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
10 Winter 2017
texel.uk