Newsletter october 2012

Zwartbles Sheep Association

Secretary: Christina Cormack Stickle Heaton Farm

OCTOBER 2012

Carlisle 7th December

Cornhill on Tweed

Worcester

Northumberland. TD12 4XG

17th November

Phone: 05603 466931 secretary@zwartbles.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Chair

2

Registrations

3

Prices & Values Annual Subs

4 5

Photo Comp

6

Thank you

7

Merchandise Foot Rot & Scald

8 9

Admin

10

Website

11

AGM & Council Nominations

12 13

Sales 2012

There are some unofficial sales as well

www.zwartbles.org

Official Sale Closing Dates Sale

Newsletter 59

2012 Official Society Sales:

Date of Sale th

Closing date for Entries

Worcester

Saturday 17 November 2012

Saturday 20th October 2012

Carlisle

Friday 7th December 2012

Friday 9th November 2012

Annual Subscriptions Annual Subscriptions are due on 1st January 2013.

Stirling Champion Blacklee Tannamara Worcester Champion Berrington 106T

Liver Fluke 14/15 Around the Sales 16/17

Branch News Year Book

18 19

New Members Show results

20 23

Carlisle Champion Wallridgemoor Tameka

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From the Chair Autumn is now with us and many people have only just managed to finish harvesting hay, haylage and corn. The show season has now finished and it has been a difficult time for a lot of shows having to cancel because of the weather. There have been a lot of shows where you needed an umbrella.

Great Yorkshire Show 2012 Judge P Caunter Devon Ram Any Age 1st C Scott 2nd C Scott 3rd A Duckworth 4th T Blamire

Ewe 1st T Donnelly 2nd R Heigh 3rd P Godwin 4th T Blamire

Ewe Lamb 1st T Donnelly 2nd M Preston 3rd C Scott 4th R Heigh 5th R Heigh

Shearling Gimmer 1st M DeQuincey 2nd C Anderson 3rd A Dickinson 4th T Donnelly 5th T Blamire

Group of Three 1st M DeQuincey 2nd C Scott 3rd T Blamire 4th A Dickinson 5th C Anderson

Sales have been mixed this year, Carlisle sale was a very patchy sale with good sheep selling well but again we have far too many male sheep for the amount of buyers, linked with it being one of a few dry days. Worcester sale was a different story, there was a shortage of sheep and there were plenty of buyers looking for Sheep, there were not many sheep that went unsold. Ireland have had two sales the first in Balymeana a Pedigree sale where females again sold well, but the males were sticky.

A commercial sale was also held where the top price for a cross bred hogget was £180. Stirling sale was the latest sale, where Molly Campbell had her dispersal sale, trade for her last few sheep was tremendous and again females sold reasonably well, but males were very depressed. The Web site has prices and photos.

Ram Lamb 1st C Anderson 2nd T Donnelly 3rd R Heigh 4th R Heigh 5th M Preston

We have two sales left this year for in lamb females, let's hope trade will be good. I am sure that as breeders we have to recognise that the best will sell and that we have to look at our stock, especially ram lambs, and only register the best. Please remember that only rams that conform to the Breed Standard are eligible for sale at Society Sales. We must not be too discouraged as other breeds are finding it hard to sell rams and ram lambs as well.

Royal Welsh Show 2012

Most of you will now have your ewes running with the ram, so let's look forward to next years crop of lambs, where hopefully the weather will be better.

Just a reminder that this year the AGM is to be held on Thursday 6th December, the day before the Carlisle Sale.

Lorna

Champion Female T Donnelly (Ewe) Reserve Female M DeQuincey (Gimmer) Champion Male C Scott (Tup) Reserve Male C Anderson (Lamb)

Judge, A Potter, Shropshire

Ram 2 years and over 1st R & V Grinnall 2nd S & S Murray 3rd S Inns 4th P Godwin 5th O Hughes Owen Ram Lamb 1st R & V Grinnall 2nd Porter & Evans 3rd G & A Francis 4th S Rowlands 5th O Hughes Owen

Ewe 2 years and over 1st P Godwin 2nd R & V Grinnall 3rd A Lloyd 4th O Hughes Owen 5th O Hughes Owen

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

R & V Grinnall P Godwin G & A Francis O Hughes Owen Porter & Evans

Shearling Ewe 1st S inns 2nd G & A Francis 3rd S & S Murray 4th S & S Murray 5th Porter & Evans Ewe Lamb

Best Male – R & V Grinnall, Reserve Male - S & S Murray Best Female – R & V Grinnall, Reserve Female – P Godwin Breed Champion – R & V Grinnall – Beech Hay Tornado

ZSA Name No

Address

Prefix

Phone

931

L&P Hamill

20 Shanes Castle Park, Antrim, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland

Ponderosa

02894 487529

932

Mrs J French

Greatwood Cottage Farm, Offley Brook, Eccleshall, Staffs

Greatwood

01630 620495

933

Mr R Depper

Corner House, Berry Lane, Upton Warren, Bromsgrove, Worcs

Berryland

07976 264885

934

DWR & MR Pearse

Village Farm, North huish, South Brent, South Devon

Huish

01548 821477

935

Miss N Clarke

Thackholme, Boldron, Barnard Castle, Co Durham

Dove Hall

0771 862 5070

936

Mr J Duncan 3 Kings Hill Meadow, Bude, Cornwall

Westland

01288 353290

2013 National Show The Zwartbles National Show will again be held at the Three Counties Show at Malvern on Friday14th June 2013, there will be some association classes on the Saturday as well.

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Registrations Make your life simple Do your registrations on-line Save time, paper and money, you get a ÂŁ1 discount per ewe lamb registrations if you register on-line. Make your payment on-line and your pedigree certificates will be posted to you, no need for you to do any paperwork at your end.

It is simple to use, why not have a go.

Go to the homepage of the website, click on members list and flock book, then click on manage your flock, enter your flock number, password and email address and that is you on-line. where you can register births, birth notify animals, notify us of death and transfer sheep that you have sold.

Go on give it a try !

Make a note in your diary now!

Flock Returns Annual Flock Returns will be sent out in January and again we would be grateful if all members could complete these so that we have an up to date and accurate database.

Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated and it is very easy for you to complete this on-line saving you and the office extra paperwork.

www.zwartbles.org

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Price and Values—are they different?

Recently there was an article in the Dexter Cattle bulletin which seemed to be particularly pertinent to our sheep. Its points were similar to that which follows, but this article is based on our sheep breed.

We lamb in January and wean all that we can at the end of March; some of these lambs go direct to market as fat and some are kept until early May when the rest are taken fat. The benefit of the first group is that they have not had hard feed and they go the day they are weaned so there is no set back. This year our lambs averaged £85 per head after commission and fuel allowance. They were not registered, they did not wander the fields waiting for a accident, they have had minimal medication – all of which reduces costs.

So what is concerning to all of us is that it is so common to see breeding stock sold privately or at breed sales for less than the meat price. It is against the principles of good farming and husbandry of our stock to sell them for less than their worth.

The benefit the livestock industry has over the equine industry is that there is always a bottom price and that is the meat value. This may not extend to your foundation ewes which have given years of service and perhaps deserve better treatment than being dragged along to the cull ewe sale, but they can always be dispatched humanely. But if a sheep is of breeding quality, then surely it is worth more than the meat value.

Selling too cheaply damages our breed; it does not serve the betterment of the breed and is a disservice to those new breeders.

It damages the breed because it makes us look like amateurs, the label of hobbyists that so many of us want to avoid. It looks like we treat them as pets rather than as a commercial sheep. We appreciate that some smallholders may not have the need to make a living from the sheep and that they want to do the best by their individual animals, but the job of our Association is to promote the breed and to do this we need to encourage a real market.

When farmers try to ridicule our Zwartbles by referring to the as hobbyist sheep, I am often required to point out our meat prices and that of the breeding rams. It usually works in silencing their doubts on the value of the breed. However others will often retort that they saw a ram sell in the local stores for £50, that it was a big as a donkey and as thin as a rake. This depresses me!

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21

ZSA Name No

Address

Prefix

Phone

916

Mr E Brice

Birch Farm, Syleham Road, Hoxne, Suffolk

Havensfield

01379 669039

917

Mrs A Nicholson

Applegarth, Middleton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria

Applegarth

01524 276393

918

J Smith & C Christian

Mossend Farm, Mosstowie, Elgin, Moray

Mossend

01343 850140

919

D Miskelly

Corrybrae, Kildrummy, Alford, Aberdeenshire

Corrybrae

019755 71700

920

Mrs K Leslie 2 Dalehead Cottages, Biggin, Buxton, Derbyshire

Dalehead

07875 038903

921

S Murray & Mrs E Egan

The Wood, Broughall, Kilcormac, Co Offaly, Republic of Ireland

Murrays

00353 857699456

922

Mrs A Gully

Crookston Stables, Crookston, Heriot, Midlothian

Crookston Stables

01578 760222

923

A&C Brandi

13 Sandybank, Halbeath, Dunfermline, Fife

Lassodie Mill 07855 391678

924

Mrs M Williams

Restland House, Belstone, Okehampton, Devon

Restland

01387 849138

925

J Sherrard

49 Tully Road, Limavady, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Tully

07515 328327

926

Miss V McCormick

Girthill Farm, Warlock Road, Bridge Girthill of Weir, Renfrewshire

01505 228892

927

M J Cherry

3 Swalcliffe Road, Upper Tadmaton, WithyBanbury, Oxon. combe

01295 780135

928

Miss S Chambers

High Stool Farm, Flagg, Buxton, Derbyshire

Lodley

07977 607680

929

SW & MA Poad

Furslow Farm, Blunts, Saltash, Cornwall

Furslyn

01752 851685

930

Mrs P Price

New House Farm, Llanfaredd, Builth Wells, Powys

Gellycadwgan

01982 551207

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New Members We would like to welcome the following members:

5

These low prices are an insult to your breed, because it denies their qualities and their potential. We all need to treat our Zwartbles as a special breed and make sure that they command a special price. None of us wants to see them fall to being treated and marketed as a failed breed. If you have to take them to a fat market rather than accepting a ridiculously low offer from a casual breeder, then it is better for the breed.

Finally it is a disservice to new breeders because it encourages them to undervalue their stock, instead of encouraging them to think highly of them, to recognise their true value and to set their targets high.

If we are more critical of our animals, judge them against our breed standard and assess if they are up to the mark we will achieve better return. Selection of the best animals for breeding and the lesser animals for the meat industry or commercial breeding ensures that the values are kept high. We want to be accepted as a commercial breed, so let’s sell our sheep at commercial prices when they do not reach the breed standard and, ask breeding stock prices for those that do meet the mark. Over population of the market with sub-standard animals will only reduce your income on your better stock; be selective and you will see good returns.

ZSA Name No

Address

Prefix

Phone

903

Mr & Mrs A Bird

Bryn Afon, Groeslon, Caernarfon, Gwynedd

Bryn Afon

01286 830022

904

Mrs M Picken

Priorletham Farm, St Andrews, Fife

Priorletham

905

Mr O Breeze

Avondlae, Cottagers Lane, Manfield, Olbre Darlington, Co Durham

01325 710250

906

Mr & Mrs S Rendle

Yisham Meadow, Cornwood, Ivybridge, Plymouth, Devon.

Cornwood

01752 837878

907

Mr A & Mrs P Parker

Springfield, Lochmaben, Lockerbie, Scotland

Lochlad

01387 810088

908

Mr & Mrs F Judge

Wellington Farm, Longcot, Faringdon, Oxfordshire

Plushcourt

01793 783297

909

N & Miss A McLoughlin

108 Windyhill Road, Limavady, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Killybready

07773 233919

910

Miss Susie Page

The Stables, Kingstanding, Needwood, Burton on Trents, Staffs

Needwood

07809 421565

911

Mrs J Gilchrist

Strathbogie Farm, Elsrickle, Biggar, Lanarkshire

Romanno

01899 810223

912

Miss N Fergus

Grindigar, Deerness, Orkney

Copinsay

01856 741777

913

Mr J Thexton

Hazel Cottage, Armathwaite, Cumbria

Eden Hazel

01697 472297

914

TR & B Charnley

Jonty Lee, Stable Whaitber Farm, West House, Carnforth, Lancs

Jonty Lee

01524 241329

If you pay by standing order then the payment will be taken on the 1st January, however if you don't pay by standing order can you please forward your payment of ÂŁ35 by the 1st January 2013 to the secretary Christina Cormack

915

Mrs C Clewer

Ton Farm, Church Lane, Glascoed, Pontypool

Ton

01495 785257

Please help us by paying your subscription on time, thank you

Annual Subscriptions

Annual Subscriptions are due on 1st January 2013.

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Photographic Competition Put your camera and skills to good use and enter our photographic competition

Categories: Humours picture with caption

19

SOUTHERN BRANCH Visit to the Cotswolds—Saturday 13th October 2012 The Southern Branch are in the process of arranging a trip up to the Cotswolds on Saturday 13th October 2012 The morning will take in a visit to the Fosseway Flock (Poppy Godwin) and then on for lunch at the Cotswold Farm Park (Adam Henson Farm) followed by a trip around the park. Cost is £15 for entry into the park, including lunch.

If anybody is interested in attending this visit then please contact Julie Cameron harmonyj01:aol.com

Sheep portrait (Can be with or without handler) Sheep and landscape

Classes:

2013 Year Book

Open Child aged 5-10 years Child aged 11-16 years

** 1st prize winners will receive a £15 ZSA Merchandise voucher ** Please send or email your entries to Christina by the 19th November Please state clearly which class and Categories you are entering.

The results will be announced at the Annual General Meeting on 6th December

Adverts and articles for inclusion in the 2013 Year book should be received by the close of the Annual General Meeting on 6th December 2012.

Please help us to get the Year Book out on time by getting your adverts and articles to us on time!

Full page advert £75 half page advert £50 Double page advert £120 (We hope that this will also allow you a pdf file advert on the website, included at the same price)

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7

Branch News NORTHERN BRANCH The next meeting of the Northern branch will take place on Friday November 2 nd 2012 (please note change of date) at Crooklands Hotel Kendal LA7 7NW. (see Invite). The first hour of this meeting will include planning for next year and the results of the flock competition held in early October. The second part of the meeting will be an informative talk given by Judith Charnley Independent Veterinary Surgeon. This meeting is open to all Zwartbles members and not to just those in our branch. Please ring or email as per invite.

There is no cost so long as you will fill in a feedback form after the talk! As usual a raffle will be held so please donate a prize if you wish.

Thank you Hillfields Lodge Lighthorne Warwickshire

Please could you pass on my thanks to the Council and members of the ZSA for their donations, lovely cards and good wishes.

INVITE TO: RDPE NORTH WEST LIVESTOCK PROGRAMME MEETING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NORTHERN ZWARTBLES SHEEP ASSOCIATION BRANCH on the topic of HYPOTHERMIA & PROBLEMS IN NEWBORN LAMBS on the evening of Friday 2nd November 2012 at The Crooklands Hotel, Crooklands, nr Kendal LA7 7NW SPEAKER:- Judith G Charnley, Independent Veterinary Surgeon, Sheep Veterinary Society

The necklace is lovely and Paul and I now have been set the challenge of finding a nice holiday.

Thank you once again Yvonne

PayPal

Refreshments provided The talk will start at 8pm and will be preceded by a Northern Zwartbles’ Branch Meeting from 7pm to present the results of the flock competition held in October.

To book your place, please contact the Farmer Network office on 01768 868615, or e mail: bookings@thefarmernetwork.co.uk.

PayPal services are now available through the website for registrations and purchases or merchandise Save yourself the cost of a stamp and the hassle writing a cheque!

Pay by PayPal

Stirling Sale Report 21st September PAGE

8

The annual society sale was held at United Auctions mart in Stirling. The sale included the dispersal of Molly Campbell’s Blacklee flock and topping the sale on the day was one of her ewes at £1500 selling to KW Hourston Orkney.

Merchandise Need to get some stocking fillers for Christmas?

Shearling gimmers were topped at £1200 for the supreme champion Blacklee Tannamara and sold to the judge V Davies Rugby. Other leading gimmer prices were £650 for Wallacetown Tara from C and S Rae selling to T and G Blamire Thursby and £360 for CKM Stewarts selling to Thistledome Ptns Glasgow.

Then look no further than the ZSA, we have:

Ewe Lambs were again topped by M Campbell’s sheep at £1400 for Blacklee Wanda selling to C Scott bought the next at £780 this time from B Scott Ballindallock Speyside Winona.

Mugs

Leather Keyfobs Pens

Lapel Badges Fleeces

Polo Shirts Jackets

Greeting cards

A large number of rams forward were difficult to sell with many not reaching new homes never the less the champion male B Scott’s Speyside Thunder sold to a top of £550 to A Selway Dorset. Others followed at £220 from CKM Stewart Selkirk Titan selling to A Roper Cleator Moor and £200 from C Duffy Smiddy Hill Timmy selling to B Harley Kinross Ram Lambs sold to a top of £400 again from C Duffy’s Smiddy Hill flock this time for Warrior who sold to R&K Williams Turiff and £220 for C Anderson’s Wallridge Moor Wrangler selling to J McClung Lasswade and £210 for C Scott’s East Middle Wee Tam selling to A Houseman Knaresborough.

Worcester Sale Report 18th Aug 2012

Hoodies

Trade was brisk at Worcester even though the entry was not as large as could be, a good turnout of potential buyers ensured that most went home happy. Prices were a small improvement on the averages from Carlisle the previous week.

Tie’s Trailer Stickers

Rugby Shirts

Car Stickers and much more …..

Have a look at the website for further details

www.zwartbles.org

Orders can be placed on the website and paid by PayPal or by contacting: Anne Robinson on 07967 094635

email: yorkie142@hotmail.com

The Supreme Champion Berrington 106T bred by Heather Blease, headed a strong showing of shearling ewes setting the day off by reaching 480gns. This was followed by another from the same flock reaching 380gns. In all, the shearling ewes made an average of £347. Including the non MV the average was £247 In the Ewe lamb section a lamb from R Knowles gable west flock reached 480gns and an average of £227.was achieved in this group The only shearling ram forward was Sam Inns with Fosseway Trail- Blazer reaching 980gns.

With an average of £483 including the non-MV Heather Blease again led the way in the ram lamb class with Berrington Wurlitzer reaching £650gns followed closely by Beeston Waiter from A Maxwell Smith at 640gns. The class reaching an average of £406.50.

Non MV Rams were header by S Hulbarts Hilldown Titan at 250gns with an average of £210 whilst a Shearling ewe from the same flock reached 300gns. The overall average for a non MV Shearling ewe was £199

Around the Sales Carlisle Sale Report 10th August 2012 The eighth annual sale followed the previous evenings successful show and kicked off to a packed ringside of people from near and far. Topping the sale at 1800gns was the reserve supreme and male champion Broomfield Trickster this shearling from A Baillie and T Jackson Lanarkshire sold to G MacIntosh and L Crum Ayshire.

Next was the overall and female champion Wallridgemoor Tameka from C Anderson Northumberland selling at 1200gns to D Johnstone and J Pirie Kingusse. Other leading females were for a gimmer Hadrian Thyme from J Thorburn selling at 1000gns to M Brennan Co Antrim. Another animal from A Baillie and T Jackson sold at 900gns to T Birkbeck Kirkby Stephen and at 800gns Scottfair Tuttibella from J Scott Carlisle selling to S H Sutcliffe Settle.

Ewe Lambs met a strong trade the top price being achieved by M Campbell’s Blacklee Whin at 780gns selling to J Beckwith and Son Skipton followed by the Reserve female champion from G A and M Francis Pystill lamb selling at 600gns to J Porter Lisburn along with a lamb from S and C Rae Dumfries Wallacetown Wendy selling to L Crum Ayshire.

The large amount of rams forward made for selective buying and a sticky trade starting with the aged rams at 380gns another from a Ballie and T Jackson sold to CJJ and JC Cookson Kendal and at 360gns from J Erskine selling to SR Plum Darlington.

Outwith the sale topper other leading prices in the shearlings were for C Scott’s East Middle Take Over at 950gns selling to A Lloyd Conway and at 620gns from A Duckworth Wolf Clyde Time’ll Tell to R and D Runciman Perthshire.

Ram lambs sold to a top of 1020gns for Wallacetown Woodward from C and S Rae selling to J Wyille and Grandaughter Grange Over Sands closely followed by two lambs at 1000gns including the reserve male champion from T and S Donnelly Canonbie Saltur Willford selling to C Gammage Lanark and Broomhill Bank Wizaeme from L and J Strawhorn selling to JA and R Geldard Kendal.

A Small number of non mv’s shearling ewe’s were forward selling to a top of 190gns from Mr and Mrs P Harsley and 160gns from the same home both selling to Re and LM Harker Harrogate.

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Foot Rot and Scald This year seems to have been shocking for both conditions. Shepherds and breeders from all over the country have been discussing the lameness problems they have encountered. The conditions are different, but treatment can be the same. In any normal year one would expect to see about 2-8% sheep lame in the flock, of course depending on age, and conditions. This year it has seemed to be closer to 40% with sheep getting better for a few days after a treatment and then returning again to a lameness a week or so later.

In the end here, we decided to grab the nettle and undertook a systematic treatment of every sheep on the farm.

1. All sheep were gathered and their feet were trimmed. Looking for cracks and overgrowth or under-run areas. Be careful not to cut too short as drawing blood will be counterproductive.

2. Every sheep was foot-bathed. The products used vary and you should read any notes / instructions for your product of choice. We used formalin at 3% but others use Golden Hoof, others use Lincomycin.

3. Every sheep was given a Footvax injection. This product is a vaccine against the Fusiformis bacteria. It is not 100% effective, but studies have shown that it does help. It does have the risk of producing lumps at the injection site and care needs to be taken when using it.

4. Every sheep was weighed and given an injection of long-acting Oxytetracycline . This is the ‘orange’ antibiotic – it may be called Alamycin LA, Engemycin LA, Terramycin LA – they are all the same. This perhaps reduced the likelihood of lumps as we did not seem to get any but it also helps to break that infective cycle.

5. Finally we tried to put as many of the sheep as we could onto fresh grazing.

It worked; within 36 hours we saw a huge improvement and within 5 days we had no lame sheep. Now we have two that have returned to a lame state, probably due to deep-seated infection, but that number is manageable. Good luck with your lame sheep!

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Admin Your last Council meeting was spent for much part going over what we had done to consolidate those things and plans for the future.

The Promotions Group are looking at the stands that we now have and the literature that has been sent out. They will revise any ideas for future leaflets. In addition they are looking at other Papers / Magazines that could be used to advertise our breed other than just the Farmers Guardian.

The Merchandise Group is continuing to offer all of the same products which have proved to be extremely popular with members and we ask that if you have any orders for Christmas presents that you send them in with plenty of notice so items can be ordered (we are trying to keep minimal stock as it makes best sense for your Association).

Show & Sales are being investigated with a view to fixing dates and these will be available soon. The major Royal shows had their judges lists provided before this council’s term and so we have not had to select judges for these shows.

Junior Section information will be presented for comment at the AGM as will notes and recommendation on the post of an Association President. The idea of having a President will give the opportunity to have someone who is not on the Council, travel and meet the members, represent you at events, feed back information to the Council and chair the AGM. It is a sign of how your Association is growing that we have come to the stage where such a post is required.

ScotS hee p

Another item to be presented at the AGM is that of December Lambings. There has been much discussion on this, with voices for and against and this will be reviewed and discussed at the AGM where you will have an opportunity to hear the cases for and against.

Voting procedure is high on our thoughts and we are going to bring to the AGM a proposal to change our Articles to allow proper postal votes in 2013. This has to involve a change in our Articles and this can only be done at an AGM or EGM. For 2012 you will have to use the Proxy Form as used last year (more on this in the Newsletter).

In addition to looking at the items above, your Governance Group has been producing documents to help guide the Council and clarify the rules that govern us the council and the membership.

Stirling Sale Council has been informed of the problems encountered at Stirling Sale and are investigating the cause. We apologise to anyone who was affected by this lack of structure, but assure you that it was not due to any intentional action of the Scottish Branch or ZSA Council. We are in discussion with UA as to why the organisation was not up to its usual standard.

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Liver Fluke Liver fluke disease (fasciolosis) appears to be on the increase in the UK; disease has been reported outside of the usual high risk periods and in previously areas that have not traditionally been associated with Fluke. This may mean that you have never previously needed to be concerned about this condition but might now need to do so.

The fluke has a complicated life-cycle, involving a mud / water snail as an intermediate host. Therefore its occurrence fits in with the locations and seasons when this snail is available. This important stage of the parasite life cycle necessitates wet and warm conditions (above 7 - 10°C) during the summer months.

The majority of disease outbreaks in sheep are seen in early/mid-winter and are due to swallowing of infective cysts shed onto pasture in late summer through to early winter. Unexpected disease in livestock in early spring can result from autumn/ winter infection of snails and/or over-wintering of cysts on pasture.

The timing of fluke treatment is important and should be aimed at preventing disease arising from summer and winter snail infections.

As with any wormer treatment, care should be taken to dose animals accurately, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and using a product with activity against the stage of the life-cycle responsible for disease at that time.

Cattle can be a significant source of infection for sheep on mixed farms and should, therefore, be included in fluke control programmes on such premises. Each adult Fluke may produce 50,000 eggs per day and there may be many adults in a normal looking cow. These eggs will be a huge threat to the sheep grazing after the cattle.

The eggs may not be found in the dung as they are only released from the bile duct intermittently and therefore are not present in every sample. Similarly as immature fluke do not lay, your sheep may be infected, but not be shedding eggs.

It is also important to reduce the areas where the mud snails can live. This can be achieved by improved drainage where possible and, if practical, by fencing off wet grazing in autumn.

No single approach to fluke control is likely to succeed on its own. Consider drainage and grazing management, where possible, in combination with liver fluke forecasting and strategic flukicidal treatment of your livestock.

The diagram shows which drugs will be most effective against the various stages of the Flukes life-cycle within the sheep. There is resistance to some drugs in some areas and it is important to take advice on the best treatment for your sheep.

PAGE 11 The Newsletters have on the whole been accepted as useful and informative and we will continue to look at these, but the Year Book takes far more work and preparation. The publications group managed to produce the 2012 earlier than ever before and will try to improve on that this year. We hope to be able to offer more articles and colour photographs of winners. The advertisements pay for about one half of the production costs at present and so the more we get the better the book can be. If you would like to place an advertisement for a flock or a business that you run, please contact the secretary who will pass on the information to the Publication Group.

Your website is growing by the week and has again been very well received. Ken Gilbert has put a lot of time and effort into it and now needs more in the way of articles / ideas for what we need to put on. Please do come forward with any suggestions to him and he will then forward them to the council for development.

Breed Development. This is a further part of your council’s plans, to try to promote the breed for both pure breeding flocks and also the cross bred commercial aspects.

We will be trying to develop a plan that will facilitate this throughout the coming months and next year. It is a massive topic and will need to be thought trough so that any expense is justified and produces best returns for all breeders and all aspects of our sheep production.

Website The website is now well established there are over fifty individual show result pages, extensive merchandising, junior pages, region news, sales dates and results and entry forms, a member’s area with forms and council documents etc., a large photo gallery, stock for sale page where you can advertise your stock for £10 and news as it occurs.

You can also save money by using PayPal to pay for grassroots transaction except transfers. Soon we will be able to pay for transfers on line; new members will also be able to sign up using PayPal. Member’s ideas and articles are always welcome.

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Annual General Meeting

Notes for Annual General Meeting

Thursday 6th December 2012

All the notices regarding the AGM are sent out to all members no later than 21 days before the AGM.

The Auctioneer, Carlisle Followed by a 2 course evening meal Further details will be sent out in due course

Everything that is to be voted upon will be in the notices regarding the AGM. Nothing can be voted upon unless it is on the agenda and any matter would need to be proposed and seconded by members of the ZSA to be included on the agenda.

General questions can be asked and qualified at the meeting.

Make a note of the date!

Council Nominations Three members of Council, Liam Campbell, Lorna Murray and Ailsa Dickinson are due to retire at the 2012 AGM in December and are eligible for re-election. Bill Rushton has decided to stand down from Council.

Every paid up member of the Association is eligible to stand as a candidate and members are invited to consider offering themselves for election.

Any member wishing to consider standing for election should complete the enclosed nomination form and attach a CV/self promotion statement of up to 200 words outlining their experience and giving details of the skills they are able to offer council.

Please return the completed nomination form to the secretary to arrive by midday on 31st October The deadline will be strictly observed in order to comply with the regulations of the Association.

Please note that candidates, proposers and seconders must be fully paid up members of the Zwartbles Sheep Association.

For election to Council , in order that everyone has the chance to vote either in person or by proxy , the chairman will call a poll. This allows both the votes cast by hand and those sent as completed proxy forms received by the secretary no less than 24 hours before the AGM to be counted.

The proxy form has to be written out exactly as it is shown in our Articles of Association but it allows us to include some explanation. The main piece of information that everyone needs to know is that you can decide how you want your proxy to vote and we will make provision for you to show this in the explanatory information.

You are entitled to use anyone as your proxy but it is usually given to the chair as there will always be a chairman present at the AGM.

Use of images Enclosed with this newsletter is a Parental Consent Form for use of images of Children/young people.

We are unable to publish any pictures of young people with their prize winning sheep etc on the website, in newsletters and in other publications unless we have permission, therefore if you have not already done so could you please fill in the enclosed form and return it to the Secretary. Thank you