Chairman’s Foreword Chairman’s Foreword
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his year will live long in the memory for a whole host of reasons, both positive and negative.
Thankfully from a Texel Society point of view there have been far more positives than negatives and the breed has once again gone from strength to strength over the course of the last 12 months. The launch in the early part of the year of the Society’s new iTexel database was a significant step forward for members, enabling on the spot, high speed access to flock management information from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. iTexel has enabled the Society to significantly streamline a number of processes, particularly sales entries, making it much easier for members to enter sales, substitute entries and ensure the accuracy of information in catalogues. In addition, the Society’s delivery of genetic improvement services through texelplus, allied to iTexel has again helped improve the delivery of this important service to members the length and breadth of the UK.
texel.uk
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Helping the breed to thrive in 2020 has been an exceptional demand for prime lambs throughout the year, with average prices at many live markets barely dipping below £2/kg at any point since the spring. Texel sired lambs have once again been the leaders of the trade at many points in the year, with the breed’s ability to add value to its progeny later reflected in breeding sheep sales, with both Texel rams and Texel cross females once again in high demand at all sales. The sales season cannot get past without mention of the new breed records set for both males and females. The sale of
