News
Page updated 28th August 2010

RECORD BREAKING SHOW AND SALE AT SHREWSBURY

The first show and sale of Shropshires to be held at Shrewsbury Livestock Market for at least 40 years has been hailed as a great success by members of the breed society and the auctioneers, Halls.

The event on 3rd July 2010 was very well attended with good quality stock exhibited in the showing classes and around 45 Shropshires forward for the sale. There was strong interest from buyers, many of whom had travelled considerable distances to attend.

All the Shropshire females on offer were sold, and all but five of the males. The prices achieved were some of the highest seen in recent years and the SSBA believes that breed records may have been set for a Shropshire shearling ram, shearling ewe, aged (or senior) ewe and ewe lamb sold at auction.

The top price for a Shearling ram of £588 was achieved by James Thompson’s Sansaw Shakespeare, sired by Sidedowns Hakka and sold to Mervyn Tweed in Northern Ireland. The top price for a ewe was £409.50 for a shearling sired by Benfield Enigma from the Ushers Flock of Marion and Aubrey Webb sold to Fiona Wilson of Osmonds. The same buyer also paid £346.50 for a senior ewe from Sue and Mark Shimwell’s Brereton Flock. This animal, born in 2007 and sired by Morley Mozart, was the Reserve Champion in the showing classes. A ewe lamb from the Millenheath Flock of Jeanette Hares, sired by Alderton James, was sold for £241.50 to the SSBA’s President Les Newman. Mr Newman also purchased for £525 the Show Champion, a ram lamb by Sidedowns Joseph from the Hayne Oak Flock of Liz Bowles and Mike Bray. This was the highest price paid on the day for a ram lamb.

Commenting on the show and sale, the SSBA’s Sales Officer, Claire Jakeman said: “The level of interest from buyers and the prices obtained prove that Shrewsbury is a good venue for a show and sale of Shropshires early in the season. This is the time when many breeders are looking for a new stock sire, because many Shropshire flocks lamb early. However, vendors should take note that, particularly with rams, it is only very good quality animals prepared for the show and sale ring that will sell.

“Female stock also sold well and we were particularly pleased with the level of interest and the extremely good prices paid for ewes and ewe lambs. What we thought would be the right time to sell our rams proved also to be the right time of year to sell ewes and bring new members into the society.”

The SSBA’s President Les Newman added: “The SSBA’s Council has responded to requests from its members for a sale at a more westerly venue. Council Members Claire Jakeman, Alison Schofield and Pippa Geddes have worked hard to set up this new event at Shrewsbury, and I would like to thank them on behalf of the society for their efforts. They have been rewarded by a very successful show and sale, which we hope will become an annual event for our breed society. I would also like to thank Osmonds for donating prizes (sheep drench) for the owners of the Champion and Reserve Champion animals, and James Thompson and his family for generously hosting a Barbecue at Sansaw Hall the night before the show and sale. This was very enjoyable and greatly appreciated by the many members of the breed society that attended.”

Average Prices (numbers sold in brackets)
Shearling Ewes: (7) £261; Shearling Rams (5) £411.60; Ewe lambs (14) 153.90; Ram Lambs (5) £301.35; Senior Ewes (5) £254.10; Senior Rams (1) £141.75.

Showing Results
Judge: John Bowles (E Bowles and M Bray sheep placed by Yvonne Clinton-Palmer)

Ram (shearling or over)
1. S Farquhar
2. E Bowles and M Bray
3 E Bowles and M Bray

Ram Lamb
1. E Bowles & M Bray
2. M and S Shimwell
3. A and M Webb

Shearling Ewe
1. A and M Webb
2. E Bowles and M Bray
3. C Jakeman

Aged Ewe
1. M and S Shimwell
2. M and S Shimwell

Ewe Lamb
1. J Hares
2. J Hares
3. M and S Shimwell

Champion: Ram Lamb (E Bowles and M Bray) – winner of the Morley Trophy
Reserve Champion: Aged Ewe (M and S Shimwell) – winner of the Roydon Trophy

Best pen of two or more Shropshires – M and S Shimwell – winner of the Southworth Trophy (judged by Yvonne Clinton-Palmer).

NEW SHOW AND SALE VENUE FOR SHROPSHIRES

THE SSBA’s Council has decided to introduce a new show and sale for Shropshire sheep at Shrewsbury Market, Shropshire on Saturday 3rd July 2010. This will be known as the SSBA’s National Show and Sale (West). The breed society will also continue to support the show and sale at Melton Mowbray Market, Leicestershire on 10th and 11th September, which will now be known as the SSBA’s National Show and Sale (East).
   In both cases, the show and sale of Shropshires will be part of a larger traditional and native breeds’ sale, incorporating entries from other breeds of sheep, as well as other farm livestock species. The sale at Shrewsbury is a new event which the organisers, Halls Auctioneers, have introduced to satisfy demand from livestock producers in the region.
   “The annual Show and Sale at Melton Mowbray has proved a good venue for selling Shropshire females, but it comes rather too late in the season for breeders who want to purchase rams for early lambing flocks,” explains the SSBA’s Sales Officer, Claire Jakeman.
   “By introducing a show and sale earlier in the year at a different, more westerly, venue we hope to be able to assist more members to buy and sell their sheep at the most convenient time.
   “Up until 1950, Shrewsbury market was the main sale venue for our breed. We are really thrilled that the growing popularity of our sheep has enabled us to introduce another show and sale date, and bring a sale of Shropshires back to the breed’s county of origin.”
   The facilities at Shrewsbury Market, which relocated to a new site just four years ago, were inspected by Claire Jakeman and Pippa Geddes, on behalf of the breed society. Not only does the site at Battlefield, just north of Shrewsbury, offer very modern livestock lairage, it’s also easily accessible from the road network without the need to drive through the town itself. The new Battlefield development also includes a Travel Lodge, offering reasonably priced accommodation for people wishing to stay overnight. Livestock can be delivered to the market the day before the show and sale.
Sansaw Hog Roast
There will be an evening BBQ or hog roast for SSBA members on Friday 2nd July, at Sansaw Estate (3 miles away from the market) at the kind invitation of James Thompson. More details will follow in due course.

Shropshire Showing Classes
The showing classes at both the Western and Eastern National Show and Sales will be as follows:
Ram, Shearling or over
Ram Lamb
Breeding Ewe (any age, to have reared lambs in the current season)
Shearling Ewe
Ewe Lamb
Rosettes to sixth place will awarded in each class. A champion and reserve champion will be selected from the winners of the above classes, and these will receive special rosettes and a trophy. In the case of the new event at Shrewsbury, Claire Jakeman has generously offered to donate a new trophy for the Champion animal.
The showing classes at Shrewsbury will be held on Saturday morning (3rd July), commencing at 11am.  At Melton Mowbray, show classes will be held at 2pm on Friday 10th September.

Minimum Weights and Upset Prices
At the most recent Council Meeting, the following minimum weights were set for ram and ewe lambs entered in the Western and Easter Sales:
Shrewsbury
Ewe lambs: 35kg
Ram lambs: 45kg

Melton Mowbray
Ewe lambs 40kg
Ram lambs: 50kg
Lambs will be weighed on arrival at the market and must meet these minimum weights.

The minimum upset sale prices for both sale venues are as follows:
Ram Lambs: 140 guineas
Ewe Lambs: 100 guineas
Shearling Ewes: 150 guineas
Shearling Rams: 200 guineas
Older ewes: at vendors’ discretion
Older rams: at vendors’ discretion

All Shropshire females must be registered with the breed society before being entered in the show and sale. Males must be Birth Notified and eligible for registration. The vendor selling a ram or ram lamb to a Society member will be required to register the animal, if sold. The transfer fee of £3/animal will be charged to buyers and collected automatically by the auctioneers.
All animals will be inspected by an inspector from the breed society before commencement of the showing classes and the sale. All rams and ram lambs entered in the sale MUST be shown beforehand. Females can be entered in the sale without being shown.

Closing Dates for Entries
The closing date for entries for the National Show and Sale (West) at Shrewsbury is Friday 21st May. Schedules and entry forms will be available from the SSBA’s Registrar, Alison Schofield by (date?).
The closing date for Melton Mowbray (National Show and Sale (East) is likely to be in mid July. Details will be circulated to members in due course.
The new traditional and native breeds’ sale at Shrewsbury has the full backing of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Local RBST Support Group organiser, Sue Lawrence, and Ruth Dalton, the Trust’s new field officer for the North, have visited the market and been involved in drawing up the plans for the new event.
Shropshire Showing Classes
The showing classes at both the Western and the Eastern National Shows and Sales will be as follows:
Ram, Shearling or over
Ram Lamb
Breeding Ewe (any age, to have reared lambs in the current season)
Shearling Ewe
Ewe Lamb
   Rosettes to sixth place will awarded in each class. A champion and reserve champion will be selected from the winners of the above classes, and these will receive special rosettes and a trophy. In the case of the new event at Shrewsbury, Claire Jakeman has generously offered to donate a new trophy for the champion animal.
   The showing classes at Shrewsbury will be held on Saturday morning (3rd July), commencing at 10.30am.  At Melton Mowbray, show classes will be held at 2pm on Friday 10th September.
Minimum Weights
At the most recent Council Meeting, the following minimum weights were set for ram and ewe lambs entered in the Western and Easter Sales:and Eastern Sales:
Shrewsbury
Ewe lambs: 35kg
Ram lambs: 45kg

Melton Mowbray
Ewe lambs 40kg
Ram lambs: 50kg
Lambs will be weighed on arrival at the market and must meet these minimum weights.

Upset Prices
The minimum upset sale prices for both sale venues are as follows:
Ram Lambs: 140 guineas
Ewe Lambs: 100 guineas
Older ewes: at vendors’ discretion
Shearling Ewes: 150 guineas
Shearling Rams: 200 guineas
Older Rams: at vendors’ discretion

Vendors may, of course, set higher reserve prices, if they wish. All Shropshire females must be registered with the breed society before being entered in the show and sale. Males must be Birth Notified and eligible for registration.
The vendor selling a ram or ram lamb to a Society member will be required to register the animal, if sold. The transfer fee of £3/animal will be charged to buyers and collected automatically by the auctioneers, before animals can be removed from the market.
All animals will be inspected by an inspector from the breed society before commencement of the showing classes and the sale. All rams and ram lambs entered in the sale MUST be shown beforehand. Females can be entered in the sale without being shown.

Closing Dates for Entries
The closing date for entries for the National Show and Sale (West) at Shrewsbury is Friday 21st May. Schedules will be available from Halls by mid to late April (phone number: 01743 462620). Directions to the livestock market  are available from the Halls website: www.hallsgb.com.
   The closing date for Melton Mowbray, our National Show and Sale (East), is likely to be in mid July.  Details will be circulated to members in due course and will also be posted on the breed society’s website

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SHROPSHIRE SHEEP SOCIETY EXPORTS A RECORD NUMBER OF BREEDING ANIMALS
August 3rd, 2009
The Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association has completed two large export orders to France and Slovenia on behalf of its members. A total of 197 pedigree registered Shropshire females and six rams have been exported this year, breaking the breed society’s previous annual export record by some considerable margin.
The consignment to France comprised 45 shearling ewes, 51 ewe lambs and three rams. These were purchased by one buyer, Benoit Gille in Maizieres, Lorraine. M. Gille breeds Texels but says he requires a tougher meat sheep that doesn’t eat trees. He imported a smaller number of Shropshires from the UK last year.

The consignment of 101 females and 3 males to Slovenia, which left the UK on Tuesday 28th July and arrived at its destination two days later, has the distinction of being the first Shropshire sheep in that country. They were purchased by Branko Lazarevic from Maribor. The sheep will be used primarily as a meat producing flock, but will also graze grass between ground-based solar panels. Electricity generated by this enterprise is sold back to the Slovenian Government.

Mr Lazarevic visited the UK twice this year to view Shropshires on-farm and at the Cheshire County Show. He became interested in Shropshires after seeing them exhibited at the Paris Show a few years ago. He comments that he is very proud to be the first Slovenian to own a flock, and will be joining the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association as an overseas member in due course.

Selecting the Shropshires for the export consignment was a mammoth task for the SSBA’s export officer, Sue Farquhar, and sales officer, Claire Jakeman. Sheep from twelve different flocks had to be inspected on-farm to ensure they met breed standards, before the animals were transported to an EU Approved Export Assembly Centre in Herefordshire. Sheep destined for Slovenia also had to be vaccinated by a vet against Blue Tongue, because they were moving from the UK into a BT Free Zone.  
“Keeping up with export regulations and informing our breed society members of the requirements, especially with BTV and Scrapie Monitoring, is very time-consuming.  We received excellent support from the new Central Export Department of Defra Carlisle,” comments the SSBA’s Claire Jakeman, who is based near Chester.

“We believe it’s worth the effort, especially as the British Shropshire is building a strong reputation overseas. The breed is now known both as an excellent meat producer and as a means of grazing tree plantations, allowing farmers and growers to control herbage in an environmentally friendly way and produce good quality lamb at the same time.”
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For further information, please contact:
Pippa Geddes, Publicity Officer of the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association
Stable Views, Alderton, Near Montford Bridge, Shropshire SY4 1AW
01743 741689
Email: psellwood@aol.com

Slovenian purchaser (2nd from right in the black polo shirt), with a group of SSBA members, the Slovenian flag and a Shropshire lamb, pictured at the Cheshire Show.

USHERS FLOCK WINS FIRST TWO AWARDS FOR SIGNET-RECORDED SHROPSHIRE SHEEP

The Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association (SSBA) held its first showing classes for performance recorded Shropshires last week at the Cheshire County Show at Tabley near Knutsford, Cheshire (23rd and 24th June).  Extra classes for Signet recorded rams and ram lambs were added to the usual showing section for Shropshires held on the second day of the show.

The performance classes were part of a special event sponsored by EBLEX to mark the third year of the SSBA’s Breed Improvement Scheme, in which eight Shropshire flocks commenced recording the performance of their sheep with Signet. The Shropshire improvement scheme seeks to enhance both the terminal sire traits and the maternal traits of the breed.

Animals entered in the Signet classes were judged on a combination of their appearance and their Signet Index, with 40% of the marks awarded for looks and 60% for performance. Classes were well supported, with six of the eight Signet-recorded Shropshire flocks represented.

The Ushers Flock of Marion and Aubrey Webb from Gilmorton, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, had a particularly successful day taking the first two places in both classes. In the ram class, two-shear Ushers Reginald and shearling Ushers Striker were the top two with overall scores of 90.4 and 88.8 points, respectively. Shearling Alderton Bradman, owned by Peter and Pippa Geddes from Montford Bridge, Shropshire was just behind in third place, with a score of 88 points.  

In the ram lamb class, the Webbs’ Ushers Titan, was first with 96 points, followed by Ushers Tyson with a total score of 94. Sue and Mark Shimwell’s ram lamb, from their Brereton Flock of Astbury, Congleton, Cheshire was placed third with 75.4 points.

 The overall number of Shropshires at the show broke all previous records, with over 80 animals forward from 12 different flocks. Classes in the usual (non-performance recorded) section were very large, with a ewe lamb class of 20 and a shearling ewe class of 18 entries setting judge Alan Oliver from Doncaster a considerable challenge on a very hot day. Anne Harvey from the Wirral, Cheshire took the Shropshire Championship with a senior ram from her Roydon Flock, and also the reserve Champion with a ewe lamb.

Helmsman Auction
After the showing classes, the SSBA held a “Helmsman Auction” of some of the Performance Recorded Shropshires. This novel method of buying and selling sheep is used widely in Australia and is said to combine the best features of a conventional auction system and sale by private treaty. Ushers Reginald, the winner of the performance recorded ram class, achieved the highest price of £430 and was sold to James Thompson of Sansaw Farms, Harmer Hill, near Shrewsbury.

PERFORMANCE RECORDED RESULTS

Recorded ram class line up and Marion Webb with Ushers Reginald

Further information from Pippa Geddes, Publicity Officer of the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association
01743 741689
Email: psellwood@aol.com

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SHROPSHIRE SHEEP BREEDERS HELP INTERNATIONAL RUGBY STAR TO START HIS OWN FLOCK

Unloading the ewes. From left to right: Barry Hodson, Tricia Newman, Jemima and Cameron Robinson, Marion Webb, Pippa Geddes, Jason Robinson with Elijah and Joseph Robinson, Alison Schofield, Claire Jakeman, Richard Spencer and Les Newman. Click the image for a larger version.

A group of farmers from the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association (SSBA) has helped international rugby star, Jason Robinson OBE, to start his own pedigree sheep flock. 

The unusual sponsorship offer was accepted by the sporting legend five months ago, but delivery of the sheep was delayed until Blue Tongue animal movement restrictions were lifted.  Ten pedigree Shropshire ewes and a ram lamb were finally delivered to Jason’s farm in Lancashire last weekend (Saturday 4th October). They are the first farm livestock to be owned by the sportsman, who retired from International Rugby after the world cup final last year.

The sheep were supplied by Peter and Pippa Geddes from Alderton, Montford Bridge, Shropshire; Barry Hodson from Croft, Cheshire; Graham and Claire Jakeman from Thornton-Le-Moors, Cheshire;  Les and Tricia Newman from Carleton Rode, Norfolk; Paul and Alison Schofield from Sproston Green, Cheshire; Richard and Rosemary Spencer from Alkmonton, Derbyshire and Aubrey and Marion Webb from Gilmorton, Leicestershire.

The group with ram lamb Morley Billy Whizz. The man on the left of the ram lamb is Claire's husband Graham

The Shropshire breeders decided to offer Jason a small flock of pedigree sheep after he announced his intention to take up farming at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards in 2007. They were surprised and delighted when the offer was accepted, explains the breed society’s Publicity Officer, Pippa Geddes:

“We are all great fans of rugby and have enjoyed watching Jason playing both at club and international level. He has clocked up some amazing achievements in the sport, being only the second man in history to play rugby union for England, having first played rugby league for Great Britain and England.

 “When we heard that Jason and his family were going to start farming in the north west, we thought Shropshires would be the ideal breed because they are docile and easy to manage.   Shropshires are also very adaptable and do well in a range of different conditions. We didn’t know the Robinsons’ address, so we wrote to Jason’s club – Sale Sharks – and asked that they forward the letter. A few weeks later, I had a surprise phone call from the man himself! He must receive a lot of sponsorship offers, but he was genuinely delighted by the idea of receiving a small flock of Shropshire sheep.

“All the breeders concerned in the project travelled to the Robinsons’ farm to deliver the sheep personally. We were made to feel very welcome by Jason and his large family, who were excited about their new livestock venture. We hope they enjoy their flock and remain members of the breed society for many years to come.”

For more information about Shropshire sheep, visit the breed society’s website: www.shropshire-sheep.co.uk, or contact the breed society’s secretary, Jane Wilson, on 01434 240435, email: shropshire_sheep@hotmail.com

SHROPSHIRE SHEEP BREEDERS EMBARK UPON BREED IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME
2006
THE Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association has launched a breed improvement programme, using the services of Signet and Innovis in Britain, and AI Services in Northern Ireland. The new scheme will identify superior animals within the breed and help SSBA members to improve the maternal, health and terminal sire traits of their sheep.

2007 is the first year of the programme and already there are eight Shropshire flock-owners involved with a total of 240 ewes and their progeny now being performance recorded.

The improvement programme requires participating breeders to record lamb weights at birth, eight weeks old and at the age when they are ultrasonically scanned for carcase traits. Information on ewe performance is also recorded. These data are then used to calculate Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) by Signet using a BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) program.  Six different EBVs will be calculated: Eight Week Weight; Maternal Ability; Litter Size; Scan Weight; Muscle Depth and Fat Depth, as well as an overall selection index.

“In the 1980s, some members of the Shropshire breed society were involved in performance recording with the Meat and Livestock Commission, and Shropshires achieved some very high scores for muscle depth,” said the Shropshire Breed Improvement Coordinator, Liz Bowles. “Commercial sheep breeders were, however, less interested in such information at that time than they are now, and Shropshire breeders questioned the value of continuing to record performance in this way.

“The climate for sheep production in the UK is now very different with an imperative to produce sheep meat both sustainably and profitably.  Producers are consequently looking for ‘easy-care’ animals to reduce labour costs as well as for efficient, productive sheep.

“Members of this breed society believe the Shropshire will measure up very favourably to these requirements and therefore decided we should initiate a breeding programme that would allow us to identify superior animals and to improve upon current performance levels in the areas required.

“It is intended to look at all information produced to identify superior Shropshires and make the best use of those genetics to allow the breed to play its part in maintaining a sustainable sheep industry in the future.

The flocks participating in the SSBA’s Breed Improvement Scheme are the Alderton Flock of P & P Geddes in Shropshire; the Brereton Flock of M & S Shimwell in Cheshire; the Brookmount Flock of C Cleland in Co. Down; the Broomcroft Flock of C & C Taylor in Shropshire; the Greenrigg Flock of J & K Mills in Cumbria; the Hayne Oak Flock of E Bowles & M Bray in Devon; the Sperrinview Flock of A & J Jones in Co. Antrim and the Ushers Flock of A & M Webb in Leicestershire.

For further information, please contact: Pippa Geddes
Secretary of the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association
01743 741689

WORLD CONGRESS WEBSITE
June 2007
This year’s 125th Anniversary World Congress, which took place in June, was a great success. The finale at the Three Counties Show was a very memorable event, particularly as HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, visited the Shropshire ring during the sheep judging.

NEW BEGINNINGS FOR SHROPSHIRE SHEEP ON JERSEY

A consignment of 25 pedigree Shropshire sheep from the Devonshire-based flock of Liz Bowles and Mike Bray was exported to Jersey this week (30th October). The sheep, which have organic status, will be the first Shropshires on the Channel Islands. They are also amongst the first farm animals to arrive on Jersey since the ban on live exports was lifted last year.

The Shropshires have been sold to an organic farm run by John Hamon at St Brelade. John chose Shropshires sheep because he also has an organic farm shop and was looking for a traditional breed to provide unique tasting lamb for his customers. He believes Shropshires will meet his requirements because they produce excellent quality carcasses whilst being relatively easy-care sheep. As a traditional breed, Shropshires also qualify for the additional payments, available through Natural England, for livestock grazed on an SSSI or land adjoining SSSIs.

In order to meet the stringent export health requirements, the shipment of 9 ewe lambs, 15 in-lamb ewes and one ram had to test clear for Borders Disease and they were also quarantined for 30 days prior to travel. An additional requirement was that they came from a holding without cattle.

The Shropshire breeders, Liz Bowles and Mike Bray, farm at Butterleigh, near Cullompton. They formed their Shropshire flock in 1998 and have been farming organically since 1999.

WORLD CONGRESS 2007
Click here to go to a page of information and links to related documents for the World Congress 2007.

SALE OF RARE FLOCK BOOKS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SHROPSHIRE SHEEP
1st December 2005

Rare, well-preserved flock books dating from 1882 are to be sold this month on the internet auction site, Ebay, by the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association. The breed society hopes the sale will raise funds for the promotion of Shropshire sheep, which are now considered a rare breed in the United Kingdom.

Many of the books in the sale contain good quality prints and old photographs of Shropshire sheep, a handsome dual purpose breed that was developed in the West Midlands region. Most volumes are in excellent condition and some are still in their original paper wrappers and contain the breed society secretary’s compliment slip, explains Pippa Geddes of the SSBA.

“This sale is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy books published by the oldest sheep breed society in the United Kingdom. The sale includes one complete set of annual breed society records from 1882 to the present day, and will appeal to keen collectors and agricultural historians. Five other almost complete sets and smaller lots are also included in the auction, which commences on 1st December and will end on the 15th December.

“In its heyday, the Shropshire was an immensely popular breed, and members of the breed society were very progressive, promoting and exporting their sheep throughout the British Empire. The flock books contain a wealth of interesting material about the breed and the society members, who included members of the British and European aristocracy and even Royalty. The books reflect the great enthusiasm for British livestock that existed around the world.”

More details of the sale are available on Ebay (www.ebay.co.uk), by typing SSBA into the search field. Funds raised by the sale will be used by the present day Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association (a registered charity) to promote the breed at home and abroad.