Texel Sheep Society Autumn Bulletin 2018

TEXEL The bulletin for all

Breeders A Texel Society Publication

OCTOBER 2018

iTexel conference set to inform p16 Sizzling summer of success for Haddo p58 Society AGM heads to Penrith p15

Best of the Best at Lanark p38

In Touch with Texel #addtexeladdvalue

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the UK, all with their own twists on how farmers will receive public cash in future.

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

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Inspiring Invaluable Membership Subscriptions are available by contacting the Society Office

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IntellectualAnimalInvolvement In health and welfare is also Identification likely to and development work in to the genetics of key diseases places members in a strong position in this respect.

From a trade point of view sheep returns have remained solid through much of the year, but increased costs have impacted margins for many and depleted forage stocks and rising feed costs will make for a difficult winter for many.

genetic improvement services will enable

Chief Executive

John Yates Innovative

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and main stream commercial sales remaining buoyant for the breed. Additionally, for the second time in the breed’s history this year two sheep have sold at six figure prices, underlining the confidence breeders have in the future of Texels.

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Alfie Shaw, Wayne Hutchinson

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I would urge anyone with an interest in the future of the breed to support two key events this autumn, firstly the Society’s iTexel conference at Penrith on Saturday 17th November, coinciding with the Society’s AGM and secondly the Youth Development Programme’s Big Day Out at Carlisle on Sunday 18th November.

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members and those with an interest in the

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Tel: 024 7669 6629 mprovement Informative

over recent years hasn’t gone away, but there

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by Texels is appreciated by committed commercial farmers looking to sustain profitable sheep farming businesses for the future.

breeders. I, the Society’s officers and staff look forward to seeing you there.

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while networking and socialising with fellow Innovative Inspiring Initiative Intellectual is no doubt the strength in depth offered Invaluable

Email: office@texel.co.uk

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

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That the breed remains the dominant force at these major sales is recognition of the breed’s ability to deliver added value lamb crops in a vast array of systems and environments and give farmers a versatile product that is in demand and able to attract premium payments from the processing sector via livestock marts or direct.

Informative Innovative Countrygirl Media, Tim Scrivener,

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no doubt the Society is a strong gathering of Initiative Intellectual like-minded people all keen to see Involvement the breed

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Contributors Informative Innovative Jonathan Long, Katie Waine and Kath Dun

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sheep for the commercial sector. This must be the ultimate goal for anyone involved in pedigree sheep production and will be essential to securing the breed’s future place in the industry.

However, despite this there is much to be

Treasurer Andy Barr Parkhouse flock

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breeders to deliver more robust, efficient Intellectual Involvement

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Like any business it is the people who make Inspiring Invaluable Intellectual Involvement optimistic about, with early breeder Initiative sales farming businesses successful and there is

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Roy Campbell Cowal and Royale flocks

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Chairman Steve Richardson Stonebridge flock

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farmers this year, with the snow of March and resulting late spring giving many lambs a far from ideal start and the extremely dry summer adding to the weather woes of 2018.

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environmental benefits of Texel sheep to breeders, commercial farmers, industry, and the public.”

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collaboration, increase the financial,

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policies and the Society’s extensive research Invaluable Initiative Intellectual Involvement Identification all manner of obstacles in the way of sheep

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doubt how many Society members are feeling after what has been a challenging year, both practically and economically.

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focus we would have liked, it is evident that

the Society’s own vision delivers much of Involvement Identification Integratio what government policy is targeting.

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InspiringWhile every Invaluable effort is made to Initiative 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.

What is becoming clear is that the Society’s membership in each of the home nations will ultimately be faced with different ways of accessing funding in future and much of the focus will be on the farmed environment rather than production agriculture.

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Improvement Informative Innovative Inspiring Invaluable Initiative Intellectual In touch with Texel @BritishTexel And it is to the future that we look, with new ce Improvement Informative Innovative InspiringJohn Invaluable Initiative Intellect #addtexeladdvalue Yates, Chief Executive agricultural policies being developed across

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October 2018 7

11

Society wins top award at Sheep Event

16

Sportsmans A Star takes Sire of the Year title

iTexel conference offers multitude of opportunities

21

Youngsters mark successful summer

NEWS

YOUTH FOCUS

TECHNICAL CORNER

6. Society membership adds value

18. TXL Day Out will inspire youngsters

7. NSA events prove worthwhile

20. YDP Education awards see students flourish

22. Society expands research and development work with international project

8. Avon Vale flock takes AHDB award

21. Young breeders enjoy summer of success

9. New board members elected 11. First season sire is A Star

24. Getting on top of lameness vital to success 26. MV scheme rule changes target fewer flock breakdowns

12. Texels outperform all breeds at Kelso and Builth sales 14. Strong year for Texel exports 15. Society AGM heads for Penrith 16. iTexel conference is a day not to be missed

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Nab Point flock succeeds through simplicity

28-36 38

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Glorious summer of shows

Best of the Best hits 125,000gns at Lanark

MV scheme rule changes ahead

SHOWS

SALES

LIFESTYLE

28. Blackstown gimmer leads at Balmoral

38. Best of the Best hits six figures at Lanark

54. Simplicity central to Nab Point flock’s management

30. Wilodge win at Royal Bath and West

42. Ram lambs reach 8000gns at Worcester

56. Sizzling summer of success for Haddo

32. Haddo flock hits the highs at Royal Highland

45. Gimmer average sets new record at English National

34. Girls on top at Great Yorkshire

46. Welshpool sees Rhaeadr top at 6600gns

36. Evans family take Royal Welsh silverware

48. Champion leads Ballymena trade at 4300gns 50. Awesome day for Garngour at Kelso 52. Shearlings achieve 93% clearance at Builth Wells

texel.uk

Autumn 2018

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News Register Rams now Remember to register your rams now to avoid fee increases and potential delays in next year’s birth notifications.

For home bred rams, the kits can be requested by contacting the office via phone or email, registrations@texel. co.uk. Please ensure you quote the homebred ram’s flockbook number and ensure they are given a name.

For rams bought from a sale, the DNA sample kits are posted out upon receipt of dockets. A pedigree certificate will follow once the DNA profile has been issued by the laboratory, this can take up to six weeks.

When buying an in lamb ewe or purchasing frozen semen for use in your own AI or ET programmes make sure the ram has been registered and DNA sampled by the owner.

Failure to do so will delay birth notifications or in worse case the lambs may be unnotifiable.

2009-2018 Average membership costs rise

1.2%-2.3%/yr Inflation rise 3.17%/yr Lanark gimmer average up

333%

Welshpool shearling ram average risen by

208%

Worcester shearling ram average up

185%

Increases in average prices achieved at National Sales highlight the value of Society membership.

Society membership adds value In an era of rising costs, members can rest assured that their Texel Society membership and registration fees still represent exceptional value for money.

Membership fees in particular have remained the same for the last eight years and both male and female registration fees have increased marginally over the same time period.

For a member with a typical 20-ewe flock costs have risen since 2009 by about 1.7%/yr for a member undertaking their registrations by paper, while an online member will have seen costs rise by about 1.2%/yr.

Similarly, a 50-ewe flock registering on paper will have seen costs increase by about 2%/yr, with an online member with the same size flock experiencing an increase in costs of 1.4%/yr.

And for larger flocks the increases are of a similar level. A typical 150-ewe flock will have seen a cost increase of about 2.3%/yr, while the same sized flock registering online will have seen costs rise by in the region of 1.5%/yr.

This contrasts to a 10-year average rise in the retail price index (the commonly accepted measure of inflation) of 3.17%/yr.

Importantly, these marginal increases in Society fees come against a backdrop of significantly increasing average prices at Society Sales across the UK. At the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, the average gimmer price in 2018 of £1670.28 is 333% higher than at the same sale in 2009, similarly the average ram lamb price at Lanark has risen by 173% in the same time period.

Meanwhile, the English National Sale has seen similarly dramatic rises in average prices, with this year’s shearling ram average of £1171.07 being 185% higher than that recorded in 2009. Gimmers at the same venue have seen the average price rise by 216% to sit at £1327.03 this year and the ram lamb average has jumped by 146% in the last 10 years.

And, the Welsh National Sale is another where prices have seen significant increases, with shearling ram prices lifting by 208% from 2009-2018 to average £1302.50 this year.

In the same vein the average ram lamb price at this sale has lifted by 163% over the same period, with the gimmer average jumping by 142% too.

Society honorary treasurer Andy Barr says the Society is constantly looking at ways to maintain and even reduce costs where possible. “The board is well aware that the members are the lifeblood of the Society and its focus is always to provide a service which is both fit for purpose and value for money. It is clear from both the increases in averages seen at the Society’s national sales and also premiums earned for pedigree Texel rams at major commercial sales, that membership of the Society adds significant value to members’ stock.

“As the Society enters exciting times with sole ownership of the Basco database and the Society taking on the provision of genetic improvement services, members can rest assured that their fees are adding value to their stock and that the Society continues to work for the benefit of the membership in a wide variety of ways.” *All registration cost calculations exclude ET fees.

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Society Matters

Wider industry focus for Society at NSA events PANTONE

CMYK

PANTONE 2925 C

C-85 / M-21 / Y-0 / K-0

This summer saw the Society present at three NSA events, firstly NSA ScotSheep, Ayrshire, then The Sheep Event, Malvern, and finally NSA SouthSheep, Ardingly, generating interest from both new and existing commercial users of the breed.

R-0 / G-156 / B-222 #009CDE

At ScotSheep in May the Society stand featured sheep from host farmers, Robert and Caroline Dalrymple, with these including a ewe with Texel cross lambs and stock sires from the host flock.

Society chief executive John Yates said the event proved to be an exceptionally busy one, with farmers keen to socialise and investigate future opportunities after a long and hard winter for many.

Society staff with judges, Peter Derryman and Dan Phipps, after winning best breed society trade stand at The Sheep Event.

Meanwhile, at July’s Sheep Event, Malvern, the Texel Society stand was busy throughout the day as both members and commercial farmers visited. “There was no doubting that everyone coming to the stand saw Texels as an integral part of their sheep businesses going forward.

“Clearly the trading uncertainties caused

by Brexit negotiations were playing on farmers minds at both events.”

“Many were looking for ways to mitigate the impact of any changes to both trading relationships and support payment regimes and feedback was clear that they saw Texels as being a key part of this,” added Mr Yates.

A large number of visitors to both events took part in the Society’s competition to win an RS420 EID Stick Reader and iLivestock Package from competition sponsors Allflex UK. “Clearly visitors recognised the opportunity for improved flock management offered by using electronic identification and the knowledge of flock performance such technology can offer.”

NSA Young Shepherd of the Year winner Rob Walker.

featuring shearling rams from the Whitehart flock and gimmers from the Kimbolton flock. The winner here was Peter Osbourne, Worcester.

Additionally, at The Sheep Event the Society sponsored the event’s Young Shepherd of the Year competition, with this won by Rob Walker.

Chairman Steve Richardson congratulates competition winner Peter Osborne

The Society capped this highly successful event by winning the award for the best Breed Society Trade Stand, with the judges citing the approachability of the stand team and their willingness to engage with visitors as being one of the key factors marking the stand out from the competition.

Martin and Ben Greenfield of Greenfield Lamb provided an exceptional carcass display for the Society’s stand.

At ScotSheep the winner of the competition to guess the weight of the ewe and her two lambs was Ross Paton, Straiton, Ayrshire, with the correct answer here being 192.5kg.

Meanwhile, at The Sheep Event, the Society held a stockjudging competition

ScotSheep competition winner was Ross Paton

News texel.uk

Autumn 2018

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Society Matters

Avon Vale wins Signet’s Decade of Progress award Years of selection are behind the Mitchell family’s Avon Vale flock of Texels’ outstanding terminal growth and carcass traits which translate into a flock index of 418 - up from 160 in 2007 and above the current breed average of 280.

Peter Mitchell explained that the focus with the pedigree flock, which has been awarded Signet’s Decade of Progress award, has always been on breeding tups that will produce well grown, well muscled lambs.

“Up until now, I have been concentrating

Society Matters

on eight week weights and muscularity.

Moving forward I want to increase overall muscle yield with increased length of carcass. I also wish to concentrate on meat eating quality,” he said.

Genomics are next on his radar and he is looking to draw on the Texel Sheep Society’s work looking at genomic selection for traits such as mastitis and foot rot.

Peter believes Signet recording is a good marketing tool. “I performance record because I want to have a USP,”

he explained. “I know that if you don’t measure something, you don’t know what you’ve got.”

Allanfauld Macintosh was one of the first purchased rams to bring big improvements to the flock. One of the flock’s most significant homebred rams has then been Avon Vale Real Deal.

Commenting on his award win, Peter said: “The award is appreciated recognition that the decisions I have made has moved the flock in the right direction.”

Society Matters

Texel tops Ram Compare rankings A Texel ram is the top ranked ram in the Ram Compare project following an updating of the resuts to include records from later-lambing flocks not included in the first run.

The analysis has also been modified to enhance the way hybrid vigour is taken into account which has caused a shift in the tables.

Penygelli PAP1501802, a ram bred by Alwyn Philips, has moved into the top position for the carcass weight EBV and overall carcass merit. Penygelli PAP1501802 is a high-index ram sired by Boghouse Ultramuscle, one of Alwyn’s stock rams. Boghouse Ultramuscle was sold to RamCompare and is being progeny tested this year on the project farm run by the Edwards family in Wales.

Alwyn Philips said: “From the project’s inception, I immediately nominated my rams to be put to the test. It is a fantastic opportunity for them to be tested under commercial conditions against their top-performing peers.

Charity auction raises £2000 An auction of a traditional shepherd’s crook at the Royal Highland Show in June saw £2000 raised for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which was established by former Scottish Rugby international Doddie Weir after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

The auction saw spirited bidding from breeders at the packed ringside at the show, with a number of breeders keen to secure the crook. However, the eventual winning bidder was Archie Hamilton of the Smyllum flock, Lanark.

“More and more pressure is put on commercial systems to reduce costs and to use grass and home-grown forages. Historically, my breeding decisions have focused on rams that perform exceedingly well in grass-based systems specifically in terms of muscling and growth.”

Society Reminder

Direct Debits and accounts queries For all account queries: Please use email: accounts@texel.co.uk / 02476696629 Option 3 Direct debits: If you have more than one flock on a direct debit payment method, each flock must have its own direct debit mandate.

Direct debit will be taken on or after the 27th of the month, please could all direct debit payment accounts make sure there is enough funds in their accounts on the dates shown on your invoices.

News

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Autumn 2018

texel.uk

Society Matters

New board members elected Elections for board members for four regions this summer have resulted in changes to the board members representing two regions.

In South Wales Adrian Windsor stood down from the board, with Tomos Evans of the Welsh flock standing unopposed for this seat.

Meanwhile, In Northern Ireland Elliot Bell chose to stand down from his position, with this seat going to a ballot between Nigel Hamil of the Ballynadrenta flock and Alastair Gault of the Forkins flock.

This ballot was won by Alastair Gault who, along with Tomos Evans, will take up his seat after the Society’s AGM at Penrith in November.

Event Dates

2019 NSA EVENTS

21 May - Welsh Sheep 5 June - North Sheep 12 June - Highland Sheep 18 June - South West Sheep 1 July - Sheep Northern Ireland

ROYAL SHOWS 15-18 May - Balmoral Show

Meanwhile, both Peter Mitchell, representing Central South, and Graham Hill, representing South West England, have stood unopposed to retain their seats.

Board chairman Steve Richardson thanked both Adrian Windsor and Elliot Bell for their service to the Society during their time on the board and welcomed Alastair Gault and Tomos Evans to the board.

Society staff attend member events

Sheep Farming Unwrapped was an event organised by the South West NFU and hosted by Texel breeder David Martyn of the Barnage flock, Gloucestershire.

As one of the pedigree phenotyping farms for the Society’s disease and meat quality research projects the farm was an ideal venue for R&D manager Ed Smith to

20-23 June - Royal Highland Show 9-11 July - Great Yorkshire Show 22-25 July - Royal Welsh Show

NATIONAL SALE DATES

Society Matters

During the summer Society staff attended a brace of events to promote the work the Society is doing in its research and development projects and engage with both members and the wider industry.

29 May - 1 June - Royal Bath and West Show

21-22 August - Scottish National 24 August - Welsh National 26-27 August - English National

explain the work the Society is doing to improve meat and carcass quality as well as reducing disease within the Texel breed.

Other speakers included the NFU’s chief livestock advisor, John Royle, who discussed the sheep sector’s situation globally due to the shortage of sheepmeat and how the UK fits in the global market.

R&D work, while Ailish Ross detailed the Society’s genetic improvement services and how members and commercial producers could access the services in future.

Meanwhile, the Shropshire and Borders Club hosted a commercial farmers event at John and Ed Higgins’ Frodesley Park Farm, Longnor. This event was another opportunity for Ed to explain the Society’s

This event was well attended, with more than 50 farmers present on the evening and enjoying an insight in to how Texels are central to the Higgins’ successful flock management.

TBC - Northern Irish National

Ed Smith spoke at the NFU’s Sheep Farming Unwrapped event in Gloucestershire.

News texel.uk

Autumn 2018

9

Society Reminder

Take care when handling stock Members are reminded of the need to act responsibly and with animal welfare in mind whenever handling sheep in public.

With many Society events now being streamed live or filmed for later publication it is important that Society members take care to ensure they present a responsible and ethical image of the sheep industry at all times.

Of particular note is the handling of sheep in show and sale rings and the use of crooks to display sheep in sale rings.

The use of crooks is at the owner’s discretion, but should only be done to aid the movement of sheep around the sale ring and to showcase the animal.

Excessive use of crooks to push or beat sheep is to be avoided.

Society Matters

New Staff Member Emily Goodman joined the Society in June as registrations and database development manager focussing on the development of the Basco database following the Society taking sole ownership of the database earlier in the year.

Emily comes to the Society with a strong background in database management and is proving to be a valuable addition to the team.

Society Matters

Dressing inspections 2018 Once again dressing inspections to ensure all sheep presented at the Society’s National Sales comply with Bye-Law 11.6, have been in place this year, with a team of experienced inspectors conducting inspections at Lanark, Welshpool, Worcester and Ballymena, with an inspection also taking place at the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells for the first time.

Society show and sales committee chairman Jeff Aiken said the inspections were a key part of maintaining the integrity of the Society’s national sales and the Society as a whole.

“There is no doubting that these inspections are welcomed by members and seen as a key part of maintaining the integrity of the Society’s sales. There is a clear rule on dressing sheep at Society events. It isn’t allowed.

“The message is clear to those breeders who wish to attempt to flout the Society’s rules. The Board and the wider membership do not want to see dressed sheep at Society sales and shows run under the Society’s auspices or in accordance with Society rules.”

As a result of these inspections there have been a handful of sheep rejected from sales over the autumn sales season. “The message is clearly getting through to members that dressing isn’t acceptable and I’d urge all members to take heed of this when taking sheep to shows and sales.”

Society Matters

Ailish features in Farmers Guardian Society staff member Ailish Ross was the subject of a Farmers Guardian feature this summer, with the article detailing Ailish’s path in to the agricultural industry having come from a non-farming background.

Born and bred in Glasgow, Ailish joined the Society in September 2017 having studied for a degree in Animal Science and having previously worked in the animal breeding sector.

Improve Data Quality Update your flock online all year round.

You don’t have to wait until September to do yours with your BASCO account. However, all members are reminded that for the purpose of accurate record keeping their compulsory annual flock census should be received by the Society Office by the 31st October 2018

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

George Briggs – Bishop Hay flock Mary Johnstone – Boghouse flock Winnie MacDonald – Highland Club Secretary Waid Helyer – Langford flock Wilf Wood – Stacey flock

News

10 Autumn 2018

texel.uk

Society Matters

2018 first Season Sire of the Year Sportsmans A Star Taking top spot in the first season sire of the year award for 2017-born sires is Sporsmans A Star, a ram lamb sold at the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, for 130,000gns.

Bred by Messrs Boden and Davies this ram comes from a background of breeding, with his sire being the 2016 sire of the year award winner, the 70,000gns Teiglum Young Gun. He is out of a Cowalbred dam by the 42,000gns Cairnam Talisman, himself a former Lanark champion.

Sportsmans A Star was bought in a two-way split by Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, and John Forsyth, Glenside. Helping him to clinch the top spot were a trio of sons sold from the Auldhouseburn flock, with these being Auldhouseburn Boss at 75,000gns, Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid at 28,000gns and Auldhouseburn Bozo at 11,000gns, giving an average of 38,000gns.

All three of these sold at the Scottish National Sale, Lanark.

Taking second spot was Allanfauld Am The Man bred by Archie and John MacGregor in the Allanfauld flock. He is a son of Knap You’re The Man and sold at Lanark in 2017 for 24,000gns, with shares taken by Messrs Knox, Haddo, Howie, Knock and Ingram, Logie Durno.

Sire and Position

Sire of the Year winner Sportsmans A Star

His top three selling sons were Haddo Balvenie at 40,000gns, Knock Banker at 28,000gns and Haddo Breadwinner at 24,000gns, with these three averaging out at 30, 666gns.

Then in third spot was Plasucha All Star, a ram bred by Robert Bennett. This son of Knock Yankee was again bought at Lanark in a shared deal, with this one selling for

11,000gns to Messrs Campbell, Cowal and MacPherson, Hexel, with Robert Bennett also keeping a share.

The top three sellers from this sire were Plasucha Big Gun at 32,000gns, Plasucha Boss Man at 20,000gns and Hexel Born To Be Wild at 8400gns. This left him with an average for the three of 20,133gns.

Qualifying sons

Dam

Sold for Gns

Progeny breeder

Auldhouseburn Boss

BYZ1513202

75,000

Alan Blackwood

Auldhouseburn Billy the Kid

MJH1504937

28,000

Alan Blackwood

Auldhouseburn Bozo

BYZ1615463

11,000

Alan Blackwood

Haddo Balvenie

KWJ1601262

40,000

Messrs Knox

Knock Banker

HAK1601068

28,000

A and G Howie

Haddo Breadwinner

KWJ1200418

24,000

Messrs Knox

Plasucha Big Gun

BFE1606028

32,000

Robert Bennett

Plasucha Boss Man

BFE1707004

20,000

Robert Bennett

Hexel Born to be Wild

IMP.042801402551

8400

D and S MacPherson

Sire Breeder

Average (Gns)

Boden & Davies Ltd

38,000

A MacGregor

30,666

Mr Robert Bennett

20,133

1st Place

Sportsmans A Star

2nd Place

Allanfauld Am the Man

3rd Place

Plasucha All Star

News texel.uk

Autumn 2018

11

Largescale commercial sales see pedigree demand Such was the success of registered Texel shearlings at Kelso, the most striking statistic was that the average achieved was more than £300 higher than that attained for nonregistered shearlings.

At Builth registered shearlings averaged a healthy £183 more than their non-registered counterparts.

This autumn’s two major commercial ram sales maintained the dominance of the Texel breed while also showing the value of pedigree over non-pedigree, with buyers readily willing to spend more on pedigree Texel rams and ram lambs than either non-pedigree Texels or crossbred rams.

Texel shearlings were the dominant force once again at both Kelso and Builth sales.

The Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, saw registered Texel shearlings account for 25% of the day’s total sales value and more than 21% of all rams sold on the day.

Strong demand saw a 93% clearance rate in the shearlings at Builth, testament to the quality of rams on offer from breeders present.

While there has been much made of the increasing appeal of crossbred and hybrid sheep in recent years, these sale results clearly demonstrate that this hype is not being borne out in sales figures, said Society chief executive John Yates.

When registered ram lambs are included in the analysis registered Texels represent more than 32% of all rams sold at Builth.

This is a feat no breed can come close to emulating and is some three times greater than the next nearest, with both Suffolks and crossbreds the next most numerous, each accounting for 11% of the sale by value.

“At Kelso 11% fewer crossbred rams were sold on the year, while at Builth exactly the same number of crossbreds were sold as in 2017, with the average price falling by more than 25%.”

But while crossbreds accounted for a significant proportion of the catalogued entries at Builth Wells, they failed to replicate that when it came to sales, with one ring seeing more than a third of the Beltex cross rams forward going unsold.

The assurance that comes with pedigree is also valued by buyers at Kelso, with registered shearlings accounting for 25% of the sale value here and also being nearly 20% of the rams traded on the day.

Once lambs are included registered Texels account for 22% of all rams sold at Kelso, with non-registered Texels taking the next biggest share of the sale at 15%.

On a sales value basis the combination of registered and non-registered Texels accounted for 40% of the money spent at Kelso, continuing the domination of the breed at the sale.

Mr Yates said the dominance of registered Texels at both these major sales, the two largest in Europe, showed the latent demand which existed for the breed across the UK. “In a challenging ram selling season commercial farmers have once again placed their confidence in the Texel breed as a major tool in managing margins and adding value across a wide range of production systems up and down the entire UK. “This ongoing confidence from commercial buyers is providing pedigree Texel breeders confidence to invest in their own flocks by using and valuing the Society registration and genetic improvement services,” added Mr Yates.

Kelso Ram Sale Breed

Total sold (reg and non-reg, shearlings and lambs) 2017

Total sold (reg and non-reg, shearlings and lambs) 2018

Sales value 2017

Sales value 2018

% of total sales value 2017

% of total sales value 2018

Ave price 2017

Ave price 2018

Texel

1647

1615

£1,277,280

£1,198,700

40%

40%

£775.51

£742.23

Suffolk

940

959

£625,210

£584,560

19%

20%

£665.11

£609.55

Charollais

208

188

£99,510

£96,930

3%

3%

£478.41

£515.58

Beltex

235

280

£171,850

£199,780

5%

7%

£731.27

£713.50

Crossbred

586

524

£329,140

£290,910

10%

10%

£561.67

£555.17

Registered Texel shearlings

857

844

£785,380

£745,020

24%

25%

£916.42

£882.73

Unregistered Texel shearlings

645

653

£409,450

£377,710

13%

13%

£634.80

£578.42

Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells Breed

Total sold (reg and non-reg shearlings and lambs) 2017

Total sold (reg and non-reg, shearlings and lambs) 2018

Sales value 2017

Sales value 2018

% of total sale value 2017

% of total sales value 2018

Ave price 2017

Ave price 2018

Texel

1294

1192

£783,071.50

£675,699.41

35%

37%

£605.15

£566.86

Suffolk

492

367

£243,845.25

£191,247

11%

10%

£495.62

£521.11

Charollais

324

309

£176,976.49

£170,121

10%

9%

£546.22

£550.53

Beltex

58

33

£28,045.50

£14,059.50

1.20%

0.76%

£483.54

£426.05

Crossbred

445

445

£241,767.20

£189,961.50

11%

10%

£598.43

£426.88

Registered Texel Shearlings

712

675

£524,435

£460,458

23.60%

25%

£736.57

£682.16

Unregistered Texel Shearlings

224

177

£110,113.50

£88,210.50

4.90%

4.80%

£491.58

£498.36

News

12 Autumn 2018

texel.uk

Society Matters

Society Matters

Sportsmans Batman made history for the Boden family when he became their second six figure Texel.

Alan Blackwood reaped the rewards of his 13,000gns investment in MJH1504937 when Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid made 28,000gns.

The 12,000gns BYZ1513205 rewarded her price tag when Myfyr Evans sold Rhaeadr Best of the Best at 125,000gns

Purchased females deliver premium progeny Females bought at both in-lamb sales and National Sales in previous years had a significant influence on this year’s National Sales, with a number of the top priced animals being bred from these ewes.

Heading the list of influential purchased females was BYZ1513205, the dam of the 125,000gns season topping Rhaeadr Best of the Best sold at the Scottish National Sale, Lanark.

This ewe was bred by Alan Blackwood in his Auldhouseburn flock and bought by Myfyr Evans for 12,000gns at the Select Seven in-lamb sale in 2016. She was also responsible for breeding the 6600gns sale topping Rhaeadr Braveheart at the Welsh National Sale, Welshpool.

Boden family make breeding history The Boden family made history at the Solway and Tyne Texel Club’s sale at Carlisle in September when they became the first breeders in the UK to sell two animals for six figure prices.

Sportsmans Batman, a son of the 40,000gns Garngour Alabama, became the family’s second six figure Texel when he sold for 100,000gns.

This lamb had stood first in his class and been overall champion in the presale show and is out of a dam by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid.

Next to have an influence was a ewe bought for 13,000gns at the Scottish National Sale in 2016, MJH1504937. This one was bought by Alan Blackwood from the Mellin family’s Hullhouse flock and was dam of the 28,000gns Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid sold at the Scottish National Sale, Lanark.

Selling after some lively bidding he was knocked down to Procters Farm for the Procters flock, Lancashire.

Messrs Boden and Davies’ 26,000gns Sportsmans Benchmark was another bred out of a dam bought at an in-lamb sale. His dam, CKC1303034, was purchased for 14,000gns at the Christmas Stars Sale in 2014. She was bred in the Campbell family’s Cowal flock and was also dam of the Sportsmans flock’s pen topper at the English National Sale, the 3000gns Sportsmans Bently.

The Bodens’ other six figure animal is the 2017 Lanark sale topper, Sportsmans A Star, which sold for 130,000gns. The Society extends its congratulations to the Boden family on achieving this remarkable feat.

The Cowal flock link continues with the next influential purchased female, with the 22,000gns Cowal Bucking Bronco having been bred from the 12,000gns CKP1500210, a Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold daughter bred by Robert Cockburn in the Knap flock and bought for 12,000gns at the Christmas Cracker sale in 2016.

Society Reminder

Less expensive, but also demonstrating the value new females can bring to a flock is the 2200gns ONH1500272 bred in the Orr family’s Halbeath flock and purchased at the Twilight Sale in 2016 by Mark Patterson. This one, a daughter of Hartside Volt was dam of Mr Patterson’s 17,000gns Alderview Barrister.

And a purchased dam was also behind Sandy Lee’s 12,000gns Fordafourie Balvenie, with this lamb being out of MGV1400576. Bred in the Deveronvale flock of Graham Morrison, she was bought for 3000gns at the Christmas Stars Sale in 2015 and also bred last year’s 24,000gns Fordafourie Amalert for Mr Lee.

Key Information for 2019 Lambing • 2019 ram names to start with C • Become an online member by signing up to BASCO.org • Major fee discounts are available to birth notifications and registrations submitted online • Lambing books are available on request from the Texel office – call 0247 669 6629

News texel.uk

Autumn 2018

13

Two Corriecravie shearlings are among those animals exported this year.

Society Matters

Another strong year for Texel exports Export interest in British Texels continues to be strong, with a number of inward trade missions over the summer and interest from both mainland Europe and South America.

Continuing the demand seen in recent years from Switzerland, this year has seen Swiss breeder Heinz Pluss select a number of sheep from UK flocks for himself and clients in Switzerland.

The Laird family’s Cambwell flock has sent 12 shearling ewes and two shearling rams to Switzerland, with Wyn Jones’ Ffrewd flock contributing six gimmers to the consignment and Kenny Johnstone’s Bohgouse flock sending five gimmers and two flock ewes, along with four gimmers from Keith Jamieson’s Annan flock.

Also exporting to Switzerland is John Vaughan’s Vorn flock, with 10 females and two rams from this flock heading to the country this summer. With one of the

rams being Vorn Anxiety 5, a ram from which semen has already been exported to the USA. In addition to Swiss exports, the Cambwell flock has also sent sheep to Holland, Belgium and Italy this year, with a shearling ram joining Henk Berkvens in Holland, a shearling ram and a ram lamb going to Maarten Can Heinsberg in Belgium and a shearling ram, shearling ewe and ram lamb going to Claudio Villanova in Italy. A further three in-lamb gimmers are destined for Belgium later in the year.

Meanwhile, Paul Phillips’ Kimbolton flock has exported eight sheep to Germany and Holland, with John Eirian Davies’ Teilo flock continuing a rich vein of exports to France with Teilo Bastiat being bought by previous buyer Monsieur Pery in conjunction with Monsieur Guillaume Dufour. Bastiat is a son of Teilo Amryddawn I, with semen from this ram already exported to Canada, NZ, Austria, Sweden and Belarus.

Adding to export success is Paul Johnson’s Corriecravie flock which has exported two shearling rams to Carla Jensen’s flock in Holland. These are Corriecravie Altruist and Aberlour a brace of rams selected on breeding and performance figures.

Additionally, Mexican breeders visited a number of flocks in the Midlands during a visit to the UK and selected a number of animals for semen and embryos to be collected from.

Similarly, Brazilian breeders have selected animals to collect embryos from for export to the country once a new export health certificate has been agreed between the EU and Brazilian authorities.

Society Matters

The power of numbers to improve a breed!

An increasing range of technology and tools becoming available to breeders will allow enhanced breed development to match changing customer requirements over the coming years.

And, the development of this so called ‘agritech’ is something the Society is actively engaging with, said Society chief executive John Yates. “The Society’s involvement in genomic research, data driven services, close connections of its farmer members, and its research relationship with both SRUC and ABP mean it is firmly at the forefront of the new agritech age.”

The Society has gained an envious role, providing leadership and coordination in the development of the wider sheep industry. Highlighting the benefits of genetic improvement right from the first imports of the Texel breed in the mid 1970s and with its continued evolution today.

Through the integration of performance record in the late 1980s, now embedded in the Society vocabulary.

Further developments, including the adoption of CT scanning and the development of the Society’s Basco database along with continued investment in data collection, genetic evaluations and communcations have all combined to provide market growth and demand for breeders’ animals.

Collecting, sharing and analysing data, as the Society is doing through its research and development projects and routine genetic evaluations through the connection of breeders, is fundamental to the new agritech era as it has been to livestock breeders for many years, albeit in a low tech environment.

“This, coupled with the ability to share that data more easily through both web

and mobile apps means breeding and management decisions can be made on a more informed basis than ever before on increasingly accurate information,” said Mr Yates.

“A key part to this is capturing data from every part of the supply chain where feasible and affordable and feeding this data back into breeding evaluations to identify those animals with superior performance and able to produce meat desired by discerning modern markets. The Society’s own VIA project is spearheading the development of systems to harness this information” However, while the information available is of ever greater quality and quantity, it still requires the ability of a stockman to implement any decisions made, be they about either the breeding, management or feeding strategies for their flock.

News

14 Autumn 2018

texel.uk

Identification Integration

Involvement

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DAY TXL OUT

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18th NOVEMBER 2018 10AM – 3:30PM WORKSHOPS, STOCK JUDGING, PRESENTATIONS OPEN TO EVERYONE Initiative

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* £20 refundable for the primary membership holder on attendance

at the conference”

Texel YDP Big Day Out Advert_A4_09_

18.indd 1

18/09/2018 10:20

Society chief executive John Yates says both the iTexel conference and the YDP Day Out are events which all members will get a lot from.

“These are events which will provide members and friends with great learning opportunities and the chance to meet and connect with like-minded people from across the farming sector. “I’d strongly encourage all members to attend these events and get the most out of the opportunities they offer.

Both days will be packed with great information to help breeders develop their flocks and stay abreast of the latest developments in the industry,” he explains.

All documents for the AGM, including the minutes of the 2017 AGM, draft Trustees accounts Notice, proxy form and guide are available to download from the Society’s website – texel.uk/agm Information on the iTexel conference, including speaker profiles and agenda can be found at texel.uk/itexel and details for the YDP Big Day Out can be seen at texel.uk/ydp

Notice is hereby given that the forty sixth Annual General Meeting of The British Texel Sheep Society Limited will be held at North Lakes Hotel, Ullswater Rd, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8QT on Saturday 17th November 2018 at 5.30pm AGENDA

1.

To Receive apologies for absence

2.

RESOLUTION: Approval of the minutes and Matters Arising of the 2017 AGM which took place on Saturday 11th November at Oulton Hall, Oulton, Leeds

3.

To receive the Chairman’s report

4.

5.

To receive the Chief Executives report SPECIAL RESOLUTION: to amend Article 10: Subscriptions.

Current Article: Every member shall pay to the Society in advance such annual subscription (if any) as may from time to time on the recommendation of the Board of Directors be fixed by the Society in General Meeting and such subscription shall be due and payable on the 1st day of October in every year.

Amendment: • A] Every member shall pay to the Society in advance such annual subscription (if any) as may from time to time be fixed by the Board of Directors.

OR • B] Every member shall pay to the Society in advance such annual subscription (if any) as may rise or fall by the annual retail price Index* [RPI] in the month of September in the preceding year and be fixed by the Board of Directors. *[The Retail Price Index [RPI] measures the change in the price of goods and services purchased by consumers for the purpose of consumption].

6.

RESOLUTION: To receive, consider and adopt the income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 March 2018 and the balance sheet as at that date and; to receive, consider and adopt the reports of the Board of Directors and the Auditors for the year ended 31 March 2018.

7.

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

8.

Announcement of Board of Directors election results Area 8 - Southern Midlands of England - Peter Mitchell - unopposed Area 9 - South West England - Graham Hill - unopposed Area 11 - South Wales & Borders - unopposed Area 12 - Northern Ireland – Alastair Gault - by vote

9.

Any other business that has previously been agreed by the Chairman.

By order of the board John Yates MBA Chief Executive & Company Secretary 1st October 2018 The Mechanics Workshop, New Lanark, Lanark, ML11 9DB

News texel.uk

Winter 2018

15

T

his autumn’s iTexel conference brings together themes from every level of the sheep industry, giving attendees a unique insight in to many of the issues which will affect sheep farmers going forward.

Texel Sheep Society chief executive John Yates says the conference will allow farmers and those in the supply chain to gain a powerful insight in to the socioeconomic factors affecting the sheep sector in the coming years and the ways new technologies and concepts can help them overcome the challenges to come.

Neil McGowan

At a farm level Nuffield Scholar and Texel breeder Neil McGowan will give an insight in to his learnings from farmers, researchers and geneticists in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

“While on the face of it the livestock industries in these countries have many differences to our own here in the UK, the ultimate objective is the same; to produce sheep and cattle able to thrive in their environments and to produce red meat as efficiently and economically as possible.”

Neils’ own Texel flock is one of the pedigree phenotyping farms for the Society’s research and development projects.

Moving up the supply chain the conference will hear from Rizvan Khalid of Euro Quality Lambs, a family run abattoir in Shropshire.

Rizvan will give attendees the latest updates and insights in to the sheep meat market both domestically and internationally, with a focus on the growing influence of the ethnic market on the European sheep sector.

“As a halal and export specialist abattoir we are acutely aware of the changing shape of the sheep meat market and the various factors affecting it. The future of the sheep meat sector will require everyone in the supply chain to be fully aware of the changing needs of the market and to adapt to them readily,” he explains.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM Session 1: Identifying future

11:35 Session 2: International

market expectations

Coffee Break experiences to influence

change

Rizvan Khalid 1:05

Lunch Session 3: Introducing tools

3:30

Coffee Break

Session 4: Integrating agritech

The iTexel conference will focus on the Texel breed’s influence on the industry and how current research and development in to new breeding tools can help breeders in future.

4:20

to increase genetic gain

into Texel membership services

Mark Young, Summing

Up

texel.uk/itexel

North Lakes Hotel and Spa, Penrith 17th November 2018

News

16 Autumn 2018

texel.uk

Adding to this focus on maximising value in the supply chain will be Natalie Howes of Abacus Bio. A farmer’s daughter from New Natalie Howes Zealand, Natalie has been actively involved in a number of projects to add value to red meat.

Her passion for integrated supply chains and identifying opportunities to improve production and processing efficiencies is complemented by a PhD in Food Science which ultimately led to the development of the ‘Te Mana’ lamb brand. This unique product combines breeding, feeding and processing sectors to deliver a high value lamb product with high levels of beneficial fatty acids.

Natalie is focussed on delivering practical solutions for the red meat sector to enable farmers to better deliver what the modern market requires.

Meanwhile, SRUC’s senior agricultural economist Steven Thomson will give the conference an up to date overview of Steven Thomson economic the challenges facing the sheep sector.

With Brexit just six months away Steven will outline how the sheep sector could be affected both positivelty and negativetly and will examine what farmers can do to ready themselves for the biggest change to trading relationships and agricultural policy for more than 40 years.

Returning to the genetics field will be Noirin McHugh of Teagasc, Eire, who will explain the role genomics is starting to play in sheep genetic

Noirin McHugh

evaluations in the Irish sheep industry and the lessons to be learnt from it.

A geneticist with a practical background as a sheep Tim Byrne farmer’s daughter Noirin brings a practical perspective to her research and development work.

Tying the research themes together will be Abacus Bio’s Tim Byrne, a scientist with more than 15 years experience in the economic evaluation of technologies in the red meat supply chain.

A New Zealand native currently-based in Edinburgh, Tim has a broad and indepth knowledge of agriculture and food production supply chains globally and focusses on ensuring new technologies deliver economic benefits for producers, seeking to increase returns and add capital value to businesses.

Bringing delegates up to speed with the Society’s ongoing research and development projects will be a number of speakers from SRUC, Nicola Lambe including Neil Clelland, Nicola Lambe, Jo Conington and Mike Coffey.

All of these speakers are heavily involved in both the Mike Coffey Society’s mastitis and footrot research projects, its meat quality and carcass composition research work and development of routine genomic evaluations.

This work is focussed on developing new tools to aid improved genetic gains within the Texel breed and ensure

breeders make the most of the opportunities new technologies, such as genomics can offer in future.

“As the UK tansitions to Jo Conington a post-Brexit economy it is essential sheep farmers stay abreast of changing policy and consumer trends in order to make their businesses fit for the future,” explains Mr Yates.

From a Texel Society aspect Mr Yates said the Society’s management of genetic improvement services for the breed as well as its investment in research and development and the Basco database were all designed to equip Texel breeders with the tools needed to thrive in future.

“The Society’s members represent the largest collective sheep breeding group in Europe and it is vital they have the ability to adapt their breeding strategies in line with current and future market developments.

“This conference will enable farmers to better understand the factors affecting the supply chain at every level and how they can adapt their flocks and businesses to take advantage of the opportunities on offer in the coming years.”

17th November 2018 North Lakes Hotel & Spa Penrith Texel.uk/itexel 0247 669 6629 One free ticket per membership

News texel.uk

Autumn 2018

17

TXL Day Out will inspire young breeders A youth day organised by the Texel Sheep Society’s Youth Development Programme, will offer those attending a range of opportunities to improve their skills and knowledge in all aspects of the sheep sector.

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

The event, TXL Day Out, will take place at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Sunday 18th November, immediately following the Society’s iTexel conference at Penrith on Saturday 17th November.

Among the topics to be covered in a number of interactive sessions at the event will be grassland management, flock health, stock selection, butchery and show and sale preparation, said the Texel Sheep Society’s YDP coordinator Ailish Ross.

A

“The day will offer young people involved in the Texel breed the opportunity to learn from a number of leading figures in the sheep sector while engaging with each other and forming long-lasting social and business relationships,” she explained.

E B D C

Area A - David McKerrow Jnr Nochnary/Kettle 07843 288 067 Area B - Duncan Mellin Hullhouse 07540 053 431 Area C - Johanna Smith Slapton 07521 143 505 Area D - Will Davis Usk Vale 07779 603 143 Area E - David Chestnutt Bushmills 07843 152 743 Secretarial support and coordinator - Ailish Ross Society Office - ailish@texel.co.uk

It is essential the next generation of sheep farmers have a full understanding of all aspects of the industry, particularly in light of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Brexit negotiations and trading relationships with the rest of the EU after next March, added Miss Ross.

“However, while the day will have a strong learning element to it there will also be a range of fun activities involved too, helping to promote long-term relationships among those attending.

DAY TXL OUT BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE

18th NOVEMBER 2018 10AM – 3:30PM WORKSHOPS, STOCK JUDGING, PRESENTATIONS OPEN TO EVERYONE REGISTER TODAY

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KEEP UP TO DATE ON

MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT,

CONFERENCE, PENRITH, 17.11.2018

Texel YDP Big Day Out Advert_A4_09_18.

indd 1 18/09/2018 10:20

and inspire the next generation to drive the sheep industry forward to a profitable, sustainable future.”

Key speakers confirmed include grassland management expert and former Nuffield Scholar Gareth Davies, independent sheep consultant Kate Phillips and butcher Tom Wood.

All three of these speakers are recognised as some of the leading lights of their sectors, said Miss Ross. “These speakers will give young breeders the chance to learn from the best of the best and take away valuable insight in to key aspects of flock and business management,” she added.

Attendance at the TXL Day Out is open to all those aged under 35 and with an interest in the Texel breed and progressing within the sheep industry, said Miss Ross.

“Like any business the sheep industry is built upon people. Developing relationships with those people who can help you improve your business or your role within it is key to success,” she explained.

“There is no requirement for attendees to have their own flock or even be from a farming background and family members and parents and guardians are also welcome to take part in the day.”

“By bringing together a range of key individuals with expertise from across the sheep sector the YDP aims to both provide valuable knowledge exchange

Those wishing to attend the TXL Day Out should register via the Society’s website – texel.uk/dayout or by emailing Ailish@texel.co.uk

Youth Focus

18 Autumn 2018

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TXL

DAY OUT

BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE

18th NOVEMBER 2018 10AM – 3:30PM KEEP UP TO DATE ON

REGISTER TODAY

texel.uk/ydp

Stock judging Master Judge: Gordon Gray, Ettrick Flock 10:00 – 10:30

10:30 – 11:00

11:00 – 11:30

11:30 – 12:00

12:30 LUNCH 1:30

1:30 – 2:30

2:30 – 3:00

Sheep Health Planning

Grassland Management

“Fitties not Fatties”

Sheep Showing Workshop

“Ready Steady Cook”

Butchery Workshop

Panel Q & A

Philip Wilkinson, Paragon Veterinary Group

Gareth Davies, Gareth Grassland

Kate Phillips, Sheep Consultant

Jeff and Jennifer Aiken, Procters Farm Ltd

YDP Committee Cooking Competition

Tom Wood, Artisan butcher

Steve Richardson Roy Campbell David McKerrow

3:00 – 3:30 Master Judge, reasons & Society Thankyou

Youth Focus texel.uk

Autumn 2018

19

Education awards deliver for students As in previous years, in 2018 the Society has once again made Educational Awards to students attaining the highest mark on a sheep production related Honours Research Project.

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

Society chairman Steve Richardson says the awards are just one part of the Society’s involvement in the next generation of the sheep industry. “Through a variety of means, including the Society’s own youth development programme, these educational awards, conference attendance support and sponsorship of key industry events, the Society continues to promote the sheep industry as a career option to young people.”

SRUC winner Elizabeth Braund studied the diagnsosis of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma by ultrasound scanning compared to the traditional ‘wheelbarrow test’.

The report also looked at future treatments for gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs), examining the work being done to develop vaccines against them and how these could impact on the threat posed by anthelmintic resistance.

It also detailed the breeding options available to farmers in selecting sheep for genetic resistance to GINs, concluding that in future all available options including genetic selection and vaccination will be needed to tackle GINs as current tactics, including the use of anthelmintics will be thwarted by resistance developed by GINs. At Aberystwyth University the award went to Eirys Williams who looked at the effect of body condition score, weight and age at tupping, scanning and lambing on fertility in Welsh Mountain Sheep.

With Brexit on the horizon the Welsh lamb sector is facing big changes and consequently farmers will need to produce lamb in a more cost-efficient way. One way of achieving this will be to ensure that sheep meet the target of producing two lambs each.

Reduction in the epidemiology of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) - a contagious and malignant lung neoplasia of sheep which always results in fatalities – is challenging today in that there is no vaccine currently available and neither are there any treatment options.

The purpose of this project was to investigate the sensitivity of the wheelbarrow test, the relationship between tumour size and volume of lung fluid produced, the likelihood that OPA tumour growths would occur in the region of lung visible to ultrasound scanning machine, and finally, the requirement for scanning both lungs to detect for OPA tumour growths.

There was no association between tumour size and lung fluid volume. A heat map illustrating tumour incidence across lung area concluded that tumours frequently occur in the lung regions visible to ultrasound. Overall, these findings concluded that ultrasound is the most beneficial anti-mortem diagnostic tool available for diagnosis of OPA.

The main purpose of this study was to identify if Body Condition Score (BCS) has an effect on fertility as it is possible to control BCS. In addition, the study also investigated the effects of weight and age on fertility. Data on the BCS of 495 Welsh Mountain sheep were obtained at three different times, namely tupping, scanning and lambing. The number of lambs scanned per ewe was also recorded.

The results showed that BCS had a significant effect on fertility with sheep that had a BCS of three producing the most lambs.

Weight also has an effect on fertility in light of the results as an increase in weight meant an increase in fertility.

Taking the award at Harper Adams was Aimee Ash with her study looking at ‘The effect of heat shock protein 90 inhibition on sperm integrity and function in sheep’ Damage to ram sperm during the cryopreservation process renders it less able to traverse the cervix, reducing the applicability of AI in the sheep industry.

For this reason, the use of frozen-thawed (FT) semen is currently limited to laparoscopic AI, but this technique is costly, complicated and has negative implications for animal welfare.

Studies on other species have identified Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) expression as having a positive correlation with sperm quality.

Winning the award at Greenmount College was Ryan Davis a practical look at parasitology and faecal egg counting.

Having collected faecal samples from sheep in the college’s flock these were analysed for parasite egg levels across the key parasite species, with recommendations for treatment given as a result of the faecal egg counts recorded.

However, in this study there was no significant effect of HSP90 on motility, viability, acrosome integrity, ROS generation or penetrative ability. This result contradicted the findings of others, which found that HSP90 inhibition caused a decline in sperm quality. Consequently, it is suggested that the method used to add Geldanamycin to the samples was not successful in inhibiting HSP90.

Youth Focus

20 Autumn 2018

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Young breeders’ summer success Young members took part in a number of young handlers and YDP classes over the summer, with young handlers classes taking place at the Royal Ulster Show, Balmoral and the Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells.

At Balmoral the junior class was won by Ben Robinson of the Teeshan flock, with Katie Gilmour of the Milcomb flock in second and Justin Ross of the Glenross flock third under judge Jennifer Aiken.

Junior winner at Balmoral was Ben Robinson.

Senior winner at Balmoral was Baillie O’Connor

Then in the senior class the winner was Baillie O’Connor of the Drumgooland flock, while Naomi Ardis of the Milburn flock was second and Stephanie McCollum of the Carmavy flock stood third.

Judge Gill Watkins of the Millend flock faced a tough job at the Royal Welsh, with a high standard of handlers in front of her.

Winning here was Katie Aiken of the Procters flock, while her brother Robbie picked up second place and Sioned Thomas of the Onnen flock was third.

Gil Watkins and Royal Welsh winner Katie Aiken.

Meanwhile, in the YDP ram lamb class at Lanark for young breeders with their own flock the red ticket went to Robert Bennett’s lamb Plasucha Big Gun, while second was Darren McKay’s Rowandale Bolt and third was Cammie Gauld’s Cairnam Bootstrap. The class winner went on to sell for 32,000gns.

At the Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena, the Northern Irish Young Breeders Club ram lamb class was won by Bellefield Bronco from Stewart Ferris, with John Trimble’s Curley Billy Boy in second and Sam McAuley’s Whitepark Barbarian standing third.

Winning the YDP ram lamb class at Lanark was Plasucha Big Gun. NIYBC class winner at Ballymena was Bellefield Bronco from Stewart Ferris.

Meg Watkins takes brace of top awards Meg Watkins of the Millend flock, Herefordshire, has had a successful year, being awarded an NFU bursary in spring to help with her studies at Harper Adams University College and clinching the YFC National Junior Stockman of the Year title this autumn for the second time, having previously won it in 2015.

Making her success in the YFC competition even more notable is that she is the third of Russell and Gil Watkins’ children to win the title, with her elder sisters, Becca and Charlotte both having won the title in previous years too.

texel.uk

Autumn 2018

21

Society extends R&D activity

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s a continuance of the Society’s involvement in groundbreaking research and development projects it is one of a number of international partners in the SMAll RuminanTs breeding for Efficiency and Resilience (SMARTER) project.

The Society’s collection of data on key health traits is part of its input to the SMARTER project.

Involving partners from across Europe, Canada, China and Uruguay, the project will focus on breeding terrestrial livestock for improved resilience and efficiency. It will target efficiency and resilience related traits and possible links between them to address balanced breeding goals.

Within the research the partners activities will aim to further develop methods to measure phenotypes used in performance recording schemes in small ruminants (sheep and goats), with the intention of improving schemes for genetic improvement, explains the Society’s research and development manager Ed Smith.

The Society is actively involved by collecting and contributing measurements of hard-to-measure health traits, particularly mastitis and footrot, amongst others. The Society is also contributing to a multi-disciplinary international working group with a focus on disease resilience.

“While increasing focus is placed on the efficiency of animal production, animal production systems also need to be resilient, at both an animal and a system level. For animals, this resilience needs to apply to their welfare, as well as their health.

“Enhancing animals’ ability to overcome endemic and emerging diseases, as is already -being researched by the Society’s mastitis and footrot research project, and nutritional, reproductive or environmental challenges will help them stay healthy and productive.

“The aim of this project and others the Society is involved with is to increase the ability of the breed to withstand the environmental and disease challenges which sheep face on a daily basis,” says Dr Smith.

As the industry moves to an era with less direct support it will be essential for sheep farmers to become increasingly more efficient, he adds. “That will mean working with sheep which

Taste versus Waste project update More than 1000 lambs were produced and followed through to slaughter in the first year. In the second year more than 1700 lambs have been born to 1130 ewes mated to 40 natural and AI sires. A total of 57 sires have been used in this project over two years, spread across three commercial farms and SRUC’s Barony flock.

Lambs have been finished at all four of the project farms and to date more than 600 have finished and they continue to grade extremely well.

require lower levels of routine intervention and which can thrive in challenging environments.

“One of the biggest factors in this research is managing the trade-offs between increasing efficiency and disease resilience with other factors which influence productivity and profitability in sheep farming systems.”

In keeping with the Society’s other research involvement this project will once again have a link to genomics, with the aim of further developing genomic selection methods to exploit the growing amount of genomic data the Society has access to.

“While the sheep sector is only in the early stages of its genomics journey, the Texel Society is at the forefront of research in this area and is actively involved in a number of projects to further develop a greater understanding of the genetic influences on a range of key health and productivity traits.

“The Society’s involvement in the Smarter project is one more piece in the genomics jigsaw to ensure the breed stays at the head of the UK industry,” concludes Dr Smith.

VIA project update In the first year about 1500 lambs have been produced by 1160 ewes. More than 300 have been finished so far and early slaughter results indicate lambs are grading extremely well.

As we enter the second year, one flock has withdrawn from the trial, but we have two new flocks joining the three remaining flocks from year one.This gives us a total of five project flocks this year, contributing 200-400 ewes per flock to give a total of 1200 ewes in the project.The flocks are located in England, Scotland and Wales and represent a range of production systems.

To sire next year’s project lambs, 36 new performancerecorded Texel sires have been procured for the project this year, originating from 11 Texel flocks located in England, Scotland and Wales.This brings the total number of AI and natural mating sires used in this project to 80 over two years.

Technical Corner

22 Autumn 2018

texel.uk

texel.uk

Autumn 2018

23

Lameness in Sheep… why are we bothered about it?

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n a recent published survey of prescription data for 207 commercial sheep flocks in the UK, 65.5% of prescribed antibiotics were prescribed for lameness.

It has been estimated 3m sheep are lame in the UK at any one time and it is costing an estimated £24-£80 million to the industry annually.

Costs and antibiotics aside, it is a huge welfare issue for the animals affected and is also emotional and stressful for all famers – no farmer enjoys seeing lame sheep year round in his fields.

The Government has set the target for sheep lameness to be 2% or less by 2021. Research suggests the prevalence of lameness has fallen from 10.9% in 2004 to 4.9% in 2013 so we are on track, but the industry still has a way to go.

A 2012 survey by Farmers Weekly found the most common cause of sheep lameness to be footrot, accounting for 79% of cases.

Shelley hoof was second with 7% of cases, CODD was attributed to 5% of cases, with foot abcesses the reason for a further 5% of cases. The remaining 5% of cases were listed as unknown.

skin/horn junction. Lesions progress down inner hoof wall, and hoof wall can become detached.

• Generally no smell although can be if mixed infections with footrot. Can survive on equipment & clothing.

Footrot: • Caused by dichelobacter nodosus, with 10 known strains in the uk. Can be seen anytime, but often autumn and spring • Can survive up to 10 days on pasture and 30 days in soil • Classical clinical signs of under-run horn of sole and hoof wall starting from the interdigital space, plus characteristic smell.

• All sheep may carry the bacteria which may persist in the absence of disease.

• Can be seen anytime of the year, but often in the spring and autumn. Increased incidence of disease when climatic conditions favour bacteria transmission i.E. Warm temperatures, wet underfoot and housing.

How good would you be at recognising the cause of lameness in these feet?

Footrot and CODD mixed infection

Since that survey six years ago, the incidence of CODD in flocks has increased significantly and is now likely to be the second most common cause of lameness. It has become widespread in the national flock with an estimated 50% of sheep farms affected. CODD may well be under-reported due to the fact that many farmers often do not specifically recognise CODD, and it becomes lumped in with footrot as the main cause of foot problems in sheep.

CODD with separation from the coronary band

Recognition of the main causes of infectious lameness in sheep Scald: • Scald is inflammation of the skin between the toes. Skin can be oozy and moist with hair loss.

• Often affects lambs in spring and autumn and can be painful • Risk factors include warm, wet conditions, long grass and housing • Caused by the bacteria dichelobacter nodosus. We now know that scald is an early stage of footrot, and when scald is left untreated it may develop into full blown footrot.

CODD • Caused by bacteria called treponemes, which are also associated with digital dermatitis in cattle.

• Can be part of mixed infections with footrot and scald.

• Can be at any time of year and there can be severe impact in a naïve flock, where up to 40% can be affected initially. Nasty lesions and sheep particularly lame.

• Infection starts at the coronary band with separation at the

Chronic and severe CODD

The Five Point Plan for Reducing Lameness in Sheep Flocks.

This plan was developed and extensively tested by Ruth Clements and the team at FAI Farms in Oxford. It is the agreed strategy for achieving the Farm Animal Welfare

Technical Corner

24 Autumn 2018

texel.uk

Council (FAWC) target of reducing sheep lameness to less than 2% by 2021.

Research targets Texel Throat

Five action points for control of lameness: 1. Cull badly or repeatedly affected animals: two strikes and out…..when a ewe has footrot more than once in a season she should be culled. Culling hard will help to decrease the level of flock infection.

2. Avoid spreading infection at gathering and handling: consider cleaniness of handling area, suitability of footbathing facility, liming round water troughs etc 3. Treat clinical cases early: treatment within three days with a suitable injectable antibiotic such as oxytetracyline and spraying with oxytetracyline spray.

If sheep are treated within three days of the onset of lameness they do not lose body condition or productivity. Sheep lame for as little as a week have a lower lambing percentage and their lambs grow more slowly.

Avoid any trimming or cutting of the hooves – routine foot trimming has been proven to lead to a higher prevalence of lameness in flocks. In sheep with footrot or CODD, foot trimming has not been proven to increase the rate of cure in affected sheep.

4. Quarantine incoming animals: have a good procedure in place to separate bought-in stock for four weeks after purchase to allow inspection and possible foot-bathing.

5. Vaccinate animals to stimulate immunity: Footvax vaccination forms part of a whole flock approach to tackling lameness. Raising flock immunity helps to increase the success of the other four points in the Five Point Plan. Footvax has no claim in the control of CODD, but because of the high incidence of mixed infections with CODD and footrot, it has been shown that controlling footrot within a flock can significantly aid in the control of CODD within a flock. (NB do not use Cydectin (moxidectin) 1% injection in any sheep which have previously received Footvax at any point in their lives).

Implementation of the five point plan has been proven to reduce the incidence of lameness in flocks to <1% in just two years, provided all aspects of the plan are followed.

YOUR Action Plan: Now is the time to discuss control of lameness in your flock with your vet practice.

Call them today to develop a control strategy going forward and get best advice on prevention and suitable treatments for your flock.

Let’s try and hit that target set by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) of reducing sheep lameness to less than 2% by 2021.

L

aryngeal chondritis, also known as ‘Texel throat’, is inflammation of the larynx (the voice box) of sheep.

University of Nottingham researcher Katie Waine is currently investigating this condition in UK flocks through a post-mortem study.

The larynx of a Texel ram with Texel throat.

Ms Waine says it is unknown how many sheep in the UK are affected by the disease each year. However, anecdotal The larynx from a Texel ram, reports suggest note the stubby appearance that some farms are more severely affected than others and certain breeds of sheep such as the Texel and Beltex are predisposed with it commonly occurring in breeding rams.

“The disease causes breathing problems that can be treated, but many animals are found dead or die despite treatment.

“Texel throat has health and welfare implications for the individual sheep, but it can also be a big financial and logistical burden, particularly when breeding rams are affected. The cause of this condition remains unknown,” she added.

The study at the University of Nottingham Vet School is being funded by AHDB and MSD Animal Health and is looking into why breeds like the Texel may be more prone to the disease.

“Previous research has suggested that the short head and neck of the breed may have changed the shape of the larynx compared to other breeds of sheep. The study at the University of Nottingham is looking at the anatomy of the larynx of the Texel sheep and comparing it to the larynx of the Blue-faced Leicester.

“It is hoped that the work will provide greater understanding about the disease, assist with finding a diagnostic test in the live animal and ultimately to find a way to reduce the number of animals affected,” she said.

Technical Corner texel.uk

Autumn 2018

25

MV scheme changes aim to reduce disease breakdowns Changes to the MV Accreditation Scheme which come in to force from 1 January 2019 have been made to reduce the risk of MV infection arriving in flocks with new stock.

Changes to MV rules after 1st January mean incoming animals will need to be tested between six and 12 months after arriving.

According to SAC a recent review of MV breakdowns in accredited animals has shown that one of the big risk factors for infection is the purchase and addition of accredited animals to accredited flocks.

David Wilson of SAC says this infection could originate from the flock of origin or occur at the sale or during transport. “MV can be spread by nose to nose contact so any breach of biosecurity and contact with nonaccredited animals could lead to infection.

“While the risk of a breakdown is low (on average only 0.2% of accredited flocks/herds will lose their status due to infection each year) we have to take this risk seriously as the impact of a breakdown on an individual flock can have massive financial and emotional implications for our members.”

Mr Wilson says Rule 4.1.2 relating to added MV accredited animals has been updated and it will now be mandatory to test all animals added to your accredited flock/herd between six and 12 months after arriving.

“We also strongly recommend that added accredited animals are tested at the time they are added to the flock/ herd.

“These tests are designed to address the risk of adding accredited, but infected animals. It is not possible to reliably trace all movements from breakdown flocks, so these tests will partially replace that process.”

MV infection in commercial flocks/herds within the UK is increasing and this poses a major threat to MV accredited animals. “Non MV accredited animals kept on the same holding as MV accredited animals are a risk factor.

There will now be a requirement for members with non MV accredited animals on the same holding to perform a cull ewe screen of 12 non MV accredited animals at the time of the flock’s routine periodic blood test.”

“If infection is found in the non-accredited flock or the cull ewe screen is not performed the accredited flock will be classified as high risk and revert to one-yearly testing.

Members with MV accredited flocks should also not new guidelines regarding the importation of animals, semen and embryos, he adds.

Imported animals accredited under a non-UK scheme must be kept isolated until authorisation is given by the PSGHS vet to add them to the MV/CAE accredited flock.

“Accreditation certificates of imported animals and a signed import declaration should be sent to the PSGHS office for examination. Import declaration forms can be found at www. sheepandgoathealth.co.uk.

“The PSGHS will then issue clearance to add the animals to the flock/herd if appropriate All imported animals with recognised non-UK MV/CAE accreditation will require testing as per Rule 4.1.2 “Adding MV/ CAE accredited animals to an MV/CAE accredited flock/herd” However, imported animals that are not accredited under a recognised non-UK accreditation scheme will require testing as per Rule 4.1.5 “Acquiring non-MV/CAE accredited animals”.

Meanwhile, imported semen/embryos from animals accredited under a non-UK scheme must not be used/implanted in MV/ CAE accredited animals until authorisation is given by the PSGHS vet.

“Accreditation certificates from the animals of origin used to produce semen/embryos should be sent to the PSGHS office for examination.

“The PSGHS will then issue clearance if appropriate to use/ implant the semen/embryos in MV/CAE accredited animals.”

But, semen or embryos from animals that are not accredited under a recognised non-UK accreditation scheme should not be used/implanted in MV/CAE accredited animals, explains Mr Wilson.

Technical Corner

26 Autumn 2018

texel.uk

Gloucester & Border Counties Club Annual “Christmas Present” In-Lamb Gimmer, Ewe Lamb Show & Sale To include a Virtual Disperal of the ATOK flock for D.R.Jones

Saturday 1st December 2018 at Worcester Market

Tel: McCartneys on

01905 769770

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Autumn 2018

27

Blackstown gimmer leads the way at Balmoral

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gimmer from eight year old Jack Moses walked away with top honours in the Texel classes at the first of the summer’s major shows, The Royal Ulster Show, Northern Ireland.

This one had been the pick of judge, Jennifer Aiken, in the gimmer class before going on to be tapped as the overall champion, with Mrs Aiken citing her carcass, skin and overall breed character as the factors which put her ahead of the rest of the field. “She is a super gimmer and was an easy winner in a strong class of gimmers. When it came to the championship she was an outright winner on the day and it was a privilege and an honour to be asked to judge here today.”

The gimmer WWB1701042, from the Blackstown flock of Jack and his grandfather Jim Wilson, is ET bred and is by Mullan Yeti and out of a dam by Carnew Vagabond. Having been unshown as a lamb, this one was on her first and only show outing to date, with young Jack delighted with his success.

Taking the reserve overall championship at the 150th Balmoral Show was a ram lamb from Mark Patterson’s Alderview flock. This was PTT180110, a son of Arkle Awesome out of a Halbeath ewe which is maternal sister to Halbeath VIP and goes back to a 6200gns Loosebeare dam. This ET bred lamb was praised by Mrs Aiken for his outstanding growth and confirmation. “He’s a tremendous ram lamb and certainly one to watch for later in the summer,” she added.

Jennifer Aiken was one of a nearly all female line up for the show’s 150th anniversary.

This was Mr Patterson’s third time showing at Balmoral and without doubt his best result to date, with a full ET sister to his winning ram lamb also taking the top spot in the ewe lambs.

This was PTT1800099.

In the first class of the day, the aged tups, the winner was Bluehill Yogi, a Ballydesland Thunder King son from John Foster’s Springhill flock, with this one being out of a dam by Springhill Shergar and was first here as a shearling last year.

Shows

28 Autumn 2018

texel.uk

Then in the shearling tups the red ticket went to Scotsman Apollo II from Stewart Ferris. He is by Strathbogie Terminator and out of an Oberstown Usain Bolt-sired dam.

Leading the way in the aged ewes was Jack Moses again, with WWB1600990l a one crop daughter of Hull House Wing Commander out of a dam by Haddo Ringleader.

Mrs Aiken said the quality of the sheep forward for judging after what had undoubtedly been a difficult spring for everyone was a credit to the Northern Irish breeders and testament to the resilience of the Texel breed as a whole.

“Every class today had quality throughout and I whole-heartedlly congratulate every breeder here for the effort they’ve made to bring their sheep out in such excellence form.”

Results Aged Tup 1 – John Foster’s Bluehill Yogi 2 – Jack Gault’s Halbeath Woody 3 – Ben Casement’s Aideshill Vision 4 – E and P Johnston’s Knockadoo Yeti 5 – Chelsea Best’s WWD1600832 Shearling Rams 1 – Stewart Ferris’ Scotsman Apollo II 2 – Jack Moses’ Allanfauld Archimedes 3 – C and M Mullan’s Drumgooland Aga Khan 4 – Eric Mackey’s Moneybroom Avicii 5 – David Boyd’s Ballyrussell Amos Aged Ewes 1 – Jack Moses’ WWB1600990 2 – Steven McCollam’s MSY1601068 3 – Alastair Gault’s GAF1501325 4 – Patrick Donnelly’s DNN1600511 5 – Stephen McNeily’s SPF1500064

Champion was Jack Moses’ gimmer.

Mark Patterson’s first place ram lamb.

Shearling Ewes 1 – Jack Moses’ WWB1701042 2 – Steven McCollam’s MSY1701132 3 – Danny McKay’s MKR1700712 4 – Jack Moses’ WWB1701033 5 – Danny McKay’s YMK1700663 Ram Lambs 1 – Mark Patterson’s PTT180110 2 – Naomi Ardis’ ERX1801286 3 – James Herdman’s HKP1801494 4 – Paul O’Connor’s OCP1800912 5 – James Herdman’s HKP1801499

Top placed ewe lamb from Mark Patterson.

Shearling tup leader Scotsman Apollo II

Ewe Lambs 1 – Mark Patterson’s PTT180099 2 – Patrick Donnelly’s DNN1801362 3 – Jack Moses’ WWB1801188 4 – Stephen McNeily’s SPF180220 5 – Martin and Cyril Millar’s VMG1701553 Champion Jack Moses’ gimmer WWB1701042

Bluehill Yogi won the aged rams.

Aged ewe winner from Jack Moses.

Reserve champion Mark Patterson’s ram lamb PTT180110

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Females Flourish at Royal Bath and West

F

emales flourished at the Royal Bath and West, the Society’s Southern Focus Show, under judge John North of Settle, North Yorkshire. Mr North found his champion in the winner of the shearling ewe class, TIP1701440, from Paul Tippetts and Christine Williams, Shifnal, Shropshire.

This daughter of Eglur Yukon is out of an Oldford ewe which is itself by Strathbogie U2. She was the winner of the gimmer class before going on to be female champion and subsequently overall champion under Mr North. She was then interbreed champion the following day.

Williams team notch up another success with their lamb TIP1801858, a Deveronvale Ace of Diamonds son out of a homebred dam by Castlecairn SAS Commander.

The aged ewes saw Ian and Fiona Andrews take top honours with their three crop ewe, AIC1400101, a Glenside Razzle Dazzle daughter out of a Kingsland dam by Clinterty Samba I. Breed and interbreed champion from the Wilodge flock

And his reserve female champion, a ewe lamb from the Fordwell flock of Fordwell Farm Partners then followed the gimmer through to take the reserve overall championship.

This was CJF1800823, a lamb by Strathbogie Yes Sir out of an Auchencairn dam by Fairywater Samurai.

Mr North said both his females were excellent examples of the breed, with easy fleshing carcasses and style combined with correctness and breed character.

Taking the day’s male championship was Millar’s Action Replay, a shearling tup owned jointly by Ian and Fiona Andrews of the Cattistock flock and Fordwell Farm Partners of the Fordwell flock. This son of Cowal Yorkshire Lad is out of a dam by Knap Vital Spark and had previously been breed champion at Devon County Show this season.

Top placed aged ewe AIC1400101

It was a seasoned winner at Bath and West which took the day’s reserve male championship, with this being the winner of the aged tup class, Strathbogie Wembley from Georgie Helyer. This son of the 50,000gns Mullan Vivaldi is out of a Glenside Razzle Dazzle daughter and won his class at Royal Bath and West last year as an aged ram and in 2016 was the highest placed shearling tup at the show.

The opening class of the day, the group of three was won by Anthony Carter, while the ram lambs saw the Tippetts and Shows

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Lead ram lamb TIP1801858

Results Aged Tup 1 – Georgina Helyer’s Strathbogie Wembley 2 – Anthony Carter’s Wollascott Yo Sushi Shearling Rams 1 – Messrs Andrews and Fordwell Farm Partners’ Millar’s Action Replay 2 – Georgie Helyer’s Milnbank Africa 3 – Mark Blakeney’s BZZ1702875 4 – Fordwell Farm Partners’ CJF1700734 5 – Anthony Carter’s Loosebeare Amigo

Reserve champion, Fordwell Farm Partners’ ewe lamb.

Ram Lambs 1 – Messrs Tippetts and Williams’ TIP1801858 2 – Fordwell Farm Partners’ CJF1800855 3 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1800331 4 – Fordwell Farm Partners’ CJF1800852 5 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1800330 Aged Ewes 1 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1400101 2 – Annabel Hole’s KMH1500296 3 – A J Carter’s WPS1400644 4 – Lisette Smith’s PRE1600705

First prize shearling ram, Millar’s Action Replay

Shearling Ewes 1 – Messrs Tippetts and Williams’ TIP1701440 2 – Fordwell Farm Partners’ CJF1700748 3 – Anthony Carter’s CAJ1700550 4 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1700276 5 – Fordwell Farm Partners’ CJF1700747 Ewe Lambs 1 – Fordwell Farm Partners’ CJF1800823 2 – Georgina Helyer’s HML1800631 3 – Messrs Tippetts and Williams’ TIP1801826 4 – Matthew Fear’s FME1800442 5 – Fordwell Farm Partners’ CJF1800829 Champion Messrs Tippetts and Williams’ shearling ewe TIP1701440 Reserve Champion Fordwell Farm Partners ewe lamb CJF1800823

Shows texel.uk

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Haddo tup lamb leads

RHS line up

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he Knox family’s Haddo flock made its presence felt at this year’s Royal Highland Show, taking both the open and performance recorded ram lamb classes and going on to take the day’s overall championship under judge and Society chairman Steve Richardson.

Champion was the Knox family’s ram lamb.

Mr Richardson on just his second visit to the Royal Highland praised the quality of the stock put in front of him across the board and said it had been a pleasure to judge such a high standard of sheep.

“Every class had real quality in it and the winners were exceptional sheep displaying great fleshing and truly modern Texel attributes, with growth, carcass and that extra show ring sparkle we want to see in the breed.

“My champion caught my eye the minute he came in to the ring in his class and is a great naturally fleshed lamb with a tremendous top and end with a great outlook and exceptional correctness.”

Mr Richardson’s champion was KWJ1801583 a son of the 60,000gns Clinterty Yuga Khan and out of a dam by Ellen Valley Warlord. He was on his first outing and is out of a dam which is maternal sister to tups sold at 5000gns and 48000gns.

“He’s a great example of the breed and was a standout lamb in his class and in the championship. I could hardly fault him and his growth for age is exceptional, particularly to be carrying the carcass he is,” added Mr Richardson.

Standing reserve overall was the day’s female champion and winner of the gimmer class, a Strathbogie Yes Sir daughter from Jim Innes and family’s Strathbogie flock.

This was IJS1701627, a gimmer which Mr Richardson said stood out for her squareness and evenness of fleshing. “She was the top of the line in a great class of gimmers any of the top end of that class would win on another day.”

Taking the reserve male championship was Ian Murray’s homebred shearling ram Glenway Ace of Diamonds, a son of Garngour Yeltsin out of a homebred dam by Brackenridge Underdog.

And the reserve female honours went to the second prize gimmer from that class, Robbie Wilson’s LYM1702514, a similarly bred gimmer to the female champion being a Strathbogie Yes Sir daughter out of a Strathbogie Untouchable-sired dam.

In the day’s opening class, the aged rams, the winner was the £23,000 Midlock You’re The One from the Alford family, with this one jointly owned by John Elliot, Roxburgh and Jonathan Watson, Brijon.

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And the performance recorded ram lamb class was won by the Knox family with KWJ1801569, another by Clinterty Yuga Khan and this time out of a dam by Strathbogie Smokey Blue.

Robbie Wilson’s gimmer was reserve female champion

Leading the aged ewe class was HBR1600780 from Procters Farm, with this one being bred by Richard Henderson, Ballynahone, and sired by Duncryne Uber Cool and out of a dam

by Springhill Silverstone.

Top honours in the ewe lambs went to the Clark family with CJN1805507, a Kock Yardsman daughter out of a dam by Mossvale Winston.

Female champion was The Innes family’s gimmer

Topping the aged ewes was Procters Farm’s entry.

First prize aged ram Midlock You’re The One

Reserve male champion was Ian Murray’s shearling tup.

Results Aged Tup 1 – Messrs Alford’s Midlock You’re The One 2 – Messrs Bradley-Farmer, Gray and Orr’s Peacehay Ya’Belter 3 – Thomas Greenhill’s Tophill World Cup 4 – John Connell’s Craig Douglas Yamaha Shearling Rams 1 – Ian Murray’s Glenway Ace of Diamonds 2 – Vaughan Farms’ and R Bennett’s Plasucha Aberfeldy 3 – Ian Murray’s MFZ1701376 4 – John Connell’s Strathbogie Airbourne 5 – James Currie’s Farmhill Alexis

Ram Lambs 1 – Messrs Knox’s KWJ1801583 2 – Robert Wilson’s LYM1803073 3 – James Innes’ IJS1802739 4 – Procters Farm’s PFD1802468 5 – Robert Wilson’s LYM1803023

Shearling Ewes 1 – James Innes’ IJS1701627 2 – Robert Wilson’s LYM1702514 3 – Robert Bennett’s BFE1707087 4 – Robert Bennett’s BFE1707032 5 – Procters Farm’s PFD1701618

Performance recorded ram lambs 1 – Messrs Knox’s KWJ1801569 2 – Robert Laird’s LTC1804066 3 – Procters Farm’s PFD1802379 4 – Messrs Campbell’s CKC1809945 5 – David McKerrow’s DMN1801865

Ewe Lambs 1 – Messrs Clark’s CJN1805507 2 – Procters Farm’s PFD1802350 3 – Procters Farm’s PFD1802456 4 – Robert Wilson’s LYM1802993 5 – David Preacher’s PDV1812463

Aged Ewes 1 – Procters Farm’s HBR1600780 2 – Gordon Gray’s GGH1606104 3 – Messrs Knox’s KWJ1601224 4 – James Innes’ IJS1600672 5 – Alan Campbell’s CNK1400273

Champion Messrs Knox’s ram lamb KWJ1801583 Reserve champion James Innes’ gimmer IJS1701627

Shows texel.uk

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Girls on top at

Great Yorkshire I

t was ladies day at the Great Yorkshire Show, with Procters Farm, under the stewardship of Jeff and Jennifer Aiken, took the female and overall championship with their aged ewe, while following through in reserve was the Clark family with their ewe lamb.

Champion at Great Yorkshire was Procters Farm’s aged ewe winner.

Judge Charlie Boden worked through his classes in short time, finding his class winners with ease from an entry of more than 200, including a ewe lamb class of 50 entries.

Championship honours fell to the winner of the aged ewe class, HBR1600780, a ewe bred by Richard Henderson, Ballynahone, and sired by Duncryne Uber Cool and out of a dam by Springhill Silverstone. She was purchased for 5000gns at the Northern Stars sale last December. She had previously won her class at the Royal Highland Show last month and later went on to be reserve champion in the terminal sire section of the interbreed championship on the second day of the Great Yorkshire.

Mr Boden said she’d been an easy winner in her class and stood out in the championship for her style and fleshing.

Taking the reserve championship was the winner of the biggest class of the day, the ewe lambs, with this one coming from the Clark family. She is CJN1805507, a daughter of the 15,000gns Kock Yardsman out of a dam by Mossvale Winston.

This one stood first in her class at the Royal Highland Show.

In the male championship top honours went to Procters Farm again, this time with their ram lamb, PFD1802394, a son of the 10,000gns Milnbank American Sniper out of a dam by Tophill Union Jack.

Reserve here went to the winner of the open shearling ram class, Midlock Aviici, a shearling bought in Lanark last year for 22,000gns and shared by the Cowal, Anglezarke and Tophill flocks of the Campbell family, Messrs Symes and David Houghton, respectively. He is by Clinterty Yuga Khan and out of a dam by Teiglum Thunder.

The first class of the morning, the aged rams, was won by the 23,000gns Peacehay Ya’Belter from Messrs Orr, Bradley-Farmer and Gray. This one was bought at the English National Sale, Worcester last year and is by Scrogtonhead U Stoater and out of a dam by Sheeoch Tardis.

Then winning the exhibitor bred shearling ram class was Richard Wilson with Eden Valley All Star, a Knock Yankee son out of a dam by Anglezarke Uno and going back to the noted Tophill Wall St. Top honours in the performance recorded ram lamb class went to the Nesbitt family with their lamb, NTA1801369, a Strathbogie Yes Sir son out of a Plasucha bred dam by Garngour Upperclass.

And in the gimmers the winner was BFE1707087 from Robert Bennett. She is an Eden Valley Wizz Kid daughter out of a dam by Connachan Sharky and going back to Sportsmans Tremendous II. She had been third at last month’s Royal Highland Show.

Winning the group of three class was Peter Woof, with his trio from the Stainton flock.

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Reserve champion was CJN1805507 from the Clark family

Topping the gimmers was BFE1707087 from Robert Bennett

Male champion was Procters Farm’s ram lamb PFD1802394

Recorded ram lamb winner NTA1801369 from Messrs Nesbitt

Peacehay Ya’Belter won the aged ram class

Leading the open shearling rams was Midlock Avicii

Eden Valley All Star led the homebred shearling ram class

Results Aged Tup 1 – Messrs Bradley-Farmer, Orr and Gray’s Peacehay Ya’Belter 2 – Peter Longdin’s LJW1500690 3 – Robert Bennett’s Brackenridge Young Gun 4 – Richard Wilson’s Roxburgh YMCA 5 – Angela Nairey’s Moorgate Yoda Exhibitor Bred Shearling Rams 1 – Richard Wilson’s Eden Valley All Star 2 – Messrs Orr’s Halbeath Atom 3 – Steve Richardson’s RSS1700561 4 – Peter Woof’s Stainton Am Yours 5 – Gordon Gray’s Ettrick Appy Hour Open Shearling Rams 1 – Messrs Symes, Campbell and Houghton’s Midlock Avicii 2 – Richard Wilson’s Eden Valley A1 3 – J V Perrings’ Milnbank Andaluz 4 – G T Taylor’s TGP1701711 5 – Angela Nairey’s Meinspride Abid

Ram Lambs 1 – Procters Farm’s PFD1802394 2 – Messrs Nesbitt’s NTA1801368 3 – J R Wilkinson’s YWJ1800801 4 – K, A and R Campbell’s CKC1809937 5 – R Jones’ JRK1801404

Shearling Ewes 1 – Robert Bennett’s BFE1707087 2 – K, A and R Campbell’s CKC1707770 3 – Gordon Gray’s GGH1707083 4 – David McKerrow’s DMN1701529 5 – Procters Farm’s PFD1701660

Performance Recorded Ram Lambs 1 – Messrs Nesbitt’s NTA1801369 2 – Richard Wilson’s WEV1801121 3 – Gordon Gray’s GGH1808061 4 – Gordon Gray’s GGH1808076 5 – K, A and R Campbell’s CKC1809950

Ewe Lambs 1 – Clark Farm’s CJN1805507 2 – Richard Wilson’s WEV1801142 3 – Procters Farm’s PFD1802456 4 – Richard Wilson’s WEV1801104 5 – R Jones’ JRK1801410

Aged Ewes 1 – Procters Farm’s HBR1600780 2 – Gordon Gray’s GGH1606104 3 – Angela Nairey’s LMN1603219 4 – G L Riby’s RKS1400925 5 – Anthony Carter’s WPS1400644

Champion Procters Farm’s aged ewe HBR1600780 Reserve champion Clark Farm’s ewe lamb CJN1805507

Shows texel.uk

Autumn 2018

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Welsh gimmer leads at the

Royal Welsh

A

shearling ewe from the aptly named Welsh flock of Tomos Evans and his father Selwyn and mother Daphne took the top honours at this year’s Royal Welsh Show under judge David Corfield.

From an entry of more than 200 this gimmer, by Strathbogie Ya Patch took Mr Corfield’s eye for her length, gigot and overall breed character. “She’s a fantastic type, a true modern Texel with a great outlook and plenty of style and character. But importantly she’s great on her legs and has a super carcass from front to back. In the end it was her length that really caught my eye. Length weighs and that’s what the sheep industry has always been about.”

The gimmer, ESW1700887, is out of a Greenwood ewe, BMZ09642, a daughter of Swaites O Sullivan which is also dam of the 7000gns gimmer the Evans family sold at the English National Sale in 2014 to the Sportsmans flock.

Recording the flock’s best ever result at the Royal Welsh Tomos Evans said the gimmer was on her first and only show outing having been unshown as a lamb.

and end and carried himself well on his legs. “He’s a great tup with a super carcass befitting of the breed.”

Following him in to the reserve male championship was the top placed aged ram, Midlock You’re The One from Messrs Alford.

This £23,000 purchase from Kelso last autumn is by Midlock Wilson and out of a Douganhill Monarch daughter. He was interbreed champion at Royal Cornwall earlier in the summer as well as being first in his class at the Royal Highland.

Mr Corfield said it had been a pleasure to judge such an excellent show of Texels and commended all exhibitors on the quality of the sheep forward. “I couldn’t have wished for a better standard, every class had some great sheep.”

In the ram lambs the winner was Andrew Thomas’ lamb from the Brynmeini flock, TYG1800350, a son of Strathbogie Windbrook out of a dam by Einon Won o Won. And the ewe lamb class saw Iolo Prys Jones take top honours The Evans family’s gimmer led the line up at the Royal Welsh.

Taking the reserve spot was the reserve female champion and winner of the aged ewe class from Procters Farm, HBR1600780, a a ewe bred by Richard Henderson, Ballynahone, and sired by Duncryne Uber Cool and out of a dam by Springhill Silverstone.

She was purchased for 5000gns at the Northern Stars sale last December. This one was champion at Great Yorkshire Show earlier in the year having stood first in her class at the Royal Highland Show in June.

In the male championship the top honours went to Brian Joseph with shearling ram Tima Ace, an 8500gns purchase at Lanark last year from David Gray. This son of the 60,000gns Clinterty Yuga Khan is out of a Glenside Ring A Ding daughter. Mr Corfield said the tup was a great example of the breed with a great top

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with JLI1802417. This one is by the same sire as the champion, Strathbogie Ya Patch and is out of a Kelso Picasso daughter.

Mr Prys Jones then also took the red ticket in the group of three class, adding to a successful day for the Llangwm flock.

Reserve male champion was Midlock You’re The One

Results Aged Tup 1 – Messrs Alford’s Midlock You’re The One 2 – Tyngwndwn Texels’ Eglur Yoga 3 – Tomos Adams’ Alwent Waterloo Shearling Rams 1 – Brian Joseph’s Tima Ace 2 – Iolo Prys Jones’ Foreman Hill Apache 3 – A E Williams’ WSF1706454 4 – Ian Andrews’ Millar’s Action Replay 5 – C E and N W Pryce’s PEC1700533

Procters Farm’s aged ewe took reserve championship honours

First prize ram lamb came from Andrew Thomas.

Tima Ace led the shearling tups.

Ram Lambs 1 – Andrew Thomas’ TYG1800350 2 – Procters Farm’s PFD1802476 3 – Iolo Prys Jones’ JLI1802415 4 – Tomos Evans’ ESW1801049 5 – D J J Watkins and Co’s WJW1801264 Aged Ewes 1 – Procters Farm’s HBR1600780 2 – Evan Jones’ WRK1510140 3 – Shae Price’s ESW1600624 4 – G P and M Jones’ JML1400529 5 – Iolo Prys Jones’ JLI1601332

Lead ewe lamb was Iolo Prys Jones’ JLI1802417

Shearling Ewes 1 – Tomos Evans’ ESW1700887 2 – Procters Farm’s PFD1701660 3 – Robert Bennett’s BFE1707087 4 – Robert Pierce’s PRE1700773 5 – Robert Bennett’s BFE1707067 Ewe Lambs 1 – Iolo Prys Jones’ JLI1802417 2 – Robert Bennett’s BFE1808019 3 – Robert Bennett’s BFE1808109 4 – Procters Farm’s PFD1802350 5 – Tomos Evans’ ESW1801050 Champion Tomos Evans’ gimmer ESW1700887 Reserve Champion Procters Farm’s aged ewe HBR1600780

Shows texel.uk

Autumn 2018

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125,000gns bid takes Lanark top call as average rises 26%

T

he season opening Scottish National Texel Sale, Lanark, saw a six figure top call for a ram lamb from Myfyr Evans’ Rhaeadr flock, Denbigh, Wales, with the sale average jumping 26% on the year.

Rhaeadr Best Of The Best 125,000gns

With an overall average of £3417.04, a rise of more than £700 on 2017’s fixture, there was a broadly optimistic mood among breeders, said Texel Sheep Society chief executive John Yates.

The sale topper at 125,000gns was Rhaeadr Best of the Best from Welsh breeder Myfyr Evans, a much fancied lamb by the 70,000gns Teiglum Young Gun and out of a 12,000gns Auldhouseburnbred ewe by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid. After attracting significant attention ahead of the sale this one was subject to a fierce bidding battle which quickly escalated past six figures before the hammer fell with the winning bidders being Hugh and Alan Blackwood buying for their Auldhouseburn flock, Muirkirk, Ayrshire.

And the Blackwoods were involved in the day’s second best call of 75,000gns when selling one from their strong pen, Auldhouseburn Boss. This son of the 130,000gns Sportsmans A Star is out of a homebred dam by the 145,000gns

Knap Vicious Sid, making this lamb a combination of recent high priced breeding. He was another heavily fought for lamb, with the buyers of this one being Keith, Roy and Alan Campbell for their Cowal flock, Argyll.

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recent years when selling Sportsmans Benchmark at 26,000gns. This son of Fordafourie Amalert, a 28,000gns buy from last year’s Lanark sale, is a maternal brother to the 130,000gns Sportsmans A Star and sold to Graham Morrison for the Deveronvale flock and Jim Innes, Strathbogie, with an index of 390 and being out of a dam by Cairnam Talisman.

Auldhouseburn Boss 75,000gns

Then making 40,000gns was the day’s pre-sale champion from the Knox family’s Haddo flock. This was Haddo Balvenie, a Clinterty Yuga Khan son.

He had been champion at the Royal Highland Show earlier in the year and is out of an Ellen Valley Warlord daughter.

Selling with an index of 470, he was bought in a three-way split by John Elliot, Roxburgh, Staplegrove Livestock, Foxhillfarm, and Ken Hodge, Greenarch.

Late in the sale, which saw 20 sheep sell at five figures of more, came a 32,000gns bid for Plasucha Big Gun from Robert Bennett. This son of the homebred Plasucha All Star is out of a dam by Kelso Wiseman and sold with an index of 415, having stood first in the pre-sale show. This one heads to Cheshire, with Charlie Boden and family for the Sportsmans flock.

A brace then traded at 28,000gns, with the first of these being the very first lamb in the ring, Knock Banker from Albert and George Howie. This was another highly talked about lamb, being a son of Allanfauld Am The Man and out of a Garngour Vintage daughger and with an index of 356. He was bought by David McKerrow and family, Nochnary, and Robert Cockburn, Knap, with the Knox family retaining a third share for themselves.

Second to make this price was another of the Auldhouseburn pen, Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid. Again by the 130,000gns Sportsmans A Star, he is out of a 13,000gns Hullhouse-bred dam

by Garngour Vodka and sold in a twoway split to Robert Cockburn, Knap, and Robbie Wilson, Milnbank.

The Boden family’s Sportsmans flock continued its successful run of

Following that came a 24,000gns bid for Haddo Breadwinner from the Knox family. This is a son of the good breeding Allanfauld Am The Man and out of a dam by Strathbogie Smokey Blue.

Bought by a consortium of buyers, he was knocked down to Allan Campbell, Strawfrank, with shares taken by Andrew Neilson, Brackenridge and James Currie, Carlinside, with the vendors keeping a quarter share for themselves.

Taking a 22,000gns call was Cowal Bucking Bronco from Keith, Roy and Alan Campbell. This son of Midlock Avicii is out of a Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold-sired dam and had stood fifth in the recorded class at the Great Yorkshire Show and has an index of 444. He was bought by Robbie Wilson, Milnbank, and Jemma Green, Corskie.

Robert Bennett was back in the money when taking 20,000gns for Plasucha Boss Man, a son of Mullan Awesome out of a dam by Knock Yankee and with an index of 430. He sold in a two-way split to the Arnott family, Haymount, and Esmor Evans, Maerdy.

Three then followed at 17,000gns, with the first being Alderview Barrister from Northern Irish breeder Mark Patterson.

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This lamb was reserve champion at Balmoral earlier in the summer and is

by Arkle Awesome and out of a dam by Hartside Volt. He was the pick of Gordon Gray, Ettrick, with a share going to the Cullen family’s Craighead flock.

Haddo Balvenie 40,000gns

The next at this money was Silvermere Baltic from first time vendor Michelle Tanya Hanson. This Strathbogie Yes Sir son is out of a Milnbank ewe by Strathbogie Untouchable and was 5th in the pre-sale show. He sold to the Clark family, Helen and sons, Alan, Andrew and David, and Robin and Caroline Orr, Halbeath, and the Wilkinson family, Arkle.

Plasucha Big Gun 32,000gns

And the Clarks then took 17,000gns themselves for Garngour Bullet, a Fordafourie Young Star son which had been reserve champion in the pre-sale show. He’s out of a dam by Castlecairn Vavavoom and sold with an index of 466 when bought by Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, Neil and Stuart Barclay, Harestone, and Kenny Pratt, Hilltop.

Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid 28,000gns

After that came a 15,000gns bid for Deveronvale Braveheart, a Mullan Armani son from Graham Morrison. This is out of a dam by Millar’s Windbrook and is from the same family as the 50,000gns Deveronvale Ace of Diamonds. This one heads across the water to Northern Ireland with David McCreery, Topped, and John Leitch, Cornmore.

Knock Banker 28,000gns

Sportsmans Benchmark 26,000gns

A 12,000gns call then came for Fordafourie Balvenie from Sandy Lee. This son of Fachell Victor is out of the same dam as the 28,000gns Fordafourie Amalert, sire of the 26,0000gns Sportsmans lamb and sold to Brian MacTaggart for Douganhill Farms, Dumfriesshire, with a share taken by Procters Farm, Lancashire.

Making 11,000gns was another from the Blackwoods’ Auldhouseburn pen helping them to an average of £21, 962 for seven sold. This lamb, Auldhouseburn Bozo, is another by the 130,000gns A Star and is out of a dam by Glenside Willie Winkie.

He found a new home in Wales with Idris Morris’ Fachell flock, with a half share going to H and I Williams Llyfni.

Young breeders Charlotte and James Nicholson then saw their lamb, Knockem Bright Spark sell at 10,500gns. This lamb is by Midlock Ali Baa Baa and out of a Strathbogie Untouchable daughter. He was bought in a shared deal by Messrs

MacGregor, The Dyke, the Gilmour family, Humeston, and Malcolm Coubrough, Hartside.

Then came a trio at 10,000gns, with the first of these being Tamnamoney Bushtown, a second prize winner from Roger Strawbridge. Sired by Scotsman Avicii and out of a dam by Knock Travis, he is a maternal brother to the 9000gns Tamnamoney Young Willie McBride and was taken by Stephen Cobbold, Suffolk.

Next at 10,000gns was one of two from Jim Innes to make this price, Strathbogie Best Bet. This son of the 42,000gns Mullan Armani is out of a dam by Strathbogie Untouchable and was third at the Highland earlier in the year. He sold to Northern Ireland with James Wilkinson, the McCollam family and Adrian Liggett.

And the second 10,000gns sale from this pen, Strathbogie Bees Knees also headed to the Emerald Isle, being bought by Roger Strawbridge, Tamnamoney, Sam McAuley, Whitepark, Alistair Gault, Forkins, Richard Henderson, Ballynahone, Leonard Linton, Bregagh and John Greene, Eire. He’s by Armani again and out of a Milnbank Sound Investment daughter.

Other leading prices 9000gns – Messrs Knox, Haddo Bright Spark to Allan Chisholm, Wester Moy. 8400gns – Donald MacPherson, Hexel Born To Be Wild to Messrs Knox, Haddo.

8200gns – Jim Innes, Strathbogie Buster to Messrs Dunlop, Elmscleugh.

8000gns – Charlie Boden, Mellor Vale Black Jack to David Houghton, Tophill.

7800gns - Messrs Clark Farms, Teiglum Bachelor to Stewart Ferrris Jnr, Stewart Ferris Snr and Mark Patterson.

7500gns – Robert Cockburn, Knap Bonanza to Henry Gamble, Springhill, Brian Hanthorn, Mullan and Messrs Currie, Tullagh.

7500gns – Gordon Gray, Ettrick Braw Lad to Sandy Lee, Fordafourie.

7200gns – Jim Innes, Strathbogie Boss to Messrs Noble.

7000gns – Roger Strawbridge, Tamnamoney Black Gold, to Martin Warnock and Michael Smyth.

7000gns – Robbie Wilson, Milnbank Brooklyn, to Messrs McKerrow, Grougfoot.

Average; 325 ram lambs £3417.04 (Lawrie and Symington).

Haddo Breadwinner 24,000gns

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Plasucha gimmer leads Lanark trade at 18,000gns D emand for top quality Texel females saw 54 sell to level at £1670.28, a rise of more than £120 on the same sale in 2017.

Heading up the prices was the female champion from the pre-sale show, a gimmer from Robert Bennett’s Plasucha flock, Welshpool. This was BFE1707032, an ET bred daughter of Eden Valley Wiz Kid out of a dam by Garngour Upperclass and sold with an index of 346.

This gimmer had been fourth at the Royal Highland earlier in the summer and champion at Shropshire County Show.

She sold to Staplegrove Livestock, Devon, for the Foxhillfarm flock.

Second best at 5000gns was Brian Hanthorn’s gimmer from the Mullan flock, HBN1701525, a Glenside Willie Winkie daughter out of a dam by Haddo Ringleader and being a full sister to the 42,000gns Mullan Armani. She sold with an index of 387 and was the pick of Mike Turner, Derby.

Then at 4800gns was Ryan Bradley’s reserve female champion BYK1700258, a Bryn-Y-Coed Bear daughter out of a dam

by Tophill Union Jack. This one found a new home with Donald McPherson for the Hexel flock.

At the same money was Richard Wilson’s WEV1700947 from the Eden Valley consignment.This Anglezarke Uno daughter is out of a dam by Sportsmans Tremendous II and sold with an index of 335 to Messrs Teward.

A 3200gns call secured Robbie Wilson’s LYM1702558 from the Milnbank flock.

Sired by Strathbogie Yes Sir, she is out of a dam by Glenside Valhalla and sold to Messrs Bryne.

Matthew MacTaggart then sold one at 2500gns, with this being MTR1701077, a Douganhill Young Blood daughter out of a dam by Teiglum Tennessee. She sold to Ireland with J Adams.

Following her at 3000gns was another from the Plasucha pen, BFE1707108, another by Wiz Kid and out of a Garngour Upperclass-sired dam. Taking her home was David Preacher for the Holylee flock.

Just behind that at 2400gns was PTT1700066 from Mark Patterson’s Alderview flock. She’s by Sportsmans Yaya and out of a dam by Ettrick Urgan and sold to Adrian Liggett for the Corbo flock.

Peter Woof then sold at 2600gns, with this one being WPS1701069. She’s a daughter of the homebred Stainton Wasdale out of a dam by Sportsmans Tremendous II. She heads to the Isle of Man with the Kermode family, for the Orrisdale flock.

And Frank Rushton then paid 2300gns for another of the Stainton gimmers, WPS1701087, a Knock Yankee daughter out of a dam by Anglezarke Uno and with an index of 386.

Average; 54 gimmers £1670.28 (Lawrie and Symington).

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8000gns ram lamb top call at English National

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top call of 8000gns and a clearance rate of 77% were the highlights of another successful English National Texel Sale at Worcester, with 171 ram lambs levelling the day at £1140.45.

Leading the prices was a lamb from Robert Laird’s Cambwell flock, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Cambwell Boss Hogg, a son of the homebred Cambwell Aristocrat out of a dam by Cambwell Trademark and selling with an index of 462. This one fell in a three way split to Vaughan Farms, Kingsland, Robert Bennett, Plasucha and Nick Legge, Thornbury.

Second best at 7000gns was Scotsman Bullseye from Scott Michie, this one had stood reserve champion in the pre-sale show and is by the noted Duncryne Uber Cool and out of a dam

by Oberstown Usain Bolt. He was also bought in a shared deal, with shares taken

by Messrs Wilkinson, Arkle, MacTaggart, Rascarrel and McColm, Crailloch.

Following that at 6500gns was the best of the day from Northern Ireland, in the form of Alastair Gault’s Forkins Body

Builder. This son of Scotsman Avicii is out of a dam by Duncryne Uber Cool and sold to local buyers John Owens, Leominster and John Sinnett, Stockton on Teme.

Then at 6000gns was Auldhouseburn Batman from Alan Blackwood, Muirkirk, Ayrshire. Sired by the 130,000gns Sportsmans A Star and out of a dam by

Clinterty Yuga Khan, this one again sold to a consortium, with shares taken by Gordon Gray, Ettrick, David Gray, Tima and Steven Renwick, Craig Douglas.

Next best at 5200gns was John Trimble’s Curley Big Mac, a son of Knock Yazoo out of a dam by Mellor Vale The One. He was the choice of W T Davies and Co for the Canllefaes flock, Cardigan.

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Bently from Messrs Boden and Davies, Stockport. This son of Fordafourie Amalert is out of the same dam as the 130,000gns Sportsmans A Star and sold to Messrs Martyn for the Barnage flock.

Top call at 8000gns was Cambwell Boss Hogg.

Second at this price the Auldhouseburn Big Bob from Alan Blackwood. This is another by Sportsmans A Star and out of a dam by Strathbogie Untouchable. He sold to Messrs Chave for the Peacehay flock and Messrs Smith for the Slapton flock.

Third to make 3000gns was Strathbogie Big Time from Jim Innes. Sired by Mullan Armani, he is out of a dam by Garngour Ultimatum and sold to Georgie Helyer for the Langford flock, Hampshire.

Two ram lambs then sold at 5000gns, with the first of these being Robert Cockburnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Knap Bugsy Malone, a son of Procters Yankee out of a dam by Tamanmoney Tuborg Gold, which is a sister to the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid. He sold to Ian Hunter, Dachirla.

The other at this money was Strathbogie Big Shot from Jim Innes, Aberdeenshire.

Sired by Mullan Armani he is out of a dam by Glenside Valhalla and sold to Carol Harriott, Slinfold, Horsham.

Four then followed at 3000gns, with the first of this quartet being Sportsmans Auldhouseburn Batman 6000gns

Forkins Body Builder 6500gns

And the final 3000gns call came for another from the same pen, Strathbogie Bombshell. Sired by the Irish sire, Greenstar Alfie, he is out of a dam by Millarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Windbrook and was knocked down to H G Thomas, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.

Scotsman Bullseye 7000gns

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Then making 2700gns was Auldhouseburn Basil from Alan Blackwood. This is another by the 130,000gns A Star and this time out a Garngour Vodka-sired dam. He sold to E Gisbourne, Charlton Hill, Cheltenham.

Close behind at 2600gns was Strathbogie Bachelor from Jim Innes, he’s by Mullan Armani and out of a dam by Aman Vyrnwy. He found a new home with

Messrs Pickles, Green Hammerton,York, and Richard Wilson, Harrogate.

Empire Allstar 3500gns

And at 2500gns was Strathbogie Brightside from Jim Innes. This son of Mullan Armani is out of a Strathbogie Untouchable dam and sold in a two-way split to Michael Leggat, Foreman Hill and Scott Michie, Scotsman.

Average; 171 ram lambs £1140.45 (McCartneys).

5000gns bid leads Worcester Shearlings

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hearling rams sold to a high of 5000gns at the English National Sale, with this price paid for Whitehart A Lister from Nicola Hartwright, Bringsty, Worcester. This son of Blackadder Weaver is out of a dam by Cherryvale Shergar and stood second in the pre-sale show.

He was well fought for, eventually being knocked down in a two-way split to Michael and Ella James, Duhonw and Stephen Abberley, Old Helmley, both Powys.

Then at 3500gns was the best of the sale from Messrs Chave’s Peacehay flock, Peacehay At Your Service. He’s

by Clarks Wizard and out of a dam by Blaencar Valiant. This one sold to Russell and Gill Watkins for the Millend Flock, Herefordshire.

Peacehay At Your Service 3500gns

And at the same price was Philip Weaver’s first prize shearling, Empire Allstar. Sired by Alwent You’re the One, he is out of a dam by Lochar Rascal and sold to N Davies, Builth Wells.

Second at this level was Stonehills Africa from the Riby family,Yorkshire. Sired by Calybury Yates, he is out of a dam by Strathbogie Terminator and sold with an index of 352, being bought by David and Tomas Bradley-Farmer, Dumfries.

Following him closely at 3400gns was Kimbolton Ace from Paul Phillips. This one is a son of Hollyford Vroom Vroom and out of a dam by Kimbolton Va Va Voom and sold with an index of 491.

He was taken by R Greasley, Kedleston, Derby.

And a 2600gns call secured Whitehart Autumn Gold. This one from Nicola Hartwright is by Cherryvale Shergar and out of a dam by Langside The Gaffer. He found a new home with M A Jones, Clun, Craven Arms.

Two then traded at 3000gns, with the first of these being Clun Admiral from A E Williams and Son. This son of Blore View Winger is out of a Clun Panther daughter and was the choice of G P Jones and family, Llanthomas.

Making the next best of 2400gns was Kimbolton Arrow from Paul Phillips. Sired

by Hollyford Vroom Vroom he is out of a Goldies Supreme daughter and sold with an index of 461 to J E Quick, West Monkton, Taunton.

Average; 66 shearling rams £1342.73 (McCartneys).

Whitehart A Lister topped the shearlings at 5000gns

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English National sale sees 16,000gns top and record gimmer average

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immers hit a new record average of £1327.03 at the English National Texel Sale, Worcester, with a joint record top price of 16,000gns achieved on a day that saw an 89% clearance.

A 16,000gns call secured Robbie Wilson’s female champion LYM1702529

Heading up the prices at 16,000gns was the female champion from the pre-sale show from Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank flock, Turriff. This was LYM1702529, a Strathbogie Yes Sir daughter out of a dam by Glenside Valhalla which sold to 10,000gns at Carlisle in 2016. She was subject to intense bidding before being knocked down to Messrs Boden and Davies for the Sportsmans flock, Cheshire.

And the same buyers then took the second top priced lot at 5500gns. Selling this gimmer were W T Davies and Co of the Canllefaes flock, Cardigan. Sired

by Brackenridge Yonder, this gimmer, DWC1701470, is out of a Scrogtonhead Pioneer daughter.

Second best gimmer was DWC1701470 at 5500gns.

Next best came a brace of 4000gns bids for gimmers from Usk Vale Pedigrees.

First at this price was UVP1702848 an ET bred daughter of the 35,000gns Strathbogie Ya Belter out of a dam

by Baltier Panther. She sold to Henry Summerhayes, Somerset.

Second at this price was UVP1702834, a full ET sister to the first, with this one finding a new home in Shifnal, Shropshire, with Paul and Christine Tippetts.

Next best at 2900gns was another from the same home, UVP1702865, an ET-bred gimmer by Ya Belter out of a dam by Glenside Valhalla which goes back to the £15,000 Forkins Una. She sold to Rob Mason, Preston.

flock. This ET bred gimmer is by Halbeath VIP out of a dam by Strathbogie Terminator and also headed to Preston with Mr Mason.

Three then followed at 2000gns, with the first being from David Gray’s Tima flock.

This was GCT1707283, an Ettrick Wagon Wheel daughter out of a dam by Ettrick Urgan Legend with an index of 326. She sold to Charlotte and James Nicholson, Duns, Berwickshire.

The last one at this price was from the Clark family’s Clarks pen, DCX1704857, a Fordafourie Young Star daughter out of a Springwell Ulsterboy daughter. Selling with an index of 380 she sold to Jeremy Theyer, Oxfordshire, for the Chedworth flock.

Following at the same money was ISJ1701580 from Jim Innes’ Strathbogie

The second from the champion’s pen, LYM1702475, from Robbie Wilson

then sold at 1600gns, with this being a Halbeath VIP daughter out of a Strathbogie Untouchable-sired dam.

She sold Vaughan Farms, Kingsland, Leominster.

And selling for 1550gns was Messrs Bradley’s gimmer from their Far Hey flock. This was BRF1700346, an Anglezarke Uno daughter out of a dam by Cambwell Taurus. She found a new home with Andy Keedwell, Priddy, Somerset.

Average; 65 shearling ewes £1327.03 (McCartneys).

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Texels hit 6600gns at Welshpool

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his years Welsh National Texel Sale saw a top call of 6600gns achieved, with averages up in both the shearling rams and ram lambs and 21% more ram lambs sold than at last year’s fixture.

Sale leader at 6600gns was Rhaeadr Braveheart

Both breeders and commercial buyers were in action throughout the sale helping lift the shearling ram average by more than £180 and the ram lamb average by more than £80, with quality rams in strong demand.

Selling for the top call was Rhaeadr Braveheart from Myfyr Evans’ Denbighbased Rhaeadr flock. This one is by the 70,000gns Teigulm Younggun and out of an Auldhouseburn dam by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid, making him a full brother to Mr Evans’ 125,000gns top seller at Lanark just two days previously. Buying this one was Alun Jones, Gwynfe, Carmarthenshire, for the Ynystoddeb flock, with a half share taken by the Bwlch Y Gwynt flock of Dafydd Evans.

dam by Scolton Panther. This one sold to Osain Rhys, breeder of his sire for the Seiont flock, Lon Pant, Gwynedd, with a half share retained by Mr Evans.

Following was the first of two at 6500gns. This was a shearling tup from Esmor Evans’ Maerdy flock, with this being Maerdy Ace, a son of Seiont Unigolymn and out of a Peacehay-bred

Second at 6500gns was another ram lamb, this time from Paul and Christine Tippetts, Shifnal. This was Wilodge Bravo, the reserve male champion from the presale show. He’s by Baltier Thunderbird

and out of a Beautry dam by Loosebeare Voldemort. Selling with an index of 426 he was knocked down to the Draper family, Montford Bridge, Shropshire, for their Claybury flock and the Reed family for the Scolton flock.

Then at 3700gns was another of the shearling rams, this time from Cefyn Pryce in the form of Caereinion All

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Star. This fourth prize winner from the pre-sale show is by the homebred Caereinion Your the Boy and out of a dam by Caereirion Number One and sold with an index of 475 to Davies Vrios, Penparc, Ceredigion.

Two then sold at 2600gns, with the first being a shearling ram from Richard Wilson. This was Eden Valley All Star, the male and reserve overall champion from the pre-sale show. Sired by Knock Yankee, he is out of a dam by Anglezarke Uno and has an index of 297. Buying this one was J Chapman, Wirswall, Shropshire.

The other at this price was a ram lamb from Charlie Boden’s Mellor Vale pen, Mellor Vale Big Brother. Sired by Teiglum Younggun he is out of a dam by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid and sold to Roy Hughes, Trefonen, Shropshire, with an index of 275.

A 2500gns call for another of Cefyn Pryce’s shearling tups came after that, with this price paid for Caereinion Action Man, a Kimbolton Venturer son out of the same dam as Mr Pryce’s 3700gns shearling. He was the pick of J Stonall, Red Lane, Powys.

The final call at 2000gns or more came at 2000gns for James Ruggeri’s ram lamb, Ghyros Boris, a Donrho Aristocrac son out of a dam by Eden Valley Wiz Kid. He sold to Nicola Hartwright for the Whitehart flock, Bringsty, Worcestershire.

Going away at 1900gns was Tom Ryder’s shearling ram Ryders Apollo,

a Wollascott V.Q son out of a dam by Strathbogie Upgrade. He found a new home with I G Evans and Son, Chirk, Clwyd.

And making 1750gns was the best of the shearlings from Nicola Hartwright, Whitehart Anchor Man, the second prize shearling from the pre-sale show.

He is by Loosbeare Voomer and out of a dam by Broomknowes Tyson and sold to Davies Bros, Penparc, Ceredigion.

Gimmers Topping the gimmers on offer was the female and overall champion from Peter Woof’s Stainton flock at 4000gns.

This was WPS1701099, an ET bred daughter of Knock Yankee out of a dam

by Anglezarke Uno and with an index of 361. She sold to D and H Alderson, Barrowford.

After that came a 2700gns call for another gimmer, BFE1707061 from Robert Bennett’s Plasucha flock. This is a full sister to Mr Bennett’s 18,000gns sale topper at Lanark, earlier in the week, being a daughter of Eden Valley Wiz Kid out of a dam by Garngour Upperclass and was bought by J Cubbitt, Ballymena.

Special One, with this one selling to R S T and S A Morgan, Coton.

Second at this money was the second prize winning gimmer from Usk Vale Pedigrees, UVP1702830, a Strathbogie Ya Belter daughter out of a dam by Deveronvale Perfection, with this one bought by D and J Dunlop, Norbury.

Average;59 shearling ewes £726.10, 21 shearling rams £1302.50, 101 ram lambs £736.98 (Welshpool Livestock Sales).

Top priced shearling ram at 6500gns was Maerdy Ace

Wilodge Bravo 6500gns

Next best here was a 1500gns call for another of Peter Woof’s WPS1701077, an ET bred daughter of Knock Yankee out of a dam by Anglezarke Uno and a full sister to the 4000gns gimmer. She was bought

by D P Davies, Uffington, Shropshire.

A pair then made 1400gns, with the first being a Sportsmans gimmer from Charlie Boden, BGS1702788, a Clinterty Yogi Bear daughter out of a dam by Milnbank

Female champion WPS1701099 made 4000gns

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4300gns shearling leads Northern Irish National trade

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of a dam by Knap Vogue, with this one finding a new home with Peter Boyd for the Poseyhill flock, Ballyclare.

On a day when the ram lamb average rose by just shy of £100 and the shearling ram average climbed by more than £45, clearance rates also fared well, with 91% of the gimmers finding new homes.

Next best then was a 2600gns call for Donalds View Bset Yet from Sean Hamill. Coming early in the day he is

by Drumgooland Aga Khan and out of a dam by Springwell Venom. He sold to Scotland in a three-way split, with shares taken by Robert Laird, Cambwell, Kenny Johnstone, Boghouse and Neil Edmondson, Castle Bank.

he pre-sale champion from Brian Williamson’s Farmhill flock led the prices at the Northern Irish National Texel Sale, when making 4300gns.

Topping the trade was shearling ram Farmhill Aristotle, a son of Tullagh Yogi out of a dam by Knock Travis. He was well fought for in the sale ring, being eventually knocked down to Paul and Baillie O’Connor for the Drumgooland flock.

Second best of the day at 4000gns was the top priced ram lamb of the sale, a lamb from Naomi Ardis’ Millburn flock.

This was Millburn Big Guns an entry by the 70,000gns Teiglum Young Gun out of a dam by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid. He sold to Ivor Kilpatrick, Raphoe, Co Donegal.

Following along after that at 3000gns was Irish Hill Braveheart from Wilson Kennedy. He’s by Knock Yazoo and out

Another at this price was Kiltariff Bastareaud from Barclay Bell and family.

He’s a son of Sportsmans Yogi Bear out of a Cowal Viceroy-sired dam and was knocked down to Robert Mulligan for the Brague flock, Banbridge, Co Down. with an index of 460.

Liam McPolin, Newry, Co Down.

Close behind at 2200gns was Ballyrussell BMW from Mary Clarke. This first prize winner from the pre-sale show is by Staneybrae Angus and out of a dam by Seneirl Arnos and was the pick of Martin McConville, Rathfriland, Co Down.

And at 2100gns was another of the shearling tups, Derryhoney A Star from Adrian Liggett. He’s by Stainton Vigilante and out of a Ballydesland Thunder King daughter. This one found a new home with T Hynes, Rathfriland, Co Down.

Then at 1900gns was Tullagh Bo Didley from John and Richard Currie, a son of Midcombe Axel out of a dam by Milnbank Womaniser and sold to Michael McHugh, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

After that at 2400gns came Roger Strawbridge’s best of the day Tamnamoney Black Lightning, a Scotsman Avicii son out of a dam with Duncryne Uber Cool and sold to Henry Gamble, Springwell.

At the same money was Tamnamoney Bigus Dicus from Roger Strawbridge, a son of Millar’s Windbrook and out of a Duncryne Uber Cool-sired dam. This one was bought by J McGee, Creeslough, Co Donegal.

Then at 2300gns was another from the same pen, Tamnamoney Black Bush, this similarly bred lamb which was bought by

Messrs Simpson and Calvin then sold Ballyhivistock Bulls Eye at 1700gns. He’s

by Milnbank Abracadabra and out of

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Leading trade at 4300gns was Farmhill Aristotle

Irish Hill Braveheart sold at 3000gns

Millburn Big Guns made 4000gns

a dam by Llyfni Vidal and sold to G W Jones for the Erw flock, Corwen, Wales.

Gimmers Best of the gimmers at Ballymena was a 1300gns call for the female and reserve overall champion from Beth and Jack Gault. This was GCN1701816 from the Cherryvale flock, she is by Halbeath Woody and out of a dam by Sportsmans Scania and sold to R Docherty, Clonmany, Co Donegal.

Next best here was a 1050gns call for a Fairywater gimmer from Andrew Fyffe.

This was FAO1700949, a Strathbogie

Whiplash daughter out of a Glenside Razzle Dazzle daughter and sold to C McIlwaine, Newtonstewart, having stood third in the pre-sale show.

Top priced gimmer at 1300gns

Then at 900gns was Brian Hanthorn’s second prize gimmer HBN1701539 from the Mullan flock. This daughter of Fairywater Yorkie is out of a dam by Garngour VIP and sold with an index of 378 to David McCreery, Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh.

Averages; 32 shearling ewes £536.48, 132 ram lambs £648.93, 64 shearling rams £748.86 (J A McClelland).

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Topping trade at Kelso was Garngour Awesome at £29,000.

Selling at £10,000 was a Pant Wolf son from Jonathan Watson’s Brijon flock.

Awesome day for Garngour at Kelso

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exels led trade at Kelso Ram Sales, securing the day’s top three prices of £29,000, £16,000 and £10,000, and continued to be the most numerous breed sold at the event, which saw an overall clearance rate of 85.5%.

Tups with good skins, shape and power were in big demand, but plainer types were harder to sell, according to Lawrie and Symington auctioneer Brian Ross, who sold the top two priced tups, at £29,000 and £16,000.

Topping the trade early in the day was a Texel shearling from Alan, Andrew and David Clark’s Garngour pen from Lesmahagow. First in the performance recorded show the evening prior to the sale, this one, Garngour Awesome, is by the 15,000gns Knock Yardsman – a tup that has already sired ram lambs up to 40,000gns for the flock – and out of a ewe by Castlecairn Vavavoom, which was also the dam of the 17,000gns Garngour Bullet, sold at Lanark last month.

This is the third time the Clarks have secured the top price at Kelso, but this year’s leader far surpassed their previous best shearling price of £11,000. A first

prize winner at Biggar Show in July, Awesome sold at £29,000 to commercial producer Paul Slater, who runs more than 1200 ewes in Cheshire and sells 500-550 Texel and cross shearling rams annually.

Another the same-way bred from Blackadder reached £6500, selling to Messrs Roots, Kilnford Croft, Castle Douglas.

Mr Slater commented: “I came looking for something special and I found that today.

With the number of shearlings I sell, I need to keep at the top of the game and this tup will hopefully prove a big addition to my flock – he has length, style and width, as well as overall presence.”

Jonathan Watson enjoyed a flying trade for shearlings from his Brijon flock from Bowsden Moor, Berwick Upon Tweed. Top of the pen, at £10,000, was the champion in the Ring 5 show, a son of Pant Wolf, out of a ewe by Grey Peel Rambo. He sold to Ben Marsden, Liley Farm, Penistone, Sheffield.

The Clarks sold others by Knock Yardsman, also out of Vavavoom daughters, at £3800, to Esmor Evans, Maerdy and the Arnotts at Haymount, and £3600 to Dougie Fleming, Nisbet, Coulter.

Two others from the same flush sold at £6500 and £6000, selling to the Quicks at Loosebeare, Devon and James and Thomas Whiteford, Tercrosset, Brampton, respectively.

In the same ring, Neil Harvey’s Blackadder consignment from Duns, sold to £16,000 – his best price to-date at Kelso. This shearling is one of the first crop of lambs by Wolfclyde Wawrinka, a tup bought for £1200 at Kelso. Out of a ewe

by Douganhill Taggart, he sold to Iain Minto, Townhead, Dolphinton, Jim Gibb, Toftcombs, Biggar and James Orr, Wester Walston, Carnwath.

Best for Peter and Lynn Gray’s Scrogtonhead lot was a £7000 bid for a shearling son of Clinterty Yuga Khan, out of a ewe by Teiglum Thunder, which sold to Malcolm Coubrough, Hartside, Lamington.

The Wight family’s Midlock consignment attracted plenty of attention, despite being last through the ring. They peaked at £6200, for another by Clinterty Yuga

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Leading lamb trade at 5000gns was Strawfrank Balvenie.

Strathbogie Usher, from Allan Campbell’s flock at Carstairs. He sold to the Knox family at Haddo, Fyvie, Turriff.

Neil Harvey’s Blackadder shearling made £16,000.

At £4600, Robbie Wilson, Milnbank, Turriff, sold a lamb by Holylee Acrobat, out of a ewe bought from Archie Hamilton and sired by Sportsmans Unimog, to Andrew Thomas, for his Brynmeini flock in Wales.

Averages: 844 registered Texel shearlings, £882.73; 118 registered Texel ram lambs, £643.81.

Leading averages:

Khan, out of a ewe by Teiglum Thunder, which sold to J B Pate and Son, Toxside Farm, Gorebridge. Other sons of Yuga Khan from Midlock sold at £4800, to Alistair McArthur, Nunnerie, Biggar; £4500 to Dougie Fleming, Nisbet, Coulter, and £4000 to Mark Ireland, Orchard House, Clitheroe.

At £5500, Norman Douglas, Catslackburn, Yarrow, took home a shearling by Haddo Whisky Galore, out of a ewe by Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold, from Steven Renwick’s Craig Douglas consignment.

Top for Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, was £3800, for a Garngour Yeltsin son, which sold to John

Also in the shearlings, one at £3000 from the Arnotts at Haymount, sold to John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains.

Shearlings Flock (no) Garngour (10) Midlock (10) Blackadder (15) Craig Douglas (5 Allanfauld (6) Bowsden Moor (29) Harestone (3) Loosebeare (6) Blackhouse (6) Artnagullion (10) Greenall (17) Roxburgh Mains (31) Haymount (26) Scrogtonhead (32) Mitchellhill (8) Cambwell (12) Ettrick (15)

Top Average £29,000 £4225 £6200 £2945 £16,000 £2703 £5500 £2076 £3800 £1933 £10,000 £1420 £1900 £1400 £2200 £1392 £2600 £1242 £2600 £1185 £2800 £1126 £2800 £1097 £3000 £1094 £7000 £1075 £3800 £1044 £2600 £1037 £2100 £1010

Leading the lamb trade at £5000, was Strawfrank Balvenie, a Cambwell Aristocrat son, out of a daughter of

Lambs Knockem (4) Milnbank (15)

£2500 £1387.50 £4600 £1040

More, Townhead, Arnprior, while another, out of the same ewe by Cambwell Uist, but sired by Knap You’re The Man, sold at £3600 to Newtonfield Farm, Allonby, Maryport.

Also making £3800 was one from Angus Kennedy, Mitchellhill, a son of Mitchellhill Ya Dancer, out of a ewe by Kingledores Turbo, which sold to Midlock.

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High clearance rates as Texels hit 5200gns at Builth Wells

A

94% clearance rate and a top call of 5200gns saw Texel breeders enjoy a solid days’s trading for Texel shearling rams at the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, with 675 shearling rams levelling the day at £682.16.

Topping trade at Builth was the pre-sale champion, Canllefaes All Rounder, at 5200gns

Other sections also saw strong clearance rates, with 78% of the ram lambs forward finding new homes, while 90% of the gimmers and 96% of the ewe lambs offered sold to new owners.

Heading the trade was the champion from the pre-sale show, Canllefaes All Rounder from W T Davies and Co, Cardigan. This powerful son of Talcoed You Know is out of a dam by Young Venture Vantastic and was knocked down after spiriting bidding to W G Davies and Son, Hirwaun, Mid Glamorgan.

Second top call of 4000gns came from the Caereinion pen of Cefin Pryce and family, Welshpool. Their pen leader was Caereinion Ace of Diamonds, a son of Kimbolton Venturer out of a dam by the homebred Caereionion Number One. He sold with an index of 417 and was taken by E Davies, Llwyncwtta, Rhayader.

Another prize winner from the pre-sale show, Lodge Aramis from G Stringer then sold away at 3800gns having been second in the recorded class on Sunday afternoon. This son of Cambwell Trademark is out of a Mellor Vale Reyna daughter and sold with an index of 478.

He was taken by Llion Jones for the Pant flock, Llanegryn.

Next best at 3000gns was a shearling from Jonathan Watson’s Brijon flock, Northumberland. This was Brijon Ace, a son of the 18,000gns Pant Wolf and out of a dam by Brackenridge Strongbow. He was the pick of D E and G Davies and Son, Garth, Powys.

Messrs Davies, Canllefaes, then sold another from their well fancied pen at 2700gns. This was Canllefaes Ace II, a Brackenridge Yonder son out of a dam

by Vale Ultra. He found a new home in Abderdeenshire with the Ingram family, Logie Durno.

And the same buyers then bought another from the same home at 2400gns, this was Canllefaes Athletic, a Scolton Uranium son. He’s out of a dam by Scrogtonhead Pioneer.

Kimbolton Venturer and out of a dam

by Crailloch True Blue and sold with an index of 408 to the Gibbs family, Betton Strange, Shropshire, for the Bettonfield flock.

The Davies family continued their good run, with a 2100gns sale for Canllefaes Amigo. Another one sired by Scolton Uranium, he is out of a dam by Vale Ultra and was taken by E G Morgan, Sennybridge, for the Blaencar flock.

Close behind that at 1950gns was Canllefaes Asset from the Davies family.

Sired by Brackenridge Yonder, he’s out of a ewe by Tycam Smart and was taken by M A Jones, Craven Arms, Shropshire.

Earlier in the day Esmor Evans had taken 2500gns for Maerdy Aberdovey. This son of Cornmore Yeovil is out of a dam by Brackenridge Strongbow, with the buyers of this one being E L Evans and Co, Pantydwr, Powys.

After that came a brace of shearlings at 1900gns apiece, the first of which came from the Maerdy pen of Esmor Evans. Maerdy Abergavenny is by Seiont Unigolyn and out of a dam by Loosebeare Saviour, with this one bought by A J Meredith, Stotteston, Worcestershire.

Two then followed at 2000gns, with the first being the best of the strong pen from Nicola and Jim Hartwright’s Whitehart flock. This was Whitehart Aerosmith, a Strawfrank Wild Thing son out of a dam by Cherryvale Shergar. He went home with W J T Powell, Penybont, Powys.

Second to make this money was Whitehart All Star II from the Hartwright’s pen. He’s by Loosebeare Yahoo and out of a dam by Milnbank Vorderman and sold to D T Richards and Son, Llangynwyd, Mid Glamorgan.

The other at this price was Caereinion Active from Cefin Pryce. He’s by

Ram Lambs Leading the ram lambs at 2800gns was Blaencar Bruiser from E G Morgan,

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Millar’s Windbrook and out of a dam by Glenside Valhalla. She has an index of 368 and was taken by D G and E A Thomas, Login, Whitland.

Selling at 4000gns was Caereinion Ace of Diamonds from Cefyn Pryce.

The same vendor-buyer combination was responsible for the next best ewe lamb price of 750gns, with this paid for WJJ1801218, a Llangwm YMCA daughter out of a ewe by Knap Vinnie Jones and with an index of 343.

Sennybridge. By the popular sire Brackenridge Strongbow he is out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Umbro and heads north to Berwick On Tweed with Jonathan Watson for the Brijon flock.

Second best among these at 2400gns was Cennen Bossman from H Thomas, with this being another by a Brackenridge sire, this time Brackenridge Yabber. He’s out of an Ettrick Underwriter-sired dam and was the choice of A T Turner, Hatton Derbyshire.

Then making 2200gns was Idris Morris’ Fachell Bobs Worth, a son of Garngour Al Pacino and out of a ewe by Sportsmans Whistle-Blower. He sold with an index of 309 and was taken by G Williams, Llanwnnen, Ceredigion.

After that came a 2000gns call for Owl Valley Blue Star from Joseph Williams, Llanidloes. Sired by Clinterty Yogi Bear, his mother is a Hexel Wildcard daughter and sold to J D P Thomas, White Hill.

Messrs Boden and Davies, Stockport, then sold Sportsmans Briggs at 1700gns.

This third prize lamb from the pre-sale show is by Garngour Alabama and out of a dam by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid and sold to W H Williams and Son, Blackmill, Mid Glamorgan.

Following on were a pace at 1500gns, with the Draper family’s Claybury flock the first to sell at this money for Claybury Bruges. Sired by Strathbogie Youi, his mother is by Stainton Vantage II and has an index of 438, having been the first prize recorded ram lamb in the presale show. This one was bought by J B H Jones, Nantgaredig.

Second to trade at this level was another from the Blaencar pen of E G Morgan.

This was Blaencar Bruno. He is by Eden Valley Wiz Kid and out of a Knap ewe by

Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold, with this one bought by T A Jones, Dryslwyn.

Females Topping the day’s female trade at 1800gns was the reserve female champion from the pre-sale show, a gimmer from Usk Vale Pedigrees. This was UVP1702828, an ET daughter of Strathbogie Ya Belter and out of a Glenside Valhalla daughter. This one sold to J B H Jones, Nantgaredig.

Another from the same home, UVP1702826, then sold at 1200gns. She’s also by Ya Belter, with this being out of a dam by Anglezarke Uno and selling to G A Morgan, Pembridge.

And making 600gns was an Owl Valley lamb from J Williams, Llanidloes.

Sired by Clinterty Yogi Bear, this lamb, WPH1802228, had stood second in the pre-sale show and is out of a dam by Hexel Wildcard. She was knocked down to H G Thomas, Trap, Carmarthenshire.

Averages; 675 shearling rams £682.26, 340 ram lambs £373.61,t 58 gimmers £497.12, 24 ewe lambs £399.44 (Clee, Tomkinson and Francis).

At 3000gns was Jonathan Watson’s Brijon Ace

And UVP1702825, again from Usk Vale, then sold at 1150gns. She’s another by Ya Belter and is out of a Deveronvale Perfection dam, with this being another bought by J B H Jones.

The Blaencar flock of E G Morgan continued a good day’s trading when selling YME1704703 at 1050gns. She’s by Hollyford Winston and out of a ewe by Auldhouseburn Umbro, being bought by R Powell, Waunarlwydd.

The same vendor then traded two at 1000gns, the first of which was second prize winning YME1704733, a Cambwell Trademark daughter out of a dam by Umbro again. She also sold to R Powell.

And the last gimmer at four figures was YME1704743. This Hollyford Winston daughter is out of a mother by Brackenridge Strongbow. She went home with G A Morgan, Pembridge.

Ewe Lambs Topping the ewe lamb entry, which saw a 96% clearance and an average up by more £60 on the year, was a Cwmcerrig lamb from D J J Watkins and Co. This lamb, WJJ1801246, had been female champion in the pre-sale show and is by

Best female price of the day was 1800gns for Usk Vale’s gimmer

Third best at 3800gns was Lodge Aramis

Leading the ewe lambs at 1000gns was the female champion from the Cwmcerrig flock.

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Simple system for success at Nab Point S

Will Case - Cumbria

implicity is key for success for the Nab Point flock, according to Will Case who farms in partnership with his father William and brother Sam.

we did back when we started in 2005, if we wouldn’t keep a tup for our own use we can’t expect anyone else to buy it,” he says.

With a mixed farming enterprise that encompasses 1000 commercial ewes, 100 pedigree Texels, 45 Salers suckler cows, a 100-cow dairy herd, 200 growing and finishing cattle and 12,000 free range hens, it is clear to see why Will favours the straightforward approach.

Initial purchases came from the Scrainwood flock dispersal, with a handful of additional females purchased over the years from the Loosebeare, Procters and Stainton flocks. “Largely we’ve bred up from the original Scrainwood ewes and been heavily selective to ensure the flock retains the functional characteristics we want and that our customers expect from our tups.”

“Ultimately, it’s about keeping all the plates spinning,” he explains. “The simpler the system the easier it is to manage and keep right. Our Texel flock is a core part of the business, but it has to fit in to our overall strategy and that means it has to be simple to manage and the sheep have to be functionally sound.”

Aiding this critical selection in recent years has been judicial use of performance recording, with Will citing this as an additional useful tool in both male and female selection policies.

He says this means sheep which maintain body condition easily, have good legs and feet and mouths and are capable of producing tups which are sought after by buyers.

“We started the Texel flock to breed tups for our own use and have expanded from there. We still work to the same principles

“It’s most definitely not the only selection tool we use, but it is certainly one we take seriously when considering new stock sires and selection females to retain as replacements.

“With the aim being to finish most of our own commercial lambs off grass with no concentrates easy fleshing is central to our selection policy. On that basis we are careful to select

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tups with positive fat EBVs and this is certainly paying dividends for both our tups and our ewes, with ewes holding their flesh better throughout the year and tups also easier fleshed and better at maintaining condition.”

Will says this is something his ram customers often comment on and sees it as essential to future marketing, with buyers looking for tups which are capable of serving good numbers of ewes without melting or being unable to regain condition easily after tupping.

But while tup sales are critical for the flock, equally important for Will are the breed’s maternal traits, with a large portion of Texel cross ewes retained. “From this point of view we find the Texel cross ewes are an excellent addition to our commercial flock, so we are mindful of ensuring we breed tups which can leave females with excellent maternal qualities.

“We want a modern sheep, something which isn’t too heavy in the front end, is correct in its mouth and legs and feet and has an ability to thrive in a variety of environments. Lamb vigour is also critically important to us and is something we find we never have issues with in our Texels or our Texel crosses.”

Notable sires of recent years have included Cambwell Yeah Belter, Aman William Williams and Glenway Ultimate, with a small amount of AI done to introduce successful proven sires, such as Brackenridge Strongbow and Hollyford Vroom Vroom.

“Limited time and a desire to keep things simple means we don’t AI most years, but we may look at it again in future should we feel it necessary.”

Alongside performance recording the flock is also one of the pedigree phenotyping farms for the Texel Society’s mastitis and footrot genomic research project. “This is really groundbreaking work and something I firmly believe in and feel privileged to be involved with.

“The Society is to be congratulated for its pioneering approach in these projects and I’m looking forward to being able to make informed breeding decisions in future on these and other key traits.”

As a shearling producer growth and size is something Will is also conscious of, with the aim of producing powerful shearlings with stretch and scope. “We’ve seen a shift in the last few years towards heavier prime lambs and that means scopier tups with the ability to throw quick growing lambs.

“However, that doesn’t mean producing rams whose progeny are difficult to finish off grass at more typical weights, that’s where performance recording plays a key part in our breeding policy.”

Lambing in early March, ewes in the Nab Point flock are turned out to grass quickly after lambing and then creep fed until ultrasound scanning takes place at about 21 weeks. “The Texels graze a separate part of the farm to the commercial ewes due to their MV accreditation. They’re set stocked and lambs are Lifestyle

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weaned in mid-July, with creep feed ceasing after ultrasound scanning and lambs away wintered on neighbouring farms to grow them on.

“They then return home in the spring, with ram hogs receiving a small amount of oats and sugar beet throughout the spring and summer to prepare them for sale, while ewe hoggs receive no feed until they are housed for lambing the following winter.”

Will says the key to the flock’s shearling ram production philosophy is a limited feeding strategy, producing rams in good, but not overfit condition. “Everyone’s business and production system is different, but I’m not a fan of overfeeding tups and it certainly isn’t something our customers are looking for.

“As with any business our management and sales policies are always under review and we have to bear in mind our customers’ needs when producing tups,” he adds.

lambs away before tupping. Although we won’t achieve that this year due to the dry summer.”

A large proportion of the farm’s commercial lambs are sold to Booths supermarket as Salt Marsh lamb, with a premium paid over and above base price for lambs meeting specification.

“We sell 7-800 lambs a year through this scheme, with lambs marketed under the Holker Estate brand alongside lambs from other local farms.”

Will adds that added value outlets such as this and being as efficient as possible while working in harmony with the environment are what he believes can set the sheep industry apart in the years to come. “We can’t compete with chicken on price and shouldn’t try to do so. We have a great product in lamb and produced well it can be profitable and environmentally sustainable.”

Sales success to date has seen rams sell to a top of £2000 for a son of Aman William Williams, with shearlings regularly selling at and around the £1000 mark.

“We have also sold females well in recent years, although latterly much of these sales have been made from home.”

Meanwhile, the farm’s commercial ewes lamb in two groups, with the first batch of 150 older ewes lambing in mid-February and these lambs being finished in late May and June and their mother’s sold as cull ewes at a similar time.

The main flock then follows in mid-March once the bulk of the Texels have lambed. Will’s aim with these lambs is to have them all sold before the tups go out to work again in the autumn.

“We’ve never achieved it yet, but it is something I’m always striving to do and we normally manage to have 90% of prime Lifestyle

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SHROPSHIRE & BORDERS CLUB Evening Sale of In-Lamb Females

on Thursday 20th December 2018 at Welshpool Market Call Welshpool Livestock Sales

on 01938 553 438

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Friday 14th December 2018 @ 6.30pm Hilltown Livestock Mart BT34 5YN Tel: 028406 30287 / 07707811818

Main consignors: Tullagh, Braehead, Springwell, Blackstown, Mullan

Guest consignors: Milnbank, Fairywater, Ballygroogan, Drumderg

Main Service Sires:

Mullan HBN1701525 5000gns Lanark 2018

texel.uk

Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid, Knap Bonanza, Strathbogie Best Bet, Rhaeadr Ace, Arkle Bad Dog, Auldhouseburn Black Magic, Craig Douglas Buster, Forkins Baz

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Haddo Breadwinner sold for 24,000gns is one of this year’s stock sires.

Sizzling summer of success for Haddo William, Graeme and Andrew Knox – Aberdeenshire

H

addo Balvenie is a name which will live long in the history of the Texel breed, with this lamb from William, Graeme and Andrew Knox’s Turriff-based flock achieving a first in the breed, being champion at both the Royal Highland Show and the breed’s flagship sale, the Scottish National Sale, Lanark.

Graeme Knox says it was a surprise to have won the Highland, but to win Lanark with the same lamb was a unique achievement.

“We always felt he was a good lamb and going to the Highland we felt he was the best lamb we’d taken there, but you never know what else is going to be there. I’d an idea we might have a shot at winning the ram lambs, but to win the overall championship was exceptional.

Management of the Haddo flock is very much a team effort for Andrew (l),William and Graeme (r) Knox.

“It was much the same with Lanark. We’d followed our usual management strategy with Lifestyle

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Haddo Balvenie acheived a unique double this summer, winning championship honours at both the Royal Highland Show and the Scottish National Sale, Lanark

the lambs and weaned them in mid-June and then took them off feed for a few weeks and put them on to tyfon to grow them on, before re-introducing feed again a few weeks later in preparation for the sales season,” he explains.

Graeme says this year the lambs really thrived on the tyfon having never had a check at any point in their growth. “It just seemed a perfect year for them. Admittedly we had it cold and wet in the spring, but once we got to May it came dry and warm and the lambs really never stopped growing and looked well all summer long. We never had a lamb looking off colour or scouring,” he adds.

For the flock which was founded in 1990, this year will stand out among many successful years, with the family’s seven lambs at Lanark recording an average of £12,015.

The Haddo flock was started with six ewe lambs bought at Lanark from the Hull House, Glenside, Cambwell, Beautry and Watchknowe flocks, all of which were tupped as lambs.

Gimmers were added the following year from Cowal, Baltier and Garngour, while further additions were made over the flock’s first 10 years to supplement homebred females. “The foundation of the flock came as my brother and I became serious about coming in to the farm business and we needed something else to help make the farm viable.

“Our father had previously bred Suffolks and they were the dominant breed up here in the North East of Scotland. Texels were starting to make a mark at that time and seemed like the right breed to get in to. We felt we’d have a chance to both make a mark in the breed and also have something buyers would want. There was scope in the breed which few others offered at the time,” says Graeme.

And so it has proved, with the Haddo flock one of the best known names in the breed and having achieved numerous five figure prices over the last 28 years, including a flock highlight of 50,000gns for Haddo Ringleader, a Knock Powerpacker son sold to Procters Farm.

Indeed the flock’s first trip to Lanark proved successful, with Haddo Ythanside, a son of Baltier Winston, selling at 3200gns.

“Winston was a ram we’d bought in partnership for 9000gns and was we believe the best of his generation. He left a real stamp on the flock early on, producing powerful, fleshy females which really set us on the way in the breed.”

Graeme says the family have always focused on a type of ram when buying new stock sires, looking for rams with breed character, good legs, skins and carcasses. “The commercial attributes of the breed are paramount, with 40-50 ram lambs and 12-15 shearling rams sold each year.

“Commercial buyers want size and growth combined with tight skins and good bodies and that’s what we aim to breed.”

The flock’s next success came in 1996 with sons of Kirtle Banker when five Haddo lambs sold to average £5000 at Lanark.

“Then in 2001 we bought Craighead Hercules for 50,000gns at the Lanark video sale during the foot-and-mouth restrictions.

This ram was a great influence on the flock, the best we’ve ever used, again leaving great females and rams which were in demand too.

“At the time scrapie genotyping was just coming to the fore and Hercules was an ARR/ARR which certainly pushed his price up a bit. But even without that favoured genotype he was a good ram and his sons certainly proved to be wanted, with lambs at Lifestyle

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The Knox family aim for ewes with power and easy fleshing, coupled with breed character as the basis for the Haddo flock.

32,000gns, 24,000gns, 18,000gns twice, 15,000gns and 13,000gns the following year.”

Hercules’ dominance in the flock continued in later years too, with a daughter being reserve champion at the Royal Highland Show in 2006.

And with the success of Hercules sons under their belts the family then invested in a share in the noted Tophill Joe in 2003, another ram which bred high priced sons, with lambs at 30,000gns, 16,000gns and 11,000gns, plus numerous other noted progeny.

While both of these rams carried the all important ARR/ARR genotype which at the time was a dominant factor in many breeders’ minds, Graeme says their legacy of females in the Haddo flock is testament to their all round abilities. “We never select on one trait alone, always looking for balance in the flock, be that in type and correctness, performance figures or character.”

With ewes staying outside up to the point of lambing most years he adds that having functional sheep able to carry flesh is paramount. “We have previously tried housing ewes earlier, but we find keeping them out makes for an easier lambing as ewes get plenty of exercise compared to being in a shed.”

Pre-housing ewes are offered hay outside, with concentrate introduced at the point of lambing. Ewes then remain inside for

about a month after lambing, before going out to grass. “We aim to keep our leys young and fresh to ensure we have good grass in front of the ewes and lambs. At grass lambs are creep fed to maximise their growth potential, with feeding continuing until weaning,” explains Graeme.

“We also run 100 suckler cows and their followers, so good grass quality is essential for them too and means we can make top quality silage to feed them over winter,” he adds.

Alongside the sheep and cattle the farm also supports malting and feed barley crops and a small commercial ewe flock as well as a flock of recipient ewes for ET work, with 10-12 ewes flushed each year.

“Flushing as many will know is not always a success, but it offers a chance to accelerate the best genetics in the flock and expand key families. We’ve four ET full sisters to Balvenie retained which will hopefully bring his qualities to the flock in future years.”

Graeme says Balvenie’s sire, Clinterty Yuga Khan’s influence will also be heavily felt in the flock, with him being used heavily in both 2016 and 2017 and a good crop of gimmers by him entering the flock this year. “We’ve used him a bit again this year as well as new sires, including Hexel Born to Be Wild, a lamb bought at Lanark as well as the 24,000gns Haddo Breadwinner, a quarter share of which we retained and a Strawfrank lamb we bought at Kelso.”

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SALE on select merchandise

Visit texel.uk/shop

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Autumn 2018

61

The Twilight Texel Sale Friday 30th November

At 6.00pm at Borderway Mart, Carlisle Tel: 01228

406 230

In-Lamb Gimmer Sale From the flocks of Arkle, Crailloch, Douganhill, Durisdeer, Ellen Valley, Halbeath, Llangwm, Plasucha, Stainton, Welsh

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Member Fees This Notice supersedes all previous notices of costs and overrides any

Go Online

and Save Costs on Society Fees

printed material which you may have in your possession.

All fees take effect from January 1st 2018

2018 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 Online

Tel/Paper

Online Online

Tel/Paper

Online Online

Tel/Paper

Tel/Paper

Standard BN fees

£1.84 £1.84

£2.13

£2.04 £2.04

£2.36

£10.20 £10.20

£11.81

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ET BN fees

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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 Online

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Tel/Paper

£5.35 £5.35

£6.21

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£6.73

(£6.42 (£6.42 Inc IncVAT) VAT)

(£7.45 Inc VAT)

(£6.97 (£6.97 Inc IncVAT) VAT)

(£8.08 Inc VAT)

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

1st Nov - 31st Dec

Method £29.60

£44.40

(£53.28 Inc VAT)

Online Online

Tel/Paper

£8.67 £8.67

£10.04

Transfers (only fully registered sheep can be transferred)

Method

(£12.05 Inc VAT)

Paper £11.28

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Terms of Membership relating to fees

1st Jan - 30th June

Tel/Paper (£35.52 Inc VAT)

1st November year following YOB onwards

(£10.40 (£10.40 Inc IncVAT) VAT)

(£142.07 Inc VAT)

£59.20

(£71.04 Inc VAT)

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”.

(Please note new members Adult fees will now only be accepted by Direct Debit payment) Adult Joining Fee - £60.00 Inc VAT Annual Subscription fee - £54.21 Inc VAT 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.

Genetic Improvement Service Flock Fee

Fees £70.00 (with TSS Discount) Additional £/ewe

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£2.50

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£2.00

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£1.00

> 400 ewes

Speak to the society office

A surcharge of £95 per flock will apply to members who record in Northern Ireland.This is in line with Signet Breeding Services fee policy.

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

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