Society News
Annual General Meeting 2017
of the
The Shropshire Sheep Breeders Association and Flock Book Society
Saturday 12th November 2016, 9.30am Coffee with a start time of 10am
Sandwell Park Farm, West Bromwich,
West Midlands B71 4BG
All Members Are Welcome!
Free Buffet Lunch
Please attend to support your Society
You will receive your ‘Invitation’ with your ‘Membership Renewal Form’ in late October.
Shrewsbury 24th July 2017 – Report
The Traditional, Native & Rare Breeds show & Sale was held at Halls Auction Centre at Shrewsbury on 30th July 2017.
The event was held on the 100th anniversary of the first recorded sale at Shrewsbury. 32 exhibitors had entered 134 sheep with a substantial turnout despite some sheep not being forward.
Showing started at 9.30 with indoor rings. Robin Hulme, a respected judge and Suffolk breeder, had some large classes to deal with, particularly the shearlings.
The Senior Ram Class was won by Sharron Wilkin’s two shear Ram, Loppington Lad with Loppington Legacy in second place from the same flock. Both rams were sired by Roydon Rolo.
Eighteen were forward in the Shearling Ram class. First place was taken by S…… Dewey’s Kingfisher Bruce by Roydon Ralph, the Runner up was Goblindale Scooby Doo from the Coleman family. His sire was Tushbrook Bleu from E. ….Hinks.
The Ram Lamb Class with twelve exhibits was won by Mark and Sue Shimwell’s ram lamb by Alderton Forsyth with Jeanette Hares’ Millenheath Marley by Ushers Windy as runner up.
Two ewes from Robert Webb’s Clipston flock took the top spots in the breeding ewe class. Sixteen Shearling Ewes were forward with Ellie Butcher’s ewe by Strangford Sam being picked out first and a ewe from the Stonegrove flock second.
Fifteen ewe lambs were present with another first for Mark and Sue Shimwell with Alice Clay’s ewe lamb from the Showle Court flock in Reserve.
Robin Hulme chose Ellie Butcher’s Shearling Ewe as Breed Champion and winner of the Morley Trophy.
S…. Dewey’s Ram was Reserve Champion and winner of the Roydon Shield for Best Opposite Sex to the Champion.
Ellie’s Ewe went on to win the Osmond’s Interbreed Trophy against a Dorset Down Ewe which was the overall winner of the Other Breeds section.
The sale of Shropshire again showed the stronger trade for ewes with the top price of 560 guineas for Mark and Sue Shimwell’s shearling ewe. The ewe had been fifth in the earlier class. It was purchased by W A & C A Weaver for their flock.
The top price for a ram was 400 guineas for Stonegrove Dynamite by Stonegrove Bertie. It was sold to J. Bird’s Trenton flock.
Overall 63 of the 73 females forward were sold although the prices were down across the board. Another Shimwell shearling ewe sold for 440 guineas with a shearling ewe from Sharron Wilkin making 300 guineas.
Ram buyers were more selective with only 50% sold. There were several single bid purchases with buyers content to wait to purchase later in the Auction. A shearling ram from the Bowles Hayne Oak flock sold to J Jones for 360 guineas with S. Dewey’s Reserve Breed Champion going to C. A. Lambert for 320 guineas
There were some useful ram lamb sales with the Shimwells first place lamb going for 360 guineas, 340 guineas for Jeanette Hares second place lamb and 300 guineas for the Stonegrove ram lamb which was placed third.
Annual General Meeting 2016
of the
The Shropshire Sheep Breeders Association and Flock Book Society
Saturday 12th November 2016, 9.30am Coffee with a start time of 10am
Sandwell Park Farm, West Bromwich,
West Midlands B71 4BG
Guest Speaker:”Sophie Aylett, owner of Meadows Farm Vets, will give a presentation on “Sheep Health and Productivity – Top Vet Tips”. This presentation will be equally valuable to experienced sheep breeders and to those who have recently started breeding sheep. Sophie will highlight current thinking and good practices that will help members to optimise their management of their flock.”
All Members Are Welcome!
Free Buffet Lunch
Please attend to support your Society
You will receive your ‘Invitation’ with your ‘Membership Renewal Form’ in Early October.
Melton Mowbray 9th & 10th September 2016 – Results
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Ram | G & S Mann | ||
Ram Lamb | A Oliver | ||
Searling Ewe | R Spencer | R Spencer | R Spenser |
Ewe Lamb | A Oliver | A Oliver |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | A Oliver (Ewe Lamb) |
Reserve Champion | R Spencer (Shearling Ewe) |
Shrewsbury 24th July 2016 – Results
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Adult Ram | E. Russell | Stonegrove Livestock | |
Shearling Ram | C & J Morris | A. Oliver | R C Webb |
Ram Lamb | M & S Shimwell | E. Hinks | J. Hares |
Adult Ewe | G & S Mann | G & S Mann | |
Shearling Ewe | M & S Shimwell | Stonegrove Livestock | Stonegrove Livestock |
Ewe Lamb | Stonegrove Livestock | Stonegrove Livestock | P & P Geddes |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | Stonegrove Livestock (Ewe Lamb) |
Best Opposite Sex to the Champion | M & S Shimwell (Ram Lamb) |
Roydon Trophy | M & S Shimwell |
Southworth Shield | Stonegrove Livestock |
Junior Member with the highest placed exhibitor – bred Shropshire in the show | E. Russell |
Sale Pricing
Top Price
(Gns) |
No. Sold | Average Price
Pounds |
|
---|---|---|---|
Adult Rams |
580
|
2
|
567
|
Shearling Rams |
1000
|
4
|
530
|
Ram Lambs |
800
|
7
|
431
|
Adult Ewes |
130
|
4
|
119
|
Shearling Ewes |
880
|
31
|
284
|
Ewe Lambs |
520
|
19
|
190
|
PRESIDENTS BLOG – JULY 2016
At the time of May Council Meeting for SSBA, Claire reported that one small Export order had been received. Subsequently further Society orders have been received from Holland, France, Germany and Belgium. Some members have also received small private orders. Whilst the overall figure is likely to be much lower than the last two years, the sales help the UK market with increased volume of sheep available from the growing National Flock of Shropshires. We will see if the reduced value of the pound affects next year’s orders.
Ruth Mawer provided a comprehensive report on the work that she does on our behalf with the Grassroots system. Liaising with Marion the accounts records that are prepared enable Marion to keep a check on our finances and Ruth to keep a check on the sheep within our members’ flocks. One area that members could assist with is to check their “birth notified” stock and kill/delete them as appropriate to enable Grassroots to provide an accurate record of the live stock.
Planning for the National Shows and Sales continued with details being shown in Shroptalk. Paul Stead has managed the update of our website with the approval being given by Council Members to our new provider at the end of May. More details will follow shortly. Paul has also agreed to host an open day at his farm in August, again see Shroptalk for details.
Gillian Dixon has agreed to take over from Lorie Saffell as the Minutes Secretary and recorded the May details for us.
News from Norfolk since my last notes includes weaning the lambs being completed by the end of April, the last lamb giving been born in the first week of February. This should give our ewes plenty of time to reach good condition for the Rams in late July. We have another family wedding in late February 2017 so plan to finish lambing the week before! At the end of May, I judged the sheep classes at the Essex Young Farmers Show near Chelmsford. Tricia and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and the show on one of the warmer days of the summer. We have exhibited at both the Suffolk and Royal Norfolk Shows with some success, but have made several sales contacts through being there. Good luck to all showing members. If you can be tempted, speak to a member who does show for an insight, and then start by taking your best sheep to a local show. You may be surprised.
Les
PRESIDENTS BLOG – MARCH 2016
On 5th March 2016, this year’s first Council Meeting took place at Sandwell Park Farm. Reports were received from the main officers of the Society. Marion Webb, as Treasurer, reported a sound financial position with the usual significant inflow of funds over winter from new registrations and membership renewals through flock returns. Alison Schofield, as Registrar, also confirmed that the upward trend of ewe numbers appear to be continuing given the volume of registrations received already within this year. Claire Jakeman reported that one small order for export had already been received although it is quite early in the year for orders to be placed. The weakness of the pound against the euro may help to encourage foreign buyers.
Efforts continue to be made to ensure renewal of membership. Unfortunately delays in returning paperwork cause extra work for Council members with ways of encouraging prompt renewals being discussed. There can also be problems in identifying who has paid if the payer’s bank do not make us aware of the member’s name.
Liz Bowles advised that Bulmers had agreed to support the application to be made for funding for the breed profiling project with the application being submitted this month. On publicity and promotions, Barry Hodson has taken on the task of finding new promotional stands with a view to making more people aware of the breed at shows, etc. We are also looking at a complete re-vamp of the website, the present version having served us for a number of years and also opening a Twitter account enabling further member communication. It is also hoped that a Field Day can be organised towards the end of August and members will be invited to attend. It is hoped to provide guidance on critical selection of stock and judging animals to test the members’ skills.
The lambing season in Norfolk went well with just under 60 ewes producing in four weeks. Given our heavy clay soil and the extremely wet conditions, we have only recently turned the animals out, but they now seem to be enjoying the fresh air and a good crop of grass. We were also fortunate enough to have had three enquiries with regard to stock to date although our attention has been diverted slightly by the arrival of a first grandson on Leap Year’s Day and the engagement of our oldest son. I hope his wedding date avoids showing commitments and the lambing season.
I look forward to meeting many of you during the summer season.
Les
January 2016
Holistic Planned Grazing: Sheep in Orchards –
http://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/holistic-planned-grazing-sheep-orchards
PRESIDENTS BLOG – NOVEMBER 2015
The main event of the month was the AGM of the society held at Sandwell on the 14th November 2015 followed by a council meeting. As president I reported on the increase in membership during the year with Alison Schofield’s report as registrar indicating that ewe numbers were now registering at the rate of 1600 per annum on a three year rolling average basis. Ram numbers are also increasing.
The accounts of SSBA showed income of approximately £26,000 for the year with expenditure of £21,000. The increase in membership and sheep numbers had boosted income with the main increase in expenditure being the investment in the Grassroots pedigree registration system and its management which is already showing benefits in controlling our records. Barry Hodson and Trevor Lightfoot stood down as members of the society and we thank them for their assistance in the past three years. Anne Harvey and Jeanette Haires were returned to council with Ian McKirdy joining council for the first time. We welcome them all.
Show trophies were presented to those present with the details appearing elsewhere on our site. Those present were then educated and informed by a splendid talk by Libby Henson of Grassroots. We are grateful for the insight into the information that is available from the system that we have now adopted.
The council meeting following confirmed the re-election of Les Newman and Paul Stead as President and Vice President respectively. All other council officers remain as before. During the meeting Liz Bowles indicated that she had been working on the possibility of a further source of funding for work on the breed profiling carried out in the past. This is intended to help reinforce the benefits of grazing Shropshire sheep in fruit orchards which is at present a major interest to our foreign buyers as well as those with fruit orchards in this country.
Sadly I have to report the death last week of John Bowles, a former president of the society, who as a breeder had established his flock of Shropshires in the 1970s when the breed was at its all time low. On behalf of members I sent our condolences to Pauline and their family. The funeral will be held at Bradfield Chapel near Cullompton on 9th December around midday. Liz Bowles will let us have further details in due course.
News from our farm is a scanning percentage of 167. I was also pleased to note in the local press this week that one of those hiring rams from us last year achieved top price for lambs at Norwich Livestock market with her Shropshire cross lambs.
Best wishes to you all for Christmas and lambing if you have started before I write again.
Les
Our first year showing by Janet & Charles Morris
Charles & I have been keeping Shropshires for 4 years and always like to watch the sheep shows.
This year, due to semi retirement for Charles, it became possible to start showing ourselves.
We started very tentatively with 2 shearlings at the West Mid show in May.
We did this because they only required an early shear in March and a wash and tidy up pre show and halter training.
To be awarded 2nd & 4th place with these 2 out of a class of about 13 was the encouragement we needed to put together a bigger team for our next outing at Oswestry.
Jeanette would drop me a reminder…have you sheared?…have you washed?…which was a great help.
Isllywn Jones came to help me trim the lambs and I learned a huge amount from him and we turned out 2 ram lambs, 2 ewe lambs, 2 shearlings and 2 ewes for our shows at Oswestry, Burwarton, Minsterley and Denbigh.
It has been hard work, but very enjoyable and learning something new ( apparently stops dementia).
My waistline is also trimmer because it is quite physically demanding.
My notes from the experience:
1. If you can get someone with experience to guide you on what to do and when it will help enormously
2. Research the shows you want to enter early in the year, obtain the entry forms and get a plan of action
3. You don’t need to spend a massive amount of money on equipment but there are some essentials for cleaning & trimming: good shears, a large carder and a small one, a water sprayer, a dandy brush. A yoke to clamp to a gate is an excellent investment and several halters.
For the show day: buckets for feed and water, something for hay & straw along with a box/bag to keep your trimming tack and the all important white coats.
4. Be organised with your paperwork the night before. The show address, movement forms, health certificates and show schedule all ready to go.
5. I also like to have the trailer all hitched and loaded with all the feed, signs, trimming box. So all you have to do on show morning is load the sheep.
6. Arrive in good time so that you can settle the sheep in to the pens and get them ready for the show.
7. Familiarise yourself with the order of classes.
We have lots more to learn and we are looking forward to next year already.
Charles & Jan Morris
Apiary Flock
Melton Mowbray 11th & 12th September 2015 – Results
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Ram Lamb | A Oliver | A Oliver | R Webb |
Ewe | A Oliver | R Webb | |
Ewe Lamb | R Webb | A Oliver | A Oliver |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | A Oliver (Ram Lamb) |
Reserve Champion | A Oliver (Ewe) |
Shrewsbury 26th July 2015 – Results
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Adult Ram | R T Davies & Co | L & P Newman | S R & R P Spencer |
Shearling Ram | Stonegrove Livestock | Miss E Butcher | L Bowles & M Bray |
Ram Lamb | Miss E Butcher | Miss A Harvey | L Bowles & M Bray |
Adult Ewe | L Bowles & M Bray | L Bowles & M Bray | M & S Shimwell |
Shearling Ewe | Stonegrove Livestock | Stonegrove Livestock | Mrs J Hares |
Ewe Lamb | J H & P A Bowles | Stonegrove Livestock | J H & P A Bowles |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | Stonegrove Livestock (Shearling Ram) |
Best Opposite Sex to the Champion | J H Bowles & P A Bowles (Ewe Lamb) |
Roydon Trophy | J H Bowles & P A Bowles (Ewe Lamb) |
Southworth Shield | J W Parker |
Junior Member with the highest placed exhibitor – bred Shropshire in the show | C O & S L Morgan Jones |
Sale Pricing
Top Price
(Gns) |
No. Sold | Average Price
Pounds |
|
---|---|---|---|
Adult Rams |
350
|
3
|
238
|
Shearling Rams |
660
|
11
|
416
|
Ram Lambs |
410
|
8
|
185
|
Adult Ewes |
300
|
7
|
273
|
Shearling Ewes |
450
|
39
|
284
|
Ewe Lambs |
400
|
32
|
211
|
Breed Champion – Stonegrove Livestock
|
Best Opposite Sex -JH Bowles & PA Bowles
|
New Show Classes for SHROPSHIRE SHEEP !!!
Okehampton Show, Devon – Thursday 13th August 2015
By popular request we have included some Shropshire Sheep Classes at our Show this year. As a one day show we always have a huge number of sheep entries (almost 1000), being just on the edge of Dartmoor helps!
The link below takes you to the schedule and entry form:-
http://www.okehamptonshow.co.uk/competitors/6-livestock
COUNCIL GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW SHEEP REGISTRATION SYSTEM
THE breed society’s sheep registrations will move to the well-established Grassroots’ “Breed Society Record” software program and the “Ped eWeb” electronic flock book later this spring. A new Registrations Clerk, Ruth Mawer, has also been appointed to handle the growing number of Shropshire sheep registrations and issue the SSBA’s pedigree certificates. Together these changes should enable our registrations to be handled more swiftly, whilst retaining their accuracy and the options of registering animals either on-line, or by post. The provision of pedigree registration services is one of the SSBA’s core activities. However, due to the recent rapid expansion of the breed society, our existing service was struggling to cope with the increased demand. A subcommittee of the SSBA’s Council was appointed last autumn to investigate viable and affordable options for a new service, provided by an outside contractor or organisation. Having considered several options in detail, the Council agreed unanimously to appoint Ruth, who has a proven track record of carrying out similar registration services for
two other breed societies over the past decade.
Our long-standing Registrar, Alison Schofield, will remain in her post and retain her position on the SSBA’s Council. She will be responsible for access to Ped eWeb and will continue to produce the Society’s annual flock book from data provided by the Grassroots’ system. She will also assist with transferring all our pedigree data onto the new system, working alongside Ruth and Grassroots to make the change-over as seamless as possible. The SSBA is very grateful to Alison for handling its registrations for 21 years, and for helping us move to the new system.
Ruth will be using Grassroots’ “Breed Society Record” software to process our registrations. This system has, more or less, become the industry standard. It is currently being used by 56 other farm livestock breed societies in the UK, as well as a number of equine breed societies and the British Alpaca Society. Ped eWeb, the online version, will enable breeders to birth notify, register stock and register transfers on-line. Pedigree certificates will be issued in digital format and emailed by Ruth direct to the breeder. Alternatively, SSBA members who prefer to use a paperbased system will still be able to send their registration applications to Ruth, who will enter their data and then send their pedigree certificates to them by post. Payment for both types of registrations can be by cheque or BACS transfer. If using BACS, please remember to email the Treasurer and the Registration Clerk to let them know what the payment is to cover and for which flock/ breeder.
The Society hopes to be able to make this momentous change to Grassroots’ system without increasing registration fees or annual subscriptions. There will certainly be no changes in fee structure while the new service gets up and running: So, those willing to receive digital pedigree certificates by email will pay £5 per ewe registration and £10 per ram if registered with three photos (£15 per ram if registered without photos). Breeders who wish to receive a printed pedigree certificate by post will pay £7/ewe and £12/ ram (£17 without photos), to cover the additional costs involved with this option. Registration fees will be reviewed at the 2015 AGM in November, when the new service has been running for around 5 months. Once our pedigree data is transferred to Grassroots, it will be possible for any individual breeder to log on to Ped eWeb using a unique password, to access breed society data. Birth Notifications, Registrations, records of deaths and transfers can all be made on-line. Ped eWeb will also allow breeders to perform a number of other useful flock management tasks, such as:
* Viewing the animals owned and bred, by flock:
* Displaying the full details of any selected animal, including a four generation pedigree and progeny list; and
* Making on-line entries to society shows and sales.
TIMETABLE FOR CHANGE
March to mid-April 2015 – Transfer of the SSBA’s current and historical pedigree data to Grassroots’ Breed Society Record Software.
9th April –
No more forms or applications should be sent to Alison Schofield after this date.
The SSBA’s old web-based registration system ceases to be available.
13th April –
New system goes live for all breed society members using paper application forms.
All birth notifications, transfers and applications for registrations should be sent to Ruth Mawer from this date onwards
13th April to 11th May– Ped eWeb goes live with limited access for a few nominated test users.
12th May– Ped eWeb goes live for all breed society members.
12th to 16th May –
SSBA members will be informed of their individual passwords to allow them to
access Ped eWeb data and reports.
To access the new online ‘Sheep Registration System’ please use the link below –
www.grassroots.co.uk/shropshire.html
TRIMMING WORKSHOP AND BREED IMPROVEMENT SCHEME OPEN-DAY APRIL 25TH 2015
Find out how to select and train sheep for the show-ring
Learn how to card and trim your sheep
Discover the benefits of Signet performance recording
Have a go at scanning a lamb for muscle and fat depth
Contribute to discussions about the future of the
Breed Improvement Scheme
The breed society is organising a special day to help SSBA members acquire new skills and
knowledge that will help them make the most of their flocks.
The venue is Sandwell Park Farm, West Bromwich B71 4BG (just off junction 1 of the M5 motorway).
If you wish to attend you must book a place, please contact Barry Hodson on 01744 811124 email : barry.hodson@virgin.net. If you wish to book a buffet lunch, which will be laid on especially for SSBA members, there will be a charge of £5/head.
Les Newman elected as President of the Breed Society
AT the Council meeting following the AGM, Les Newman was elected as the Society’s new President, succeeding Liz Bowles, who had completed her term of office.
This is the second time Les has been President of the SSBA, having held the position previously from 2008 to 2010. Les and his wife, Tricia, own the Rode Flock of Shropshires, founded in 1991. They also run a flock of Southdowns. A full profile of Les and his sheep enterprises will be published in the next edition of ShropTalk.
The SSBA’s Council also elected Paul Stead (Timberline Flock) as the SSBA’s Vice President. Three members of Council completed their terms of office at the AGM: Jeanette Hares, Pippa Geddes and Yvonne Clinton-Palmer. The President thanked them for their efforts.
Pippa, who had just completed two years on the Council as the immediate Past President,
was permitted under the society’s rules to stand again for Council. She decided to do this
and was re-elected. Jeanette remains on the Council as a nonvoting member because she is also the society’s Publicity Officer. Sue Farquhar was elected back onto council as a voting member after one year’s break. Richard Dorrell has resigned from the Council, owing to work
commitments. All other Council Officers agreed to remain in their posts.
Council meetings for 2015 were set for the following dates: 7th March. 9th May, 19th September and 14th November (also the Annual General Meeting). If members of the SSBA have any particular issues they wish the Council to discuss, they are requested to please put them in writing to the breed society’s Secretary, Simon Mackay.
Shropshire sheep involved in a research programme with Cranfield University
Cranfield University is working on a project entitled “”Grazed orchards in England and Wales”. This is a sister project to the Soil Association field lab currently being run on grazing Shropshire sheep in orchards and will be working with a similar group of farmers and apple growers. A number of trials and recording protocols are being set up in Herefordshire and Cornwall which will help to increase our knowledge of how best to manage Shropshire sheep in fruit orchards.
Cranfield has just put up a webpage for the programme http://www.agforward.eu/index.php/en/Grazed_Orchards.html and they hope that this page can become a hub for information relating to the group, and would welcome suggestions for links, and relevant information, etc. Future reports from meetings, and outcomes from the trials will also be available here in due course. The SSBA is already featured in references to our publications.
Please feel free to send any information or links which you feel would be helpful to increase our understanding of how Shropshire sheep operate in top fruit orchards
Melton Mowbray 12th & 13th September 2014 – Results
SHROPSHIRE numbers were similar to the previous year with 33 sheep forward for the 2014 National Show and Sale (East) at Melton Mowbray on 13th September, However, only three flocks entered sheep in the show on the Friday. Judge Carol Watson chose a shearling ewe from Alan Oliver’s Sprotbrough Flock as Champion with a twoshear ram from the same flock as Reserve.
Other first prize winners were the ram lamb from Robert Webb’s Clipston Flock and a ewe
lamb also from Alan Oliver’s flock.
At Saturday’s sale, females were sought after with 22 of the 28 put forward being sold. Two
ram lambs and the Reserve Champion ram, Sprotbrough Paradigm by Alderton Bonzo,
also found buyers. The top price of 360gns was paid for Robert Webb’s ram lamb, Clipston Ian by Alderton Hugo. Alan Oliver’s Champion shearling ewe, also by Alderton Bonzo, sold for 290gns. The average price for shearling ewes was up by £30 over the previous year with ewe lamb prices similar to those of 2013.
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Shearling Ram | A Oliver | L & P Newman | |
Ram Lamb | R C Webb | L & P Newman | A Oliver |
Shearling Ewe | A Oliver | L & P Newman | |
Ewe Lamb | A Oliver | A Oliver | A Oliver |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | A Oliver (Shearling Ewe) |
Reserve Champion | A Oliver (Shearling Ram) |
Sale Pricing
Top Price
(Gns) |
No. Sold | Average Price
Pounds |
|
---|---|---|---|
Ram Lambs |
360
|
2
|
294
|
Shearling Ewes |
250
|
15
|
192
|
Ewe Lambs |
120
|
7
|
115
|
Pictured above from the left: Alan Oliver and the Champion Sprotbrough Shearling ewe, Judge
Carol Watson, and the Reserve Champion two-shear ram, Sprotbrough Paradigm |
Enrties for one of the classes at Melton Mowbray 2014
|
National Show & Sale (West) Shrewsbury 26th July 2014
Now in its fifth year the Shropshire sheep breeder’s national show and sale (West), which is also incorporated with Halls Traditional Native and Rare breeds livestock sale, held at Shrewsbury Auction saw bumper entries from breed members this year.
The highest price paid on the day was for Stonegrove Livestock’s senior ram Hayne Oak Napoleon II, selling for 780gns, bought by Crows (Agricultural) Ltd who also bought 12 Shropshire ewes to start their flock in Dorrington.
Hayne Oak Napoleon II won his class but did not sweep the board as the judge, John Simms from Swadlincote, chose JH & PA Bowles’s ram lamb as the winner of Roydon trophy. This trophy is presented to the best opposite sex to the champion.
Heading up the female trade was the pre-sale female champion and interbreed champion, CO & SL Morgan-Jones’s shearling ewe who sold for 350gns. Charlie Morgan-Jones also won the Southworth shield for the best pen of two or more, along with the coveted Morley Perpetual Challenge Cup for Champion. Hailing from Church Preen in Shropshire, this was a fantastic result for novice show man.
Shrewsbury 26th July 2014 – Results
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Adult Ram | Stonegrove Livestock | R C Webb | M Hustinx |
Shearling Ram | Mrs J Hares | L Bowles & M Bray | A & M Webb |
Ram Lamb | JH & PA Bowles | M & S Shimwell | L Bowles & M Bray |
Adult Ewe | L Bowles & M Bray | JH & PA Bowles | |
Shearling Ewe | C O & S L Morgan Jones | Stonegrove Livestock | C O & S L Morgan Jones |
Ewe Lamb | L Bolwes & M Bray | L Bowles & M Bray | Mrs J Hares |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | C O & S L Morgan Jones (Shearling Ewe) |
Best Opposite Sex to the Champion | L Bowles & M Bray (Ewe Lamb) |
Roydon Trophy | JH & PA Bowles ( Ram Lamb) |
Southworth Shield | C O & S L Morgan Jones |
Junior Member with the highest placed exhibitor – bred Shropshire in the show | C O & S L Morgan Jones |
Sale Pricing
Top Price
(Gns) |
No. Sold | Average Price
Pounds |
|
---|---|---|---|
Adult Rams |
780
|
3
|
424
|
Shearling Rams |
540
|
9
|
336
|
Ram Lambs |
550
|
7
|
387
|
Adult Ewes |
400
|
5
|
319
|
Shearling Ewes |
450
|
19
|
267
|
Ewe Lambs |
340
|
21
|
216
|
CO Morgan-Jones – Interbreed Champion 2014
|
Small Flock Cup – Mr & Mrs M Shimwell
|
The winner of the Halls Shrewsbury Auction Centre Small Flock Cup for the highest priced Shropshire from a small flock was won by Mr& Mrs M Shimwell from Congleton, Cheshire with their ram lamb, sired by Morley Macho.
First Field Lab at Showle Court– The Soil Association is running afield lab on management of Shropshire sheep in fruit orchards. The first session was well attended and it is intended to have more sessions over the next six months. Watch this space for news of the next lab. New members welcome to attend
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EBLEX Open Day with the Bowles Family: Over 20 sheep farmers enjoyed a sunny afternoon in Devon hearing about the value of recording performance and ram MOTs. The best genetics within the Hayne Oak and Sidedowns flocks was on display including top rated terminal sire index ram Hayne Oak Nelson
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National Show & Sale (East) Melton MowbrayFriday 11th & Saturday 12th SeptemberThe Melton Mowbray 12th National Native Breeds Show and Sale is now open for entries. Schedules can be downloaded and entries made on the web site www.grassroots.co.uk/melton.html Closing date for paper entries is 3rd August and for on line entries is the 10th August This is a breed society event. All exhibitors must be members of the relevant society and all entries must be fully registered (with the exception of Oxford lambs which must be eligible for registration) On line entries close on 10th August. For all the ‘Grassroots’ breeds , we would like a copy of your back up that day please, so that we can extract the pedigrees for the catalogue. |
Sheep Breeding & Fertility
Stenhill Farm, Bradfield, Nr Cullompton,
Devon, EX15 2RA
By kind invitation of the Bowles family
Friday 20th June 2pm – 4pm
Background
Rams with superior genetics directly influence the profitability of commercial flocks. High EBV sires have been proven to deliver benefits of up to £3/lamb – a highly cost effective return on investment – but one that hinges on the ram having a long productive life. These workshops enable producers to learn about EBV based ram selection and issues influencing ram fertility.
The Sidedowns Flock was established in 1976 and their genes have widely influenced the Shropshire breed with the Hayne Oak flock established in 1999. Both flocks have been performance recorded since 2006 and they recently imported American genetics in their quest to enhance the carcase attributes of their stock.
Programme
2:00pm –
Registration
2:10pm –
Welcome – Samuel Boon, Signet Breeding Services
2.15pm –
Introduction to the Hayne Oak and Sidedowns Flock – Liz Bowles
2.45pm –
Genetic improvement to enhance commercial sheep production – Samuel Boon
3.15pm –
Optimising ram fertility – Katie Brian, EBLEX
3:45pm –
Discussion and look at the Shropshire Sheep from the Hayne Oak and Sidedowns flocks
4:00pm –
Official conclusion and departure
4:15pm –
Optional trip: A number of the Shropshire ewes and lambs will be grazing a couple of miles from the farm. Liz will lead a convoy of those that are interested to see these sheep grazing in the nearby village of Butterleigh.
To book your FREE place ring the EBLEX events office on 01904 771211 or email brpevents@eblex.ahdb.org.uk
Shropshire Sheep working with the Soil Association – Field Lab
First Session: 19th June at Showle Court, Monkhide, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 2TX
From 9.30am – 3pm
Background
Shropshire sheep are renowned across Europe for their ability to graze relatively safely in Xmas tree plantations. Increasingly they are being used to graze in fruit orchards in France and to some extent in the UK.
The management requirements for grazing these sheep in Xmas tree plantations are well known. The potential for the use of Shropshire sheep in orchards, vineyards and conifer plantations in the UK and beyond is significant. There are around 25,000 ha conifer plantations in the UK and upwards of 14,000 ha top fruit orchards with steady increases in orchard planting by the major cider manufacturers such as Bulmers and Thatcher’s as the market for cider grows.
This Field Lab will look at sward and management requirements for safe grazing of Shropshire sheep in apple orchards across the UK in order to be able to:-
- Identify any specific management requirements for the effective use of Shropshire sheep in orchards, vineyards and other commercial fruit tree cultures
- Quantify the benefits (environmental and financial
Who should get involved
This field lab will be of interest to all top fruit growers and to sheep breeders who are looking to develop their enterprise by working alongside top fruit growers to utilise forage within orchards and to Shropshire sheep breeders.
For more information and to let us know you would like to be involved please go to: http://bit.ly/1m4EQ0z
To find out more about field labs please go to: http://www.soilassociation.org/innovativefarming/duchyoriginalsfuturefarmingprogramme/fieldlabs/faqs
Recent publicity in Waitrose Weekend Magazine
The Shropshire Sheep Breeders Association is working with the Soil Association to run a field lab to improve our understanding of how to manage Shropshire sheep in apple orchards. The activity is supported by the Princes Trust and Waitrose and will allow the Society to access research support to investigate the management practices required to ensure that Shropshire sheep graze safely in orchards. The first session of the field lab will take place on the 19th June in Herefordshire. For more information on field labs and to book in to attend (attendance is free) please go to the Soil Association website http://bit.ly/HkVmHe
Shropshire Sheep on ‘Countryfile’
Several people have asked where they can view the Countryfile Episode that featured Shropshires. It’s no longer on the BBC iPlayer, but someone has loaded it onto YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqz5KHrGlAQ
Melton Mowbray 13th & 14th September 2013 – Results
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Shearling Ram | R Webb | A Oliver | M Carus |
Ram Lamb | M &S Shimwell | A & M Webb | |
Shearling Ewe | A & M Webb | M Carus | M Carus |
Ewe Lamb | A Oliver | M & S Shimwell | M & S Shimwell |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | A Oliver (Ewe Lamb) |
Reserve Champion | M & S Shimwell (Ewe Lamb) |
Sale Pricing
Top Price
(Gns) |
No. Sold | Average Price
Pounds |
|
---|---|---|---|
Ram Lambs |
210
|
|
221
|
Adult Ewes |
145
|
91
|
|
Shearling Ewes |
200
|
|
171
|
Ewe Lambs |
200
|
|
135
|
Shropshire numbers had increased from the previous year at the 2013 “East” Show and Sale at Melton Mowbray for both the show and the sale. The late replacement judge, Les Newman chose the ewe lamb from Alan Oliver’s Sprotborough flock as Champion with the second placed ewe lamb from Mark and Sue Shimwell’s Brereton flock as Reserve. Other first prize winners were the shearling ram from Robert Webb’s Clipston flock, a ram lamb from Mark and Sue Shimwell and a shearling ewe from Aubrey and Marion Webb’s Ushers flock.
At Saturday’s sale, there was interest for females with 25 of the 27 sheep put forward being sold whereas only one of the 8 males put forward were sold. For members lambing in January, this market is a shade too late. The show champion did not meet her reserve with the second place ewe lamb selling for 200 guineas to new member Paul Day who also took home the shearling ewe champion for the same price. A dispersal of the ewes from the Haunchwood flock for J&JN Brindley saw all ewes cleared. The champion ram lamb from Mark and Sue Shimwell was the only male sold for the top price of the Shropshires at the sale of 210 guineas  but unfortunately there was little interest for the other males.
Shrewsbury 27th July 2013 – Results
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Adult Ram | R T Davies & Co | S Farquhar | J H & P A Bowles |
Shearling Ram | Stonegrove Livestock | L Bowles & M Bray | R T Davies & Co |
Ram Lamb | M&S Shimwell | J H & P A Bowles | L Bowles & M Bray |
Adult Ewe | M & S Shimwell | S Farquhar | J H & P A Bowles |
Shearling Ewe | L Bowles & M Bray | M & S Shimwell | A Oliver |
Ewe Lamb | L Bolwes & M Bray | J Hares | J Hares |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | Stonegrove Livestock (Shearling Ram) |
Best Opposite Sex to the Champion | L Bowles & M Bray (Ewe Lamb) |
Best Prepared Pen of two or more | J Hares |
Sale Pricing
Top Price
(Gns) |
No. Sold | Average Price
Pounds |
|
---|---|---|---|
Adult Rams |
480
|
2
|
493
|
Shearling Rams |
650
|
7
|
357
|
Ram Lambs |
820
|
9
|
412
|
Adult Ewes |
180
|
10
|
150
|
Shearling Ewes |
290
|
40
|
190
|
Ewe Lambs |
440
|
14
|
236
|
National Show & Sale West – Champion Stonegrove Livestock (Shearling Ram)
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National Show & Sale West – Reserve Champion L Bowles & M Bray (Ewe lamb) |
Halls Small Flock Cup – Brereton Flock
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‘Southworth Shield’ Best prepared pen of 2 or more sheep Millenheath Flock
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Date: 15th February 2013
BRITAIN’S OLDEST PEDIGREE SHEEP BREED
NO LONGER UNDER THREAT OF EXTINCTION
Shropshire sheep are no longer considered rare in the UK and the breed has been officially removed from the Rare Breed Survival Trust’s Watchlist, it was announced yesterday (14th Feb) at a briefing in London attended by HRH The Prince of Wales and many other supporters of native farm animals.
The renewed popularity of the Shropshire, this country’s oldest pedigree breed, was a highlight of the RBST’s 40th Anniversary celebrations at the prestigious headquarters of The Royal Society. The event marked the Trust’s success in rescuing native breeds of farm livestock from extinction. Many of the nation’s old breeds were lost forever in the first half of the 20th Century, but since the RBST was formed in 1973, all existing British farm animals have been preserved.
Shropshire Sheep are, however, one of only a very few endangered breeds that have managed to regain mainstream livestock status. The breeding population of registered Shropshire ewes in the UK has increased from fewer than 500 in the early ’70s to over 3,000 in 2012, with further increases expected when the latest flock returns are fully processed.
Speaking at the event, HRH The Prince of Wales praised the dedication of members of the RBST and rare breed enthusiasts in Britain who have kept our important livestock heritage alive. He emphasised that native breeds are not just an attractive reminder of a bygone era, but an important genetic resource that could hold the key to more sustainable agricultural production. The Prince was interested to learn that Shropshire sheep have a unique ability to graze in plantations without damaging trees, and may consider establishing a flock himself for this reason.
“The Shropshire has often been described as a breed that didn’t deserve to become rare,” commented Liz Bowles, the President of the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association. “Shropshires are hardy, prolific and produce excellent butchers’ lambs from low inputs – traits that are important to today’s commercial sheep producer. Over the past two decades, our breed society has worked hard to promote the Shropshire and ensure that it continues to perform well as a terminal sire, producing the type of lamb carcase required by retailers.”
Liz singled out three additional factors that have helped to bring about a reversal in the fortunes of Shropshire sheep: Firstly, the unique ability of the breed to graze safely in conifer plantations without damaging the trees has led to the breed becoming very popular with Christmas tree growers, both in this country and across Europe. Fruit growers are also beginning to use Shropshires in their orchards, although this is an emerging market for the sheep in the UK. With increasing fuel prices affecting the cost of mowing, and greater restrictions on the use of agrochemicals, tree growers are becoming ever more interested in alternative, environmentally friendly methods for weed and herbage control in their plantations.
Secondly, the energy and commitment of the Breed Society has enabled better links to be formed with Shropshire sheep breeders across the globe, resulting in increased interest in UK-bred animals. High value exports of breeding stock and Shropshire ram semen have been made recently to Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the USA.
Thirdly, the increased interest in all types of rare and native livestock breeds in the UK. Based on enquiries received by the SSBA it would appear that a considerable number of new entrants who have come into farming over the past decade are particularly interested in the old breeds, as well as other established farmers looking for livestock breeds that do well in lower input, sustainable farming systems.
“The RBST has played a significant role in assisting the Shropshire breed to move forward, from its very first steps back from the brink in the 1970s to a current research project which is underway to establish the breed’s DNA profile as a means of protecting its role within agroforestry,” added Liz. “The RBST is supporting this project with funding and has also helped to direct the Society to the most expert assistance in this field from the Roslin Institute. The SSBA is very grateful for all the support the Trust has provided over the years, which has undoubtedly contributed to the Shropshire’s rehabilitation as a mainstream traditional breed.”
For further information, contact Liz Bowles, President of the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association Tel: 01884 32983, Mobile: 07834 337345 and email: Liz.Bowles@mail.com or Simon Mackay, Secretary of the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association Tel: 01744 811124 and email: shropshire_sheep@hotmail.com.
Shropshire Sheep (www.shropshire-sheep.co.uk)
The Shropshire first emerged in the mid-1800s, when farmers in the West Midlands improved the hardy native heath and hill sheep of the region. The resulting “Shropshire Down” became the supreme dual purpose breed of the 19th and early 20th Centuries, producing excellent meat and high quality wool.
The Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association has the distinction of being the oldest breed society in the UK, established in 1882. Shropshires are thus the oldest breed of British farm livestock to have officially recorded pedigrees.
Steps to regaining mainstream traditional breed status
1973 (formation of the RBST) – Shropshire ewe populations recorded within the CRITICAL category of population size (200 – 500 ewes) in 1974
1984 Shropshires move to the endangered (vulnerable) category on the RBST’s Watchlist
1991 Shropshires move to category 4 “At Risk” on the Watchlist
2005 Shropshires move from “At Risk” (category 4) to Minority Breed (category 5) on the Watchlist
2013 Shropshires move from “Minority Breed” to “Other Native Breeds” on the Watchlist.
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (www.rbst.org.uk) is the leading national charity working to conserve and protect the UK’s rare native breeds of farm animals from extinction. The RBST’s Watchlist is produced annually to highlight any changes in population trends for native British livestock breeds that are considered to be endangered.
Above left: A group of Shropshire ewes and a ram pictured on the Sansaw Estate, near Hadnall, Shropshire. Above right: A Shropshire ram’s head.
Devon farmer elected President of theShropshire
Sheep Breeders’ Association
Liz Bowles from Cullompton in Devon has been appointed to head up the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association, the oldest sheep breed Society in the UK, for the next two years.. Liz has a long association with Shropshires stretching back to 1976, when she first started helping parents, John and Pauline Bowles, with their well-known Sidedowns Flock.
Liz’s background is steeped in agriculture. Following completion of an Animal Sciences degree at Wye College in the early 1980s, she worked as a volunteer training “barefoot vets” and agricultural extension workers in Zambia. On her return to the UK, Liz joined ADAS (the government’s farm advisory service) where she worked for 20 years in a range of roles including livestock husbandry and business management. In 2004, her interest in farmer co-operation led her to join the English Farming and Food Partnership where she managed the South West region for eight years, supporting the development of enhanced supply chain collaboration.
When Liz and her husband, Mike Bray, bought their farm in Butterleigh, near Cullompton in 1997, Liz’s ambition was to set up her own flock of Shropshires. This started in a very small way with “oldies but goldies” from the Sidedowns Flock. From this foundation, Liz and Mike have built up their Hayne Oak flock, which today numbers 140 Signet recorded breeding females.
The flock is managed very commercially including breeding from well-grown ewe lambs. The majority of finished lambs are marketed through Randall Parker Foods and appear on the butchers’ counters at Sainsbury’s supermarkets. Breeding animals are sold through a range of pedigree sales and privately. Hayne Oak Shropshires have also been exported to France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Jersey.
Commenting on her election as SSBA President , Liz said “I am delighted to be taking over the Presidency of the breed society at this stage in the organisation’s development: The breed is now much more popular and is expected to soon move out of the ‘rare breeds’ category.”
During her term in office, Liz plans to prioritise working with commercial finished lamb producers to bring the benefits of Shropshires as terminal sires to their attention. “We have been breeding Shropshires for growth and performance traits now for the last five years with the help of Signet, and there is no doubt that growth rate and muscling are improving. This, together with the breed’s hardiness and longevity makes Shropshires an attractive prospect for commercial sheep producers”, she adds.
Shrewsbury 30th June 2012 – Results
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Adult Ram | S Farquhar | R T Davies & Co | J Thompson |
Shearling Ram | J Hares | L Bowles & M Bray | Stonegrove Livestock |
Ram Lamb | A & M Webb | Stonegrove Livestock | J Thompson |
Adult Ewe | R Webb | ||
Shearling Ewe | J & P Bowles | S Farquhar | J Ballard |
Ewe Lamb | P Geddes | L Bowles & M Bray | M & S Shimwell |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | J Hares (Shearling Ram) |
Best Opposite Sex to the Champion | P Geddes (Ewe Lamb) |
Best Prepared Pen of two or more | J & P Bowles |
Reserve Interbreed Champion | J Hares |
---|
Sale Pricing
Top Price
(Gns) |
No. Sold | Average Price
Pounds |
|
---|---|---|---|
Adult Rams |
500
|
2
|
446
|
Shearling Rams |
520
|
5
|
470
|
Ram Lambs |
440
|
9
|
259
|
Adult Ewes |
200
|
5
|
185
|
Shearling Ewes |
250
|
25
|
200
|
Ewe Lambs |
430
|
32
|
161
|
EBLEX BRP Improved Flock Awards 2012
Worcestershire sheep flock wins top award for genetic progress
The Shropshire sheep breed winner of the EBLEX Improved Flock Awards for 2012 is the Westwood Flock, run by Clive Davies who farms near Kidderminster in Worcestershire.
Organised through the Sheep Better Returns Programme, this award is presented to the performance recorded flock that has shown the most impressive improvement in genetic merit over a 12-month period, within the breed.
Clive Davies is the third generation to farm at Westwood. First rented by his grandfather in 1939, the now 40 hectare (100 acre) farm is mainly permanent pasture and particularly suited to traditional breeds run on low input systems.
Along with the Westwood Hereford Herd of 35 breeding cows, which the family have bred since 1945, Mr Davies established the pedigree Westwood Shropshire Flock four years ago with 25 ewes.
Managing the farm mainly on his own, with the help of son Tom and freelance shepherd Will Price, the Shropshires were chosen as they are thrifty and easy to manage on a grass-based system. They are also a traditional local breed with a good heritage.
Although not currently commercially popular, Mr Davies wishes to prove that the Shropshire breed can produce good returns for commercial producers. He is using performance recording and Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to determine and develop the practical attributes of the sheep.
Genetic progress
The flock continues to establish itself, but Mr Davies is encouraged by the progress made so far on some of the bloodlines. While the number of breeding females is maintained at around 25, high quality rams are still bought in to introduce new genetics.
Up to three rams are used at tupping, with the ewes separated into three single-sire mating groups to make comparisons between them.
The 2011 crop of lambs were sired by Trenton Woodman, Stoke Gean and Westwood Archer who was a top prize winning ram at the Society’s July 2011 Sale when sold. Woodman was selected for his exceptional fleshing qualities and has made a real impact on the flock.
All progeny is performance recorded. He feels that the data collected by Signet provides simple and believable information that helps him select animals for breeding and for sale. Two or three ram lambs are retained; used as shearlings to test their performance on the Westwood flock, and then offered for sale the following year.
Lambing takes place during March and April, while the cattle are calving. The sheep are housed for as little time as possible and complications are rare. Ewes and lambs are turned out within a couple of days of lambing.
The flock is run on an all-grass system with very little supplementation. Lambs are weaned at 12 weeks and scanned at 21 weeks to provide data on which to select a shortlist of six rams to keep. A final selection is made just before Christmas. All ewe lambs born in 2011 were kept – the first year they all made the grade in terms of the flock’s breeding goals.
Retained animals have to be able to care for themselves, have good feet and legs and not be expensive to keep. As one of the main drivers for profit is production, prolificacy and lambing ease are vital. The Westwood ewes have a lambing percentage of about 170%.
Commercial buyers are also looking for animals that produce a high quality, saleable carcase with low inputs. Lambs not kept for breeding are finished and sold through a farm shop near Shrewsbury – offering useful feedback on carcase quality.
Mr Davies attends local shows and fairs and sees these as a good way of promoting the breed and the flock. In 2011 he was awarded the Breed Championship at the Three Counties Show with Westwood Archer, who went on to win first prize at the Shropshire Breeders Sale.
“It is a great encouragement to receive the EBLEX award so soon after the flock has been started,” says Mr Davies. “Two of the rams we used last year have undoubtedly helped us make the jump in the Signet figures.”
Long term uplift from superior genetics
EBLEX sheep breeding specialist Samuel Boon believes that one of the major benefits of improving the genetics of any flock is the cumulative and permanent way it lifts performance.
“The time and effort involved will pay dividends for years, not just in the winning flock, but also in the flocks that buy rams from them,” he says.
“With lamb prices at an all-time high, the difference between choosing the right recorded ram for the farm, or an animal of average breeding merit, could be worth £1,000 or more. So there has never been a better time to invest in superior genetics.
Clive’s family recognised the value of doing this quite a few years ago with the cattle, and he has used the same principle with the sheep.
Meticulous breeding stock selection has produced impressive results for this year and contributed to the win. Congratulations to Clive and his team.”
For more information contact: Samuel Boon
Tel: 024 7647 8829,
Mobile: 07887 650355
Email: samuel.boon@eblex.ahdb.org.uk
- The Sheep Better Returns Programme (Sheep BRP) is funded by EBLEX and aims to help English sheep producers get better returns from their enterprises by improving their skills in five key areas:
- Better BreedingÂ
- Better Lamb Selection
- Better Feeding and Forage
- Better Fertility and Health
- Better Systems and Costing
Visit www.eblex.org.uk for more information
- EBLEX is a subsidiary of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). It acts to help the English beef and lamb industry boost its competitiveness and promote its products. Its aims are: to encourage better returns for the English beef and lamb industry, to stimulate a profitable demand for quality beef and lamb, and to champion the development of a sustainable industry through improved profitability.
SHOW AND SALE DECLARED A SUCCESS
The show and sale of traditional, native and rare breed sheep, cattle and pigs at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on 2nd July was declared a big success after attracting a record entry.
Auctioneers Halls reported an entry of 165 sheep, 57 cattle and 22 pigs from across the country. The event also incorporated the Shropshire Sheep Breeders Associations Western Show and Sale, in which breed record auction prices were set for a senior ram, shearling ram and ram lamb, as well as breeding ewe, shearling ewe and ewe lamb.
The pre-sale show of Shropshire sheep was judged by Cody Hiemke from Wisconsin, USA, as the senior judge, Fred Groverman, was unable to get to the market in time because his flight from California was delayed by over 24 hours.
Overall Shropshire champion was Hayne Oak Lucas, a shearling ram bred by Liz Bowles and Mike Bray of Cullompton, Devon. A ewe lamb bred by Mark and Sue Shimwell of Congleton, Cheshire was the reserve champion.
In the sale, a breed record auction price was achieved for a Shropshire ram by shearling Morley Malik, bred by Clare Jakeman of Thornton Le Moors, Chester, which sold for 800 guineas to Richard Spencer of Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
Another record price of 750 guineas was achieved by local breeders Peter and Pippa Geddes of Montford Bridge for their ram lamb, Alderton Bob. Both these animals were performance recorded by Signet and had high genetic merit.
A senior ram from the Westwood Flock of Clive Davies from Tenbury, Worcestershire sold for 420 guineas which was another breed record.
In the sale of females, there was 100 per cent clearance and three more breed record prices were set. A shearling ewe from the Hayne Oak flock, Devon sold for 420 guineas, a breeding ewe from the Ushers Flock, Leicestershire sold for 360 guineas and the reserve champion ewe lamb sold for 360 guineas.
Adult rams sold to a top 420gns and average of £268, shearling rams peaked at 800gns and averaged £369, ram lambs peaked at 750gns and averaged £457, adult ewes peaked at 360gns and averaged £256, shearling ewes peaked at 420gns and averaged £234 and ewe lambs peaked at 360gns and averaged £213. The overall average of the 67 sheep sold was £263.
Sponsors of the traditional and native breed sheep, cattle and pigs show were Halls, Osmonds, Lloyds TSB, Shropshire Sheep Breeders Association: Mrs C. Jakeman, Mr J. B. Hodson, Miss A. Harvey and Blue Merle Animal Health.
Liz Bowles winner of the Shropshire Sheep Breeders Association’s Western Show and Sale overall champion’s trophy, with her shearling ram and (from left) American judges Cody Hiemke and Fred Groverman, sheep section judges Sandra Thompson and Gerald Hayes and Matt Williams from Halls.
Shrewsbury 2nd July 2011 – Results
Category | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize |
---|---|---|---|
Adult Ram | R T Davies & Co | A Clay | RB & B Higgins |
Shearling Ram | L Bowles & M Bray | J & P Bowles | E Butcher |
Ram Lamb | J & P Bowles | P Geddes | A & M Webb |
Adult Ewe | A & M Webb | S Farquhar | R Webb |
Shearling Ewe | L Bowles & M Bray | L Bowles & M Bray | A & M Webb |
Ewe Lamb | M & S Shimwell | P & P Geddes | P & P Geddes |
Trophy | Winner(s) |
---|---|
Champion | L Bowles & M Bray (Shearling Ram) |
Best Opposite Sex to the Champion | M & S Shimwell (Ewe Lamb) |
Best Prepared Pen of two or more | A Clay |
Reserve Interbreed Champion | L Bowles & M Bray |
---|
Sale Pricing
Top Price
(Gns) |
No. Sold | Average Price
Pounds |
|
---|---|---|---|
Adult Rams |
420
|
4
|
268
|
Shearling Rams |
800
|
7
|
369
|
Ram Lambs |
750
|
4
|
457
|
Adult Ewes |
360
|
10
|
256
|
Shearling Ewes |
420
|
27
|
234
|
Ewe Lambs |
360
|
15
|
213
|
Information from the EBLEX Better Returns prorgamme – March 2011
A group of Sansaw rams last autumn.
|
Improved Flock Awards 2011
James Thompson Sansaw Shropshire Flock
Sansaw Shropshire Flock wins top award
The winner of the EBLEX Improved Flock Awards for the Shropshire breed for 2011 is the Sansaw Flock, owned by James Thompson of Sansaw Farms near Shrewsbury in Shropshire.
Organised through the Sheep Better Returns Programme (BRP), this award is presented to the performance recorded flock that has shown the most impressive improvement in genetic merit over a 12-month period, within the breed. The competition is based on the results of Signet records for 17 Shropshire flocks.
Shropshire sheep have been bred at Sansaw since at least 1882, although the current flock was only established in 2007, when it was re-stocked mainly from the reduction sale of the Sidedowns flock in Devon.
The farm, which runs to 408ha, is managed organically and has pig, potato and carrot enterprises, and a small Hereford suckler herd, as well as the flock of 150 pedigree Shropshire ewes.
Mr Thompson remained loyal to the local breed due not only to the historic links, but also because he believes carcasses from Shropshire sired lambs can meet butchers’ requirements just as well as those sired by continental terminal sires. Not only that, native breeds can finish off grass without the need for expensive supplementary feeding.
Ewes are tupped in September to lamb from 1 February indoors, and are turned out as soon as the weather allows. Lambs are weighed at eight weeks, and those not already marketed, are back fat scanned at 20 weeks.
Most of the ram lambs not retained for breeding are sold to the trade over the summer, with a quarter carried through as stores. Now that ewe numbers are at the desired level, 20% of the best ewes will be kept, and the rest sold via pedigree sales in summer. Any not making the grade for breeding will be sold for slaughter.
The flock has been recording for just a year and rams have been selected on the basis of their Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) alongside a visual appraisal of their conformation.
“Recording gives credibility to the job we do and provides evidence to back up what we see in the field, such as the fact that the lambs grow well off grass,” explains
Mr Thompson. “We also use EBVs when selecting ewes to keep to see how their lambs have performed, and consider the EBVS of all potential breeding rams.
“Our aim is to produce quality rams for commercial producers to use in their flocks, and to create demand for this traditional yet versatile breed.”
Commenting on winning the award, Mr Thompson admits he is a bit surprised as he did not expect to make such progress so quickly. He puts the success down to buying in good stock and selecting the right progeny to keep.
Satisfied customer
Mark Dibble runs a commercial ewe flock on a neighbouring farm to Mr Thompson on the Allbrighton Estate. He uses Texel, Suffolk and Shropshire rams to produce crossbred lambs to supply the farm shop. The ewes lamb indoors and the lambs are weaned in August.
“The Shropshire sired lambs perform just as well as the lambs sired by other breeds and take a similar time to finish off grass,” says Mr Dibble. “It is also good to have Shropshire lambs available in the shop, as they promote the fact we are supporting a locally sourced native breed.”
Recording performance is vital
“This is the fifth year Sheep BRP has made these awards,” says EBLEX sheep breeding specialist Samuel Boon. “The progress made since then has been significant, and many more producers – pedigree and commercial, are using tools like EBVs to help make their breeding decisions. This in turn is making their businesses more profitable and the industry more competitive as a whole.”
“James is to be congratulated for his commitment to improving the Shropshire breed in such a short time. Performance recording now forms the backbone to his success, and he and his customers benefit from this more informed approach to breeding.”
For more information contact: Samuel Boon
Tel: 024 7647 8829,
Mobile: 07887 650355
Email:
samuel.boon@eblex.ahdb.org.uk
Issued by: Sara Gregson
Tel: 01799 530934
Mobile: 07768 764062
Email:
sara@saragregson.co.uk
Notes to editors
The Sheep Better Returns Programme (Sheep BRP) is funded by EBLEX and aims to help English sheep producers get better returns from their enterprises by improving their skills in five key areas:
- Better Breeding
- Better Lamb Selection
- Better Feeding and Forage
- Better Fertility and Health
- Better Systems and Costing
Visit www.eblex.org.uk for more information
- EBLEX is a subsidiary of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). It acts to help the English beef and lamb industry boost its competitiveness and promote its products. Its aims are: to encourage better returns for the English beef and lamb industry, to stimulate a profitable demand for quality beef and lamb, and to champion the development of a sustainable industry through improved profitability.
- For further information please contact the EBLEX Press Office on 024 7647 8835.
NEW PRESIDENT for the Shropshire Sheep Breeders Association- November 2010
Pippa Geddes from Alderton, near Montford Bridge is the new President of the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association (SSBA). She is the first President of the Society for nearly 40 years to actually reside in the breeds home county. The previous Shropshire-based President was Mr S B Whittles from Upton Magna, who led the SSBA from 1971 to 1972.
Pippa and her husband, Peter, farm near Montford Bridge, where they run the Alderton Flock of 50 pedigree Shropshire ewes and a pedigree beef suckler herd of 18 Red Ruby Devon cows plus followers. The beef herd is managed in partnership with a neighbouring farmer.
The Geddese’s sheep flock was established in 1999, when there were surprisingly few flocks of Shropshires in the county. Since then, the popularity of Shropshire sheep has grown considerably throughout the UK due to a resurgence of interest in native British livestock breeds. Shropshires are also in demand because of their unique ability to graze in conifer plantations and orchards without damaging the trees.
Pippa has a degree in agriculture from Wye College (London University). She worked for the Milk Marketing Board and then moved into agricultural journalism, writing for two national farming magazines. In 1990, she won the Guild of Agricultural Journalists annual prize for the best livestock writer. Moving to Shropshire to work for a large agricultural PR agency in 1991, she has been a marketing consultant for many well-known national companies in the farming sector. However, in 2003, Pippa scaled back her full-time PR work to devote more time to the farm and also to use her marketing skills to help promote Shropshire sheep.
Pippa has a very good understanding of all the breed societys activities because she held the post of Secretary of the SSBA for four years from 2003 to 2007. She is also currently the co-ordinator of the Shropshire Breed Improvement Scheme, which encourages Shropshire flocks to record the performance of their sheep with Signet Breeding Services.
Looking ahead to her two-year term as the SSBA’s President, Pippa says:“This is a very exciting time for the Shropshire sheep. We had a record number of 40 new flocks formed this year and most breeders had sold out of stock well before the end of the summer. New markets, such as orchard grazing, are just beginning to open up for our breed of sheep. The Shropshire also produces high quality lamb, so the breed society is in a strong position to ensure that Shropshire sheep thrive in the years ahead“.
2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – November 2010
THE SSBA will hold its Annual General Meeting on 13th November at Sandwell Park Farm, West Bromwich, West Midlands B71 4BG.
The venue is a restored Victorian farm with many interesting breeds of livestock, including a flock of Shropshire’s. The farm is not far from Junction 1 of the M5 motorway.
The AGM is open to all society members.
The meeting is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and to make some new contacts, including our new secretary (see above) and our two Irish co-ordinators, Jean Jones and Pat Delaney.
The formal business of the breed society takes place in the morning, and will be followed by some interesting presentations: This year we will have a talk from Richard Lutwyche, who many members will know from the
Traditional Breeds Meat Marketing Scheme. Richard has been asked to present some ideas about how we can promote the excellent meat of Shropshire’s to farmers and butchers more effectively.
We also hope to have a presentation from Novartis Animal Health about their products, including the first new sheep wormer available to farmers for several decades.
September 2010: New Society Secretary
The new Shropshire Sheep Breeders Society is Mr Simon Mackay (email:
Shropshire_sheep@hotmail.com)
146 Chandlers Way, Sutton Manor, St.Helens. Merseyside. WA9 4TG Tel: 0044 1744 811124
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.
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.”
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
SHROPSHIRE SHEEP BREEDERS HELP INTERNATIONAL RUGBY STAR TO START HIS OWN FLOCK
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.”
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.
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.
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.
SHROPSHIRE RAMS GO “ON TRIAL” AT WALFORD COLLEGE
Date: 10th November 2005
One of Britain’s oldest, traditional breeds of sheep is to be evaluated
as a terminal sire for cross-bred lamb production at Walford and North Shropshire
College.
In a trial that has just commenced at the College, Shropshire rams are being used
alongside Charollais tups on a flock of Lleyn ewes. This is the first time that
Shropshires have been compared with a Continental breed for commercial lamb production
in an independent study.
Commenting on the trial, Adrian Joynt, farm manager at Walford and North Shropshire
College said: “Following the recent changes in the CAP, the need to produce
high quality lambs that finish without expensive supplementary feed, but still
produce the carcase quality the market requires, is paramount The Shropshire was
developed in this region, so it should suit the local conditions. The Shropshire
Sheep Breeders’ Association says Shropshire lambs finish successfully on
grass and produce a good carcass, so the trial will be a timely assessment of
the breed.
“In order to fully evaluate the cross-bred progeny from both breeds of ram,
we will sell all the lambs direct to a local abattoir, rather than through a livestock
market. We will then obtain feedback on lamb carcass grades for conformation and
fat class. This, combined with other data about feed use and growth rates, should
reveal the relative merit of each breed of tup used.”
Two Shropshire rams were delivered to Walford and North Shropshire College near
Shrewsbury, in September. They are now running with around 65 Lleyn ewes from
the College’s commercially-managed flock. Two Charollais tups are running
with an equal number of Lleyns, with the females for the tupping groups having
been selected at random. The two groups of ewes will be managed in exactly the
same way up to lambing.
All cross-bred lambs will be tagged individually at birth and records will be
kept of the lambing date, lambing difficulty and the sex of the lambs. All lambs
will be managed in the same way until they reach slaughter weight at the target
level of finish. Results of the trial are expected in the winter of 2006.
The ram trial has the full backing of the Shropshire Sheep Breeders’ Association,
as breed society secretary, Pippa Geddes, explains: “Members of the SSBA
are delighted that the trial is going ahead, because it gives Shropshires the
chance to prove that they can deliver what the market wants.
“The Shropshire was developed as a supreme meat breed, and in its heyday
it was exported all over the world for crossing with the indigenous sheep to improve
lamb quality. Our members have worked hard to retain the important commercial
growth and carcass traits that are essential for terminal sires.”