebred Loosebeare Voomer.

This one sold in a two-way split to Thomas and Vicky Illingworth, Lockerbie, and C Cornthwaite, Clitheroe. Then making 4000gns was one from the Bennett family’s Plasucha flock. This gimmer, BFE1505109, sired by Crailloch Va Va Voom, she is out of a Connachan Sharky daughter and sold in-lamb to Eden Valley Wiz Kid and with an index of 301. Buying this one was J G Morton, Kirkland, Penrith.

Second best of the sale at 7000gns was an Ettrick gimmer from Gordon Gray, Selkirk. This was GGH1505123. Again ET bred she is by the homebred Ettrick Vagabond and out of a dam by Ettrick Sir Alan and going back to Thinacres Grenade. She was again in-lamb to the 60,000gns Yuga Khan and was the choice of D Morrison, Dalwyne, Barr, Girvan.

Select Seven Meanwhile, first time consigners Hugh and Alan Blackwood’s led the way at the Select Seven in-lamb sale, Lanark, when collecting a bid of 12,000gns for their first in the ring, BYZ1513205, an ET bred daughter of Knap Vicious Sid out of a Cowal bred dam by Kelso Pavaroti.

Then making 5000gns was Robert Laird’s best of the day from the Cambwell consignment, LTC1502359. Sired by Hilltop Valhalla she is out of a dam by Llangwm Nut and goes back to the noted Cambwell Laird. She sold having been AI’d to Cambwell Trademark and was bought by Messrs Boden and Davies for the Sportsmans flock.

Northern Stars And at the Northern Stars sale, Ballymena, it was a 10,000gns bid for a gimmer from Alistair, Jack and Beth Gault, with this being a gimmer from the Cherryvale consignment, GCN1501462.

Sales

14 Spring 2017

www.texel.co.uk

She is a Duncryne Uber Cool daughter out of a dam by Knock Papoose and sold in lamb to Usk Vale Warlord.

Buying her was Charlie Boden for the Sportsman flock, Macclesfield. Then making 5000gns was a full ET sister to the sale topper, GCN1501461. This one was carrying to Halbeath Woody and sold to John Greene, Larhill, Co Donegal.

Third top of the evening was another from the Gault family, this time from the Forkins flock in the form of GAF1501396. This triplet born Uber Cool daughter is out of a dam by Duncryne Ringmaster and sold in-lamb to Usk Vale Warlord. She was knocked down at 4200gns to John Greene again.

Northern Lights The same weekend saw the Northern Lights Sale, a Strathbogie Top Secret daughter, in lamb with twins to Sportsmans Yogi Bear, led the sale for the Springwell flock of Henry Gamble, Groomsport, selling to Adrian Liggett’s Corbo flock for 3000gns.

Second highest price of the day, selling to 2700gns was a smart gimmer from David Warwick’s Braehead pen. A Tophill Union Jack daughter she sold in-lamb to Sportmans Yaya and was purchased by A Smith.

January Gems Also in Northern Ireland, the January Gems sale on the first Saturday of the New Year, proved to be a real winter warmer with a 98% clearance of sheep forward.

Prices held well with a strong Cowal Viceroy daughter in lamb to Haddo Yoyo from the Curley flock of John Trimble topping the sale at 2900gns. She sold to local breeders James Owens and Luke Finlay for their Ballynulto flock.

The Curley flock also secured joint second highest price of the day with a Brackenridge Transformer daughter selling in lamb to Glenside Valhalla. She changed hands for 2100gns and joins the Glenroe flock of Sean McCloskey, Claudy.

Also selling at 2100gns was a Springwell Vieira daughter out of a Waen Maraddona dam bred by Brian Williamson and Adrian Liggett. She sold in-lamb to Glenside Wild Boy and joined the Derryvore Flock, of Owen and Liam Donohoe, Co Fermanagh.

National Show & Sales - guidance and information We hope you are all looking forward to the 2017 National Shows & Sales.

To ensure they run smoothly remember the following...

Wool Inspections at National Sales.

The Wool Inspection teams will be in attendance at all four National Shows & Sales. Entries which, in the Inspectors opinion, are found to have been dressed, trimmed or clipped will be rejected from the Show & Sale as per Bye Law 11.6. Additionally, sheep failing the wool inspection will not be permitted to be fully registered until 1st November in the following year, nor will any resulting progeny from them be permitted to be birth notified until the following year.

Bye Law 11.6 No dressing, trimming, clipping or excessive use of dips on the fleeces of sheep will be permitted. No artificial whitening on any part of the sheep is permitted. If an inspector is present at the sale they have the authority to disqualify any sheep, which in their opinion, are below a minimum standard with regard to breed type or are found to be contravening the Society Bye-laws, right up to the point of sale.

The decision of the Inspectors shall be final and failure to accept the inspector’s decision will result in the entire consignment being rejected. Additionally, sheep failing the wool inspection will not be permitted to be fully registered until 1st November in the following year, nor will any resulting progeny from them be permitted to be birth notified in the following year.

Substitutes at National Sales.

Greater support for those members that wish to substitute entries into Nationals...

Substitutes may be made in writing free of charge up until 7 days prior to the Sale and Show start date and then late substitutes are allowed up until 72 hours prior to the Sale and Show start date for a fee of £12.00 (Including VAT). More details and dates will be included in the pre-entry sales leaflet sent to all members in May. Clarification for entry conditions to the Performance Recorded Texel Show classes Entries into the Performance Recorded Classes will be limited to those rams that have an overall index within the top 10% of the breed evaluation and published in the sales catalogue Publication of EBVs in any Society Catalogue will be restricted to only those animals that have been Ultra Sound scanned. This is to ensure that the EBVs included in the catalogues are as accurate as possible ensuring purchaser confidence is maintained.

Sales www.texel.co.uk

Spring 2017

15

Sales

Regional Club - In-Lamb roundup 2016

Society National Shows & Sale Dates 2017 Scotland - Lanark Wednesday 23rd & Thursday 24th August Judge: John Eirian Davies - Teilo

Solway & Tyne - Sportsmans BGS1501715 - Overall champion and top price female for 2016 sold for 6800 gns

Wales - Welshpool Saturday 26th August Judge: Charlie Boden Sportsman’s & Mellor Vale England - Worcester Monday 28th & 29th Tuesday August Judge: David Clark - Garngour, Teiglum & Clarks Northern Ireland - Ballymena Wednesday 6th & 7th Thursday September NEW SALE Judge: Nigel Hamill DATE Ballynadrenta

Solway & Tyne Best price of the season being a 6800gns call at the Club’s in-lamb female sale at Carlisle, with this paid for the presale show champion, a Knap Vicious Sid daughter from Messrs Boden and Davies Sportsmans flock. Sale leader was BGS1501715, a gimmer out of a dam by the 42,000gns Tullylagan Tonka and going back to Craighead Hercules.

She sold to Vaughan Farms, Kingsland, Leominster. Then making 2000gns was another similarly bred gimmer by Vicious Sid and out of a Tonka dam. She sold with an index of 275 and was the pick of Kay Castle,Washingley, Peterborough.

Selling at 1500gns was a ewe from Richard Wilson’s Eden Valley flock. This was the first prize ewe and reserve overall champion, WEV1400263. She’s a Sportsmans Tremendous daughter out of a dam by Deveronvale Perfection and sold carrying to Hexel Wildcard. Buying her were H C and L A MacGillivary, Oban, Argyll.

North West The Sportsmans flock also enjoyed a good day’s trading in the New Year at the North West Texel Breeders Club sale at Chelford, peaking at 5000gns for the pre-sale champion. This sale leader is a daughter of the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid out of a dam by Milnbank Special One and sold in-lamb to Strathbogie Whiplash.

She was bought by the Morrison family,

Girvan, Ayrshire. Second best was another from the same pen and similarly bred and again carrying to Whiplash. She sold at 3700gns to P Castle, Washingley, Peterborough.

Next best at 2600gns was the Bradley flock of Robert and Ryan Bradley, Salterforth, Barnoldswick, with a gimmer

by Tophill Union Jack out of home-bred ewe by Anglezarke Uno and in-lamb to Bryn-y-Coed Yogi Bear. She found a new home on Anglesey with Richard Hughes.

Trade then hit 2400gns for the Ettrick flock of Gordon and David Gray, Selkirk, for an Ettrick Sir Alan-sired gimmer out of a ewe by Glenside Razzle Dazzle and carrying lambs to Hallrig-Y-Not. She was again the choice of the Morrison family, Ayrshire.

Gloucester & Border Counties The Gloucester and Border Counties Texel Club’s ‘Christmas Present’ in-lamb sale recorded a bumper attendance, almost total clearance and a top price of 1050gns for an in lamb gimmer and the pre-sale show reserve champion from the Quick family’s Loosebeare flock. This Whitehart Taylor Made daughter carrying twins to Whitehart Ultra Modern being secured by Steve and Sarah Gibbons, Hay on Wye. The Loosebeare prefix enjoyed a sound following throughout and sold two Hull House Special Brew daughters both carrying twins at 900gns for the fifth prize winner to Daniel Bunting,

Berkhamstead, Herts and 680gns to Helen Link, Romney Marsh, Kent.

A strong consignment from Jim and Nicola Hartwright’s Whitehart flock enjoyed a flying demand topping at 950gns for the fourth prize winner, a Langside the Gaffer daughter due with twins to Loosebeare Voomer’ taken

by David and Thomas Bradley-Farmer, Petersfield. The same buyers also took the first prize winner also carrying twins, but this time to Loosebeare Yahoo at 850gns. The third prize winner also from Whitehart by Humeston River Dance levelled at a creditable 640gns to Angela Small, Evesham, Worcs.

Dyfed At the Dyfed Texel Club in-lamb sale trade hit a high of 1100gns for the first prize gimmer and reserve overall champion from Tomos Evans’ Welsh flock, with this gimmer carrying to Strathbogie Ya Patch and bought by Messrs Lloyd, All Pumps. Second best at 1050gns was the pre-sale champion and first prize aged ewe, again from the Welsh flock, with this Llangwm ewe by Kelso Picasso selling to the evening’s judges Evan and Sian Davies and again in lamb to the Strathbogie sire.

Then at 820gns was a gimmer from Willy Davis’ Usk Vale consignment. Sired by Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold and in-lamb to the 35,000gns Strathbogie Ya Belter she was bought by Howell Harvard, Trecastell.

Sales

16 Spring 2017

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Northern area Further north James Robinson’s Kaker Mill flock, Carnforth, Lancaster, set the sales ring alight at last weekend’s Northern Area Texel Club in-lamb sale when his second prize shearling ewe, a February, 2015, daughter of Stainton Vigilante, topped the sale at 2200gns and found a new home on the east coast with Chris Riby, who runs the Stonehills flock at Fraisthorpe, Bridlington. Out of the highly regarded homebred Hilltop Predator daughter, Kaker Mill Sophia, the Skipton sale leader was sold in lamb to Anglezarke Uno. Second best at 1900gns was the pre-sale champion, a gimmer from Spiros Spyrou. She is by Stainton Vandal and out of a dam by Deveronvale Superb. Scanned carrying twin lambs to Stainton Young Blood, she sold for 1900gns to Luke Lodge in Doncaster.

Mr Robinson’s first prize ewe lamb and reserve champion was also a Vigilante daughter who achieved two class wins at Garstang and Kirkby Lonsdale Shows this summer. Out of another Hilltop Predator-sired ewe, she sold for 1500gns to Richard Wilson, Eden Valley Texels. In the opening show class for aged ewes, Mr Robinson claimed the winner’s red

rosette with another daughter of his consistently good breeder, Kaker Mill Sophia, this one by Castlecairn Red Arrow. Scanned in lamb to Knap you’re The Man the three-year-old joined J Bell, Scarborough for 1600gns.

South Wales Taking the top price at the South Wales Texel Club’s Christmas Lights in-lamb ewe sale was the champion from the pre-sale show, a gimmer from the Quick family’s Loosebeare flock. This is a Whitehart Spot On daughter carrying twins to Loosebeare Show Stopper and was knocked down at 900gns to J Saxton, Cowbridge. Second best at 850gns was the reserve champion from the pre-sale show from the Chave family’s Peacehay flock. This Blaencar Valiant daughter sold in-lamb to Clarks Wizard and went home with B G Greenow, Forest Coalpit.

Shropshire & Borders And a strong demand pushed prices to 3000gns three times at the Shropshire and Borders Texel Club in lamb sale at Welshpool, with all three of these coming from Robert Pierce’s Oldford flock, Chester. The first was at this money was the second shearling ewe through the ring PRE1500559, sired by Oberstown Usain Bolt and in-lamb to Anglezarke Uno. This one was bought by Gordon Gray, Ettrick.

The next at 3000gns was a Tophill Union Jack daughter in-lamb to Sportsmans Tremendous. And the last at 3000gns was a gimmer sired by Anglezarke Uno and in lamb to Hexel Wildcard . The dams of all three ewes went back to Mullan Supremacy. The Oldford flock also had ewes at 1800gns, 1700gns, 1500gns, 1300gns and 1200gns. Following was a shearling ewe from the Bennett family’s, Plasucha Flock. This one is sired by Plasucha Valentine and out of a homebred dam by Connachan Sharky.

In lamb to Brackenridge Young Gun she sold at 1600gns.

Scottish And wrapping up the club sales was the Scottish Texel Club’s sale at Lanark early in the New Year which peaked at 900gns for the reserve champion, a gimmer from Aberdeenshire breeder, Richard Reynolds, Peterculter.

The sale leader was a daughter of Glenside Valhalla out of a Blackstown ewe bought in Northern Ireland; she sold carrying twin lambs to Allanfauld Yahoo, to Campbeltown dairy farmer, Sandy Pirie.

The champion, a Garngour gimmer from Alan, Andrew and David Clark, Lesmahagow, sold next at 650gns to J and A Struthers, Boyleston, Cumnock. This was a daughter of Castlecairn Vavavoom, out of a ewe by Strathbogie Smokey Blue.

She changed hands carrying a pair to Garngour Yer Man.

Sales www.texel.co.uk

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17

The Youth Development Committee assists with the Society promotions, progress and development of initiatives aimed at young breeders and novice flocks for the benefit of the Members.

The YDP programme includes a wide variety of social and promotional events at Shows, Sales and Agricultural events throughout the year raising the profile of the Society and fundraising for charity.

We would like to welcome Jo Smith to the YDP Committee. Jo successfully gained a place on the Committee in November 2016 and helps run the Slapton Texels flock in Northamptonshire. After studying Agriculture at Harper Adams University, she has now returned home to pursue her passion on the family farm.

If you have any ideas to develop the YDP programme get in touch with your regional YDP Committee Member or email office@texel.co.uk

Through her participation on the YDP Committee, Jo would like to encourage all young Texel shepherds to have the confidence to join in and benefit from all that YDP has to offer. She says that the 5 Nations Event in 2015 gave her the opportunity not only to socialise with like-minded breeders, but to exchange ideas, which added to her experience and expertise in Texel Sheep.

We know that with her knowledge and enthusiasm, she will be an invaluable new member to the committee.

A

9-11 June 2017 E B D C

FIVE NATIONS EVENT 2017 An exciting three day event for teams from each of the five nations. Join us for a social weekend of fun and light-hearted competition in northern England, open to all young Texel breeders aged between 18 and 35.

Area A - Kerr Jarvie MBX 01764 681 589 or 07736 299632 Area B - Duncan Mellin MJH 01729 850 220

Itinerary includes a Friday evening barbeque and flock visit at Procters Farm, Saturday travel to Sportsmans for another flock visit and the start of our weekend competitions, including stock judging and other events, Saturday night out in Manchester* and late Sunday morning go-karting; the last of the weekend’s competitions. Accommodation is in Lancaster on Friday, Manchester on Saturday.

Tickets are £120 per person and inclu de: • • • • •

Area C - Johanna Smith HBS - 07521 143 505

A Barbeque on Friday night and Hog Roast on Saturday B & B accommodation in Lancaster and Manchester Coach travel between hotel and venues Flock visits to Sportsmans and Procter s Farms All competition elements, including rodeo bull and go-karting

The Drumgooland Shield goes to the

winning team.

Area D - Anna MinniceHughes - SJP - 01938 850 265 or 07979 381285 Area E - Adrian Liggett LIG - Chairman 02882 841 691 or 07766 146624

Spaces are limited, so book by 3 April 2017. For more information see www.texel.co.uk/5nations or contact Duncan on 07540 053431. Email: ydp@texel.co.uk *Manchester night out is not included in the price.

Youth Focus

18 Spring 2017

www.texel.co.uk

NEW ZEALAND TRIP OF A LIFETIME! John Brown - Culsh Texels A 16 day whirlwind tour of New Zealand, which was organised by the SAYFC Agri and Rural Affairs Committee, was a trip of a lifetime. We flew into Auckland on the 28th of November and straight into the first visit at GEA technologies where they specialise in making milking parlours. This was the first of more than 25 farm visits across the two islands. A range of topics were covered on the visits including beef, sheep, arable, dairy, fruit and vegetables, adding value, research, mental health and resilience to name but a few.

I was blown away by the scale of all the enterprises we got to see. Stock numbers on farms with cattle numbers in the thousands and sheep numbers in tens of thousands. With these numbers grass management is key, with most farmers using a computer program and measuring grass heights to calculate how much dry matter is being grown on a farm and to predict how much stock units they can run throughout the season.

John Brown (far right back row) with his fellow SAYFC Agri & Rural Affairs travelers.

One of the highlights of the trip for me was a visit to Forest Range Merinos. The station had been in the Russell family for more than 100 years. They run 20,000 ewes which are bred to produce as fine wool as possible, with the current average being 13.2 microns. Lambs that are not retained for breeding are shorn before being sold store, the farmer who buys them keeps the lambs until they are two tooth’s so he can get them sheared before putting them to slaughter. As the wool price has dropped over the last 10 years the family has had to develop other markets and are now focusing on a high-end market mostly exporting to China.

Another favourite visit was to Mount Linton were they run 800 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cows, 2500 commercial AberdeenAngus cows and 40,000 ewes on 13,000ha. The cattle enterprise is based on producing as much marbling in the beef as possible, they are doing this by importing Australian genetics and selecting breeding females on marbling EBVs and then by their look. After weaning cows are put to the hill for the winter where they are expected to lose condition for three months.

Once winter is over they are taken back down to the lower ground to calve and go back to the bull.

The commercial sheep are mostly Romtex ewes which are crossed with a Suftex for prime lambs and Romtex for replacements. Like most farms we saw lambs are weaned at 12 weeks old and every lamb over 32kglw went straight to slaughter and the rest went onto a red clover lay. The reason for weaning at 12 weeks of age was for grass management with common consensus being that if the lambs were left on their mothers the mothers walk in front of their lambs eating all the best green shoots and leaving the poorer grass for the lambs.

With the lambs weaned although there might be fewer lambs fit for slaughter at the start of the season, the whole crop of

John was blown away by the scale of all enterprises he visited.

lambs finish quicker as a bunch. The fat lamb price was about NZ$5.72, which converts roughly to £3.40/kg deadweight and prime cattle were fetching $6.10, roughly £3.80/kg.

The pedigree breeders in NZ have a very commercial mindset.

They aim to produce a product that is quick to finish off the feed that can be produced on the farm. Many commercial farmers will buy their replacements, whether bulls or rams, on figures and never actually see their purchase until it comes home. This is because farmers feel that figures are reliable and the days of producing stock for show rings has long gone.

I would like to thank the Texel Sheep Society for their support on part funding this amazing trip, through their YDP programme.

For lots more information on the study trip and a report on each visit go to www.sayfcblog.wordpress.com

Youth Focus www.texel.co.uk

Spring 2017

19

Managing inbreeding rates in the National Texel Flock Article produced in conjunction with Karolina Kaseja, EGENES Geneticist and Emma Steele, Signet Breeding Consultant.

I

nbreeding or linebreeding is a breeding strategy sometimes used by breeders to enhance specific breeding characteristics and involves the mating of two individuals that share common ancestors. The closer the two individuals are related, the more genes they have in common. Whilst this can prove useful in increasing the frequency of favourable characteristics in a flock, it also increases the risk of an accumulation of recessive harmful genes that can negatively affect flock performance. A balance needs to be struck between optimising rates of genetic gain, using the best individuals for breeding and minimising levels of inbreeding.

To what extent an individual is inbred can be shown by the inbreeding coefficient (reported as an F value) and can be calculated when the parentage of an individual is known for at least three generations. It is deemed that an inbreeding coefficient of 7% or less is an acceptable level of inbreeding within a breeding programme if producers are to avoid inbreeding depression, where performance will suffer.

Recent analysis of inbreeding values within the Texel breed between the years 2000 and 2015 are shown in figure 1 (shown below).

In order for Texel breeders to control levels of inbreeding in their flocks BASCO with support from the Society and AHDB have developed a number of useful tools to assist breeders.

1. The inbreeding value (F value) of an individual is shown on the BASCO websearch with the pedigree, allowing breeders to assess the level of inbreeding for that individual (providing at least three previous generations are known).

An example is shown here: This example is taken from the BASCO Web Search for a Texel ewe bred in the Antur flock This animal has an inbreeding coefficient of 1.9% Her sire has an inbreeding coefficient of 2.6% Her dam has an inbreeding coefficient of 1.6%

The rate of increase in inbreeding slowed from 2008 to 2010, however in more recent years the inbreeding rate has begun to significantly increase again making inbreeding a current issue that needs to be closely monitored and managed within the Texel breed.

2. Software developed with support from a KTN Spark Award

by SRUC/EGENES and available on BASCO helps breeders to calculate inbreeding coefficients for future matings. Texel breeders can make informed breeding decisions; create a breeding report indicating the inbreeding values expected should specified individuals be mated. Using this software the breeder can select the most favorable (least inbred) pairing and print this list for easy use.

Visit the Society Breed Development website pages or Signet website for further information on how to use this useful software.

The number of Texel lambs born with an inbreeding value above the recommended level of 7% has also increased in recent years.

This is shown in Figure 2 (shown below).

Technical Corner

20 Spring 2017

www.texel.co.uk

Use of Embryo Transfer in the Texel Breed - A rising trend

The Board monitors key physical and financial A risingSociety trend - ET Birth Notifications as a percentage of total Birth Notifications performance indicators in the Society. This includes a variety of trends, as you would expect, to include performance of Caption for graph in right hand column ram sales, registrations, birth notifications etc and these are reported to the membership from time to time in various ET born ram lamb entries Society National sales as a percentage of ram lambs publications and entered on thein towebsite. entered.

A rising trend - ET Birth Notifications as a percentage of total Birth Notifications

14%

Members have also been concerned with a reducing choice of breed lines at national sales, and the effect potentially increasing the level of inbreeding across the entire breed. Whilst the choice of ram use and technology most suitable for use within any flock still remains a decision for the individual member. The income derived from this fee will help support registry database and breed development activity, along with general funds, out by the Society.

ET carried Ram Lambs Catalogues entries as a percentage of total at National Sales

60% 55%

45%

35%

10%

57%

56% 52%

51%

53%

50%

40%

12%

ET born ram lamb entries entered in to Society National sales as a percentage of ram lambs entered.

65%

Percentage

T

he Society has an enviable reputation in industry of supporting new technologies from “research into practice� and currently is engaged in pioneering the use of genomic technology in the Texel breed, more information on this is available on page 22. The Board continue to be fully committed by allowing member’s access to all technologies that Captionchoose for graph in to left hand they usecolumn for the development of their flocks.

43% 36%

49%

42%

60% 51% 50%

NI

47%

Scot

42%

Wales

41%

England

36%

Percentage

30% 2013

8%

2014

2015

2016

Year 6%

Graph displays the level of influence of ET born ram lambs entered to Society National sales. The A major purpose of the Society is the advancement the of the effect of ET on th trend, other than the Welsh National is upwards.

Providing moreof evidence Texel Texel breed and this includes, developing and supporting new National flock and at their Premier breeding sales.

4% 2% 0% 2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Embryo BNs

The Society also engages with consultants and geneticist to ascertain genetic trends within the breed. A recent study commissioned by the society and produced by Abacus Bio NZ provided some useful economic information and this was reported in the November 2016 bulletin.

A variety of Information is available in this bulletin to help keep members well informed. In particular page 20 outlines a recent study on Inbreeding in Texel breed. Whilst at a breed level it is still within the acceptable range. The trend is upwards (see graphs on page 20) and over the next decade individual breeders are encouraged to manage inbreeding in their own flocks and help ensure inbreeding at a breed level is managed.

technologies to ensure they are available for use by all members and publishing information to allow the membership to be fully informed on a variety of topics. Individual flocks are all tasked with the challenge to increase genetic improvement of commercial traits and ensure the breed evolves and meets commercial market requirements. It is individual flocks that make the necessary changes at the flock level and help make the breed what it is today.

The Board will continue to monitor the impact of fees, registry changes, and the level of use of technologies and adjust policy appropriately over the coming years and remains firm that freedom of choice is important for individual members.

Especially when it comes to choosing a variety of technologies available to them for their own flock breeding requirements.

In August 2016 all members were provided with notice by letter informing them of a new schedule of fees for 2017 Birth notifications. This was introduced for a variety of reasons including consistent feedback by members over a number of years, relating to their concern of the negative effect on some traits, largely maternal traits, from the excessive use of ET.

Technical Corner www.texel.co.uk

Spring 2017

21

How suited is the Texel breed to genomic technology?

T

exel Society involvement in genomic technology should not be underestimated, due to the early adoption of this latest technology in the global sheep industry.

Whilst it has been successful to date for other species, largely dairy, it is highly challenging for any individual sheep breed or an industry body to justify a jump into the genomics era, as a large investment is required and all populations are likely not suited, or will struggle to gain any benefit from the technology.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds at a single breed level and millions at a multi breed industry level is required. Add to those initial costs, the legacy funds required, which can be tens of thousands of pounds, to support future genotypic and phenotypic collection, especially for hard to measure traits, and such a decision is not without its challenge for any organisation.

populations to offer any useful return for individual breeders that require accurate breeding values. For an evaluation to be robust requires thousands of single breed genotypes and preferably tens of thousands to be effective.

So why does it suit the Texel breed? The Texel population is very large with Texel breeders providing, in volume, well recorded measurements each year to add to those collected over the last three decades, the society provides a pedigree tree that has over 1.5million pedigrees and supports the collection of a rising level of genotypes and new novel trait measurements of hard to measure health traits.

The drive for providing a sustainable genomic services model through the exploitation of the Society own R&D activities is a new era and something the Society hopes to continue to lead as part of its breed development responsibility, whilst continuing the strong collaborative relationship with research organisations.

The investment in this new technology, by the Society, sets us clearly as a market leader, and breaks new ground in the development of novel technologies available at a breed level for the benefit of the membership. The Society involvement in the new genomic technology stretches back to 2010 with the collaboration with AgResearch NZ. Also, initial work on footrot using performance recorded Texels in 2006, by SRUC, used genome wide association studies and this early work has helped set the standard used today.

As a Society we have always had a progressive outlook and recently identified the commercial need for better tools for our breeders to support genetic improvement of health traits. The breed has a high commercial influence and large market share, which also helps justify the level of investment at a commercial level. Future financial benefits of genetic improvement from the use of Texel breed are predicted to be significant, amounting to ÂŁ244million between 2016 and 2035.

Any level of genetic improvement at the Texel breed level is known to be worth millions in production efficiencies at an industry level. Genomics requires big numbers and big

California Mastitis Test in action, thicker the liquid, the higher the infection in the sample

Technical Corner

22 Spring 2017

www.texel.co.uk

What is a GEBV and how will I be able to use it?

Genomic Breeding Values (GEBVs) use information relating to a ewes’ DNA and performance. They’re calculated differently to conventional EBVs, but used and interpreted in the same way. DNA from other animals can ultimately be compared and evaluated against this library of DNA and performance records from thousands of animals, to predict breeding merit.

The benefits of GEBVs are greatest for financially important traits that are expensive or difficult to measure, have a low heritability and that can only be measured in one sex and/or later in life such as maternal traits or longevity. Using GEBVs can speed up genetic improvement because they can be estimated for an animal shortly after it is born once a DNA sample has been collected, although this is still quite costly for routine use at a flock level. This means that you could select ‘footrot-resistant’ rams (for example) shortly after birth without having to wait for them to mature, and have progeny of their own to assess.

What is needed for Genomic Selection?

The key requirement for ‘Genomic Selection’ is the creation of a reference population. Representative of the general population, from which detailed phenotype (or trait) data is recorded and DNA collected from thousands of animals well-

linked, genetically, to the wider population. This is part of our phenotyping farm initative and through the genomics of mastitis research has helped create our genomic database.

GEBVs will be built into Texel breeding information over the coming months. It is important that we keep collecting performance records (measurement scores) on these traits and others: as the amount of data available increases, so the accuracies of the GEBVs produced will improve. Current focus by the Society is to support the increased level of genotyping in our breed and the collection of health traits and initiate collection of carcase traits using image technology. Over the next few years we will also support the development of a Texel custom Chip. This will contain all the important genomic information at a breed level but will be provided at a much reduced cost. Essentially it will be a very informative low density breed Chip, with a cost potential of <£10 and will move Texel genomics to a wider audience due to its affordability.

The Society has invested considerable level of staff time and financial resources funded from a variety of internal and external sources to develop its reference population. The research on mastitis and footrot prevalence in the Texel breed is entering a new stage as we expand our data collection over the next three years.

Technical Corner www.texel.co.uk

Spring 2017

23

Using CT Scanning in your performance recorded flock â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more important than ever!

How do I benefit?

It is hoped that Texel performance recorders will have access to new and exciting traits by the end of 2017. With further consideration by the Society on developing genomic breeding values over the next few years, Now more than ever CT scanning should be seriously considered to maximise genetic improvement in your flocks of commercially valuable traits.

against weight at the time of scanning separated by vertebrae number. In general, as the number of vertebrae increases so does the total spine length of the animal e.g. at the same weight, a Texel with 20 total vertebrae is on average over 2cm longer than a Texel with 19 vertebrae.

Where can I CT scan my lambs?

Texel performance recorders have access to the brand new mobile SRUC CT scanning unit at a series of agreed locations throughout 2017, including the main site at Edinburgh.

With access to the new CT scanner and the creation of new CT derived EBVs, along with the development of Texel Society genomic programme, Texel recorders now more than ever should consider the benefits of CT scanning 5+ lambs from their flock.

The background Texel breeders have used Computed Tomography (CT) scanning to assess body composition of sheep for over 20 years. With the technology becoming cheaper and more accessible the Society continues to subsidise this underutilised technology and collaborates closely with SRUC and AHDB to promote its wider uptake in the breed.

Intramuscular Fat Increased levels of intramuscular fat (IMF) is often associated with increased eating quality in lamb. Too little IMF and the meat can sometimes be considered dry, tough and tasteless. In the past, levels of IMF within the loin could not be measured until the lamb was dead and hung up in the abattoir. By then it was too late to select superior stock for breeding.

CT derived data has been included into routine terminal sire breeding evaluations for many years and over 3,000 Texel lambs been scanned, providing a valuable phenotype resource. This has led to the creation and implementation of CT trait EBVs that are currently used by many Texel breeders, increasing the rates of genetic gain for carcase composition and related traits.

CT images provide the ability to record tissue densities. It has been proven to be a useful indicator of estimating the IMF content in the loin. Recent research which continues as part of the latest Society research projects, has supported the development of equations capable of building this data into evaluations to provide a proxy trait predicting meat eating quality in the live animal.

The Society, along with Signet Breeding Services, are working with SRUC to move forward and create new CT EBVs for commercially important carcase traits from both past, present and future CT images. As reported in the November bulletin two recently published PhDs completed at SRUC and using Texel data have provided the latest innovation and new commercially important EBVs. Spine Traits SRUC have been looking into the variation between individuals in spine traits detected by CT scanning. Included in this are values for total spine length and vertebrae number that can then be split into thoracic and lumbar regions.

Of the 3030 Texel lambs scanned with spine traits, lambs ranged from 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21 total vertebrae number. 1977 (65%) of lambs scanned had a total vertebrae number of 19 with only 7 (<1%) lambs in the dataset having 21 vertebrae. 39 (1.3%) lambs however had 18 vertebrae consisting of 12 thoracic and 6 lumbar vertebrae.

This provides scope to select for longer sheep through the creation of spine length and vertebrae number EBVs. The graph shows the total spine length of Texel lambs plotted

Breeders have been selecting for increased muscle growth in terminal sires for many years, some of the genes responsible for this will lead to leaner animals with less IMF which has negative effect on eating quality- taste and tenderness. The ability to select for improved IMF levels should allow breeders to breed fast growing Texels without the consumer compromise in meat eating quality and the possible financial implications that may accompany this.

New EBVs With greater access to these novel CT derived measurements in mind, AHDB Beef & Lamb have agreed to fund a team at SRUC to develop new EBVs for: 1. Vertebrae number and spine length (in both the thoracic and lumbar regions) 2. CT-predicted IMF 3. Eye muscle area in the loin The research will calculate heritability values for each trait, determine their genetic relationship to existing traits and assess the impact of their inclusion in current breeding programmes.

How can I book a place?

Book early to avoid disappointment.

Visit the Society Breed Development web pages for more information. Contact Kirsty McLean Tel: 01315 353250 Email: kirsty.mclean@sac.ac.uk.

Technical Corner

24 Spring 2017

www.texel.co.uk

Society Breed Development Strategy outlined

T

he Texel Sheep Society Breed Development Strategy aims to complement the Society “Memorandum of Association” and the Society’s “Charitable purpose”, as outlined in their respective documents.

The strategy provides the necessary strategic direction for the Board to apply over the next decade for the improvement and advancement of the Texel sheep breed.

Additionally it addresses how its own services need to evolve as part of an integrated Breed Development and Business support model and ensure the organisation is sustainable.

The Society ensures the views of all relevant stakeholders are represented through the consultancy activity and survey reports carried out. As well as empowering those stakeholders with information and decisionmaking influence, in their own flocks, to support genetic improvement of the Texel breed and the wider use of Texel genetics.

Breed development through genetic improvement is a long term process that requires investment at various levels in the organisation, to ensure momentum. This strategy therefore provides a definitive record of the objectives, goals and milestones that the Society can measure its charitable and business objectives against.

•

Breed benefits • Maintain and enhance the breeds reputation for consistency, quality and better financial return for lamb producers • Maintain and enhance market relevance and dominance by developing traits that are of commercial value

•

Breeder benefits • Maintain national demand for breeders animals • Minimise the risk of substitution for alternative meat breeds

•

Industry benefits • Provide opportunities to collaborate for mutual benefit • Provide opportunity to access for mutual benefit Texel derived phenotypes & genotypes • Provide opportunities to be associated with industry leading, innovative genomic projects

The Society commissioned a consultancy report from AbacusBio Ltd (extract published in the November Bulletin). AbacusBio were asked to examine the economic benefits of British Texel sheep genetics in UK Industry. The report produced in March 2016 and amongst others made four key recommendations;

1.

There should be increased focus on genetic improvement in maternal traits

2.

The priorities for maternal trait genetic improvement should be foot health, lambing ease, ewe size, mastitis, and research should focus on capturing data on, and developing EBVs for, these traits.

3.

Economic selection indexes should be developed which include EBVs for existing traits and for maternal traits as identified in 2.

4.

Considerable effort should be placed on educating both pedigree and commercial farmers on the importance of performance recording, EBVs, and selection indexes, as these tools are not seen as useful in the selection of rams.

Whilst some of these recommendations are not new and in fact are well known to the Society. Such as point 4, the report identifies current methods used by the Industry are not effective. As such the Society are tasked with identifying new methods, systems and forcing a paradigm change to ensure wider uptake of genetic improvement tools and recorded stock at a breed level for industry benefit.

Taking these factors into account the strategy has been developed that has three key objectives; 1. Develop TSS services to drive genetic improvement that benefits all members. This must be delivered by a sustainable business model (with a relevant governance structure) that shares the costs of achieving those benefits across the membership.

2. Accelerate the rate of genetic gain of Texel sheep, through the use of performance recording (as outlined in the Abacus Bio report) and by researching opportunities of genomic technology at a breed level.

To help ensure that the Texel breed maintains its market share as a terminal sire whilst developing its maternal influence further in the sheep industry.

3. Provide knowledge transfer and promotional activity to the wider sheep industry highlighting the benefits of genetic improvement and commercial use of the Texel breed for commercial value. Through performance recording and the enhancement of, by collecting hard to measure traits and the using genomic selection.

The Society’s recent success attracting large scale grants along with changes in rules and fees have helped support the implementation of many aspects of this strategy. The strategy will continue to be refined by the succession of Directors at the Society Board and adapted to meet with Society business, membership need and industry requirements over the next ten years and beyond.

Technical Corner www.texel.co.uk

Spring 2017

25

Year one Ram Compare update Launched in May 2015, more than 3600 lambs were born in RamCompare flocks in 2016, sired by 39 different rams. The eight sires used for AI averaged 30 lambs each. The aim for single sire natural service rams was to achieve 50 lambs per progeny group and this was achieved in all but one group.

Year one lambs per sire: Texel Sire ID

Texel Sire Prefix/Name

Natural Service / AI

# lambs/sire

AAS1401255

MISERDEN

Natural service

135

AAS1401351

MISERDEN VALEGRO

Natural service

75

CMG06129

GAYNES MAJOR

AI on three farms

92

EJR1101108

ROXBURGH SHOT GUN WILLIE

AI on three farms

98

MDY1400927

TYNEWYDD

Natural service

84

PAP1401307

PENYGELLI

Natural service

104 113

PJP1304727

DRINKSTONE UNION

Natural service

PPK1400417

KIMBOLTON VOYAGER

Natural service

72

UK 0 561473 11473

PIRNTATON

Natural service

79

Grand Total

852

Participating farms have gathered a huge amount of data following lamb growth throughout the season with the collection of detailed lambing data, eight-week, 90-day and sale weights. Data analysis of the first crop of lambs is underway.

Ram selection for second year The project received a total of 72 nominations for AI sires and 240 for natural service rams across the five breeds for year two.

All selected rams have estimated breeding values (EBVs) in the top 20% for their breed and provide variety to other rams on test. Linkage between other flocks is important, particularly for the rams destined for use by AI.

In 2016 an additional five sires were introduced to the AI team, each used on two or three farms to increase links between the project farms. All farms have used two AI sires for a second year.

Alongside this 24 new rams were selected for the natural service groups. Each of the project farms were provided with four new rams and some of last year’s rams were used for a second season to strengthen linkage between years.

New Texel sires for 2016 Stainton Vantage II, WPS1400599 joined the AI team this year alongside Gaynes Major and Roxburgh Shot Gun Willie, each sire was used on two farms this season.

• • • • • • •

Six new natural service Texel sires included: PAP1501802 Penygelli supplied by Alwyn Philips JER1505263 Rugley supplied by Alan Jackson HME1501742 Elkstone supplied by Matt Hobbs HTW1501312 Wealden supplied by Tim Healy PRH1500573 Handbank supplied by Peter Baber YDP1500991 Stonedge supplied by Matt Price

Results Following the second year of the project a full genetic analysis will be undertaken. Results will be presented in tables showing the top 25 rams across the five breeds involved for eight-week weight, scan weight, muscle depth and fat depth EBVs. Data from the project will be used to develop new EBVs for days to slaughter and carcase weight.

Early results will be previewed at the Sheep Breeders Round Table in November 2017. Data collection will complete in December and full results will be published in spring 2018.

Technical Corner

26 Spring 2017

www.texel.co.uk

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 March 1st 2017

2017 Male and Female Birth Notifications 1st Jan - 15th April in Year of Birth

16th April - 31st May in Year of Birth

1st June - 31st Dec in Year of Birth

1st January following year of Birth Onwards

Method

Online

Tel/Paper

Online

Tel/Paper

Online

Tel/Paper

Tel/Paper

Standard BN fees

£1.80

£2.03

£2.00

£2.25

£10.00

£11.25

£112.75

ET BN fees

(£2.16 Inc VAT)

(£2.44 Inc VAT)

(£2.40 Inc VAT)

(£2.70 Inc VAT)

(£12.00 Inc VAT)

(£13.50 Inc VAT)

£6.80

£7.03

£7.00

£7.25

£15.00

£16.25

(£8.16 Inc VAT)

(£8.44 Inc VAT)

(£8.40 Inc VAT)

(£8.70 Inc VAT)

(£18.00 Inc VAT)

(£19.50 Inc VAT)

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

Method

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

Online

Tel/Paper

Online

Tel/Paper

£5.25

£5.91

£5.70

£6.41

(£6.30 Inc VAT)

(£7.09 Inc VAT)

(£6.84 Inc VAT)

(£7.69 Inc VAT)

1st November year following YOB onwards

Online £8.50

(£10.20 Inc VAT)

(£135.30 Inc VAT)

Tel/Paper

Transfers (only fully registered sheep can be transferred)

Method

Paper £11.28

£9.56

(£13.54 Inc VAT)

(£11.47 Inc VAT)

Terms of Membership relating to fees (Please note new members Adult fees will now only be accepted by Direct Debit payment)

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

Method

1st Nov 31st Dec

Adult Joining Fee - £60.00 Inc VAT Annual Subscription fee - £54.21 Inc VAT 1st Jan 30th June

Tel/Paper £29.60

(£35.52 Inc VAT)

£44.40

(£53.28 Inc VAT)

£59.20

(£71.04 Inc VAT)

Fee applies to date DNA kit is 'received' back at the Society office

www.texel.co.uk

Junior (up to age 21) Joining Fee - Free Annual Subscription fee - £27.11 inc VAT The VAT Inclusive prices include VAT at 20% and may be adjusted at any time.

Issue of male registration certificates 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”.

Spring 2017

27

#addtexeladdvalue National Sales 23 - 24 August Scottish National Show & Sale LANARK Lawrie & Symington Tel: 01555 662 281

26 August Welsh National Show & Sale WELSHPOOL Welshpool Livestock Sales Tel: 01938 553438

28 - 29 August English National Show & Sale WORCESTER McCartneys Tel: 01905 769770

6 - 7 September - NEW DATE! Northern Ireland National Show & Sale BALLYMENA J A McClelland Tel: 028 2563 3470

Regional Sales 7 August BUILTH WELLS NSA Early Ram Sale Clee, Tompkinson & Francis Tel: 01874 622 488 13 August KENDAL NWA Jct 36 Tel: 01539566200

16 September WORCESTER McCartneys Tel: 01905 769 770

27 November THAINSTONE Aberdeen & Northern Mart Tel: 01467 623710

8 September KELSO For more details Tel: 01573 224188

19 September THAINSTONE Aberdeen & Northern Mart Tel: 01467 623710

30 November FFAIRFACH Ffairfach Livestock Mart Tel: 01267 236268

21 September CLITHEROE Auction Mart Tel: 01200 423325

2 December WORCESTER McCartneys Tel: 01905 769770

10 September LLANDOVERY Clee, Tompkinson & Francis Tel: 01874 622488

23 September CARLISLE Harrison &Hetherington Tel: 01228 06230

8 December CARLISLE Harrison & Hetherington Tel: 01228 406230

10-11 September RUTHIN Ruthin Farmers Auction Tel: 01824 702025

25 September BUILTH WELLS Main NSA Ram Sale Clee, Tompkinson &Francis Tel: 01874 622488

9 December SKIPTON Craven Cattle Mart Tel: 01756 792375

9 September NEWARK Society Sale Newark Livestock Market Tel: 01636 676741

16 August EXETER NSA SW Ram Sale Sue Martin Tel: 01409 271385 31 August GAERWEN Morgan & Evans Tel: 01248 421582 31 August – 1 September CARLISLE Harrison & Hetherington Tel: 01228 406230

14 September WILTON Southern Counties Tel: 01722 321215

2 September FFAIRFACH Ffairfach Livestock Mart Tel: 01267 236268 2 September SHREWSBURY Shrewsbury Livestock Auctioneers Tel: 01743 462620 8 September RUTHIN (DUTCH) Ruthin Farmers Auction Company Tel: 01824 702025

8 September ASHFORD Hobbs Parker Tel: 01233 502222

14 September LANARK Lawrie & Symington Tel: 01555 662281 14-15 September SKIPTON Craven Cattle Mart Tel: 01756 792 375 14 September BAKEWELL Bagshaws Tel: 01629 812777

28 September WELSHPOOL Welshpool Livestock Sales Tel: 01938553438 16 October WELSHPOOL Welshpool Livestock Sales Tel: 01938 553438 25 November NEWARK Society Sale Newark Livestock Market Tel: 01636 676741

15 December LLANDOVERY Clee, Tompkinson & Francis Tel: 01874 622488 21December WELSHPOOL Welshpool Livestock Sales Tel: 01938 553438 6 January 2018 CHELFORD Wright Marshall Tel: 01625 861122 13th January 2018 LANARK Lawrie & Symington Tel: 01555 662 281

Northern Ireland Sales 28 August RATHFRILAND Rathfriland Farmers Co-Op Tel: 028 4063 8493

15 September ENNISKILLEN Ulster Farmers Mart Tel: 028 6632 2218

2 September RUAS BALMORAL Richard Beattie’s Livestock Sales Tel: 028 8164 7105

20 September SWATRAGH Sperrin & Bann Valley Mart Tel: 029 7940 1335

14 September ARMOY D McAllister Tel: 028 2177 1227

21 September CLOGHER Clogher Mart Tel: 028 81647105

22 September LISAHALLY Richard Beattie’s Livestock Sales Tel: 028 8164 7105

27 September MARKETHILL Markethill Livestock Tel: 028 3755 1265

22 September HILLTOWN Hilltown Mart Tel: 028 4063 0287

6 October GORTIN Richard Beattie’s Livestock Sales Tel: 028 8164 7105

25 September BALLYMENA Co Antrim J A McClelland Tel: 028 2563 3470

9 October BALLYMENA Harvest Sale J A McClelland Tel: 028 25633470

www.texel.co.uk/sales for the latest sale information

4 December BALLYMENA J A McClelland Tel: 028 2563 3470

Dates correct as of 17/02/17