Texel Sheep Society Autumn Bulletin 2017

TEXEL The bulletin for all

Breeders A Texel Society Publication

OCTOBER 2017

Young breeders converge on north west England Eye on the prize Major summer show reports p20-29

Brynmeini and Majestic flock features

Texel exports go global p10

In Touch with Texel #addtexeladdvalue

In any industry there are developments that irrevocably alter the landscape.

The introduction of the Texel breed to UK farming is one such development and it has been proven to have transformed standards.

Texel - Proven, Pedigree, Performance

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TEXEL W Breeders Bulletin texel.uk

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

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

Membership Subscriptions are available by contacting the Society Office Advertising office@texel.uk Registrations & sales cataloging registrations@texel.uk cataloguing@texel.uk Accounts accounts@texel.uk R&D projects edsmith@texel.uk Society Governance Chief Executive John Yates Chairman David McKerrow Nochnary flock Vice Chairman Steve Richardson Stonebridge flock Treasurer Graeme Knox Haddo Flock Contributors Jonathan Long, Debbie James, Lynsey Clark and Kath Dun Photography MacGregor Photography, Robert Smith, Chrissie Long, Tim Scrivener, Wayne Hutchinson, Alfie Shaw British Texel Sheep Society, Unit 74 - 4th Street, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG

Tel: 024 7669 6629 Email: office@texel.uk

In touch with Texel @BritishTexel #addtexeladdvalue

texel.uk

hat a summer it has been for Texels. Demand at both National, Club and commercial sales has been excellent and in the fortnight that encompassed the four National Sales more than 2500 Texel rams were sold at National, Club and major commercial sales the length and breadth of the UK. It is a record few if any other breeds can match and the desire from commercial producers to tap in to the strength in depth that the Texel breed offers is evident for all to see.

This year’s Scottish National Sale, Lanark, saw the sale gross more than £1.2m for the first time in the breed’s history. This was the headline sale among a series of National Sales which saw rising trends and records broken at all of them.

But, while commercial producers and pedigree breeders alike are keen to make best use of the current crop of Texel genetics it is also vitally important that as a breed the next generation of genetics and platform of Society services delivers even more.

To this end the Society’s investment in breed development is progressing well. With sires now in place at the commercial phenotyping farms to produce crossbred lambs for use in our breed specific carcass traits projects.

The Society has established a strong position in the UK sheep market in terms of breed penetration, data and information resources, performance recording and genetic improvement and research and development activities.

During the year we started a complex initative, bringing in-house the management of performance recording for the breed, that will enable us to further strengthen the breed’s development.

Complemented by greater investment, support and influence of our database provider, Basco, the initative will allow the Society to better service members, both recording and non-recording well into the future.

By embarking on this novel approach the Society will create its own opportunity and lead the breed to accelerate genetic gain in economically important traits and expand its influence in the industry.

Additionally, focusing on fast tracking routine availability of new traits that have been developed through research and development activities undertaken by the Society and its collaborators.

Developing the breed for the future is paramount to ensure the sustainability of your businesses and I’d encourage you all to make best use of the opportunities these and future developments offer you.

Collectively as the Texel Sheep Society you represent the largest breeding programme in any farmed livestock species in the UK and possibly Europe and without doubt within the UK sheep sector. There is massive potential to exploit this collective work and, by co-operating as a breed society, there is no doubt Texel breeders can continue to supply the genetics required now and well into the future.

But the Society is about much more than the sheep, it is also a huge social gathering too and it has been great to see members and friends participating in Society and Club events throughout the summer, including the Youth Development Programme Five Nations Weekend and a number of Club trips and visits.

These, coupled with the major shows and sales are an excellent opportunity for members to get together, share experiences and knowledge and develop business contacts.

That one breed can bring together so many people from such diverse backgrounds and locations is testament to the power and wealth of collective thinking and the foresight of our founding members.

I look forward to seeing many of you over the autumn and at the Society’s Social Weekend in November and wish you all well for the winter.

John

John Yates, Chief Executive

Winter 2017

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October 2017 6

National success for Texel youngster

24-25

NSA events prove popular

16 -17

Bumper Royal Highland Show

Consider antibiotic use options

NEWS

TECHNICAL CORNER

SHOWS

6. NI young breeder success

16-17. Use antibitiotics carefully to protect future effectiveness

20-21. Cherryvale ewe takes top at Balmoral

18. Society R&D projects set to deliver

22-23. Youth focus at Royal Bath and West

7. Texels go tropical in Puerto Rico 8. Texel breeder going for gold in South Korea 9. Society success at NSA events 10. Exports head worldwide 11. Society takes lead on performance recording 13. Sales season sees upward trends continue

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24-25. Girls on top at Royal Highland 26-27. Lambs lead at Great Yorkshire 28-29. Wiz Kid daughter leads Welsh

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20-21

48-49

Cherryvale ewe is Phillip Kermodes Champion at Balmoral

50-51

Flush with success at Majestic

30-33

Brynmeini flock pushes forward

Lanark tops £1.2m mark

SALES

YOUTH FOCUS

LIFESTYLE

30-33. A Star shines at Lanark

46. Five Nations Event draws the crowds

48-49. Brynmeini flock focus

34-35. Champion tops prices at Welshpool 36-38. English National is ‘Ya Belter’

47. Education awards reward students

50-51. Majestic aims to top Texel league

40-41. Ballymena sees 4000gns high 42-43. Midlock set the pace at Kelso 44-45. Dunhonw dominates Builth

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Winter 2017

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News

Society Matters

Stonebridge is AHDB most improved flock

Society Matters

Eleven year old young breeder George Hanthorn of the Mullan flock recently enjoyed success in the final of the Northern Ireland Cydectin Young Handlers competition.

The competition brought together winners of young handlers competitions at a number of Northern Irish summer shows for a grand final.

George, was triumphant in the final, held at Clogher Valley Show in July, qualified having won an earlier round at Armagh Show where he was champion young handler.

Judge for the final which featured 24 young handlers under the age of 14 was Mary Clarke who said she was highly impressed by the standard of stockmanship shown by all who took part.

Aurelie Moralis, vet consultant with Zoetis, the manufacturers of Cydectin, congratulated all of the winners. She commented: “We are delighted to sponsor a competition which highlights both the standard of management that these animals have enjoyed and the expert handling of them on the day.”

Steve Richardson’s Stonebridge flock is the recipient of the 2017 AHDB Beef and Lamb Better Returns Improved Flock Award.

The Barnsley-based Stonebridge flock was founded more than 25 years ago as a hobby, with the flock now forming a major part of the mixed farming business which includes arable and pig enterprises.

This award seeks to reward those breeders that are using Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to enhance the performance of their flocks and assist them in promoting their achievement.

Steve has been at Mount Pleasant Farm for the past 32 years. He farms 350 acres and as well as a pedigree Texel flock he has 200 breeding sows. They breed and fatten all the progeny from the pig enterprise, feeding them on grain produced on the farm that is also milled and mixed on site.

As a pig farmer, Steve was originally attracted to the Texel breed due to its meatiness and conformation. The Stonebridge flock currently has 30 breeding pedigree females as well as a crossbred recipient ewe flock used to hold the embryos from the 3–4 selected ewes that are flushed each year. Most replacements are homebred, with select bloodlines purchased occasionally.

Steve began performance recording in 2010 - he was already interested in the programme as the farm records performance within the pig enterprise, making it a natural progression to start collecting figures for the Texels.

“I concentrate highly on growth rate as an EBV selection as I believe it is important to genetically increase growth rate at the same time as actively selecting on positive fat depth figures to aid with easy finishing lambs. For sires I also consider the maternal traits such as easy lambing and mothering ability and I am excited about the impact genomics can have on the breed.

“Indeed the impact of careful sire selection is evident within the lamb crop which resulted in winning this award, with Newbie Mains Winston (GLD1501200), a new stock ram shared between three other flocks, having a significant impact. He had a tremendous skin and carcass and the lambs which have come through from him have shown extensive growth rates and excellent carcass composition,” adds Steve.

The Stonebridge flock has built up a good customer following over the years from shearling ram buyers, with one family returning for 23 years. Steve takes a full pen to the Skipton Northern Area Texel Sale in September and also sells privately from home. Tup lambs are also sold through Carlisle and Lanark sales, with a top price of 9500gns for Stonebridge Tiger in 2012.

Looking forward Steve aims to continue breeding big, tight skinned, easy growing shearlings for the commercial buyer, with the emphasis continually being made on the carcass quality and composition.

He would like to thank his son Adam and all the other staff at Mount Pleasant Farm for all their hard work which has contributed to them winning this Award.

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Society Matters

British Texel genetics behind breed’s Puerto Rican debut A desire to change sheep production in Puerto Rico and produce prime lambs with high lean meat content has seen Kenan D Davila import Texel genetics from the USA. These genetics from Beaver Creek Texels can be traced back to former UK semen exports to the USA, explains Mr Davila.

“When I mentioned to a select group of local sheep breeders that I intended to ship Texel sheep to Puerto Rico, breeders on the island called me crazy to say the least. On a tropical island located on the Caribbean, there was not a single breeder that believed that Texel Sheep would even survive in the tough tropical environment of Puerto Rico.

But he was determined to prove all of them wrong.

“After intensive research about the Texel breed and potential breeders located in the USA, I found Beaver Creek Texels. Their foundation animals are from Portland Prairie, whose animals are based on many generations of animals produced by artificial insemination of top ewes with imported British Texel semen.”

Mr Davila’s business, Prime Texels Puerto Rico, seeks to gain a spot in the Puerto Rican sheep market, where more than 88% of sheep meat is imported from Australia or New Zealand. This meat makes a trip from these countries that can take about 65 days to get to Puerto Rico, plus the few extra days that are spent to get to the table in a house or restaurant.

“I am also looking to compete with existing breeds like Katahdins, Dorper and Santa Cruz which dominate the existing market. That is why I need a breed that can revolutionise the sheep industry in Puerto Rico.

“Clearly the best bet was the Texel breed, a sheep that can produce more meat at a younger age, resulting in greater tenderness and the delicate flavor of young lamb.

These qualities will make a clear difference in the sheep industry in Puerto Rico.”

In 2015, Prime Texels Puerto Rico started this journey, against all predictions, and imported the first Texel sheep to Puerto Rico. “With so many unknowns, it was decided to start with a single import of two young rams, to see how they handled a tropical environment. After two years working carefully with the Texel breed, PTPR has expanded its purebred flock to two rams from Beavercreek Farm and four ewes from the Adams Texels flock of Bob and Brent Adams, Morristown, IN. “We have now proven Texels can tolerate the tropical environment and can compete with existing sheep breeds. Earlier this year the first purebred Texels were born in Puerto Rico. Now, Prime Texels is excited to move to the next test to demonstrate how the Texel rams will perform as terminal sires with the common sheep of Puerto Rico. It is believed this will revolutionise the sheep industry in Puerto Rico, decreasing the time to market and improving the meat yield of sheep in Puerto Rico.

Mr Davila’s plans moving forward are to carefully continue developing and building a strong foundation, including AI with UK semen that will be imported to the USA this autumn and keep working with Beaver Creek Farm and other Texel breeders on expanding the genetics in Puerto Rico.

Event Dates

2018 NSA EVENTS

30 May - Scotsheep, Ballantrae, Ayrshire 9th February - NSA Eastern Region Winter Fair, Melton Mowbray 18 July - NSA Sheep Event, Three Counties Showground, Malvern Worcestershire

ROYAL SHOWS 16-19 May - Royal Ulster Show 30 May - 2 June - Royal Bath and West Show 21-24 June - Royal Highland Show 10-12 July - Great Yorkshire Show 23-26 July - Royal Welsh Show

Election results Following the elections for both the Society board and the PRT committee the results are as follows.

In the election for the regional director for North Wales and Borders there were four spoilt votes, Iolo P Jones received 12 votes and Daffyd Jones received 44 votes. As a result Daffyd Jones will take up the position of regional director after the AGM on 11th November 2017.

The board chairman, David McKerrow, and the board thank Iolo Prys Jones for his service to the board over the last four years.

Meanwhile, the PRT committee election saw Maurice Hardy Bishop receive four votes and James Theyer receive nine votes. James Theyer will, therefore, join the PRT committee following the AGM on 11th November 2017.

This election followed Arnold Park’s retirement from the committee and committee chairman Pete Mitchell and the whole committee thank Arnold Park for his service to the committee and the breed during his time on the PRT committee.

News texel.uk

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Society Matters

Thomas Muirhead selected for GB curling team Texel breeder Thomas Muirhead of the Ochilmore flock, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, is a leading light in the curling world and next year will be representing Great Britain at the Olympic Games, PyeongChang, South Korea.

Thomas says competing at the Olympics has been a dream from a young age.

“My father, Gordon, has competed at world level throughout his curling career being successful at both Scottish and international level.

“Following on from this my older sister Eve has won four world junior championships and in 2014 won a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

From the moment I watched Eve and her team win that medal it made me want to make my dream reality.

“I’ve been curling in the same team for eight years now and we have gradually climbed the world ranks, winning medals at three world junior championships and winning gold in 2013.

“In 2016 we climbed into 7th place in the world ranking which went on to help us

Society Matters

ACCURATE data collection MATTERS Members are reminded to supply details of all live and dead lambs born to each ewe, not just those worthy to be birth notified.

Leaving the “BN” box unticked against lambs deemed unsuitable for pedigree breeding will ensure they are not pedigree birth notified and as such will not be charged, but will be included to support accurate evaluations and future R&D work on areas such as longevity and prolificacy and provide for a fully informed whole breed evaluation.

get selected to represent Great Britain at the Winter Olympics in 2018.”

Thomas says his elder brother, Glen, is also a competitive player and has posed one of the biggest threats to his team in their quest to be selected. “Now we have been chosen, we have selected Glen to join us as our fifth player for this season leading up to the Olympic Games.

“Eve and her team has been selected again to compete at their second Olympic Games which means all three Muirhead siblings will be competing for team GB. As a team we spend most of our time in Canada competing against the top teams in the world on our quest to come out on top in February at the Olympic Games in South Korea.

“Along with the curling our main business back home is the farm and we’re lucky it works hand in hand with the curling and we have a family that’s happy to support us,” he adds.

The farm extends to 600 acres with about 1000 ewes and 40 cows, with pedigree flocks of Texel and Blackface run too.

“We have tried to choose our best breeding bloodlines and use embryo transfer to expand both our Texel and Blackface flocks based on our best lines. We have founded our Texel flock on lines from Milnbank, Garngour, Eden Valley, Duncryne and Haddo females.

“We aim to sell at both Lanark and Carlisle sales, but we want to breed a consistent pen of commercial shearlings to sell at United Auctions, Stirling, after using them as lambs. This is aimed at giving us the chance to cut costs on the commercial side of the business.

Our Blackface flock is based on mainly Auldhouseburn bloodlines with our best success yet selling a lamb at Lanark last year for 3500gns.

“Myself and my brother Glen are very lucky to have been handed the reins of the farm at such a young age, allowing us to build the business around our own ideas and make our childhood dreams reality,” says Thomas.

Society Matters

Society contributes to The Parliamentary Review This summer the Society was honoured to be asked to contribute to the Agriculture edition of ‘The Parliamentary Review’ with an article on the Society and the breed’s role within the sheep industry.

‘The Parliamentary Review’ is circulated to all members of parliament and outlines a number of key businesses within the agricultural sector each year.

Society chief executive John Yates said the invitation to contribute to the publication was a mark of the Society’s standing within the farming industry.

“To be asked to contribute to ‘The Parliamentary Review’ is something few organisations have the opportunity of each year. It is a massive addition to the Society’s outward facing public relations and has helped spread a number of the Society’s key messages to an influential audience.

“Feedback so far has been exceptionally positive and we hope those reading the article will take forward a greater understanding of the work the Society is doing to develop the breed for the benefit of the UK sheep industry in future,” he added.

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Society Matters

Summer NSA events prove successful for Society and members This summer saw the Society represented at four major sheep farming events across the country, with promotional stands at Welsh Sheep, North Sheep, South West Sheep and Sheep Northern Ireland.

At every event the Society’s stands were extremely busy, drawing big crowds of commercial producers keen to understand the latest developments in the breed and the sheep on display which in every case were of an exceptional standard.

Society chief executive John Yates said another major draw for visitors was the Society’s competitions to win EID readers which were also staged at all four events.

“We are exceedingly grateful to Shearwell Data for partnering with the Society in these competitions and being so generous with sponsorship of the prizes.

“It was clear the need to better manage flocks and ensure legislative compliance were high on the agenda for many of those entering the competitions. Routine use of electronic identification as a management aid has the potential to significantly improve flock productivity.

“Knowledge is power and nowhere is that more true than in sheep production. Being able to more accurately monitor flock performance and record both vet treatments and flock information is crucial to maximising flock productivity and profitability as well as improving legislative compliance.”

Many hundreds of people entered the competitions throughout the summer and it was clear to see the support for, and interest in, the Texel breed remains as strong as ever. Indeed the evidence of the autumn sales is that support for the breed is stronger than ever, he added.

At Welsh Sheep the winner of the EID reader was Dafydd Roberts of Dolgellau, Gwynedd, while at North Sheep the winner was Jim Cowan, Middleton St George.

Meanwhile, at South West Sheep the EID reader was won by A Cole, Bradninch, Exeter, with a second prize of a £100 voucher to spend at the Club’s ram sale won by I Irwin.

Across in Northern Ireland the competition was won by local breeders the McCollam family, Crumlin, Co Antrim, of the Carmavy flock.

Earlier in the year the Society also supported the NSA Central Region’s Early Spring Gathering at Bakewell through its sponsorship of the Young Shepherd Competition at the event.

“The Young Shepherd Competition, open to those aged 26 and under, tested entrants on their skills in lamb selection, sheep handling, vaccination and dosing as well as preparation of sheep for the abattoir and quad bike handling, with a written test also part of the challenge.

Young Shepherd of the Year Competition helped encourage the future generation of sheep farmers and shepherds to refine their practical skills and industry knowledge.

Winning the competition was Eccleshall, Staffordshire-based William Leese, with fellow Staffordshire competitor Harley Turner taking second spot and Derbybased Michael Bosworth coming third.

Society Matters Primestock magazine, the Society’s publication aimed at commercial sheep producers has once again been exceptionally well received by farmers across the UK. Focussed on the commercial attributes of the breed and how farmers are using Texels as a core component in a wide range of sheep farming systems, the magazine is distributed at NSA events and other sheep industry events the length and breadth of the country.

In addition it is also mailed out with Farmers Guardian during summer to help the Society reach a wide audience of sheep farmers.

This year has seen more than 25,000 copies of the magazine distributed through a wide range of channels.

If you know someone who would like to receive a copy in future years please let the Society office know by emailing their name and address to office@texel.uk All Society publications, including the Journal, Bulletin and Primestock, both current and past issues, can be seen online on the Society’s Issuu channel - https://issuu.com/ texelsheepsocietyltd

News texel.uk

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Society Matters

Texel breeders have been breaking new ground this year with exports of semen to both New Zealand and the USA The New Zealand exports from Robert Laird’s Cambwell flock and John Vaughan’s Vorn flock are the first direct exports of UK Texel genetics to the country and represent an exciting opportunity for the breed.

Commenting on the exports from his flock Robert Laird said the shipment resulted from an enquiry from former UK breeder Jim Sharatt, now farming in New Zealand.

“Jim and a number of other New Zealand breeders realised that the opening of the import market from the UK gave them a great opportunity to source new genetics and potentially improve their flocks.

“However, they were looking for top performance figures to maximise the gain they were looking to make. But, as in the UK they believe there has been too much emphasis on lean growth to the detriment of carcass quality and ewe longevity,” explained Mr Laird.

As a result they selected semen from three rams all with positive fat EBVs which is essential and to aid finishing at grass, he said. “All three rams are also in the top 1% of the breed in this country for muscle depth.

“The three rams are the 2012-born Cambwell Trademark, Cambwell Yankie Doodle and Grougfoot Wizard.”

In addition to the requirement for high performance figures all three rams had to be DNA tested for microphthalmia, footrot resilience, lamb survival and cold tolerance. Samples for this were collected by AB Europe and sent to Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand for testing, explained Mr Laird.

Semen from Cambwell Trademark has been exported to New Zealand and the USA

breeder was in the UK looking at cattle and expressed an interest in seeing Texels too. “A local cattle dealer was acting as their guide, so brought them out to see our Texels and it went from there.

“They were looking for sheep in the top 1% of the breed for performance and also ARR/ARR for scrapie. With rams having to be quarantined for 120 days before semen could be collected as well as passing TB and other health tests it certainly wasn’t straightforward.”

Semen heading to the USA is from Glenway Yellowstone and Glenway Yosemite as well as Cambwell Trademark and Grougfoot Wizard.

USA Meanwhile, semen from both the Cambwell flock and Ian Murray’s Glenway flock has been exported to the USA following enquiries from breeders there.

British Texel Sheep Society Chairman, David McKerrow said the exports were another milestone in the breed’s history in the UK and congratulated the breeders on fulfilling the orders. “British Texel genetics have been exported across much of the world, with the breed’s exceptional performance potential, allied with its ability to finish easily off forage and its overall adaptability and versatility making it a firm favourite with breeders across the globe.

Mr Murray said his part of the deal came about partly by chance as an American

“We look forward to hearing how these rams perform in New Zealand and the

USA and wish the entrepreneurial breeders there the best of luck with their future breeding projects.”

Europe Exports to Europe have also progressed well this summer with animals travelling to France and Belgium from the Teilo flock of the Davies family.

Heading to France to join the Elevage Picand, Clermont, was Teilo Auvergne, a son of Poseyhill Young Icon out of a Crewburn Silver Spur dam, while Teilo Ardennes Classique headed to the Elevage Robert flock in Belgium. He is

by Milnbank Wisconsin.

In addition the flock has sold a large quantity of semen from Teilo Amryddawn I, the fourth Prize recorded ram lamb at the Solway and Tyne Club Sale, which sold for 5500gns with a half share retained. The semen will be used by Monsieurs Pery, Guilleme Dufour and Boissonade.

In addition Swedish breeder Maycon Vinborg was present at the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, where he bought a number of rams for export to Sweden both for his own use and for other clients.

News

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Society Matters

Society Reminder

Texel Society leads on performance recording

Register rams now

Next spring will see performance recording for Texel Society members administered by the Texel Society in place of AHDB Signet Breeding Services.

By now all DNA samples for new male registrations should have been returned to the Society office. To avoid potential delays in birth notifications please apply for outstanding ram registrations by forwarding dockets to the office as soon as possible.

The change is the result of a new agreement between the Society and AHDB Signet Breeding Services and will see all recording services administered by the Society from 2018 onwards.

Society chief executive John Yates says the decision to bring performance recording in-house follows on from the Society’s extensive investment in its breed development strategy, including ground breaking genomic research projects.

“The change will allow the Society to deliver a more streamlined, improved service to members and all those with an interest in performance recording for the longer term.”

Explaining the changes Breed Development chairman Pete Mitchell said improved online data capture and wider promotional services would be rolled out during 2018.

“This will add to the research and development activity which supports the Society’s genomic technology programme which is expected to deliver new breeding values for hard to measure traits, such as disease resilience and carcass and meat quality to the membership during 2019/20.

Mr Yates added “Breed development requires a long-term commitment. This change in service delivery for recording services fits perfectly with the Society and its objectives and aligns trait measurement and development perfectly with our large scale research and development projects.

“As a result of these projects Texel breeders will be the first to access new carcass grading measurement technology – Video Image Analysis (VIA) and adopt novel scoring systems for improving carcass production and managing disease traits. The aim of these projects is to create new systems and deliver the very latest in genomic estimated breeding values (gEBVs) for these traits.

“It is expected that further work by AHDB at an industry level, such as creating new CT-derived EBVs and access to RamCompare will add further complement to the Society’s investment and breed development initiative.”

The Society will update members in due course on how to submit flock data in 2018, but from April 2018 all flock reports will be provided directly by the Society, with both Kat Maslany and Ailish Ross who was recently appointed, helping support and develop performance recording as part of the Society’s breed development strategy.

Online members are able to order sampling kits for homebred rams using the Genetex function in BASCO, or alternatively kits can be requested by e-mailing registrations@texel.uk quoting the homebred ram’s flock book number.

DNA sample kits are posted out upon receipt of dockets and certificates will follow once a DNA profile has been issued by the laboratory. In the unlikely event that a pedigree certificate has not been received after six weeks of returning a sample please contact the office.

Society Matters

Key information for 2018 lambing • •

•

CT Scanning Texel lambs on the increase

•

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2018 ram names to start with B Become an online member by signing up to BASCO.org to access and update your Texel flock records in real-time.

Major fee discounts are available for birth notifications and registrations submitted online. See our fees sheet for further information.

Lambing books are available on request from the Texel office. Call 02476 696629 or e-mail registrations@texel.uk Changes to embryo transfer birth notifications.

From 2018 details are requested for all lambs born alive and dead to each ET recipient. Full details of how to submit data will be available on the Texel website shortly.

News texel.uk

Winter 2017

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Society Matters

Wool dressing inspections prove successful

Society Matters

Staff bring a wealth of experience and wide skill set The Society is staffed by a dedicated team with a wealth of experience in a wide range of fields and all with their own unique skills, knowledge and experience.

This year’s Society National Sales has seen wool dressing inspections of ram lambs take place again with a team of inspectors developed from the previous year.

Leading the team is chief executive John Yates, who has experience in the animal breeding sector as well as a wide ranging knowledge of the sheep industry and emerging technologies such as genomics, with the added complement of a masters in business administration.

Society show and sales committee chairman Roy Campbell said the inspections were a key part of maintaining the integrity of the Society’s national sales and the Society as a whole and in support of the membership demand for this inspection.

John’s primary role, alongside leading the team, is to provide a link between the staff and the Society committees and board and delivering the board’s vision and strategy for the Society and the breed.

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

“Having a knowledgeable and skilled team of inspectors at the National Sales has been a key part of reinforcing this message and underlining that no one is exempt from the rules.”

He added “It is clear the message is getting through that it won’t be tolerated and this will continue to be the case going forward as the Society’s board reviews the policy.”

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

Bob Newby – Rudding flock Mike Young – Radtree flock Max Preece – Wrickton flock Ruth Lucas – Fimber flock Claudine Lear – Sidborough flock

Assisting John is office manager and PA to the chief executive Gil Burton. Gil’s administrative background is central to her role and she is a well known face and voice among members.

Gil supports John in general governance relating to managing committee and board meetings.

Looking after the accounts department and in conjunction with the Society’s accountancy team ensuring compliance with Companies House and Charity Commission accounting regulations is Pete Lee. Pete’s keen eye for detail is a major benefit as he supports members with their queries and is a key liaison between the office and the membership.

And in charge of the Society’s research and development projects is project manager Ed Smith. Coming from a highly scientific background and a PhD in bacterial population genetics Ed brings with him a highly analytic mind and a superb understanding of the need for accurate data and protocols in scientific research, balanced with many years experience in working with livestock producers.

Ed is supported in his role by the Society’s self employed northern technician Rosie Hetherington who undertakes on-farm data collection for the Society’s research projects.

In the registrations department the management of the database and registrations falls to Kat Maslany, an agriculture graduate with a range of experience in the farming sector as well as other industries Working alongside Kat is Dayna Zambelis, the Society’s registrations and sales cataloguing administrator. Dayna is known by many members and has built a great understanding of the membership having been with the Society for 13 years.

And the Society’s newest recruit is Ailish Ross, an animal science graduate with experience in the animal breeding sector, who joined the Society in September in a technical and administrative support role across the business with a focus on promotion of performance recording as this comes in house in 2018.

News

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Society Matters

Sale averages trends Demand for Texels continues to outpace all other breeds, with the Society’s four National Sales all seeing eager bidding this summer and an onward trend of increasing averages and high clearance rates at all venues.

Looking back over the last eight sales seasons the average for ram lambs at the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, has risen by more than 10% across that period, with the number sold peaking at 415 in 2017, an increase of more than 14% on the number finding new homes at the 2010 sale.

There is only one year in the last seven when the average ram lamb price exceeds the average achieved in 2017, showing an overall upward trend here, with numbers sold also showing a general incline over the same time period.

Likewise, the gimmer average at Lanark shows a rising trend, with the average price in 2017 being 85% higher than that achieved in 2010 and the numbers sold also showing a similar upward trend, with 48% more gimmers traded at the 2017 fixture compared to 2010.

Worcester lamb average climbs 49% Meanwhile, at the English National the average price for ram lambs has climbed by 49% over the last eight sales, with an increase seen in all but one of those years, with the number sold also on the up and 25% up in 2017 compared to 2010.

Gimmer prices at this sale have shown a similar rise and the average price paid in 2017 was 67% up on the average achieved in 2010 with this year being the only year in the last eight where the average has fallen compared to the previous year.

In terms of numbers sold this has shown a 17% increase over the last eight seasons and a particularly rising trend seen over the last three years.

50% rise in shearling sales Equally as impressive here is the increasing demand for shearling rams,

English National ram lamb average up

Scottish National gimmer numbers sold increased

in eight years Welsh National sees shearling ram average lift

Northern Irish National 2017 gimmer average

above rolling average English National shearling ram numbers rise with 50% more sold in 2017 than in 2010 and the average this year being some 125% above that recorded in 2010 and 56% above the rolling average. Only two of the last eight sales have seen fewer shearling rams sold than the previous year too, showing a strengthening demand from buyers at this sale.

Gimmer sales on the up in NI In Northern Ireland, the Northern Irish National sale has recorded a similarly strong result, particularly when it comes to gimmer sales, with the average showing a steady increase since 2010 and setting a new centre record in 2017 at £933.07, some 74% higher than the average recorded eight sales previously and 31% above the average sale price across those eight sales.

Rescheduling this sale to make it better suit local commercial trading patterns made a significant difference in 2013, with a 92% clearance of shearling rams and an 82% clearance of ram lambs.

Shearling tup average up 61% at Welsh National And the Welsh National has seen a similar story played out, with both shearling rams and shearling ewes showing a highly positive trend over the last eight sales. In 2017 the shearling ram average here levelled at £1118.56, a new

sale record average and some 61% higher than the figure achieved in 2010 and £153.40 higher than the rolling average at this sale.

Over the last eight years the gimmer average at this sale has more than doubled, with increasing numbers being sold too. Settling at £933.56 in 2017, this average has increased by 123% on 2010’s figure and 2017 was 59% above the rolling average for this venue.

Society show and sales committee chairman Roy Campbell said the trends seen at the National Sales are part of the wider picture of demand for the breed seen at both pedigree and commercial sales. “There is no doubting the strong demand for both males and females, no other breed can sell just shy of 1000 rams at four National, Society Sales in the space of just two weeks, let alone adding in the rams sold at Club and commercial sales in the same time period. Including those would push that number to more than 2500 rams sold in just 14 days.

“To see sale averages climb so strongly over the last eight years is testament to the ability of Texel breeders to continually deliver sheep required by the commercial sector and the way the breed delivers added value to all sectors of the UK sheep industry.”

News texel.uk

Winter 2017

13

Society Matters

2017 1st Season Sire of the Year TEIGLUM YOUNGGUN Winning the first season sire of the year award for 2016-born sires is the Clark family’s Teiglum Young Gun. Sold by the Clark brothers, Alan, Andrew and David, and their mother, Helen, at Lanark in 2016 for 70,000gns, he went in a two-way split to Messrs Boden and Davies and Procters Farm.

Taking the award with an average for his best three sons of 46,566gns,Younggun is by the homebred Teiglum Windfall and out of a homebred dam which was interbreed champion at Great Yorkshire in 2016 as well as breed champion at the Royal Highland in the same year.

His top selling sons all sold at Lanark and were 130,000gns Sportsmans A Star, 6500gns Procters Abracadabra and 3200gns Procters Ambassador.

Sire & Position

Taking second spot was Clinterty Yuga Khan, bred by Brian Buchan Jnr and was shared eight ways by by Gordon Gray, Ettrick, Robert Cockburn, Knap, the Wight family, Midlock, Messrs Gray, Scrogtonhead, Messrs Blackwood , Auldhouseburn, the Knox family, Haddo, Messrs Arnott, Haymount and James Currie, Carlinside for 60,000gns at the Scottish National 2016. His best three sons were Midlock Avicii at 22,000gns, Ettrick Avatar at 9000gns and Tima Ace at 8500gns. This gave Yuga Khan an average of 13,166gns for his best three sons.

And in third was Knap You’re The Man bred by Robert Cockburn. He was bought by Archie Hamilton, Smyllum, Kerr Jarvie, Duncryne, Cammie Gauld, Cairnam, James Robinson, Kaker Mill, John Neville, Thornville, Alex Thompson, Kilcoan, Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld and Liam Dillon, Eire, for 20,000gns at Lanark 2016. His best sellers were Allanfauld Am The Man at 24,000gns, Cairnam Anarchy at 3,000gns and Allanfauld Archimedes at 2,200gns.You’re The Man’s best three sons levelled out at 9,733gns.

Qualifying sons

Dam

Sold for (gns)

Progeny owner

Sportsmans A Star BGS1702642

CKC1303034

130,000

Boden & Davies

Procters Abracadabra PFD1701606

PFD1500019

6,500

Procters Farm Ltd

Procters Ambassador PFD1701573

PFD1403536

3,200

Procters Farm Ltd

Midlock Avicii WKM1721293

WKM1309371

22,000

Mrs Karen Wight

Ettrick Avatar GGH1707062

GGH1505115

9,000

Mr Gordon Gray

Tima Ace GCT1707263

GCT1202355

8,500

David Gray

Allanfauld Am The Man XMM1713291

XMM1406827

24,000

Allanfauld Ltd

Cairnam Anarchy GCF1702892

GCF1301671

3,000

Cameron Gauld

Allanfauld Archimedes XMM1713295

MYH1406873

2,200

Allanfauld Ltd

Sire Breeder

Average (gns)

Clark Farms

46,600

Mr Brian Buchan Jr

13,200

Robert Cockburn

9,700

1st Place

Teiglum Younggun CFT1604569

2nd Place

Clinterty Yuga Khan BBY1601056

3rd Place

Knap You’re The Man CKP1600794

News

14 Winter 2017

texel.uk

AGM 2017 To include Members social weekend

SHEEP SOCIETY

Hosted in conjunction with the Northern Area Texel Breeders Club

There are just a final few places left at the Society’s Social Weekend which takes place at Oulton Hall, Leeds, from Friday November 10th to Sunday November 12th.

Join other Society members and friends for what promises to be a truly tremendous weekend of fun and entertainment, including the Texel Challenge.

texel.uk

OK O B W NO Friday 10th - Sunday 12th November Oulton Hall, Rothwell Lane, Oulton, Leeds, LS26 8HN

Winter 2017

15

Responsible use of antimicrobials (antibiotics) in sheep YOUR EXPERT

Kath Dun BVM&S, Cert SHP, MRCVS, VIO President Sheep Vet Society What is the problem?

While this may not be the most exciting topic it is one that, as vets and sheep farmers, is one of the most important issues we need to address to allow us to continue to farm efficiently and productively. We have a responsibility to the next generation to address this issue now.

The Review on Antimicrobial Resistance chaired by Jim O’Neill published in December 2015 states that “in some parts of the world antimicrobial use is far greater in animals than it is in humans: in the USA for instance, more than 70% of medically important antibiotics are used in animals”.

The risks associated with high use of antimicrobials are threefold: 1. Drug-resistant strains of bacteria are passed on through direct contact between humans and animals.

2. Drug-resistant strains have potential to be passed on to humans more generally through the food chain.

3. There is a further indirect threat to human health as a result of animal excretion A number of recommendations were made in the O’Neill report and the one most relevant to farming states that the following must be addressed: ‘A global target to reduce antibiotic use in food production to an agreed level per kilogram of livestock, along with restrictions on the use of antibiotics important for humans.’

What does that mean?

Vets and farmers need to look carefully at the way antibiotics are used on sheep farms by exploring alternate methods of disease control wherever possible. These include biosecurity, vaccination, improved farm hygiene and other management actions.

Much of the use of antibiotics in animals is not for treatment, with significant volumes used preventatively among healthy animals to stop development of an infection within the flock.

This is an area where most discussion and review is needed between farmer and vet.

All sheep farms should have a health plan written in conjunction with their vet and reviewed at least annually. A review of preventative health strategies and all antimicrobial use should be included in the health plan.

As prescribing vets, it is also our duty to try and ensure that some of the “critically important “groups of specialist antibiotics are used to a minimum in our farmed animals. These are antibiotics which remain extremely important in human medicine and where the emergence of resistance could have serious consequences in years to come.

Action areas: Currently across the UK sheep industry, areas where vets may be able to make the most impact to reduce, replace and refine the use of antibiotics on sheep farms are: I. Whole flock antibiotic treatments for prevention of abortion II. Lameness control III. Preventative treatment of lambs against neonatal bacterial infections such as watery mouth and joint ill.

Control of Abortion in Ewes: Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE, caused by Chlamydophila abortus) is the most commonly diagnosed cause of abortion in the UK, despite there being effective vaccines available.

Antibiotic treatment (long acting oxytetracycline) of ewes may help to reduce the number of ewes that abort, but does not reduce shedding of Chlamydia, nor reduce the incidence of infected ewes within a flock. It is advise that antibiotics should only be used for the control of EAE in certain defined situations as suggested below: a. In the face of an outbreak: although it is preferable to use an inactivated vaccine as soon as possible in this situation, it is acceptable to inject the affected group with injectable longacting oxytetracycline. Later lambing ewes in the flock may also be treated in this way. b. In the year immediately following abortion due to EAE oxytetracycline can be used, but only in conjunction with a pre-tupping vaccination programme.

Preventative treatment of neonatal lambs In individual flocks and with close vet supervision, it may be appropriate to use targeted control measures that include antibiotic treatment, but in no flock, will it be appropriate for all lambs to be treated routinely from the start of a new lambing season.

Technical Corner

16 Winter 2017

texel.uk

Routine use of antibiotics must be limited to extend the drugs’ lifetime.

Antibiotic treatments should be targeted only towards high risk individuals, following a proactive flock health plan. There is a need to try and move away from mass flock medication wherever possible.

Good management and planning is the key to reducing the risk of disease.

Ahead of lambing time, ideally at mid pregnancy, control measures should be discussed between farmer and vet to give sufficient time to assess and implement new actions.

Lameness Control Lameness in sheep is a common and serious welfare problem for many sheep flocks. In the UK lameness is largely due to infectious causes e.g. Scald, Footrot and Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis (CODD). It is entirely appropriate to promptly treat all sheep that are clinically affected with one of these bacterial infections with an antibiotic injection.

The challenge is to reduce the number of new clinical cases of lameness that need antibiotic treatment. There are a variety of tools available for lameness control, all of which should be considered by vets and farmers when planning to tackle lameness in their flocks.

These are usefully summed up in the principles of the Five Point Plan for Lameness Control.

These principles should be discussed between vet and farmer and tailored to the individual farm lameness problem. For example, it is necessary to take into account the specific causes of lameness on each farm (vet diagnosis is strongly recommended) in order to instigate specific treatments, as well as assess the farm specific risk factors for disease, such as seasonal trends, hygiene of housing, handling areas and field management.

THE FIVE POINT PLAN 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Cull badly affected or repeatedly affected animals Quarantine incoming animals Treat clinical cases promptly.

Avoid creating maintenance of infection on the farm Vaccinate against footrot twice yearly.

Responsible use of antibiotics for treatment of lame sheep should always be practised. It is recommended that neither whole-flock antibiotic treatments nor antibiotic footbaths should be used in the treatment or control of lame sheep.

In flocks with currently high levels of lameness, farmers should work closely with their vets to separate out the group of lame sheep for thorough and effective treatment before they are mixed back in with the main flock.

These guidelines have been produced as a collaborative effort by the Sheep Vet Society, Universities of Notttingham and Liverpool and independent sheep advisors.

The complete document can be viewed on the Sheep Vet Society website: www.sheepvetsoc.org. uk

Technical Corner texel.uk

Winter 2017

17

Projects aim to deliver added value for members A number of research and development projects are underway which will deliver added value for members and commercial customers in the years to come.

The Society is currently supporting PhD student Karolina Kaseja in her studies as part of the Texel genomic research programme.

The aims of Karolina’s PhD are to support the development of sheep genomics using SNP data in sheep breeding programmes. This is being done in five ways; 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Estimating genomic breeding values (gEBVs) for key production and maternal traits and compare them with conventional estimated breeding values (EBVs) from the national evaluation run for British Texel Sheep Obtain gEBVs for hard to measure traits such as mastitis and footrot for British Texel Sheep Analysing and verifying the pedigree information of British Texel Sheep Determine the level of connectedness between UK Texel flocks Compare the commercially available panels of SNPs and identify the most informative SNPs available across all panels

Taste vs Waste project This project aims to identify the type of sheep that lay down less carcass fat while delivering a tastier product.

Around 58% of UK lambs meet the desired market specification, however, the use of modern breeding methods and technologies, as well as accurate information can improve this figure. Working with SRUC’s computerised tomography (CT) scanner and the traceability system in a major meat processor’s abattoir, is allowing individual carcass feedback data on thousands of lambs from Scotch Mule ewes mated to pedigree, performance recorded Texel Rams to be collected. There are financial and environmental benefits to this work. Firstly, reducing the amount of carcass fat will improve feed conversion efficiency and, secondly, there will be more high quality meat for the plate and less waste in the bin.

Video Image Analysis project This project aims to deliver novel phenotypes for carcass merit and animal health and integrate these into the Texel breeding programme. Health and performance data from the nucleus of pedigree Texel phenotyping farms, and thousands of related crossbred animals, sourced from commercial producer flocks, will be combined with new, innovative visual imaging technology and meat hygiene data at slaughter. Ultimately the project aims to effectively turn the conventional breeding ‘pyramid’ upside down by using commercial data to influence selection in the pedigree nucleus flocks.

To date four commercial Lleyn partner flocks in Perth, Shropshire, Leicestershire and Devon have been recruited for the programme. In total these flocks are providing 1160 ewes to the project, ranging from 160 – 400 per flock.

To serve these ewes, 35 pedigree, recorded ram lambs from 10 flocks have been procured and along with AI sires these rams will produce about 1800 slaughter lambs to be analysed next year.

From the two flocks used last year more than 1100 project lambs, by 26 different sires, have been born. Of these, more than 400 have been fully processed with around 700 still to finish.

Looking ahead, this year an additional two flocks in Dumfries and Fife, with more than 300 Scotch Mule ewes have been recruited. The Society has purchased 26 pedigree recorded shearlings from eight flocks, and these along with AI sires, will cover the 1130 ewes to be mated this year, aiming to produce at least 1800 slaughter lambs next year.

Technical Corner

18 Winter 2017

texel.uk

The Twilight Texel Sale Friday 1st December

At 6.00pm at Borderway Mart, Carlisle Tel: 01228

406 230

In-Lamb Gimmer Sale From the flocks of Douganhill, Llangwm, Haddo, Stainton, Welsh, Loosebeare, Hallbeath, Crailloch, Alwent, Durisdeer, Arkle, Ellen Valley

texel.uk

Winter 2017

19

Ewe leads at

Balmoral for Gault family

T

he first of the main summer shows saw a strong turnout of Texels at the Royal Ulster Show, with an aged ewe by Duncryne Uber Cool taking top honours in the early summer sunshine. Leading the way for Jack Gault’s Cherryvale flock was GCN1401259, a two crop ewe out of an Ettrick dam

by Knock Papoose.

Judge Pip Kermode praised the ewe for her all round Texel characteristics and style. “She has an exceptional carcass coupled with great locomotion and breed character with the show ring sparkle needed to win at this level.”

Standing reserve were the McCollam family with their shearling ewe, MSY1601045, a daughter of Sportsmans Warrior II out of a Strathbogie ewe by Glenside Razzle Dazzle. “This gimmer caught the eye as soon as she came in the ring, she has a great body and moves well. On the day she was an easy winner in her class and it was a close call for the championship, but the older ewe just had the edge for character and style.”

Taking the award for the best animal of the opposite sex to the champion was John Foster’s shearling tup Bluehill Yogi, a Balldesland Thunder King son out of a dam by Springhill Shergar.

Reserve to him was the second prize shearling tup from Messrs Aiken, Corbett and Cromie, Plasucha Yolo, a Kelso Wiseman son out of a Garngour Upperclass sired dam.

red ticket went to Paul and Baillie O’Connor with a Douganhill Young Gun daughter out of a dam by Duncryne Ubercool.

In the aged tups the winner was Holylee Volcano from Henry Gamble, with this one being by Strathbogie Usher and out of a dam by Llangwm Rocky. Meanwhile, the ram lambs were won

by Martin and Cyril Millar with a lamb by Charben Yankee Boy and out of a dam by Knap Vital Spark. And in the ewe lambs the

Mr Kermode said breeders were to be congratulated for putting on such an excellent show of sheep so early in the season. “The standard across the board today was excellent. In every class there were great sheep from the top to the bottom and the lamb classes in particular were a credit to the breed.”

Shows

20 Winter 2017

texel.uk

Reserve interbreed group of three from the Springhill, Carmavy and Drumgooland flocks

Breed champion and reserve intebreed champion from Jack Gault

Paul and Baillie O’Connor’s interbreed winning pair of gimmers

First prize shearling ram from John Foster

Henry Gamble’s first prize aged ram

First prize ram lamb from Martin and Cyril Millar

First prize shearling ewe and reserve breed champion from the McCollam family

Results Aged Tup 1 - Henry Gamble’s Holylee Volcano 2 - Ben Casement’s Aideshill Vision 3 - Nigel Ross’ Curley Usher 4 - John Foster’s Mountain View V-Tech 5 - Patrick Donnelly’s Mossvale Whistler

Shearling Ewes 1 - Steven McCollam’s MSY1601045 2 - Alastair Gault’s GAF1601643 3 - Jack Gault’s GCN1601761 4 - Lousie Breen’s LBU1600697 5 - John Foster’s FTS1602882

Shearling Rams 1 - John Foster’s Bluehill Yogi 2 - Messrs Aiken, Corbett and Cromie’s Plasucha Yolo 3 - Henry Gamble’s Wydden Yuan 4 - Owen Donohoe’s Enniscrone Yeshyma 5 - Paul O’Connor’s Drumgooland Youth Hunter I

Ram Lambs 1 - Martin and Cyril Millar’s VMG1701566 2 - Patrick Donnelly’s DNN1701279 3 - B & W McAllister’s MBF1703196 4 - E & P Johnston’s CBU1700319 5 - James Herdman’s HKP1701164

Aged Ewes 1 - Jack Gault’s GCN1401259 2 - Henry Gamble’s CLZ1500522 3 - Victor Chestnutt’s CVC1400689 4 - Steven McCollam’s MSY1500892 5 - Stephen McNeilly’s SPF1500351

Ewe Lambs 1 - Paul and Baillie O’Connor’s OCP1700717 2 - Martin and Cyril Millar’s VGM1701542 3 - Danny McKay’s YMK1700622 4 - Alastair Gault’s GAF1702022 5 - Martin and Cyril Millar’s VMG1701553

Shows texel.uk

Winter 2017

21

Youth to fore at Royal Bath and West Y outh was the watchword at the Southern England Texel feature show at the Royal Bath and West Show, Shepton Mallet, with young judge David Bradley-Farmer taking on the task of picking the winners and lambs coming to the fore in the championships.

Mr Bradley-Farmer praised exhibitors for the quality of the sheep in front of him and said several classes had been particularly strong across the line-up. “It was an excellent show of Texels and those sheep at the top of the line were exactly what the modern Texel is all about. They had growth, strength and excellent fleshing coupled with that bit of showring sparkle necessary to make them stand out.”

Taking the championship on the day was the winner of the ram lamb class, TIP1701433 from Paul Tippetts and Christine Williams’ Wilodge flock, Shifnal, Shropshire.

This lamb is by Eglur Yukon out of CUB1501158, a Loosebeare Voldemort daughter out of a dam by Beautry Panama which was bought for 4800gns at the English National Sale, Worcester, last summer.

Praising the lamb for his correctness and excellent carcass, coupled with ring presence, Mr Bradley-Farmer, said he was an easy winner of his class and stood out in the championship for his sharpness and style. “He’s a tremendous lamb and one I expect to see go on well over the summer.”

Standing reserve overall was the first prize ewe lamb from Ian and Fiona Andrews’ Cattistock flock. This was AIC1700280, a daughter of the noted Glenside Razzle Dazzle out of a Kingsland dam by Clinterty Samba I. She was described as an incredibly stylish, flashy female by Mr Bradley-Farmer. “She’s a great example of a Texel female and will, I’m sure, go on to make a great ewe.”

In the aged tup class the winner was Strathbogie Wembley from Georgie Helyer. This son of the 50,000gns Mullan Vivaldi is out of Razzle Dazzle daughter and won his class at Royal Bath and West last year as a shearling.

Then winning the shearling tups was Anthony Carter with CAJ1600444 from his Millcroft flock. This son of Nochnary Utaka is out of a Loosebeare Rooster Booster sired dam.

Messrs Tippetts and Williams’ champion ram lamb

In the aged ewes the show’s traditional blue first prize ticket went to Ian and Fiona Andrews, who completed a clean sweep Shows

22 Winter 2017

texel.uk

Results Aged Tup 1 – Georgie Helyer’s Strathbogie Wembley 2 – Anthony Carter’s Haddo Wandering Star 3 – Adrian Dufosee’s Deverill Whatsup

Reserve champion was Ian and Fiona Andrews’ ewe lamb

Shearling Rams 1 – Anthony Carter’s CAJ1600444 2 – Georgie Helyer’s HML1600446 3 – Mark Blakeney’s BZZ1602169 4 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1600185 5 – Georgie Helyer’s Fodwell Youmzain Aged Ewes 1 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ CUB1400932 2 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1400101

in the female classes, with their Bautry ewe, CUB1400932, bred by Stuart Currie. This one is by Arkle Uncle Tom and out of a dam by Procters Oswald.

Completing the female classes for the Andrews’ family was the winner of the gimmer class, AIC1600205, a full sister to the first prize ewe lamb and reserve overall champion.

First prize shearling tup from Anthony Carter

First prize shearling ewe from Ian and Fiona Andrews

Shearling Ewes 1 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1600205 2 – Anthony Carter’s CAJ1600463 3 – Anthony Carter’s DHA1600377 4 – Matthew Fear’s FME1600398 5 – Anthony Carter’s CAJ1600476 Ram Lambs 1 – Messrs Tippetts and Williams’ TIP1701433 2 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1700252 3 – Mark and Alice Blakeney’s BZZ1702875 4 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1700253 5 – Adrian Dufosee’s DAD1705978 Ewe Lambs 1 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1700280 2 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1700281 3 – Messrs Tippetts and Williams’ TIP1701440 4 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ AIC1700286 5 – Anthony Carter’s CAJ1700550 Group of Three 1 – Anthony Carter 2 – Ian and Fiona Andrews 3 – Georgie Helyer

First prize aged ewe from Ian and Fiona Andrews

First prized aged ram from Georgie Helyer

Pair of sheep 1 – Messrs Tippetts and Williams 2 – Anthony Carter 3 – Ian and Fiona Andrews

Shows texel.uk

Winter 2017

23

Females flourish at

Royal Highland I

t was a clean sweep for females in the championship at the Royal Highland Show this year, with judge Iolo Prys Jones praising the exceptional quality and strength in depth in the female classes in front of him.

“I was blown away with the standard in the female classes, notably the gimmer and aged ewe classes, with the ewe lambs equally as strong. That is to take nothing away from the males, but the females were the stars of the show today.”

reserve champion at Lesmahagow this year, reserve champion at Biggar last year and well as being champion at Abington in 2015.

“She’s another outstanding female and it was a tough call between her and the gimmer. Again she has class, flesh and breed character and is a ewe to grace any flock.”

Taking the top ticket under Mr Jones was the winner of the gimmer class, Robbie Wilson’s daughter of the 60,000gns Glenside Willy Winky, LYM1602144. This gimmer is out of a dam by the 60,000gns Teiglum Tornado and was on her first show outing.

Top honours in the males went to the shearling ram winner from Jim Innes, the homebred Strathbogie Yes Big Boy, a Millar’s Windbrook son out of a dam by Castlecairn SAS Commander.

He is shared with Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank flock having been sold at Thainstone last year as a lamb for 5000gns, with a share retained by the Innes family. Then reserve in the males was the winner of the open ram lamb class from Bryden Nicholson, NIC1708120, a Glenside Wild Boy son.

Mr Jones said she was a truly modern Texel female with a great top and back end coupled with excellent locomotion and balance. “She’s everything a Texel female should be and has flesh in abundance as well as the spark needed in a gimmer. She’s just a stunning example of the breed and I couldn’t ask for more in my champion.”

The aged tup class was won by Messrs Wight, Midlock, with Haymount Western Union, an Ettrick Vagabond son out of a dam by Scrogton Powerhouse. And in the ewe lamb class the winner was Jim Innes with IJS1701627, a daughter of the homebred Strathbogie Yes Sir out of a dam by Strathbogie Untouchable.

Standing reserve to her was the top placed aged ewe from Robert Laird and family, LTC1402038. Sired by Strathbogie Usher and out of the same Cambwell Laird sired dam as Cambwell Rob Roy and Cambwell Socrates, she has now bred six Highland Show first prize winners. The ewe herself was

Mr Jones commended all exhibitors on putting out an excellent display of sheep in front of him. “It has been an honour to judge the Texel classes at the Royal Highland and it was certainly no easy task. The quality in every class was superb and I was bowled over with the standard of sheep here today.”

Shows

24 Winter 2017

texel.uk

Results Aged Tup 1 – Messrs Wight’s Haymount Western Union 2 – Jim Innes’ Glenside Wild Boy Shearling Rams 1 – Jim Innes’ Yes Big Boy 2 – Messrs Orr’s Halbeath YMCA 3 – Messrs Wight’s WKM1618058 4 – Clark Farms’ Garngour You Cracker 5 – Messrs Orr’s, Wilkinson and Jack’s Halbeath

Robbie Wilson’s champion gimmer

Robert Laird’s reserve champion aged ewe

Ram Lambs 1 – Bryden Nicholson’s NIC1708120 2 – Robbie Wilson’s LYM1702480 3 – Robbie Wilson’s LYM1702569 4 – John Forsyth’s FPG1701362 5 – David McKerrow’s DMN1701503 Performance Recorded Ram Lambs 1 – David McKerrow’s DMN1701549 2 – Ian Muray’s MFZ1701457 3 – Gordon Gray’s GGH1707048 4 – Ian Murray’s MFZ1701391 5 – Gordon Gray’s GGH1707167

First prize aged ram from Messrs Wight

First prize ram lamb from the Nicholson family

First prize recorded ram lamb from David McKerrow

First prize ewe lamb from Jim Innes

First prize shearling ram from Jim Innes

Aged Ewes 1 – Robert Laird’s LTC1402038 2 – Messrs Knox’s KWJ1501013 3 – Procters Farm’s PFD1403606 4 – K, A and R Campbell’s CKP1500210 5 – John Forsyth’s FPG1400764 Shearling Ewes 1 – Robbie Wilson’s LYM1602144 2 – Gordon Gray’s GGH1606006 3 – Messrs Clark’s CJN1604375 4 – Messrs Clark’s CJN1604417 5 – John Forsyth’s FPG1601185 Ewe Lambs 1 – Jim Innes’ IJS1701627 2 – Procters Farm’s PFD1701618 3 – Matthew McTaggart’s MTR1701077 4 – Messrs Wight’s WKM1721260 5 – Messrs Knox’s KWJ1701437

Shows texel.uk

Winter 2017

25

Lambs lead at

Great Yorkshire T

his year’s Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate saw lambs taking the top honours under judge Gordon Gray, Ettrick, with David McKerrow and family taking the male and supreme championship with their winner from the open ram lambs class and reserve honours going to Charlie Boden and family with their ewe lambs.

PFD1701618, another daughter of the 70,000gns Young Gun. “The lambs really were a step ahead of the older sheep and I had no hesitation putting them forward for the top tickets,” said Mr Gray. “Both the reserve male and reserve female are great lambs with good skins, natural fleshing and plenty of breed character.”

Mr Gray said it was the lamb classes where he really found the quality of the day, with all three lamb classes containing strength in depth. “That is to take nothing away from the older sheep, but the lambs were a cut above and it was great to see sharp, fresh lambs with great bodies and correctness.”

Leading the way in the aged tup class was the £18,000 Pant Wolf from Charlie Boden, with this one bought at the main NSA Sale, Builth Wells, last autumn. He’s by Loosebeare Unique and out of a dam by Baltier Panther.

The McKerrow’s champion, DMN1701503, is a son of the 30,000gns Knock Yankee, which was bought in partnership at Carlisle last year, and is out of a homebred dam by Ettrick Ura Winner. Mr Gray said the lamb was a standout in his class and the championship. “It was an easy decision, he’s a great tup and handles tremendously well with a good top and end. He’s well balanced and has a great set of legs.”

Taking the reserve overall ticket was Charlie Boden’s leading ewe lamb, BCM1700508 from the Mellor Vale flock. This daughter of the 70,000gns Lanark topper Teiglum Young Gun is out of a dam by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid. “She’s a strong, sharp lamb with a body to match and certainly was an easy winner among the females.”

In the homebred shearling rams the winner was Halbeath YFC from Messrs Orr, Wilkinson and Jack, with this one being by Halbeath VIP and out of a Cairness Red Rum daughter.

Winning the open shearling ram class were Robin and Caroline Orr with Midlock Yorkie, a Deveronvale Warrior son out of a dam by Teiglum Thunder. And the performance recorded ram lambs were won by Charlie Boden with BGS1702709, a Clinterty Yogi Bear son out of a dam by Strathbogie Untouchable.

Top spot in the aged ewes also fell to Charlie Boden with a Cherryvale ewe, GCN1501462, by Duncryne Uber Cool and out of a Knock Papoose sired Ettrick dam.

In the males the reserve award followed through from the ram lamb class, with this taken by Peter Woof’s lamb, WPS1701116.

This is another son of the 30,000gns Knock Yankee and is out of a dam by Sportsmans Tremendous II.

The gimmers were then won by the Clark family with CJN1604375, a daughter of the homebred Teiglum Wiseguy and out of a dam by Forkins Ulysses, she was first at the Great Yorkshire as a lamb last year.

Then following form the reserve in the females was the second prize ewe lamb, this time from Procters Farm. This was

Group of three winners were the Boden team, with Angela Nairey in second and the Campbell family third.

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Results Aged Tup 1 – Charlie Boden’s Pant Wolf 2 – Peter Longdin’s LJW1500690 3 – Messrs Wilkinson’s Aman Watcyn Wyn 4 – Messrs Riby’s Glanllyn Wallis 5 – Richard Wilson’s Hull House Winner Homebred Shearling Rams 1 – Messrs Orr’s Midlock Yorkie 2 – Steve Richardson’s RSS1600456 3 – Peter Longdin’s LJW1600815 4 – Richard Wilkinson’s WXH1612204 5 – G M Taylor’s TGP1601521 Open Shearling Rams 1 – Messrs Orr, Wilkinson and Jack’s Halbeath YFC 2 – M Perrings’ Procters Yahoo 3 – John North’s Pergill Yippee 4 – Messrs Kermode’s Tullagh Yandel 5 – Peter Longdin’s Loxley Yorkie

Clark Farm’s first prize gimmer

Messrs Orr,Wilkinson and Jack’s first prize shearling ram

Charlie Boden’ first prize aged ram

Messrs Orr’s first prize homebred shearling ram

David McKerrow’s champion ram lamb

Procters Farm’s reserve female champion

Ram Lambs 1 – David McKerrow’s DMN1701503 2 – Peter Woof’s WPS1701116 3 – Charlie Boden’s BGS1702626 4 – Richard Wilson’s WEV1701016 5 – M C Collin’s CLU1700145 Performance Recorded Ram Lambs 1 – Charlie Boden’s BGS1702709 2 – Peter Woof’s WPS1701079 3 – Messrs Campbell’s CKC1707767 4 – Richard Wilson’s WEV170925 5 – David McKerrow’s DMN1701549 Aged Ewes 1 – Charlie Boden’s GCN1501462 2 – Messrs Campbell’s CKP1500210 3 – Procters Farm’s PFD1403606 4 – Messrs Butcher’s BUT1300061 5 – Peter Longdin’s LJW1300339 Shearling Ewes 1 – Messrs Clark’s CJN1604375 2 – Peter Woof’s WPS1600927 3 – Charlie Boden’s BGS1602208 4 – John Mellin’s MJH1605165 5 – Messrs Clark’s CJN1604417

Charlie Boden’s reserve champion ewe lamb

Charlie Boden’s first prize aged ewe

Charlie Boden’s first prize recorded ram lamb

Peter Woof ’s reserve male champion

Ewe Lambs 1 – Charlie Boden’s BCM1700508 2 – Procters Farm’s PFD1701618 3 – Messrs Clark’s CFT1705027 4 – Messrs Clark’s CJN1704888 5 – Messrs Wilkinson’s WGA1703921 Group of Three 1 – Messrs Boden 2 – Angela Nairey 3 – Messrs Campbell

Shows texel.uk

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Wizz Kidd daughter leads

Royal Welsh

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his year’s Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells, saw a shearling ewe by Eden Valley Wiz Kid awarded the championship following the disqualification of an entry which had previously been awarded the championship.

The decision meant that it was a shearling ewe from Will and Liz McCaffrey which was awarded the championship, with this being YWM160054. She is out of a Stainton dam by Anglezarke Uno. She was previously champion at Shropshire County.

Commenting on the gimmer, judge Gwilym Williams said she was a great carcassed sheep with exceptional correctness. “She is a great sheep and a tremendous example of the breed.”

In the male championship the winner was a ram lamb from Iolo Prys Jones, with this being JLI172022, a son of Strathbogie Ya Patch and out of a dam by Strathbogie Monarch of the Glen.

Reserve here was the second prize ram lamb from Will and Liz McCaffrey,YWM1700693, a son of Strathbogie Willie and out of a dam by Tophill Union Jack which was reserve female champion at the Welsh as a lamb.

Describing his male champion Mr Williams said he was a great carcassed sheep and certainly one to watch for the future. “He’s a modern Texel with great skin and body coupled with style and presence.”

Male champion from Iolo Prys Jones

In the aged tups the winner was Strathbogie Willie from Will and Liz McCaffrey, with this one being by Mullan Vivaldi and out of a Glenside Razzle Dazzle dam.

Then in the shearling tups the winner was Brackenridge Young Gun from Robert Bennett and Edward Pugh. He is by Hexel Wildcard and out of a dam by Crailloch Victor.

The aged ewes were then won by Matthew MacTaggart with MTR1500709, a Strathbogie Usher daughter out of a dam by Didcot Record Breaker.

Leading the ewe lambs was Robert Bennett’s lamb BFE1707076, a daughter of Eden Valley Wiz Kid out of a dam by Anglezarke Uno.

Messrs Bennett and Pugh’s first prize shearling tup

Will and Liz McCaffrey’s reserve male champion

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Will and Liz McCaffrey’s champion gimmer

Matthew MacTaggart’s first prize aged ewe

Will and Liz MacCaffrey’s first prize aged ram

Results Aged Tup 1 – Will and Liz McCaffrey’s Strathbogie Willie 2 – Messrs Powell and Jones’ Ellen Valley Washington 3 – N E and J A Gibbs’ Erw Victor 4 – Andrew Thomas’ Strathbogie Windbrook 5 – John R Thomas’ Croesffordd Wild N Willing Shearling Rams 1 – Robert Bennett and Edward Pugh’s Brackenridge Young Gun 2 – Russel and Gil Watkins’ Strawfrank Yoda 3 – Alun Williams WSF1605616 4 – Lewis Hughes Morgan’s Glenside Yogi Bear II 5 – Messrs Corfield’s Rohan Yogi Ram Lambs 1 – Iolo Prys Jones’ JLI1702022 2 – Will and Liz McCaffrey’s YWM1700693 3 – Robert Pierce’s PRE1700819 4 – Robin Ellis’ ECE1702603 5 – G V Hardwick and Son’s HQT1704020

Will and Liz McCaffrey’s winning group of three

Aged Ewes 1 – Matthew MacTaggart’s MTR1500709 2 – Andrew Thomas’ TYG1300124 3 – Messrs Corfield’s CJF1400423 4 – Ian and Fiona Andrews’ CUB1400932 5 – Tomos Evans’ IJS1400755 Shearling Ewes 1 – Will and Liz McCaffrey’s YWM1600544 2 – Carwyn Lewis’ LCY1600126 3 – Tomos Evans’ SLH1600104 4 – Iolo Prys Jones’ JLI1601332 Ewe Lambs 1 – Robert Bennet’s BFE1707076 2 – Will and Liz McCaffrey’s YWM1700692 3 – Iolo Prys Jones’ JLI1702015 Group of Three 1 – Will and Liz McCaffrey 2 – Messrs Corfield

Shows texel.uk

Winter 2017

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Setting the top mark of 130,000gns at Lanark was Sportsmans A Star

130,000gns Sportsmans A Star shines at Scottish National Texel Sale

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portsmans A Star from Charlie Boden, Macclesfield, Cheshire, shone the brightest at the Scottish National Texel Sale, Lanark, on a day which saw nearly 20% more ram lambs sold than at the corresponding fixture last year and the sale gross more than £1.2m for the first time in the breed’s history.

The sale leader, Sportsmans A Star, is a son of last year’s 70,000gns Lanark sale leader Teiglum Young Gun, with his dam being a daughter of former Lanark champion Cairnam Talisman.

Selling with an index of 354, this lamb was subject to a fierce bidding battle which was eventually won by a brace of breeders sharing him, with Hugh and

Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn and John Forsyth, Glenside the eventual buyers.

And Charlie Boden was also involved in the second highest price of the day when he paid 50,000gns for Deveronvale Ace of Diamonds from Graham Morrison’s Aberdeenshire-based flock. This lamb is by Millar’s Windbrook and out of a Scholars Twenty Twelve daughter. A half share in this lamb was subsequently sold to Paul Tippetts and Christine Williams for the Wilodge flock.

Next best at 42,000gns were a brace of lambs, with Charlie Boden also involved in one of these transaction, taking a half share in Knockem Abracadabra from young breeders Charlotte and James

Nicholson. Sired by the homebred Knockem Yabba Dabba Doo, this lamb had stood first at the Royal Highland and is out of a dam by Hull House Space Cowboy. Buying the other half of this lamb was Danny Sawrij, Kedzlie Farms.

The other 42,000gns call came earlier in the day for the much fancied Mullan Armani from Northern Irish breeder Brian Hanthorn. He is by Glenside Willie Winkie and out of a Haddo Ringleader daughter. Sold with an index of 387, he was knocked down to Jim Innes for the Strathbogie flock, Aberdeenshire.

Following that came two at 24,000gns.

First at this level was Fordafourie Amalert from veteran breeder Sandy

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Lee, Aberdeenshire. This son of Stainton You Bet is out of a Garngour Ultimatum daughter and was another on the shopping list of Charlie Boden.

Selling for 50,000gns was Deveronvale Ace of Diamonds.

The second at this money was another lamb late in the day, Allanfauld Am The Man, a Knap You’re The Man son. He is out of a dam by Garngour Ultimatum and has an index of 484. This one was shared by three breeders, Albert and George Howie, Knock, the Knox family, Haddo and the Ingram family, Logie Durno, all Aberdeenshire.

A 22,000gns bid followed that, with this price paid for Midlock Avicii from the Wight family, Biggar. This one is by Clinterty Yuga Khan and out of a dam

by Teiglum Thunder and sold to three breeders; David Houghton, Tophill, the Campbell family, Cowal and Steven Symes, Anglezarke.

After that at 20,000gns was another from Charlie Boden, Sportsmans Advantage.

This Clinterty Yogi Bear son is out of a Strathbogie Untouchable daughter and has an index of 344. He found a new home with Hartside Farms, Biggar and Robin and Caroline Orr, Dumfermline.

And then at 19,000gns was the best of the day from the Clark brothers,

Alan, Andrew and David, with this being Teiglum Admiral, a son of homebred sire Teiglum Windfall out of a dam by Castlecairn Vavavoom. Selling with an index of 389, he went home with Stephen Cobbold, Acton, Suffolk.

bred in the Cambwell flock of the Laird family. And it was Robert Laird that led a consortium of three breeders to buy him, with the other two partners being E G Thomas, Conwy and the Wilkinson family, Aspatria.

Next best came at 16,000gns, when John Leitch, Northern Ireland, sold Cornmore Ace, a Sportsmans You’re a Winner son out of a Stonehills Unbeatable sired dam

Two then sold at 15,000gns, with the first of these being Hexel Apex from Donald and Sarah MacPherson. Sired

by Castlecairn Vavavoom, he is out of a

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Brackenridge Strongbow dam and was bought by Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe.

Mullan Armani sold for 42,000gns

The other to make this price was Milnbank Alfonso, a Halbeath VIP son from Robbie Wilson, Aberdeenshire. He is out of a ewe by Strathbogie Untouchable and sold in a six way split to Ian Murray, Wooler, Donald and Sarah MacPherson, Berwick-On-Tweed, Ted Fox, Biggar, Jack Arnott, Kelso, Esmor Evans, Mold and Messrs Watson and Redhead, BerwickOn-Tweed.

The penultimate five figure bid was a 13,000gns call for Nochnary Am Yer Man from David McKerrow and family.

This lamb by Knock Yankee had stood champion at the Great Yorkshie and is out of an Ettrick Ura Winner daughter. He sold in a two way deal to Archie Hamilton, Smyllum and Paul Delves, Bridgeview.

And the final five figure call was an 11,000gns sale for the best of the day from Robert Bennett’s Plasucha flock.

This was Plasucha All Star, sired by the 30,000gns Knock Yankee and out of a dam

by Connachan Sharky. He sold to Donald and Sarah MacPherson, Hexel, and the Campbell family, Cowal, with a third share retained by Mr Bennett.

Average; 415 ram lambs ÂŁ2702 (Lawrie and Symington).

Doing the magic for the Nicholson family was Knockem Abracadabra

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Average jumps more than £200 for Lanark gimmers An insatiable demand for Texel gimmers at the first National Sale of the season, the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, saw the average price jump by more than £220 on the corresponding fixture last year.

Topping the gimmer trade at Lanark was this Cwmcerrig gimmer from the Watkins family

With a top call of 7500gns and a further four gimmers at 5000gns or more the ringside bid eagerly for the best of the genetics on offer resulting in an 89% clearance rate of the 75 offered.

Topping the trade was one of the last gimmers of the evening to be sold, the Watkins family’s third prize gimmer from the pre-sale show from the Cwmcerrig flock, WJJ1601016. This daughter of Glenside Razzle Dazzle is out of a dam

by Kelso Pavarotti and sold with an index of 392. Buying this one was Kenny Pratt for the Hilltop flock.

Next best at 6800gns was the female champion from the pre-sale champion from the Mellin family’s Hull House flock, MJH1605165. Sired by Langside Thunderbird, she is out of a Hull House Undercover daughter. This one sold to Stewart Ferris, Northern Ireland.

Selling at 6800gns was the Mellin family’s gimmer from their Hull House flock

After that at 6200gns was Brian Hanthorn’s Garngour Upperclass daughter, HBN1601404. This one is out of a dam by Haddo Ringleader and sold with an index of 405. Buying her was Stephen Cobbold, Acton, Suffolk.

Then making 5800gns came a gimmer from the Glanllyn flock of Edward Pugh, PUG1600855. She is by Stainton Vantage II and out of a Tullylagan Tonka daughter and was the choice of Paul Delves, Shropshire.

Close behind at 5500gns was Gordon Gray’s gimmer from the Ettrick flock, GGH1606006, a daughter of Ellen Valley Warlord out of a dam by Craig Douglas Uther. She sold with an index of 313 and was bought by Mark Priestley, Northern Ireland.

A pair then sold at 3200gns, with the first of these being from Robert Bennett’s

Plasucha flock. This was BFE1606083, a Kelso Wiseman daughter out of a dam

by Garngour Upperclass and bought by Nick Legge.

The other at this money was the Clark family’s best from their pen, CJN1604412. Sired by Halbeath VIP she is out of a dam by Forkins Ulysses and sold to Messrs Wilkinson for the Langlands flock.

Making 2400gns was a Fairywater gimmer from Andrew Fyfee. She is by Fairywater Valiant and out of a dam by Glenside Dazzle, with this one selling in a three way split to Tom Evans, Llanddarog, G R Williams, Sennybridge and Wayne Phillips, Trawmawr.

Averages; 67 gimmers £1550.55 (Lawrie and Symington).

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Texel Welsh National sets new records A

brace of new centre records and record averages in both the shearling ewe and shearling ram sections marked out this year’s Welsh National Texel Sale, Welshpool as one to remember.

Woof’s Stainton flock, Kendal. This was WPS1600905, a daughter of Eden Valley Warrior out of a dam by Stainton Richochet and sold with an index of 362.

She was the choice of local breeder Paul Delves, Church Stoke.

It was the shearling ewes which provided the day’s top call and new breed and female centre record of 7800gns, with the shearling ram trade setting a new centre male record.

Second best of the gimmers was a 5800gns bid by Herefordshire-based Peter Vaughan, the underbidder on the champion. He was successful in buying the second prize gimmer and reserve female champion from Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock. This was CKP1600868, an ET bred daughter of Springwell Viera out of a dam by Baltier Rascal.

Texel Society chief executive John Yates said these high prices coupled with record averages in both sections and clearance rates of more than 80% for both gimmers and shearling tups proved the popularity of the breed in Wales and latent demand for Texel breeding stock.

“The Welsh National, the second National Sale for the breed in the space of four days saw both pedigree and commercial breeders compete for quality genetics. To have set new records at Welshpool just two days after a bumper sale at Lanark is testament to the work of Texel breeders in producing commercially relevant sheep suited to the modern market.”

Top call of the sale came for the female and overall champion from Peter

Following her at 4000gns was Messrs Jones’ gimmer from the Racecourse flock, JAF1604289. She is by Stainton Warrier and out of a dam by Glenside Sexpistol and sold to G Deakins, Heyhope, Powys.

from his Tima flock at 2800gns. This was GCT1606294, a Procters Vantastic daughter out of a dam by Glenside Ring A Ding. This one was knocked down to R Lloyd, Llangwyin.

Peter Vaughan was then back in buying mood when paying 2500gns for WEV1600676 from Richard Wilson’s Eden Valley flock. She is by Sportsmans Tremendous II and out of an Angelzarke Uno daughter.

Shearling Rams Leading trade in the male section at 6100gns was the top priced shearling rams, Tom Ryder’s first prize shearling ram and reserve male champion, Ryders Young Gun. This son of Sportsmans V8 is out of a Caereinion Number One daughter and sold to Red House Farm, Newtown.

Then making 3000gns was Gordon Gray’s best of the day, GGH1606110.

Sired by Shannagh Won-O-Won, she is out of a Llyfni Usain Bolt daughter and sold with an index of 409 when bought

by Patrick Blee, Dunamanagh, Co Tyrone.

Second best here was a 5000gns bid for one from Cefyn Pryce’s Caereinion flock.

Bred from a dam from the same family as the top priced shearling tup, this one is

by Brackenridge Strongbow and carries an index of 409. Taking this one home were L Hadfield and Sons, Peak Forest Derbyshire.

And the Gray family were behind the next top when David Gray sold one

Third top of 2000gns was paid for another from Tom Ryder, Ryders Yorkie.

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He’s a full brother to the 6100gns tup and was bought by Messrs Creer, Ballyglonney, Isle Of Man.

Champion and top price at 7800gns was Peter Woof ’s gimmer

Close behind at 1700gns was Caereinion You’re the Boy from Cefyn Pryce. This Clun Venturer son is out of an Einon Orion dam and was the choice of J P L Owens, Rhayader.

And at 1500gns was Whitehart Yeoman from Jim and Nicola Hartwright. Sired by Loosebeare Ultimo he is out of a dam by Broomeknowes Lion King and sold to J F Robinson and Son, Church Preen.

Ram Lambs Trade for ram lambs was more selective, with many breeders having made their purchases in Lanark just days earlier.

Best of the sale was a 3900gns bid for Daniel Jones’ second prize ram lamb from the pre-sale show, Aldan Adonis.

He is by Eden Valley Wiz Kid and out of a dam by Connachan Sharky and found a new home with the Wilkinson family for their Arkle and Ellen Valley flocks, Cumbria.

Top priced male was Tom Ryder’s shearling ram, Ryders Young Gun at 6100gns

Then at 2200gns was the first prize ram lamb and male champion, a lamb from Rober Cockburn’s Knap flock, CKP1701753. He’s by Clinterty Yuga Khan and out of a dam by Baltier Rascal and was bought by Tynybryn Farms, Tregynon.

The third top ram lamb price of 1500gns was paid for Carl Henry Bellis’ Cosyn Texels Amazon. This son of Arkle Youre In is out of a dam by Ettrick Sir Alan and sold to T E Duggan and Son, Ivington, Herefordshire.

Averages; 67 shearling ewes £933.56 (+£303.25), 34 shearling rams £1118.56

(+£121.78), 83 ram lambs £654.48 (-£14.02) (Welshpool Livestock Sales).

Sales texel.uk

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Centre record smashed at English National Sale

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he final mainland UK National Texel Sale, the English National Sale, Worcester, saw the breed’s centre record smashed when the first prize winning shearling from the Chave family’s Peacehay flock sold for 23,000gns.

Setting a new centre record at 23,000gns was Peacehay Ya Belter

Demand for Texel sires was once again exceptional with increased numbers sold in both the shearling and ram lamb sections and a record average in shearling section and the second highest ever average in the ram lamb section.

Such was the success of the sale that the shearling ram average rose £469 on the year while numbers sold increased by 14% and the ram lamb average jumped by £217.73.

The English National Sale had followed on from bumper sales at both Lanark and Welshpool for the Scottish and Welsh National Sales, with commercial buyers bidding strongly at all three venues for the sheep on offer.

The English National Sale once again saw a number of volume commercial buyers competing strongly for both shearling rams and ram lambs and bidding strongly throughout the day.

Averages across the board are well up on last year and significantly ahead

of the three year rolling average, with more rams sold on the year and great clearance rates too. Without a doubt commercial buyers are voting with their feet and buying rams with the potential to breed premium quality prime lambs and female replacements.

Top call of the day at 23,000gns came for Peacehay Ya Belter from the Chave family’s Somerset-based flock. This son of the £35,000 Scrogtonhead U Stoater is out of a dam by Sheeoch Tardis and had previously been male champion and interbreed pairs champion at Devon County Show this year. He was also first prize shearling in the pre-sale show.

Buying this one in a three-way split were Robin and Caroline Orr, Halbeath, Messrs Gray, Langside and Drayton Farm Partnership, Meonside.

Second best in the shearling rams was a 5300gns call for Whitehart Young Gun from Jim and Nicola Hartwright. This son of Loosebeare Voomer is out of a Cherryvale Shergar dam and sold to Geoff Probert, Aymester, Leominster.

Then making 2300gns was Whitehart You Cracker from the same home. Sired

by Strawfrank Wild Thing, he is out of a dam by Humeston River Dance and was knocked down to Richard and Margaret

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Champion, Sportsmans Alabama (l) and reserve champion, Millar’s Abu Dhabi (r) with judge Dye Clark

Lawrence, for the Coton flock, Market Bosworth.

And at 2000gns was another of the Whitehart shearlings, HWN1603002, a son of Loosebeare Voomer out of a dam

by Kelso Oxygen. He was the choice of R G and R Jones and Sons, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

Ram Lambs Topping the ram lambs at 17,000gns late in the sale was Usk Vale Albatross, from Will Davis. This son of the 35,000gns Strathbogie Ya Belter is out of a Castlecairn Vavavoom-sired dam and sold to Gordon and David Gray, Selkirk, for the Ettrick and Tima flocks.

Second best of the lambs at 6500gns was Ellen Valley Avici from George Wilkinson.

This Midlock Yorkie son is out of a dam

by Drumpark President and was bought

by Jim Innes for the Strathbogie flock.

Then selling at 6000gns was Foreman Hill Apache. Bred by Michael Leggat, this lamb is by Millar’s Windbrook and out of a dam by Strathbogie Terminator and was first prize in the novice flock class in the pre-sale show. He sold to Iolo Prys Jones for the Llangwm flock, with equal shares taken by Tom Evans for the Welsh flock and Ryan Bradley for the Bradleys flock.

A trio of lambs then sold at 5500gns, with the first of these being the pre-sale champion, Sportsmans Alabama from Charlie Boden. He is a son of Ellen Valley Wild West, the reserve male champion at last year’s English National Sale, and is out of a dam by Milnbank Times Square.

He sold with an index of 305 and was knocked down to William Doherty, Co Donegal, Eire.

17,000gns Usk Vale Albatross

The second to sell at this price was the reserve overall champion, Millar’s Abu Dhabi from Cyril and Martin Millar, Northern Ireland. This son of Milnbank Womaniser is out of a Knap Vital Spark dam. This one was taken in a two-way partnership by the Quick family and Jim and Nicola Hartwright for the Loosebeare and Whitehart flocks, respectively.

And, early in the sale Robbie Wilson sold his second prize winning Milnbank Axl Rose at the same money. This son of Halbeath VIP is out of a dam by Strathbogie Untouchable and was bought

by Jonathan Rees, Rhyd-Y-Foel, Abergele.

Gordon Gray then took 4800gns for his best, Ettrick Auld Lang Syne, a Clinterty Yuga Khan son out of a dam by Castlecairn Vital Spark and with an index of 356. This one was bought by Messrs Owens, Shobdon, Leominster.

A 4200gns sale for another from Robbie Wilson followed that with this money paid by Andrew Thomas of the Brynmeini flock, Whitland, for Milnbank A Class.

This Strathbogie Yes Sir son is out of a dam by Strathbogie Untouchable. Close behind at 4000gns was the second of

Making 6500gns was Ellen Valley Avici

the day from Charlie Boden, Sportsmans Alonso, a Knock Will I Am son out of a dam by Milnbank Times Square. Selling with an index of 376 he was the pick of John Sinnett, Stockton-on-Teme, Worcestershire.

Two then made 3800gns. The first of these was the last of the day from the Sportsmans pen, Sportsmans Atlanta.

This son of Clinterty Yogi Bear is out of a Strathbogie Smokey Blue son and was taken by Richard and Margaret Lawrence for the Coton flock, Market Bosworth.

Carl Henry Bellis then took the same money for Cosyn Texels A Star, an Arkle You’re In son out of a dam by Tophill Union Jack, with this one bought in the belly of his dam last autumn. He sold to Derke Farr, Pontrilas, Herefordshire.

And following up at 3500gns was Whitehart All star from Jim and Nicola Hartwright. This Loosebeare Yahoo son is out of a Milnbank Vorderman daughter and sold to Jon and Bridget Booker, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.

Averages; 57 shearling rams £1298.50 (+£469), 190 ram lambs £1194.57 (+£217.73) (McCartneys).

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Searing demand for Texel females

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t wasn’t just the temperatures which hit the top of the scale at the sale of Texel gimmers at the English National Sale, Worcester, with demand for Texel shearling ewes as hot as the temperature outside.

Topping female trade at 4500gns was Robert Cockburn’s gimmer

With a strong offering of females from vendors across the UK, the sale recorded the highest number sold in more than 10 years as well as the second highest ever centre average, just £35 behind last year’s record centre average which included a centre record sale of 16,000gns.

Topping the 2017 fixture was a 4500gns call for the sixth prize gimmer from the pre-sale show, an Ettrick Van Gogh daughter from Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock. This was CKP1600768, a shearling out of a dam by Tullagh Saracen which sold to Robin and Caroline Orr for the Halbeath flock, Dunfermline, Fife.

Second best at 4200gns was one from the Forkins flock

Then making 4200gns was the first prize gimmer and female champion from Alastair Gault’s Forkins flock. This was GAF1601687, a Duncryne Uber Cool daughter out of a dam by Oberstown Usain Bolt which is maternal sister to the £15,000 Balmoral champion. This one was bought by Co Donegal, Eire-based youngsters Chaylee and Lorraine Greene.

Just shy of that at 4000gns was one from fellow Northern Irish breeder Andrew Kennedy’s Maineview pen. This was KMR1600577, an ET bred daughter of Holylee Volcano out of a dam by Garngour Upperclass. She sold to Steve and Helen Smith, Welshpool, for the Penparc flock.

After that came a 3800gns bid for the third prize gimmer from Jim Innes, Strathbogie. This was IJS1600683. Sired by Glenside Wild Boy, she is out of a dam by Glenside Razzle Dazzle and was bought

by Rob Mason, Out Rawcliffe, Preston.

David Gray’s Tima gimmer then sold at 3000gns, with this being GCT1606275, an Ellen Valley Warlord daughter out of a dam by Thinacres Grenade. Sold with

an index of 393 she was bought by C Hughes, Anglesey.

by Teiglum Troy and was the choice of T D and J I Rees, Brecon, Powys.

Next best after that was a 2500gns bid for another from Andrew Kennedy, KMR1600532. Another ET bred gimmer, this one is by Corskie Whopper and out of a dam by Duncryne Uber Cool. She was knocked down to G J and E Thomas, Cardigan, Dyfed.

And selling for 2000gns was a gimmer late in the sale from David Houghton’s Tophill flock, HPH1600937. Sired by Stainton Whinlatter, she is out of a dam

by Milnbank Times Square and sold to G A Morgan, Bearwood, Leominster.

Following her at 2200gns was one from Cyril and Martin Millar,VMG1601447. She is by Knap Vital Spark and out of a dam

Average; 92 gimmers £967.14(McCartneys).

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Gloucester & Border Counties Club Annual “Christmas Present� In-Lamb Gimmer, Ewe Lamb Show & Sale

Saturday 2nd December 2017 at Worcester Market

Tel: McCartneys on

01905 769770

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Friday 15th December 2017 @6.30pm Hilltown Livestock Mart BT34 5YN Tel: 028406 30287 / 07707811818 Main Service sires Deveronvale Areo, Drumderg Aurelius, Midcombe Axel, Milnbank Alabama Five consignors: Mullan, Tullagh, Springwell, Blackstown, Braehead

Mullan Armani 42000 gns Lanark 2017

Approx. 100 gimmers

Sales texel.uk

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39

Topping trade at 4000gns was Naomi Ardis’ Millburn All Star

Ram lamb leads Northern Irish National Sale at 4000gns

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ommercial buyers dominated the ringside at the Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena, with most rams sold to commercial lamb producers, reinforcing the decision to move the sale to a later date to suit local trading patterns.

A large number of commercial buyers were at the ringside and prepared to invest in quality rams to deliver top drawer prime lambs next spring.

A 92% clearance in the shearling rams and an 82% clearance in the ram lambs demonstrated that Northern Irish Texel breeders continue to deliver the type of ram demanded by commercial customers and finished off a highly successful round of National sales for the breed.

Topping the trade at Ballymena was a 4000gns call for a ram from Naomis Ardis’ Millburn flock, with this money paid for Millburn All Star, a son of Usk Vale Yankee out of a Carmavy Striker daughter.

This lamb was the pick of a number of breeders, eventually being knocked down to Messrs Simpson and Calvin, for the Ballyhavistock flock.

Second best call in the ram lambs was an 1800gns sale for the reserve champion from the pre-sale show. This was Nigel Ross’ Glenross Action Man, a Milestonehill Yankee Doodle son out of a dam by Curley Usher. He was sold to A H Wilson, Newton Cromellin.

Then making 1700gns was Alistair Breen’s Drumderg Alpha Male, a Drumderg Won and Only son out of a ewe by Teiglum Target. This third prize winner from the

The other at this level was Kiltariff Adriano from Barclay Bell and family, with this one being the pre-sale champion. He’s

by Strathbogie Wanted and out of a dam

by Cowal Viceroy. This one sold to Seamus McBride, Strabane.

Pre-sale champion was the Bell family’s ram lamb Kiltariff Adriano

pre-sale show was bought by Messrs C and D Seaman, Florencecourt, Co Fermanagh.

And selling away at 1600gns was another from the same pen, Drumderg Aurelius.

This is another by Won and Only and is out of a Teiglum Tornado daughter. He sold to Henry Gamble for the Springwell flock.

At the same money was Murray Annett’s best of the day, Milestonehill Ahab. Sired

by Millar’s Yankee, he is out of a dam by Kelso Oxygen and was the choice of Josephine Burns, Rathfriland.

Then came a 1250gns sale for Staneybrae Angus from Joe and Helen Stewart. This son of Haddo Yoyo is out of a dam by Tullylagan Tonka and found a new home with Mary Clarke, Comber, Co Down.

Two then traded at 1100gns, with the first being Drumderg Allez from Alistair Breen.

He is by Millar’s Windbrook and out of a Springhill Twenty Twelve daughter and was taken by Geoffrey Fleck, Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Shearling Rams Topping the shearling tups at 1340gns was Bohard Yog from Graham Rodgers. This son of Duvarren U Beauty II is out of a dam by Cullon Prince and sold to Shaws Hill Farm, Kells, Ballymena.

Second top at 1200gns was John Watson’s Duvarren Yorkie, a second prize winning son of Springhill Wrangler. He is out of a dam by Duvarren Texan and sold to A Bowles, Ballynahinch, Co Down.

Then making 1060gns was Henry Gamble’s best of the day, Springwell Yorker.

Sired by Langlands Will I Am and out of a dam by Fairmount Stonewall he sold with an index of 267 and was bought by C Ferris, South Millisle.

After that came a 1040gns bid for Tamnamoney Yosemite from Roger Strawbridge. He’s by Duncryne Uber Cool and stood third in the pre-sale show.

Bought by James Smyth, Banbridge, he is out of a dam by Clynnog Joe Tex. And the final four figure sale in the shearlings came when John Watson sold Duvarren Yoke at 1020gns. He is

by Springhill Wrangler and out of a dam

by Knock Papoose and was the pick of Derek Robinson, Killinchy.

Average; 154 ram lambs £549, 58 shearling rams £702.59 (J A McLelland and Son).

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Gimmer sale sets record average

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select gimmer sale at the Northern Irish National Texel Sale, Ballymena, saw a sale record average set on the back of strong bidding from an attentive ringside.

Gareth Fyffe’s reserve female champion sold for 2000gns

Levelling at £933.07, nearly £145 up on the sale’s previous best of £789 set in 2012, the sale was topped by Louise Breen’s gimmer from the Fourtres flock.

This was LBU1600609, a Sportsmans Wilko daughter which had gone unsold in the ring, but later traded at 2500gns.

She is out of a Stainton dam by Sportsmans Tremendous and was first as a ewe lamb at Lurgan Show. She sold to Cahir McAuley, Sevenmile Straight, Antrim, for the Larkhill flock.

Selling at 2000gns was Gareth Fyffe’s reserve female champion from the Botera flock. This was FGY1600361, a single born daughter of Milnbank Womaniser out of a dam by Cwmcerrig Topper. She sold to Messrs Hamilton.

Next best at 1800gns was the Hanthorn family’s best, HBN1601314. This ET daughter of Strathbogie Wanted is out of a Haddo Ringleader daughter and sold with an index of 361. Buying this one was Eire-based breeders Pat and Barry Farrell of the Oberstown flock.

And making 1550gns was the fourth prize winner from the pre-sale show from Andrew Fyffe. This was FAO1600835, a Knock Trident daughter which had also gone unsold in the ring, but was sold afterwards. She is out of a Strathbogie Python dam and was bought by B and D Dougherty, Kircubbin, Newtonards.

And then at 1400gns was one from Andrew Fyffe, FAO1600823. She is

a daughter of the homebred sire Fairywater Valiant and is out of a dam by Glenside Razzle Dazzle. She was bought

by D A and N Simpson, Ballyrobert, for the Cornerstone flock.

Following her at 1050gns was another from the Hanthorn family’s Mullan flock, HBN1601382. She is an ET bred daughter of Garngour Upperclass and out of the same Haddo Ringleader-sired dam as the family’s 1800gns gimmer.

Buying her was G Sproule, Castlederg.

Close behind her at 950gns was a second from Andrew Fyffe, FAO1600824. She is again by the homebred Valiant and out of a Razzle Dazzle daughter, with maternal sisters having sold previously to 1600gns.

This one was bought by Fiona Brolly, Limavady.

Average; 22 gimmers £933.07 (+£271.27) (J A McLelland and Son).

Sales texel.uk

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Leading Kelso trade was this Midlock shearling at £23,000

Midlock set the pace at Kelso

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Texel shearling led the day’s trade at the Kelso Ram Sales, with one from Karen and Allan Wight, Midlock, Crawford, selling at £23,000 – one of the best prices ever recorded at the event.

More Texels were sold than any other breed, on a day where a total of 4452 rams met an 82% clearance rate.

Making the big money for Midlock was a shearling ram by a home-bred son of the 18,000gns Sportsmans Unbeatable, out of a ewe by Douganhill Monarch. A second prize winner at the Scottish Texel Club show in July, he sold in a three-way split, to John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso, Jonathan Watson, Bowsden Moor, Berwick Upon Tweed, and Mike, Melanie and Charlotte Alford, Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, Devon.

The Wights also received £5000, for a son of the 19,000gns Deveronvale Warrior, out of a ewe by Teiglum Thunder.

He went to Brian McAllister, Parkgate Road, Kells, Ballymena.

The Campbell family, Rosebrough, Chathill, Alnwick, earned a top of £9000 – their best price in 39 years selling at Kelso – for one from their Thrunton pen. Sired by Forkins Viagra and out of a ewe by the £10,000 Scrogtonhead Powerhouse, this one was knocked down to Jeff Aiken, for the Procters flock at Tatham Hall, Lancaster.

Matching that price, later in the sale, Steven Renwick, Glenrath, Peebles, sold to a top of £9000 from his Craig Douglas consignment. His son of Haddo Whisky Galore, out of a ewe by Sportsmans Unbeatable, sold to A E Williams and Son, Folley Bank, Clun.

Also from the Craig Douglas pen were shearlings at £4800 and £4200, both by Haddo Whisky Galore, which sold to I H G Warden, Skelfhill, Hawick, and John Connell, Wanton Walls, respectively.

Making his best Kelso price, Iain Minto, Townhead, Dolphinton, sold to £8000 for his pen number one, a shearling son of the Kelso-bought Scrogton Vulcan, out of

a ewe by a Bridgehouse sire. He went in a two-way split, to Prof Penny, Harehead, Cranshaws, Duns, and Neil Harvey, Blackadder Mains, Duns.

Then selling at £7000 was the best from Jonathan Watson, Bowsden Moor, the show champion in Ring 5, by Haymount Vava Voom. He sold up north to John Scott, Fearn Farm, Tain, Easter Ross.

Mr Watson also received £5800 for a Brackenridge Strongbow-sired shearling, which went to the Quick family’s Loosebeare flock and Jim and Nicola Hartwright’s Whitehart flock at Bringsty, Worcestershire.

Meanwhile, in the same ring, the Quick family, Loosebeare, Crediton, Devon, sold to £6500, to A E Bell and Son, Kirkton, Hawick. He is by the homebred Loosebeare Voomer, out of a daughter of Loosebeare Romeo.

The Dunlop family’s Elmscleugh pen from Innerwick, Dunbar, peaked at £6000, for a son of the £8000 Milnbank Wisconsin,

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Selling at £8000 was Ian Minto’s topper

Steven Renwick sold his best at £9000

Jonathan Watson sold to a peak of £7000

Making £7000 was this one from the Dunlop family, Elmscleugh

Second top for Strawfrank’s pen of lambs was a £3800 bid for another by the Ballynahone sire, which sold jointly to the Procters and Arkle flocks.

Selling at £9000 was this Thrunton shearling

out of a ewe by Tullagh Saracen, which was knocked down to Peter and Lynn Gray, Cowgrove, Galston.

Top price from Robert Laird’s Cambwell flock, Biggar, was £5800 for a Cambwell Trademark son, out of a ewe by Drinkstone Punt Gun, which sold to Will Case, for his Nab Point flock at Ulverston, Cumbria.

Making the same money was one from Neil Harvey’s Blackadder pen, a Hartside Utopia son, out of a Brookhill Pacemaker daughter, which was knocked down to J M Carlile, Fowrass Farm, Penrith.

John Green, The Craggs, Melrose, enjoyed a steady trade for his Greenall rams, selling to £5000 for one by Roxburgh Shotgun Willie, out of a Llyfni Usain Bolt-sired dam, which sold to Esmor Evans’ Maerdy flock in Wales. Another by the same sire, out of a Teiglum Utahsired ewe, sold at £4400 to J Clark, Brinkburn, Morpeth. They had stood first

and second in the shearling class at the Border Union Show in July.

Best for Gordon and David Gray, Ettrick, Selkirk, was £4800, which they got for their first prize winner in the recorded performance show, a son of Ellen Valley Warlord, out of a Garngour Ultimatum dam, selling to M Barnett, Gilside Farm.

The Clark family’s Garngour consignment topped at £4500, for one by Mossvale Winston, which sold to the Sutherlands at Stainland and Sibmister Farms, Thurso. That one’s dam is by Springwell Ulsterboy. Haymount’s consignment peaked at £4200, with a shearling son of Dundas Victorious, selling to Ian Murray’s Glenway flock.

Best in the lambs was £4400, for one from Allan Campbell, Strawfrank, Carstairs, a son of the 7500gns Ballynahone Yorkie, out of a ewe by Tima Valentino, which was knocked down to Russell and Gill Watkins’ Millend flock, Herefordshire.

Robbie Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, sold a lamb at £4000, to Danny Devlin, Quarryhill, Donegal. He is a Strathbogie Yes Sir son, out of a ewe by Strathbogie Untouchable.

Averages: 857 registered shearling rams, £916.43 (+£37.99 on the year); 145 registered ram lambs, £568.62.

Leading flock averages: Craig Douglas (8 sh) Midlock (17 sh) Loosebeare (10 sh) Garngour (5 sh) Townhead (11 sh) Cambwell (10 sh) Elmscleugh (10 sh) Ettrick (17 sh) Greenall (14 sh) Strawfrank (17 lambs) Brijon (34 sh) Langside (24 sh) Blackadder (21 sh) Haymount (29 sh) Roxburgh (25 sh) Thrunton (18 sh) Mitchellhill (5 sh) Douganhill (14 sh) Auchry (9 sh)

£2927 £2423 £2140 £2010 £1684 £1670 £1670 £1641 £1549 £1497 £1338 £1205 £1119 £1107 £1094 £1083 £1060 £1039 £1030

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Leading the way at the Main NSA Ram Sale was Duhonw You Belter at 8600gns

Averages climb across the board at Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells

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exel breeders saw averages rise across every section at the Main NSA Ram Sale, Buith Wells, with increased numbers sold in the shearling ram, ram lamb and shearling ewe rings.

Clearances of more than 90% were also seen in these three rings, with 712 shearling rams finding new homes, up from 681 last year, while 358 ram lambs were traded a rise from 303 on 2016. Shearling rams averaged through at £736.56, with ram lambs settling at £414.87.

In the shearling ewes a total of 61 were sold, up from 49 at the same fixture 12 months earlier, with these levelling at £523.28.

Top prices were dominated by Michael and Ella James and family’s Dunhonw flock, with their locally-based entry taking four of the top five shearling ram prices and achieving the same feat in the shearling ewes too. This followed a highly successful

pre-sale show when the flock took the top tickets in three of the six classes.

Leading the way in the sale ring was their first prize shearling ram from the performance recorded class at 8600gns.

This was Duhonw You Belter, a son of Meinspride Usain out of a dam by Hull House Texas Jack and sold with an index of 398. This one sold to Robert Rennie, Sydenham, Kelso, for the Robex flock which will disperse its adult portion later this year.

Then selling at 8000gns was the first prize open shearling ram and pre-sale champion, Duhonw You’re the One. This is another Meinspride Usain son out of another Texas Jack daughter sold in a three way split to John Elliot Jnr, Roxburgh, Paul Philips, Kimbolton and Ed Page, Bedale.

Making 7600gns and breaking the James family’s grip on the top prices was a shearling from the Scolton pen of the

Reed family. Sired by Caereinion Rocket and out of a Caereinion Monarch daughter he was bought by Stephen Williams, Wollascott, Shropshire.

Following him and selling for 5200gns was Duhonw Yager Bomb from the James family. Once again by Meinspride Usain and out of a Texas Jack daughter he has an index of 384 and was shared by Ted Fox, Symington, Biggar and Jonathan Watson, Bowsden Moor.

Another from the Duhonw pen, Duhonw Yahoo, then sold at the same money when bought by James Whiteford and family, Brampton, Cumbria. This Meinspride Usain son is out of a dam by Crailloch McCoist and sold with an index of 350.

Next best at 4500gns was Cannllefaes You Are the One from the Davies family. This one is by Scolton Uranium and out of a Tycam Smart daughter and was knocked down to Michael Seed, Cuminestown, Turriff.

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At the same money was the best of the day from the Cennen pen of H Thomas.

This was a shearling bred by the Gibb family, Bettonfield Yahoo. He is by Erw Victor and out of a Colwood Rock daughter. He was the choice of Barbara Smith for the Slapton flock, Towcester.

Then selling for 4200gns was another from the Reed family, Scolton Yorker.

Sired by Whitehart Ultra he is out of a dam by Caereinion Master Class and was bought by Drayton Farm Partnership, East Meon, Hampshire.

Selling at 8000gns was the pre-sale champion, Duhonw You’re the One.

A 3400gns bid followed from the same pen, with this paid for Scolton Young Pretender, a Caereinion Rocket son out of a dam by Caereinion Monarch and bought by Stephen Williams, Wollascott.

Trading at 3100gns was another from Michael and Ella James, Duhonw Yabba Dabba Do. This one is another by Meinspride Usain and out of a Texas Jack daughter. He went with an index of 374 and was taken by G Price, Parcyderi, Llanilar.

Close behind at 3000gns was Caenathelyn You Bet from O Watkins, Hay-On-Wye. He’s by Arkle Undercover and out of a dam by Hollyford Nijinsky.

Buying this one were G and H Davies, for the Caebetran flock, Felinfach, Powys.

And making 2900gns was Duhonw Yogi Bear from Michael and Ella James and family. This son of Meinspride Usain is out of a Wayside U Bet daughter and carries and index of 355. He found a new home with Ted Fox, Biggar, and the Taylor family, Heatheryhall, also Biggar.

Alan and Barbara Draper then took a 2700gns bid in the their last year selling at Builth Wells, when Hollyford Yeti sold to R H Buckley, Cefin Isaf, Oswestry. This is a son of Hollyford What A Boy and is out of a dam by Knock Papoose.

And the final call at 2500gns or above came early in the day for a Millend shearling by Tumble Tye Volt and out a dam by Lochar Powerhouse. Forward from Russel and Gil Watkins and family, he sold to W G and M Roberts, Aberdaron, Gwynedd.

Ram Lambs Leading the way in the ram lambs was a 3400gns bid for Smith Adonis from D Smith, Northumberland. Sired by Hollyford Vroom Vroom and out of a Brackenridge Strongbow dam he sold with an index of 478 and was taken by the Reed family for their Scolton flock.

The best from the Scolton pen sold at 7600gns

A 5200gns call secure Duhonw Yahoo

Heading north at 5200gns was Duhonw Yager Bomb

Cannllefaes You Are The One sold at 4500gns

Second best in this section was a 2200gns call for Oldford Andy Pandy from Robert Pierce. Sired by Hexel Wildcard and out of an Anglezarke Uno daughter he has an index of 225 and was taken by the Gray family, Langside.

After that at 2100gns was Arkle Ark Royal from the Wilkinson family, Cumbria. This Halbeath Wolf son is out of a dam by Cambwell Rob Roy and was the choice of Mark and Alice Blakeney, Burton, Dorset.

Shearling Ewes It was a return to the Duhonw flock for the top price in the gimmer ring, with the James family’s Meinspride Usain daughter selling for 2000gns having taken the female championship in the pre-sale show. She sold to Charlie Boden for the Sportsmans flock.

Their second in the ring, another by Meinspride Usain and out of a dam

by Hull House Texas Jack, then sold at 1500gns, with this one with an index of 336 being bought by G A Morgan, Pembridge.

Following her at 1400gns was the reserve female champion from William

Phillips. This Lower Eggleton gimmer is

by Tullylagan Tonka and out of a dam by Sportsmans Tremendous and sold to B Lowe, Shrewsbury.

The James family then sold another from their pen at 1200gns, with this being another by Usain and out of a Wayside U Bet daughter. Selling with an index of 324, she went home with J Saxton, Cowbridge.

And the same vendor and buyer combination was responsible for a 1000gns sale when another by Usain and out of a Wayside U Bet dam went under the hammer.

Ewe Lambs Topping the ewe lamb trade was Iolo Prys Jones with one at 1250gns from the Llangwm flock. This was a Strathbogie Ya Patch daughter out of a dam by Knock The One. She sold to D G and E A Thomas, Login Whitland.

Averages; 712 shearling rams £736.56 (+19.89), 358 ram lambs £414.87 (+£47.61), 61 shearling ewes £523.28 (+£45.22), 27 ewe lambs £338.33 (+£8.63) Clee Tomkinson and Francis.

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Five Nations event draws 80 youngsters The third Texel Five Nations Event which took place in June saw more than 80 young Texel enthusiasts from across the UK and Eire take part in a range of activities, including flock visits to both the Procters and Sportsmans flocks.

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

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The weekend event included a number of competitions, many with learning elements designed to test their stockmanship skills and develop wider relationships within the Texel breed.

Texel Sheep Society Youth Development Programme chairman Adrian Liggett said the weekend had been an exceptional event and those attending had seen some outstanding sheep at the same time as learning more about the UK and Irish sheep industries and the Texel breed’s place within it.

“The YDP is grateful to both Procters Farm and the Boden family for making us so welcome at the farms and giving our young breeders the chance to see how some of the very best breeders manage their flocks.

E B D C

“Both these flocks have invested heavily in the breed over a period of years and I know many youngsters took away a lot of insight from these breeders and how they are directing the future of their flocks,” explained Mr Liggett.

The competitive part of the event saw Southern Ireland A team victorious, with Wales coming in second and Scotland B taking third spot, said Mr Liggett.

Area A - Kerr Jarvie MBX 01764 681 589 or 07736 299632

“Of course the event had a strong social aspect too and the opportunity

to network with Texel breeders from across the UK and Ireland was warmly welcomed by our YDP members.”

The event received sponsorship from a number of organisations, including Dunbia, the North West Texel Club, the Solway and Tyne Texel Club, the Northern Irish Texel Breeders Club, the Scottish Texel Breeders Club, the North of Scotland Texel Club, the Shropshire and Border Counties Texel Club and the Texel Sheep Society.

Texel Sheep Society chairman David McKerrow said the next generation of Texel breeders are an important part of the future of the UK sheep industry and the Society is keen to support and encourage them to take on learning experiences whenever it can.

“As we enter an exciting era in sheep production when the focus will increasingly be on marginal gains, there is no doubt that skilled young people will become increasingly important. The sheep industry needs its young people to be multi-skilled, open minded and technologically competent individuals.

“Events such as this give our young people the opportunity to showcase and further develop their skills in a friendly, competitive environment. There is a world of opportunity available to those youngsters with the right skills and the ability to apply them in a wide range of situations,” he added.

The next Five Nations Event takes place in 2019, location and dates will be confirmed nearer the time.

Area B - Duncan Mellin MJH 01729 850 220 Area C - Johanna Smith HBS - 07521 143 505 Area D - Anna MinniceHughes - SJP - 01938 850 265 or 07979 381285 Area E - Adrian Liggett LIG - Chairman 02882 841 691 or 07766 146624

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

The awards of £250 are offered to four Universities representing Northern Ireland, Greenmount – Scotland, SRUC – Wales, Aberystwyth University and England, Harper Adams.

These awards recognise the hard work and dedication shown by students in researching key areas in the UK sheep industry and are a key part of the Society’s promotional work to engage with the next generation of sheep producers and decision makers in the sheep sector.

Winning the 2016 award at Harper Adams was Eliazabeth Harris with her project on ‘The effect of sperm concentration at freezing on the integrity of frozen-thawed ram sperm’ Results observed in this research suggest that the cryopreservation of ram semen at reduced concentrations of 200 or 400 x 106 sperm/ml will improve the post-thaw integrity of sperm, with respect to motility. This is further supported by the absence of impact regarding concentration on morphology, viability and acrosome integrity. By reducing the sperm concentration of semen, more efficient and operable doses for AI could be achieved.

At Aberystwyth the award was won by Kathryn Morris with a study entitled ‘Effects of dietary inclusion of yeast culture Saccharomyces cerevisiae on carcass grade, fat class, carcass deadweight and average daily gains of Texel female and castrated male lambs’ Dietary yeast supplementation did not affect number of days to slaughter, carcass dead weight (kg), or final weight (kg). It did improve carcass conformation and average daily gains (kg/ day). Although, feed efficiency was not statistically analysed, crude measures indicated the lambs on a control diet consumed 6.1kg more per head to finish making yeast supplementation more economical than the control diet.Yeast is an effective feed additive as it improved growth rates, carcass conformation and indicated improved feed efficiency as a result of supplementation.

Meanwhile the winner at Northern Ireland’s Greenmount college was Joshua Thompson who produced a report on ‘Management of April lambing hill sheep flock from weaning to lambing’ The output sales of the sheep enterprise are lamb sales, wool and cull ewes/rams.

Logically the farmer cannot increase his price per kilogram deadweight of lamb or price per kilogram of wool. Therefore, in order to maximise output sales we want to maximise the amount of lamb meat (kg) sold per hectare of land. In order to maximise this it comes down to flock management - genetics and nutrition.

Weaning percentage should be as close to 200% as possible.

Rams should be chosen with high growth rates and lean carcass traits ensuring the subsequent offspring can grow efficiently in the race against time before lamb markets become flooded and price per kilogram drops.

The final winner at SRUC was Molly Beattie, with a study entitled ‘An investigation into the effect of genotype on twin lamb viability within a hill environment’ This study found there were significant genotypic effects on lamb birth weight and lamb litter weights in groups of Lleyn and control and selected Scottish Blackface ewes on a hill farm in the west Highlands of Scotland.

Co-twin sex, also had a significant effect on lamb litter weights, within the selected Scottish Blackface genotype.

Male-female sibling pairs had a significantly lighter female compared with her male counterpart and the female had a lower mean birth weight than if her co-twin had been female.

In terms of mortality rates the findings were that from scanning up until one week old the rate of lamb loss was indicated to be 14% for control Scottish Blackface and Lleyn genotypes, which was slightly lower than the selected Scottish Blackfaces rate of lamb loss which was 17.5%.

Youth Focus texel.uk

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47

Brynmeini Texels

Andrew Thomas - Carmarthenshire

Y

oung breeder Andrew Thomas is keen to develop a commercially relevant flock with the pedigree edge.

A keen eye for stock and a desire to succeed at the highest level are helping south Wales young breeder Andrew Thomas of the Brynmeini flock to develop his Carmarthenshire-based flock.

Andrew says his appointment to the young persons section of the South Wales Texel Breeders Club’s judging panel has further helped him improve his eye for stock and focussed his mind on improving his own flock.

Farming alongside his parents, Hywel and Sian, Andrew has a strict criteria when looking for new stock to establish and grow his own pedigree Texel flock at Gwarllwyn, the Carmarthenshire dairy farm the family run.

“If you have a big enough budget it is easy enough to improve a flock by buying top end stock, but if the aim is to achieve this as commercially as possible, as I am, you need a good eye for the right animals – that and patience,’’ he suggests.

But occasionally an animal comes along that is worth stretching the budget for, like ‘Milnbank A Class’, a tup lamb which set Andrew back 4200 guineas at the English National Sale, Worcester, earlier this year.

“He stood out to me from the first time I saw him and he was much admired by others. He has style, shape and length and that bit of class that I look for in a lamb. Hopefully he will pass these traits on to his progeny.’’

It is important for to get the family line right so that exceptional traits can be passed onto lambs, Andrew explains.

He established his pedigree Brynmeini Texel flock in 2006, after graduating from Aberystwyth University with a degree in geography.

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Until 2005, the family had been running a commercial flock of 170 ewes alongside their 100-cow dairy herd, using Texel tups on that flock.

“We had always used Texels because we liked the traits they put on the carcass - the length, shape and overall style,’’ says Andrew.

The commercial flock was sold to allow the business to fully focus on milk production, but Andrew had always enjoyed working with sheep so decided to establish a pedigree flock.

What started with six ewes from the Welsh and Preswylfa flocks and a tup lamb, ‘Welsh Magician’, also from the Welsh flock, by ‘Claybury Knock It Back’, has now grown to 40 breeding ewes.

Andrew retained all the females from the foundation ewes for breeding and in 2011 he bought a ewe from the Trujim flock, an animal he describes as one of the best ever breeding ewes.

“She throws proper Texel types every time she has a lamb, both males and females.’’

The following year he acquired two females from the Main NSA sale, Builth Wells, including the sale’s female champion, a 1000-guinea ewe from the Einon flock, as well as a ewe from the Cennen flock, which he paid 1050 guineas for.

His most influential sire to date is Strathbogie Stonker, purchased as a yearling in 2012 for 1400 guineas. “He has left length, body depth and breed character on both females and males,’’ Andrew observes.

The flock, which takes its name from one of the fields at Gwarllwyn, is tupped naturally, in two groups. “I’m not against AI or embryo transfer, I just find natural service works for us,’’ reasons Andrew. “Perhaps in the future we might try these approaches, but you have to have the right animal for that.’’

Ewes lamb over eight weeks, in February and March. Over this period, they are at grass during the day and housed at night, fed only hay and mineral buckets until they lamb, after which they are fed concentrates.

Lambs are creep fed from three weeks old and continue to receive supplementary feed; the lambs that are selected to be sold fat at local markets are supplemented until they are two months old while the lambs deemed suitable for breeding continue to receive additional feed until they are presented for sale.

Andrew’s selection criteria for the animals he intends to sell as breeding stock or retain as replacements for his own flock is straightforward. “I always look for the type of Texel that I would want in my flock, an animal with length, a good body and carcass, with the characteristics of the Texel breed. Anything that doesn’t meet that criteria is sold fat.’’

First and foremost, Andrew breeds to suit the needs of commercial farmers. “We have to remember who will be lambing them after we have sold them on.’’

But he also has aspirations in the pedigree sector. “My target is the sell a ram to another pedigree breeder and to break that four-figure barrier!’’

He currently sells 15-20 ram lambs and five to eight females annually, either privately or at the Welsh and English Texel Premier sales and South Wales Texel Breeders Club sale.

Andrew likes to keep the flock young, retaining ewes for an average of five to six lambings, but exceptional breeding ewes are retained until their performance diminishes.

Mastitis and lameness are the two main reasons for culling. “We breed out the bad traits and we don’t keep animals that have mastitis or bad feet,’’ says Andrew.

The grazing for the sheep and the herd of 100 British Friesian cows and 100 followers is straightforward.

“Ewes are on high ground in the summer and on silage fields in winter so there is no problem with the sheep and dairy cows sharing grazing,’’ says Andrew.

Gwarllwyn Farm, Glandwr, is 120 acres, with a further 60 acres rented. Milk from the all year round calving herd is sold to Llaeth Cymreig.

Andrew, whose girlfriend, Nicola Phillips helps him with the sheep, aims to grow his flock further, to 50 ewes, and apply the same philosophy to breeding as he has from the outset.

“I want to continue to produce good females that will produce good lambs for people to use in flocks going forward,’’ he says.

Investing in high end rams is paying off for Andrew, with their influence on the flock already evident.

•

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‘Sportsmans Upright’, son of ‘Tullylagan Tonka’, joined the flock in 2013. “We bought him for his size and carcass and he has left some really smart ewes in the flock,’’ says Andrew.

‘Strathbogie Windbrook’, son of ‘Glenside Valhalla’, was purchased at Carlisle in 2015. Andrew liked his length and overall style and he produces good bodied sheep with length and breed character. He is being used again this season due to his consistency of breeding.

‘Procters Yen’ was purchased for 1600gns at the 2016 Welsh National Texel Show and Sale, where he was placed second in the Performance Recorded class. “His first crop of lambs are promising. We will retain most of the ewe lambs in the flock as future stock ewes,’’ says Andrew.

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Majestic flock aims to play in Texel top league Leigh Smith - Cumbria

A

return to rural Cumbria following a professional cross-code rugby career which took him to France and Australia, sparked an interest in farming and particularly sheep breeding for Whitehaven-based Leigh Smith.

Leigh, who founded the Majestic flock just three years ago, has in a short space of time made a mark both locally and nationally, selling females to a top of 4000gns to noted flocks.

“Having no farming background at all, apart from a great grandfather who used to breed and sell horses, I became interested in sheep when I came back to Whitehaven from playing rugby overseas.

“I bought a small farm and had no intention of

farming the land myself, but then started helping a local farmer and got the bug. As a result I bought a few sheep myself to learn more about their husbandry, with the eventual aim of starting a pedigree Texel flock.”

That ambition was realised a few years later, but he admits he didn’t focus his attention clearly enough when he initially started with the breed. “I was almost buying for buying’s sake and didn’t always buy the best quality sheep. As a result I was disappointed with my lambs and decided I had to start again and be more selective in what I was doing.”

To that end he purchased five better quality foundation ewes from Auldhouseburn, Cowal, Glenside, Milnbank,Teiglum, with a further addition from the Alpha flock a year later.

“I decided at the outset I would flush those foundation ewes to the best tups I could source semen from and aim to breed some really good sheep.

“To maximise the benefit of those first five ewes I entered in to what some may see as an intensive flushing programme, flushing them four times a year and then implanting both fresh and frozed embryos in early September each year.”

He says results from this approach have been pleasing, with a large number of embryos implanted each year and a hold rate of about 70%. “The Cowal ewe has been a great breeder, producing good numbers of embryos including a ewe lamb which sold for 4000gns to the Sportsmans flock of Charlie Boden.

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“My short-term goal is to produce something good enough to sell at Lanark, but I’m not rushing for that. I realise that may be a few years away yet and am more than happy with the progress the flock has made in a short space of time.”

Leigh says future female additions to the flock aren’t ruled out, although hopes lambs from this year’s flushes will provide him with a few females to retain and flush in due course.

“It is fair to say what started out as a hobby has now become an obsession and I’m lucky to work shifts as a team leader at Sellafield and be able to manage the flock around that.

“One major advantage to my flushing routine is that I can take two weeks off work for lambing and be sure all the lambs will be born in that period.”

“Another from the same flush sold to Selwyn and Tom Evans for the Welsh flock and was third at the Royal Welsh this summer.

She is looking great value for them at 240gns!”

The Alpha female was bought as a ewe lamb from local breeders the Reed family in autumn 2016 having been a consistent performer on the north west show circuit, explains Leigh.

“I wanted to reinvest some of my earnings from lamb sales in another female for the flock and this ewe lamb had consistently been second to my 4000gns lamb at a number of shows over the summer, so I felt she would be a great addition to my flock.”

When it comes to sire choice Leigh is careful to select sires which have bred well elsewhere, with Glenside Valhalla being the sire of the 4000gns ewe lamb and a number of other choice lambs.

“I’m looking forward to lambs next spring from the 70,000gns Teiglum Young Gun as well as Tophill Wall Street and I’m grateful to the Clark family for letting me use fresh semen from Garngour Yer Man for a flush last December, with frozen embryos from that flush implanted this autumn.”

This year has seen ewe lambs from the flock sell at 800gns twice at the Solway and Tyne Club Sale, Carlisle, with tup lambs selling well from home too.

Being on the exposed west Cumbrian coast he says lambs often stay in for up to six weeks post lambing to ensure they thrive.

“Having invested in both genetics and embryo transfer it makes sense to ensure the lambs get the best start possible.

“I’ve recently put up a new polytunnel to help house ewes and lambs after lambing, with the aim of giving every lamb the best chance,” he adds.

In the long-term Leigh doesn’t rule out a move away from intensive flushing and expanding ewe numbers, but for now he says the system is working well for him. “It isn’t for everyone and can be an expensive way to breed sheep, but it has meant I can invest in the very best females and exploit their genetics in a short space of time.

“If I’d bred them naturally I wouldn’t have had the number of top quality lambs I have in a short space of time and for now it is the best way of doing things for me.”

The overall ambition is to establish the flock as a noted name in the breed at the same time as fueling both his and his nephew Kaydn’s enjoyment of showing and selling Texels, says Leigh.

“Young Kaydn is only nine, but is showing a lot of interest in the sheep and I’m really keen to encourage him, he comes to all the shows and sales with me and its great to see his interest and enjoyment in something we both get a lot from,” he adds.

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SHROPSHIRE & BORDERS CLUB Evening Sale of In-Lamb Females

on Thursday 21st December 2017 at Welshpool Market Call Welshpool Livestock Sales

on 01938 553 438

52 Winter 2017

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texel.uk

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53

The TEXEL Shop Body Warmer Padded £24

Result Extreme Fleece £25

Two Tone Fleece in black/grey £36

Polo Shirt Black £12

Polo Shirt Heather Grey £12

Polo Shirt Raspberry £12

Texel Beanie Grey or Red £5

Baseball Cap £5

Body Warmer Soft Shell £33.60

Texel Mug £6

Trailer Sticker A2 £5 or A3 £4

Society Back Pack Bag £1.20

To order your Texel merchandise please visit texel.uk or call us on 024 7669 6629 Navy Texel Tie £15

54 Winter 2017

Society Umbrella £15

texel.uk

Member Fees

Go Online

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

All fees take effect from 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

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£11.81

£118.39

ET BN fees

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£6.94 £6.94

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£17.06

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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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Online Online

Tel/Paper

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£6.21

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£6.73

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

Method

1st Nov 31st Dec

1st Jan 30th June

Tel/Paper £29.60

(£35.52 Inc VAT)

£44.40

(£53.28 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”.

1st November year following YOB onwards

Online Online

Tel/Paper

£8.67 £8.67

£10.04

(£10.40 (£10.40 Inc IncVAT) VAT)

(£142.07 Inc VAT)

(£12.05 Inc VAT)

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Method

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Terms of Membership relating to fees (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.

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