1
THE DORSET HORN AND POLL DORSET The Dorset Horn sheep is one of the earliest recorded breeds of British Sheep with the first Flock Book being established in 1892, and its adaptability was soon recognised world wide. The Australians, noted for their shepherding skills, soon realised the potential of the sheep to improve their existing stock and imported the Dorset Horn. With their vast acreage and minimal management techniques the viability of producing a hornless Dorset was of prime interest. This, they achieved and the Poll Dorset emerged to provide the sheep now so much in demand throughout the world. In the mid 1950s a far sighted Dorset breeder, “Bunny” Lenthall, decided to investigate the potential of the Poll Dorset and, after a visit to Australia, returned with two stud rams. In the UK the Poll Dorset now out numbers its illustrious ancestor but all the attributes of the Dorset Horn still apply to both. Today, the breed has moved on retaining all the same characteristics but is assisted by up-to-date techniques of record keeping such as that provided by Signet. The Association’s first Patroness in 1892 was Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, and with this strong foundation it has grown world wide to promote the breed internationally via shows and the media to maintain the breed’s profile. These are challenging times indeed for the flock master who has to face increased costs and lower profit margins. What can he do to protect his interests and face the future with hope? The obvious answer is to look for a breed of sheep that will improve profit margins, reduce overheads and fit in with other farming enterprises. Ideally it should be prolific, easy to handle, hardy, versatile, able to breed at any time of the year and not reliant on a high level of additional nutrition.
If you are looking for a sheep that is adaptable to any climate or altitude, with a fleece that many breeds would like to aspire to, then this is your sheep. The sheep will provide a regular cash flow by producing lambs frequently, if you wish, three times in two years. It has an economically produced carcass sought after by the retailer and housewife, whose discerning taste is the ultimate challenge. If you prefer cross breeding, choose a ewe or ram that will pass many of the above characteristics on to its first cross females, hence improving your profit margins on your existing stock. If this is your aim, then look no further than the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep. The Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association goes from strength to strength towards new frontiers, promoting the ultimate breed in the twenty first century. The Annual May Fair is the premier Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sale when a large selection of top quality rams and ewes are available. The Fair takes place in May over a two day period with the Show on the first day and the Sale on the second day and provides the spectator with a view of the best stock available. All the sheep entered in the Show are subsequently sold through the ring on the second day. Many of the Association’s breeders are involved in Registered Health Schemes for Maedi Visna and Scrapie Monitored Negative Accreditation and are able to provide stock for the home or export market.
2
CREATING YOUR FLOCK Choosing the right Breed If you are to be involved with sheep for the first time or are considering a change of breed, it is of utmost importance that you choose a breed that has potential but is also easy to manage. Take a close look at your locality and the land on which you keep your livestock, and any other farming/recreational facilities with which you are involved. It is imperative that your sheep fit your requirements whether they be location, economic or personal preference as to type. If you require a sheep to fit in with your dairy system or for the full utilisation of buildings or pasture then look no further. The Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Sheep is an obvious choice for virtually any sheep enterprise large or small as it is so adaptable and will dovetail into any existing system. Lambing can take place at any time of year to suit your requirements due to the frequent breeding characteristic of both the ewes and the rams. The lambs are early maturing and require little extra feeding to obtain “finished weights”. OBTAINING GOOD FOUNDATION STOCK Apart from the Annual May Fair which is held at Exeter Market, Exeter, Devon, other recognised Breed Sales take place at Exeter, Liskeard, Llandovery, Worcester, Gisburn, Carlisle, and in Northern Ireland during the summer months. It is advisable to buy registered stock from a registered breeder to create your own registered flock as this is a stipulation of membership. The Breed Secretary will be pleased to supply a list of registered breeders in your area on request. RECORDING YOUR FLOCK There are several systems of record keeping available depending on your requirements. Some, such as the Signet system are computerised or a simple card system may be perfectly adequate for your needs. The Association can help assess your needs or even supply you with a card system. It is essential that records be kept with regard to the sire and dam of offspring and that lambs are given an individual identity number to ascertain this. A “year letter” is used to identify the year of birth (e.g. the letter Z for 2001) followed by the individual identity number. This enables any animal’s blood line to be traced back. This can be done by either tagging or tattooing – if members choose to tattoo it is an Association requirement that the member’s Society Flock number be tattooed onto one ear and the year letter appertaining to the year of their birth and individual number in the other ear. If members choose to tag, the members Society flock number and year letter must be included on the tag. In addition to recording the sex, identity and parentage of an animal any additional information can be added such as birth details or medication. Weights can also be recorded to ascertain performance with regard to Sires, and this will enable you to build an accurate profile of each animal and ascertain its costing and viability within the flock. SELECTING YOUR STUD RAMS Ideally the new breeder will have bought the best quality ewes that they can afford, but we do not live in an ideal world and there is always room for improvement. A careful inspection of the ewes to be mated should therefore be made before selecting a ram, to ascertain any potential weakness that may be present. The appropriate sire can then be selected with a view to correcting or accentuating any point. Always remember that a ram is equivalent to half your flock and his offspring will show this. Size is not of prime importance in a ram but conformation is. A Sire Reference Scheme has been established and is available to members of the Association, and many members have semen and embryos available. For information on any of the above please contact the Secretary. 3
4
STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR 5
DORSET HORN AND POLL DORSET RAMS Bold, masculine appearance, with good length, strength and of robust character, and head of great beauty. With regard to the Horn Ram, strong and long horns growing from the head well apart on the crown in a straight line with each other and coming downwards and forwards in graceful curves as close to the face as may be without cutting. EWES Appearance bright with feminine characteristics. With regard to the Horn Ewe the horns much smaller and more delicate that in the Ram. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS HEAD:
Broad, full and open at the nostril, well covered with wool from brow to poll, face white with pink nose and lips free from pigmentation.
EARS:
Medium size, white and firm, well covered with hair.
MOUTH:
Even, well set jaw with flat chisel shaped teeth, meeting a wide pad with a firm bite.
NECK:
Short to medium length and round, well sprung from the shoulders, with no depression at collar, strong and muscular, especially in the Ram.
CHEST:
Well forward, full and deep.
FORE FLANK:
Full, with no depression behind the shoulders.
SHOULDERS:
Well laid and compact.
BACK & LOINS:
Broad, long and straight, with well sprung ribs.
QUARTERS:
Full, broad and deep with flesh extending to the hocks and well muscled thighs.
TAIL:
Well set up in a line with the back, wide, firm and fleshy.
RIBS:
Well sprung from the back and deep at the sides.
LEGS & PASTERNS
Medium length, well placed at the four quarters and free moving, straight between the joints, with strong bone, well woolled to the knees and hocks with pasterns well set up and straight.
WOOL:
Fine “down� type wool, dense and firm handling, free from kemp and colour.
COLOUR:
White, with pink skin.
6
DESCRIPTION RAMS:
Bold, masculine appearance, and may weigh up to 113.5 kg (250lbs) when mature.
EWES:
Medium size and naturally prolific, so that depending on management, lamb crops may attain any figure from 130% - 170% or more. Growth rates of up to 0.45 kg (1lb) per day are frequently recorded producing carcasses from 16 kg (34 – 36lb) dressed carcass weight at 10 – 16 weeks of age. Ewes have a bright appearance, skin colour is pink, whilst the face, legs and ears are white.
WOOL:
Fleece of good staple and quality, compact and firm to the touch.
The breed is recognised for its docility and ability to breed naturally out of season. This wide breeding pattern allows the ewes to take the ram at most times of the year and they are ideally suited to lambing three times in two years. The outstanding milking ability means that lambs will finish sooner with little, or no additional feeding. The Dorset is noted for its early maturity in both the males and females. It is also a long lived breed and this combined with its longevity gives a highly productive and profitable sheep. The rams are noted as being especially active workers and increasing use is being made of them as prime lamb sires. This prime lamb makes an excellent carcass for the present requirements and is available at any time of the year, and therefore times of peak market prices. Dorset ewes have excellent maternal characteristics as well as being milky and produce a good return on investment being early maturing and long lived. Versatility and adaptability come naturally to the Dorset for climate, altitude, traditional or intensive production methods. RULES FOR SHOWING The official breeding year begins on 1st September and ends on 31st August. All sheep born prior to the current year must be bare shorn from 1st February with exception of female sales in April or May of current year, unless stated otherwise in the show schedule. Lambs may be exhibited in the wool or shorn. The age of Rams and Ewes to be determined by year letter (not teeth). Lambs must have NO adult teeth breaking the gum surface. All sheep must have Flock Number tattoo in one ear and the year letter appertaining to the year of their birth and individual number in the other ear. At the shows after 1st September the judge must use their discretion. Dress Code : All exhibitors MUST wear white coats and/or the new approved breed uniform whilst showing. MANAGEMENT OF THE BREED INTRODUCTION The objective of the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset breeder is to have a flock which will lamb regularly lamb out of season and produce the maximum number of lambs for sale, either as well grown breeding ewes or as prime lambs for the current requirements of the meat trade. To achieve this objective replacement breeding stock should be sought from flocks that have regularly lambed at the period you require for the farming calendar. Most breeders will keep precise records of teir flock’s performance, thus making your selection easier. 7
8
9
THE FLOCK Whatever time of year you decide to plan your lambing , make sure your ewes are not excessively fat prior to tupping. This can be achieved by intensifying the ewes onto a smaller acreage, condition score, particularly the older and less fit ewes and adjust nutrition accordingly. This will enable you to flush the ewes prior to tupping efficiently. The rams are good workers and are particularly well suited for early covering if used in a commercial flock. Many Dorset ewes will have a slightly shorter gestation period, averaging about 145 days and the first cross females will often inherit the frequent lambing ability. Concentrate feeding prior to lambing need normally be kept to a minimum at most times of the year. If winter lambing is decided upon then some additional feeding will be necessary either in the form of a high energy feed block, as the grass deteriorates, and then a suitable concentrated cereal feed, up to 70 gms (1.5 lbs) per day, plus roughage or roots prior to lambing. SIRES “The ram is more than half of the flock�, so the old phrase goes, and it is certainly as true today, if not more so in these times of tight profit margins. Buy the best rams you can afford and look after them throughout the year. Make sure they are regularly drenched, vaccinated and their feet trimmed. Exercise is always important and do not let them become over fat. Well before tupping check each ram over carefully and a few weeks before use increase their nutrition. EWES The same rules apply for the care of ewes as that of rams, and do not let them get over fat at any time particularly around lambing and weaning the lambs. LAMBING The Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset ewe is an excellent mother and has good milking ability. Flock Masters may need to assist, as with any other breed, hoggets lambing for the first time. Hygiene at lambing time is of paramount importance whether lambing indoors or out, and good record keeping will always assist you to make your flock as profitable and trouble free as possible. FEEDING AFTER LAMBING Traditionally root crop feeding or folding, with a separate creep for the lambs has been practised but more recently with the introduction of precision drilling and pre-emergent sprays etc. many incorporate main root crops like swedes or kales, together with later sowings of stubble turnips and the like. This can lend itself to various arable systems, e.g. early potatoes, winter wheat and barley breaks. Flocks may also be maintained entirely on grass leys, the ewes utilising quality silage or hay during lactation with some concentrates being offered in severe weather conditions of if available feed lacks quality. As with traditional methods lambs should also be given creep feed.
10
FREQUENT LAMBING SYSTEMS If frequent lambing is to be practised, a high level of management and shepherding is required, but high lambing percentages and outputs are achieved annually and the income per ewe and acreage is rewarding. It has to be asked initially how this will fit it with ones other farming enterprises and the labour available. The aim is for lambing to occur at eight month intervals. OPTIONS 1.
If run on natural lines, with suggested lambings in say November, March and July, with tupping being restricted to 5 weeks maximum at each time, a strict discipline by the Flock Master is required to take rams out at the end thus preventing lambing becoming continuous. A teaser ram running with the ewes for 2/3 weeks prior to tupping can be advantageous as the lactating ewes will have lambs running at foot. The percentage of ewes which conceive may vary at times. Factors which may result in lower conception rates are a low level of nutrition at tupping, or adverse weather conditions, for example, drought. Body scoring of ewes near to these tupping dates, at whatever time of year, can be beneficial, but should be done in time to make whatever adjustments necessary through feeding for optimal conception. A rising of condition is ideal. It is most vital that rams are in prime covering condition. It must also be considered that this system demands additional enclosures in order to keep the level of management at its peak with two ages of ewes and lambs in groups. Female flock replacements can be lambed as hoggets at 16 – 20 months of age or introduced into any lambing batch.
2.
A more scientific approach to frequent lambing of “Dorsets� is also being practised: by synchronising oestrus and the use of vaginal sponges pre-tupping, thereby aiding batch lambing.
Once again a close study of ewe nutrition is vital to successful flushing and through the first month of gestation. The early weaning of lambs at 8 weeks or so has been introduced, resulting in non lactating ewes at tupping. Sheep housing may be practised more with this system, December/January born lambs would be lambed inside, then early weaned and fattened fast for the Easter trade, as may the previous batch born in August/September. The ewes too may be housed or yarded for a large part of the year, enabling a rigid profile of diet and management to be maintained. High profit margins are being achieved on such systems at these.
For further information contact the Breed Secretary.
11
12
AUCTIONEERS, VALUERS, LAND & ESTATE AGENTS Successfully covering an area from
THE COTSWOLDS TO WEST WALES with FIVE LIVESTOCK CENTRES Selling all classes of stock and ½ million Prime lambs annually
PROUD TO BE SELLING DORSET HORN & POLL DORSETS Society Show & Sale WORCESTER Saturday, 14th July 2018 Further details from The Heath Meadow, Nunnery Way, Worcester, WR4 0SQ. Tel: 01905 769770 Website: www.mccartneys.co.uk Email: worcester@mccartneys.co.uk.
13
14
Dorset sheep, pigs and beef cattle play an integral part in helping the sustainability of intensive vegetable production for a farming enterprise in Suffolk. Wantisden Hall Farms on the North Sea coast near Woodbridge, farms 1,351ha of predominantly arable land, of which 768ha is owned and the remainder is contract farmed. Under the management of Tim Pratt for 11 years, the land farmed has doubled in that time by contract farming further arable areas, as well as investing heavily in irrigation on the owned land to boost yields of vegetables to help increase output. Poorer permanent pasture previously not farmed has been brought into production for the livestock. Free range outdoor pigs were the first to be introduced to graze aftermaths to remove potato volunteers and help in the control of potato cyst nematode - the biggest threat to what is the most profitable crop in the area.
Four years ago Dorset sheep were introduced to the system to graze the crop residues - and such has been their success in fitting into the busy cropping regime that Tim has plans to increase flock numbers to 400 ewes.
15
A herd of 30 Beef Shorthorn cows also graze the green cover crops and help control bracken in the parkland. “The livestock are a good mix to fit in with everything we do here. We are a LEAF demonstration farm and having stock has brought many benefits, creating integrated crop management on our light, sandy soil,” said Tim. The farm’s permanent pasture and marshland is in HLS and its marshland is a Catchment Sensitive Area as well as a SSSI covering Staverton Park, originally a medieval deer park, and The Thicks - it is believed to be the largest area of ancient pollarded oaks in Europe, with some trees 1,000 years old. It is a habitat for rare orchids and rare invertebrates, as well as birds, including Lapwing. Originally from Devon where his parents ran a dairy unit near Halwill, Tim first saw the versatility of the Dorset breed with its ability to lamb out of season when he worked for the Thomas family in Launceston, Cornwall, and he bought a couple of the sheep to establish his own flock. After university, he moved to Suffolk 15 years ago, later taking up his role as farm manager at Wantisden Hall Farms, owned by JH Kemball and Son. Easy Care ewes were the first to be introduced to the system with 400 lambing in April. All have since gone in favour of the Dorset which fits in well with the vegetable regime. “The Dorset is very versatile and we lamb the ewes outdoors in September and October when there is a lot of crop residue from the spring greens which feeds both ewes and growing lambs,” said Tim. “Because the land is light and sandy, we have no issues with keeping the sheep clean.
“Managing the sheep in the winter is very easy with not a lot of work. Ewes which are milking heavily are given access to feed in November. Lambs never have 16
problems with worms or fly. Creep for the lambs and feed for the ewes amounts to 2t of home grown barely plus pellets each year.
“The aftermaths which would otherwise be ploughed in are providing grazing which costs nothing and does not interfere with the arable rotation but is benefiting it by adding manure to the soil,” he added.”The land ploughs nicely behind the sheep and pigs.”
As well as potatoes and spring greens, the farm also grows a large area of carrots, onions and swedes. The rotation on the lightest land is pigs, sugar beet, potatoes, onions, carrots and winter cereals.
“From March to September we are very busy with the vegetable crops, harvesting and planting virtually every week. In March, by which time all the male lambs have been sold, we turn the ewes with the ram onto the grassland and they go to the ram mid April,” said Tim. This includes land which has been brought back into farming - parkland and several marshes which is all in HLS and we benefit from extra payment because the Dorsets are a native breed. “The ewes just tick over, grazing the grass. We don’t have any problems with worms or flies and one member of staff helps me with them when required. “The Dorsets are working very nicely for us. They bring in extra income from the lamb sales with little input and the extra HLS money.” 17
The manure from the sheep and pigs helps to fertilise the land which cannot be dressed with artificial fertiliser. The fertiliser benefit of manure from the sheep and pigs is approximately ÂŁ110/ha. The land is also in a Catchment Sensitive Area and grant aid from this scheme and the HLS has assisted with fencing on the grazing ground. For flexibility, the arable land is divided with electric fencing. The first ewes were registered with the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Association in 2013 and now flock numbers run to 120 horned ewes (Staverton flock) and up to 90 polled ewes (Deben flock).
Such is the breed’s success that Tim aims to run 400 ewes half of which would be horned and the rest polled. The flock is Signet recorded as another breeding tool but most of the selection is by eye and this is usually backed up by figures. To expand the flock, 90% of ewe lambs are kept as replacements as well as up to six rams for breeding with the remainder of the males going for slaughter. This years 100 ewe lambs will be added to numbers with the intention of being self sufficient, hopefully by next year.
18
To introduce new bloodlines from top rams, a number of the polled ewes are being AI-ed this year with semen from three sires. The double muscling Myomax gene has also been brought into the flock with the purchase of a gene carrying ram at the May Fair. Tim is also looking for a ram to introduce new bloodlines to the horned ewes which have a relatively small gene pool compared to the polled sheep. Tim attends the Dorset association May Fair sale in Exeter in early May where at last year’s event he won best horned exhibit at his first time of showing. Two horned rams averaged just under £800 and Tim sees this as another income stream for the future. He has sold rams to a neighbouring farm where they are being put to Mule cross Suffolk ewes to lamb traditionally in April. The ewes currently average 160% lambs reared with little mortality and Tim hopes to improve on this as the flock progresses. Lambs are principally sold deadweight. Earlier this year the lambs were grading at R3L weighing 21-22kg deadweight. They were averaging £90 a lamb. The lambs straight off their mothers also attract a premium - both with local butchers and farm shops which prefer to sell the young lamb rather than hoggett meat. Another outlet for the lamb is boxed meat sold directly off the farm with around 30 boxes of spring lamb sold each year bringing in £110 a lamb.
Another possibility when numbers increase could be to sell lamb to a scheme such as that run by supermarket Waitrose - which buys a lot of the vegetables from Wantisden. The farm markets its vegetables with five other producers to many of the large multiples via a marketing group called The 3 Musketeers and Suffolk Produce, based at a nearby disused military airstrip. Potato harvesting from June to October gives yields from 25t/ha for the early crops to 50t/ha for the later crop. The aim is to produce 1 million tubers per ha of Maris Peer, all under 42mm to meet the required exacting criteria.
19
Generating further income, an anaerobic digester was built four years ago and it is fed by maize, rye and sugar beet pulp. It also gives Tim liquid and solid digestate to help cut fertiliser bills. Intensive vegetable production will continue the main enterprise on the farm. Tim plans to expand production in a sustainable way while placing emphasis on environmental concerns.
Wantisden Hall Farms 768ha owned plus 584ha contract farmed, which includes: 100 ha 65 ha
Woodland / Firbelts ELS / Permanent pasture and lakes
Cropping area 200 ha 95 ha 38 ha 45 ha 50 ha 445 ha 68 ha 20 ha 125 ha 180 ha 40 ha 18 ha
Potatoes Onions Carrots Outdoor pigs Spring Cereals Winter Cereals OSR Vining Peas Sugarbeet Maize Let land – Spring Greens Swedes
Vegetables marketed through 3 Musketeers group 210 horned and poll Dorset ewes with 160% lambing percentage reared 1,200 commercial outdoor sows with progeny sold as weaners 30 Beef Shorthorn cows Anaerobic digester helps cut fertiliser bills
20
POLL DORSETS Signet Performance Recorded
Centurion Group Member Recorded
Loinmax Muscle Genes
Genomic Tested
Myomax Muscle Genes
Scrapie Genotyped
Downkillybegs Z110, by Downkillybegs Pilot P256 1st prize ewe lamb, Female Champion, and Supreme Champion, Carlisle Show & Sale 2017 selling at 900gns to Gary Hanna
Top Indexed stock rams in Signet Performance Scheme (6 June, 2016) Terminal Sire Index:Maternal Sire Index:-
Downkillybegs Whizz Kid – TSI 505 Downkillybegs Pilot – MI 384
Both rams bred, owned and used within our Downkillybegs breeding plan. For males and females for sale
Contact: W & K Carson 161 Whitesides Road, Downkillybegs, Ballymena, County Antrim BT42 2JG Tel: 07841 746705
e-mail: downkillybegsdorsets@gmail.com
21
22
Stratasys flock wins Decade of Progress Award for the Dorset sheep breed The Stratasys flock, owned by James and Barbara Stratton from Charlton Mackrell, in Somerset, has been recognised by AHDB Beef & Lamb as the most progressive flock of Dorset sheep based on the flock’s genetic merit and improvement over the past 10 years. James and Barbara Stratton moved to Priory Farm, Charlton Mackrell, in 1999 when James left the Army. They established the flock with the purchase of foundation stock from three separate breeders. James says: “Initially we started with Dorset Horns but about 15 years ago introduced Polled semen from the Centurion Sire Reference Group. The flock is currently just under 100 ewes with about 30 ewe lambs following on.” In addition to the Dorset sheep, they also have about 30 pedigree Devon cattle which they also performance record. Most stock is sold through livestock markets as prime lamb. Any breeding stock sold is off farm to private buyers. James and Barbara have been recording their sheep since 2000, making up nearly 18 years of continuous recording and improvement. “We started recording because we wanted to improve the quality of our stock,” says James. “I feel by collecting performance data on commercially important traits, we are then in a position to make informed choices about mating decisions. Without this information, you are making selection decisions either blind, or purely based on breed characteristics.” The Stratasys flock maintains a closed flock policy. James explains: “There have been no purchases of ewes or rams since 2008. This means we need to maintain genetic diversity by keeping a variety of ram bloodlines. Ram selection involves selecting on the Terminal Sire Index, while also maintaining genetic diversity.” Ewes are the most important asset in the Stratasys Flock, as they provide the basis for genetic variation. James says: “We select ewes purely on index score, but also with an eye on genetic outliers. This means that any ewe with an outstanding single trait, such as muscle score, would be retained in the flock. Apart from that, we select on both the Terminal Sire and Maternal Indices.” The flock acquired Sandhurst A106 in 2005. This ram has been very influential and is a son of Douglas Downs 77/95, which proved himself across all breeds in the New Zealand central progeny test and has gone on to be one of the most influential horned rams in the World. “Sandhurst A106 was a LoinMax carrier. Sheep identified with the LoinMAX gene have 10 per cent more loin muscling than those without it,” explains James. “Other LoinMax genes were acquired through the purchase of female sheep sired by New Zealand LoinMax sires.” Among these sires was High Plains 512/04147, a polled ram that has also been influential in the flock. “We have stopped selecting for LoinMax directly, instead we rely on loin muscle measurements taken by AHDB as part of the Signet recording process. “We are really pleased to have won this award – it is recognition of 18 years of selecting for high performance stock.” 23
Exciting Young Prospects For 2018 Southam Zambezi Z88
Terminal 439
Maternal 410
Sire Southam W101
(Top 5%)
(Top 1%)
H U I S H
Ballytaggart Zak Z1755 Austrailian Tattykeel Blueprint Grandson
Blackhill Zabo Z3371 Austrailian Tattykeel Blueprint Grandson
Huish Zinto Z11598
Terminal 423
Maternal 353
Sire Downkillbegs Xaco (Top 5%) Dam a New Zealand Windermere Daughter
(Top 5%)
Huish Zodiac Z11334
Terminal 477
Maternal 367
Sire Poorton Sherlock
(Top 1%)
(Top 1%)
Huish Zephyr Z11476
Terminal 344
Maternal 321
Sire Poorton Sherlock
(Top 25%)
(Top 5%)
Stock & Semen Available for UK & Export Signet Recorded M.V Accredited Scrapie Monitored Contact: D.W Rossiter 01548 561210 R.W Rossiter Mob 07549938198 Email:rossiterburton@gmail.com Burton Farm Galmpton Kingsbridge Devon TQ7 3EY 24
A 2 6
U K 3 6 4 4 3 2
WELSH DORSET CLUB
13th Annual Show & Sale in Llandovery Market ( Clee, Tompkinson & Francis ) Saturday, 30th June 2018
Club Contacts: Chairman: Vice Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Auctioneer:
Gwylon Evans Llyr James Elin Hughes E M James Derfel Harries
07977 863631 07581 413541 01974 261521 01974 821626 01550 720440
NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED
CHINNOCK FLOCK Flock No. 796
M V Accredited Horn Est. 1959
Polls Est. 1971
Winner of the Medium Flock Competition, 2012 P W Baker & Son Eastfield Farm, East Chinnock, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9EB Tel: 01935 863160 e-mail: philip.eastfield@googlemail.com 25
NORTHERN DORSET BREEDERS CLUB www.northerndorsetbreedersclub.co.uk Working to promote Dorsets in the North
Social Events
Flock Visits
Club Classes at Great Yorkshire Show
Gisburn Show & Sale, Saturday, 11th August, 2018 Scottish Sale – Details to be confirmed
Advice & Information
Contact: Mr Alec Steff (Chairman) Tel: 01282 411154 Mobile: 07970 920220
Mrs Karen Hodgson (Secretary) Tel: 01946 726245 Mobile: 07988 885120
e-mail: wasdaleheadhallfarm@hotmail.co.uk alecsteff@yahoo.co.uk 26
27
AHDB Beef & Lamb Better Returns Programme Improved Flock Award for 2017 The 2017 winner of the AHDB Beef & Lamb Better Returns Programme Improved Flock Award for Dorset sheep is the flock owned by Meakin & Body at Treweatha Farm in Cornwall. This award is presented to the English Signet performance recorded flock that makes the greatest improvement in the breeding potential of the lamb crop during the previous year. The AHDB Better Returns Programme aims to highlight the financial impact that improved breeding and better lamb selection strategies can have on commercial flock profitability. This award seeks to reward those breeders that are using Estimated Breeding Values to enhance the performance of their flocks and assist them to promote their achievement. The impact of performance recorded stock is significant and is increasing every year because of the activities of progressive farmers. Susan Body has lived at Treweatha Farm since 1988 when her flock of Dorset sheep were established. She was originally attracted to the Dorset as a breed as they were something different and as they have the ability to lamb out of season, Susan was able to use that to her advantage. The longer grass growing season down in Cornwall also allows her to have her lambs finished before the main national crop. Susan began performance recording as she wanted to improve her flock and to produce higher quality sheep with better carcase composition. Originally Susan’s Kerlow flock had 10 ewes involved with the Centurion Group Breeding Scheme, based at Lackham College,and once the Sire Reference Scheme had become established the Kerlow flock naturally developed into it and have gone from strength to strength since. When selecting EBVs Susan aims for an overall ram that is not too extreme in any trait. She likes them fairly lean, not too fat, with good muscling quantities and early growth rates. Maternal traits are also important, as unlike many breeds the Dorset is usually pure bred and rarely used to cross onto other breeds. Therefore it must be ensured that they breed for Terminal sire and maternal traits.
Susan sells at the Sedgemoor Centurion Sale every year. In 2017 she took two ram lambs and two ewe lambs and will occasionally sell off farm. She has found that people are becoming much more interested in the performance figures at these sales although it has taken a while for them to be appreciated.
Susan with her two ram lambs that she took to the Sedgemoor Centurion Sale in April, 2017.
28
When asked about the future Susan says that she is going to continue what she is doing, always trying to improve. She has recently reduced numbers which she believes will allow her to progress further. There is more time available to concentrate on the management and keep a closer eye on the flock. Susan is delighted about winning the award and was very surprised, however she is thrilled that all her hard work has eventually come through. Susan used an excellent selection of sires for 2016, with one home bred tup coming in the top 1% of the breed (J1:W1685) and another home bred ram coming in the top 5% (J1:U1359). The other rams used all came within the top 10% of the breed. Susan would like to thank her husband John for all his help and support, especially for getting up at all hours during lambing time and a thanks to the Centurion Group for all the useful discussions that they have and all the support she has received.
EBV’s for J1:W1685 The chart shows that this ram has excellent growth rates and a superior muscle depth, with a muscle depth 4.81mm larger than average. His Terminal Sire index is 461 placing him comfortably within the Top 1% of the breed.
29
30
31
Flock No. 1050
Established 1973 MV Accredited
Breeding stock available at May Fair, various sales or direct from farm. All females homebred and vaccinated with Hep P+ Sires Used (All ARR ARR):
Poorton Possum P140 Polgreen U901 (son of Tattykeel Blue Print 214-07 (Australian) Richhill X633 Lisnafillan Z6 (Myomax)
Andrew & Chris Kingdon Kingdon’s Farm, Gummows Show, Summercourt, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4PP Tel: 01872 510636 32
Est. 1965
M V Accredited
Flock No. 994
Celebrating 52 years of regular frequent lambing
Renowned, Prolific,Frequent Breeders selected Rams from top recorded lines on offer throughout the year Also: THE TREGUDDICK HERD of South Devon Cattle “Mostly Natural Polled” and Red Angus D J Thomas & Son Treguddick Manor, South Petherwin, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 7JN Tel: 01566 86201/86770
33
PADDOCK LEACH POLL DORSETS Signet Performance Recorded Centurion Member MV Accredited Reared on the West Pennine Moors All types of stock for sale Call Stuart 07812 210701 e-mail: stuartalderson@rocketmail.com Paddock Leach Barn Ainsworth, Bolton BL2 5PX
34
ARRESTING HOBBY THAT HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME!! James Royan bought his first Dorset ewe when he was only eight years old and, while his career has taken a completely different direction from sheep breeding, he has maintained a passion for the versatile and docile breed. His father Jim Royan was running the family butcher’s shop in Elgin, Morayshire, and it was his good friend Dean Anderson who first introduced the young James to the Dorset. “I was more interested in the livestock side and I spent most of my weekends helping out at Dean Anderson’s Mayne Farm, Elgin where at the time he had Dorset Horns. I had saved up my pocket money and bought my first Dorset Horn, an aged ewe which was in lamb, in 1981 for £32 from Dean,” said James. In November, 2016, he was proud and honoured to be elected chairman of the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association - he was the first Scotsman to be elected onto the association council in 2007 and is now the first Scots chairman. In November, 2017, he and the association hosted their first annual meeting in Scotland in James’ home region of Morayshire. Back in the 1980s, James ran a very small pure-bred commercial flock for 10 years until he went to the Moray House Institute, at that time part of Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, to study to be a PE teacher, reflecting his love of sport and his other passion - rugby. On qualifying, he returned to the north of Scotland working as a teacher in Aberdeen and Peterhead. Then another change of career in 1998 took him into the police force, spending the next nine years in Aberdeenshire. He is now a Superintendent within the Lothian and Scottish Borders Division of Police Scotland. A move to the Borders to live on his wife Vicki’s family farm Putton Mill, Duns, in 2007 enabled James to fulfil his ambition - to start a pedigree flock of Poll Dorsets. Before the move south, James had already begun looking for his foundation females and his first purchases were from the 200 ewe pedigree Ramsden flock run by Michael and Robyn Butler, at Bartlehill, Kelso. He bought into the Ramsden bloodlines with four aged ewes, two gimmers and two ewe lambs as well as the ram Ramsden Hunter, which went back to the Rene flock from Australia, just 18 months before the Butlers dispersed the flock and emigrated to Australia to run a large sheep station. The Bennachie flock, named after the highest hill in Aberdeenshire which James could see when walking his dog from Newmachar where he worked at the time, is run at Putton Mill, farmed by his father in law and brother in law Frank and Bruce Millar. The flock now numbers 25 ewes and 10 ewe lambs. It has been built up with selective breeding but the foundation stock has left its mark. One of the first females, Ramsden J885 which has only been culled earlier this year, produced Bennachie Nimrod which was purchased by Devon breeder David Rossiter for his Huish flock 35
and has bred a number of rams successfully sold at the association’s May Fair in Exeter. The ram caught David’s eye when on the Dorset stand at Scotsheep seven years ago. She was also the dam of Bennachie Scheihallion bought by Richard and Rob Hole in Dorset in 2012 after Rob saw him when judging at the Great Yorkshire Show and placed the ram as male champion. Scheihallion has also bred May Fair ram lambs sold from their Sherborne flock. Both ram lambs were sold privately. In 2008, James sold his first pen of females from his foundation ewes at the inaugural Carlisle sale in August. At the 2010 Carlisle sale a ram lamb, Bennachie Pharlap by stock ram Ballytaggart Keltic Star, bought from Northern Ireland breeder Thomas Wright sold for 1,000gns - the first time a Dorset had made four figures in Carlisle. A small selection of stock ewes who have run with Ballytaggart Xtra-Special, including the Breed Champion from the Great Yorkshir show, 2016 on the left.
Over the years some selected females have been added to the flock to bring in new bloodlines, the greatest number coming from the Huish flock.
An early decision, despite the aim of containing flock numbers, was to record the sheep. The flock is Signet recorded which James sees as an important management tool to complement visual appearance and he believes it is becoming increasingly important when marketing breeding stock. Ramsden Hunter was in the top 25% of the breed for terminal traits. The most recent purchase for 1,050gns at the May Fair, Sherborne Zodiac from Rob Hole, was placed third in the Signet recorded class and is in the top 1% for terminal traits. The current stock ram Ballytaggart Xtra-special was purchased from Thomas Wright in March 2016 for a four figure sum. Then a lamb, James took him to the Great Yorkshire Show where he was first placed ram lamb. His first sons were sold at May Fair, 2017, and some of his daughters were sold at the Carlisle association sale in August, 2017. Two current rams. On the right is Sherborne Zodiac, purchased at the May Fair, 2017. On the left is Ballytaggart Xtra-Special, purchased privately in March, 2016, from Thomas Wright.
36
James began exhibiting at the Yorkshire Show in 2011 and that year and the next two years he showed - 2012 and 2015 he took the Northern Dorset Breeders’ Club championship. He also won the reserve breed championship in those years but went one better in 2016 to take the championship. He also took the supreme championship at the Northern Club sale in Chelford in 2014. But probably his greatest achievement was receiving the supreme championship at the 2015 Carlisle sale with a home bred ewe lamb out of Richhill Tequila which sold for 700gns. AI rams used successfully on the flock have been Drumlin Lotus and Ballytaggart Nipper. Lambing is twice a year with the majority lambing at the end of September-beginning of October. Those that haven’t held to the ram get a second chance and join the January lambing group.
An October born ewe lamb sired by Ballytaggart Xtra-Special and out of a home bred ewe. She will be part of the Bennachie show team this year.
Twin born and reared lambs born in March, 2017, at 11 weeks old with no concentrate used.
“I am keen to show the sheep, seeing it as a good shop window for the flock. I’m aiming to breed females with a bit of scale, correctness and good locomotion. Personally, I don’t like my ewes to be overly masculine. I want to breed rams with strong carcase traits.” “My overall aim for the flock is to sell high quality breeding sheep and as a consequence of that there are always some prime lambs to sell which are currently sold through the co-op Farmstock Scotland or through the live ring at St Boswells. I have recently undergone an inspection with Dawn Meats and hope to market my lambs to M&S in the near future”. “They have all done exceptionally well. The pure bred lambs will sell at about 45kg and kill out at an average 50%. My early lambs for the Easter trade will make well in excess of £100 a head and averaging £93 a head. I try not to sell them too early so they are not pushed.” The Dorsets fit in well with James’ role in the police. “One of the strong points of the Dorset is they are easy to lamb and they can lamb at any time of the year. The Dorset is not photosensitive unlike other sheep breeds which makes them come into season as the days shorten in Autumn.” “The number of Dorset breeders is increasing year on year and we now have 15 members in Scotland. Ten years ago when I became a council member there was only one other flock in Scotland,” said James. 37
“There is a big following of the Dorset in Northern Ireland where breeders have done a tremendous job in developing the breed into a very competitive terminal sire. “There are also significant numbers of unregistered commercial flocks across the UK. Because of the excellent mothering abilities of the ewe, some sheep breeders use them as ET recipients and there are increasing numbers of commercial producers using the Dorset as a terminal sire as it can compete well with other breeds.”
Because the sheep are easily handled, all the family gets involved with the flock - wife Vicki, daughter Katie, 11 and son Jack, eight, both of whom are keen to show the sheep. Jack is following in his father’s footsteps and went to the Northern Ireland sale last July with his father and bought his first ewe lamb from Richard Currie’s Hilltop flock which was later put in lamb for him. Katie has won numerous young handler awards including the Berwickshire County Mainsacre trophy for the best young handler at the show.
The Royan Family Left to right – Vicki, Katie, Jack & James
James went back to his Dorset roots for the AGM last November, the formal part of which was held in Elgin on the first day. This was followed by a visit to Dean and Andrew Anderson’s Plewlands Farm, Duffus, just outside Elgin to see the flock of 200 Poll Dorsets. While James’ father Jim, the fourth generation of the family, has now retired from Royan the Butcher in Elgin, which dates back to 1850 and is the oldest retail butcher in Scotland, the name continues under the ownership of well-established butcher John Davidson who now runs the shop.
38
AVENUE FARM WOMBLE Lincolnshire County Show Supreme Champion & Champion Male 2nd prize Wool on the Hoof Rutland County Show 1st prize Ashby Show 1st prize Flintham Show 1st prize
Mr Lee Clements Avenue Lodge, Old Melton Road, Normanton on the Wolds, Nottingham NG12 5NN Tel: 07539 160526 e-mail: leeleeclements@gmail.com
39
40
Performance from Pasture
Fit not Fat Top genetics
Wide pedigree base Outdoor lambing and rearing Stock for sale come from Signet top % EBLEX Award Winning Flock 2005 and 2014 2016 Top “In Spec� Waitrose Producer
Come and see for yourself www.greatgarlandhayes.com Centurion
Signet 41
Maedi Visna
www.nidorsetclub.co.uk
59 years actively promoting Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Sheep in Northern Ireland and further afield. 2018 Club dates and Events 12th March 9th June 30th July 3rd August 10th August 17th August 1st October
5th Spring Show & Sale National Dorset Show Classes – Gosford Park, Armagh 46th Annual Premier Show & Sale Annual Family BBQ, Eaton Park, Ballymena 7th Annual EU Export Show & Sale, Hilltown 3rd Annual Omagh Show & Sale 29th Annual Autumn Show & Sale
Further details available from: Chairperson Vice Chairperson Secretary
Amy McConnell Allister McNeill William Carson 42
07729 807679 07921 615622 07841 746705
43
Performance Recording: Cheaper, Easier, Better Emma Steele, Signet Breeding Services With performance recording fees becoming cheaper, and methods for submitting data getting easier, there has never been a better time to start recording with Signet. Signet breeding services provide the national genetic evaluation for sheep within our Sheepbreeder scheme, giving breeders the tools to select breeding stock on more than just looks alone. To give breeders the ability to select stock on individual genetic potential, Sheepbreeder uses a series of real data records:
Pedigree information Birth information 8 week weights 17-21 week weights Ultrasound scanning to measure eye muscle and back fat depth
There are many reasons to begin performance recording your flock with Signet:
Generation of individual EBVs & indexes Improve your flock more efficiently Increasing demand for Signet recorded stock at sale Public top stock lists published regularly Online inbreeding tool Print sale cards and EBV charts Access to Signet breed specialists with any queries
There has never been a better time to start recording with Signet. Signet have recently undergone a fee structure change where flocks that choose to provide data electronically (Excel spreadsheet/farm software output) or online are rewarded with cheaper fees making performance recording even more cost effective.
*paper based services will no longer be offered to new clients with over 250 ewes 44
Watch out for the four new Dorset rams taking part in phase II of the RamCompare project: 359:W0374 A26:W08318 A26:Z11539 Bamburgh Watson (T51:W0246) www.ramcompare.com
Performance Recording Dorset Flocks Trading Name
Prefix
County
Mr Thomas Wright Alistair Johnson James R Royan Graham Langford J Dufosee Tim Pratt Mr William Carson C H Trace & Son A P & L Brookin D W Rossiter Meakin & Body Laura Weir J B May & Son Mr Stuart Alderson Fooks Brothers R P Ryder A & G Sturgess R Hole R D Huxter Jack & Alexandria James J H Kemball & Son R E Morton Stratasys Limited
Ballytaggart Bamburgh Bennachie Blackdown Blackhill Deben Downkillybegs Gortleigh Gwenffrwd Huish Kerlow Lisnafillan Newtoncoombe Paddock Leach Poorton Ryders Saxon Sherborne South Ham Southbank Staverton Stobilee Stratasys
Co. Antrim Northumberland Scottish Borders Devon Wiltshire Suffolk Co. Antrim Devon Ceredigion Devon Cornwall Co. Antrim Cornwall Lancashire Dorset Powys Dorset Dorset Devon Dorset Suffolk Lanarkshire Somerset
If you want more information on becoming a Signet member or anything in this article, contact Emma at: emma.steele@ahdb.org.uk or alternatively have a look at our website www.signetfbc.co.uk.
45
46
SOUTH HAM FLOCK DORSET HORN & POLL DORSETS MV Accredited Member of Centurion Scheme Signet Recorded Flock No: E04 Established Polls 1982, Horns 2003
Reliable and consistently strong stock, rams and females, available from this hardy, prolific flock, reared on a grass-based system. Come and visit us on farm to see for yourself! Major reduction sale of the Polls (downsizing) on Saturday, 5th May. Roger & Dodie Huxter Welland Down Farm Sandford, Crediton Devon EX17 4EN Tel/Fax : 01363 775928 e-mail: wellanddown@hotmail.co.uk
2018 NSA EVENTS Scotsheep
Wednesday, 30th May
South Ayrshire
National Sheep
Wednesday, 18th July
Worcestershire
South Sheep
Saturday, 8th September
West Sussex
47
Lincoln University Gene-Marker Laboratory We now have eight commercial gene tests available for the sheep industry worldwide and our business continues to grow. See our website for our existing tests, to order cards or to get an import permit. http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/Research/Research-and-testing-service/Gene-marker-laboratory/ As some of you are aware, we plough most of the profit we make back into providing resources for teaching at all levels, casual employment for students, and research projects and support for Honours, Masters and PhD student research. In 2018 we will be supporting five honours students and nine PhD students, plus five foreign collaborators. We are looking at corporate sponsorship options for the Honours students, as this helps them find employment. Typically they are from New Zealand farms and are only invited to do Honours if they are the “cream of the crop”. We feel that the extra financial burden of undertaking an honours project should be reduced. Given that most of these students will go on to be leading agriculturalists in New Zealand, we are hoping that further financial support for them can be obtained from industry. If any company or individual would be interested in supporting one of more honours students contact John Bates who would be very happy to discuss how it would work and potentially how they could incorporate their project with your business. One of the big advantages of such a program is that you get the chance to have on board one of our brightest students who will understand your business and could prove to be a valuable asset to you in the future. New/Potential gene-markers GDF9 and fertility Variation in the GDF9 gene (GDF9) has been investigated by European, Asian and Middle-Eastern sheep scientists. Their research has revealed an increase in litter size of approximately 0.20 lambs per ewe with one copy of a variant form of the GDF9 gene, and an approximate increase of 0.46 lambs per ewe, with two copies of the gene variant. Research in Norway has associated this genetic variation with high ovulation rates in the Finnish Landrace breed, but the variation has also been identified within other breeds. In New Zealand we now see this gene variation in a number of sheep breeds and composite sheep. This gene test is now commercially available from our laboratory, so please feel free to discuss with any of us whether this test might be useful in your breeding programme. Wool genes We have Dr Gong Hua (Huitong Zhou’s wife) working on looking at genes that affect valuable wool traits. This project involves all breeds and lots of on-farm testing. One of the driving forces behind this project is to look at the benefit of reducing micron in the strong wool clip to around 32 microns, and whether this could be done without any detrimental effect on other traits. This project has yielded some great results, and we have now applied to Beef+LambNZ, through a group of Romney breeders, to further this project. We are not quite sure how Huitong and Hua balance family versus work, but they are a formidable scientific team with two daughters at Lincoln Primary and High Schools to “manage” as well.
48
Cold tolerance – a new line of research We hope most of you will be familiar with our cold tolerance gene test. It identifies those animals that have a better chance of rearing a live lamb. These lambs tend to be more vigorous at birth, are heavier and are able to mobilise fat more quickly to generate more heat. Over the last eight months, Erin Waller, an Honours student, has been working with John Simpson of Mt Hay Station. She has been looking more closely at the gene that controls cold-tolerance. Initial research has suggested that those ewes with a poor form of the gene, have lower twinning lamb rates at scanning, than ones with good forms of the gene. We suspect that the same mechanism that contributes to lighter or heavier lambs at birth, is also affecting the number of multiple lambs surviving to scanning. Erin’s work has shown some other interesting results as well. We will be continuing to work with John Simpson through next year, when we will be able to quantify the benefits of our findings. Jon Hickford and Dr Rachel Forrest of EIT (whom we have had the good fortune of being able to engage in this project) are analysing the results. They have helped Erin with her project. Erin may end up back at the family farm in coastal Otago, but is still keen to be involved in this project. Footrot and why SNPs are a bad idea with the MHC There has been much talk about using SNPs and High Density SNP chips to get a better gene test for footrot. The first major trial using SNPs to look at footrot was done in Scotland and more recently this trial was replicated in New Zealand with the Merino Company’s “Feet First” project. Unfortunately while SNPS are a newer technology, and an innovation for the industry, they simply cannot unravel the complexity of the MHC group of genes that we type to ascertain susceptibility to footrot. Sometimes newer is not better! This doesn’t mean that SNPs don’t have a place, just not presently with the MHC genes. There is a need to do further research on footrot. We need to understand why, on some properties in semi-arid areas that only infrequently get footrot, it is that initial outbreak that appears to overwhelm the immune system in the early stages of infection. We have a strong belief that one of the reasons why footrot can spread so quickly, is that scald helps footrot get established. If this can be proven then treatment for scald in the early stages of a footrot outbreak might slow the spread of disease and allow the immune system to better combat those initial outbreaks. There are a number of interesting projects presently being undertaken on footrot, including the use of new GM vaccines in Australia and hoof composition work in Europe. While the vaccine work in Australia is working, our feeling is that hoof composition is less likely to be a major contributor to footrot susceptibility. The reason why we say this because the footrot bacterium attacks the layer between the hoof and tissue and then under-runs the hard hoof keratin. Left untreated, it will lead to partial or total loss of the hoof. Having a harder hoof is unlikely to slow this process. While many farmers will say that white hooves are more prone to footrot than black ones, this is more related to the breeds involved than anything to do with the hoof itself. Suffolk and Hampshire sheep get footrot, despite having black hooves.
49
Intramuscular fat gene-marker For the last 12 months we have been working on a gene-marker that has shown a lot of promise in increasing intramuscular fat, while only having a small effect on external fat levels. In the next stage of this project, we will be working with Southdown sheep breeders and their progeny test operation. All sheep will be gene-tested for the gene we have identified, and then the lambs will be slaughtered at Alliances Smithfield plant, which has technology to measure intramuscular fat. We will then compare the results from Alliances new intramuscular fat measurement technology with our gene testing results. We have also applied to the MAF-SFF fund for a much bigger project on this topic, including investigating a number of other breeds. As with our other project this one was also rejected. However we will continue to fund this project ourselves, but in a much smaller way. We have just completed blood testing 450 Southdown lambs at Chris Medlecott’s property which will be killed in two weeks’ time and are looking great. We may look at a bigger project next year depending on finances. There has been a lot of talk about intramuscular fat and eating quality. While our personal belief is that most New Zealand lamb is okay, there does seem to be a place for greater marbling in lamb. We also think that as we continue to move to heavier weight lambs, that are more mature, an increase in fat levels will naturally occur. It is possible to increase intramuscular fat with intensive feeding systems, but research suggests supplementary feeds change the taste of meat and that grass-fed meat has fewer “off” or “metallic” tastes. It needs to be remembered that laying down fat is far more expensive than laying down muscle, so there needs to be an economic benefit to increasing the marbling of lamb, through higher lamb prices. Our thoughts on parentage testing This service is offered elsewhere by other gene companies who seem to be set on competing with each other. This is good for breeders as they are able to get some very good deals on testing! We have not entered into this area as we don’t have the resources to develop a test and we are content to focus on single gene effects. There is a place for parentage testing, but it shouldn’t be done at the expense of recording maternal traits such as mothering ability and ease of lambing, or lamb traits such as lamb vigour and teat seeking activity at birth.
How quickly can you get results back from us? Over the last few months we have had an upswing in sample numbers and more pressure coming on to get results out on time. We tell all our clients we endeavour to get results back to you within 10 working days of receipt of samples. Unfortunately we have seen a slowing of New Zealand postal service delivery times, with local cards sometimes arriving two weeks after they have been sent. Much longer times have been seen for oversea clients. There are two things that you can do to help. Firstly, if you do need urgent results contact us before you send the samples, so we can push them through as quickly as possible and secondly write on the cards when you need the results. If we do push urgent samples through quickly it is at the expense of other clients so we need to know the timeframes involved. 50
While we don’t like having to impose additional cost on anyone, we can use rapid and overnight couriers to send out cards and get them back. It isn’t ideal, and it is a shame that postal deliveries are forcing this upon all of us.
A final thought….. One of the things we always try to stress is that gene tests, or SIL records, or other measurements, are only tools to help a stud master breed what they consider to be better sheep. The tools by themselves cannot breed sheep. It is also of paramount importance that whatever sheep you breed, it is ‘fit for purpose’. There is no one ‘best animal’ or even one ‘best breed’, but there are certain animals or breeds that are more suited to particular environments or management systems. There is a reason there are close to 1100 breeds of sheep in the world. In the main, it’s because environment has dictated that a certain type of animal is fitter or more able to survive and reproduce in a given environment. While in New Zealand we now manage many of the environmental constraints that historically contributed to breed selection, we are still basically a free-range farming system, which in part is constrained by our environment. Matching our genetics to the environment so that animals perform, so there is little wastage, and so they are financially rewarding, are still key criteria to meet in breeding. Contact details John Bates - Client Manager Mobile +64 (0)21 995 278 Email johnbates076@gmail.com Footnote: Information on existing tests, cards and import permits are available from the Breed Society office.
51
Champion Male Exhibit, May Fair, 2017, and Best Shearling Poll Ram, sponsored by Waitrose, Thomas Wright’s Ballytaggart XStyle, with from left Dylan Laws, Waitrose, Edwin Pocock, President and Thomas Wright
Best Horn Exhibit, May Fair, 2017, sponsored by Mr Simon Dunk, Osmonds, and Best Shearling Horn Ram, sponsored by Kivells, V P, M & A Care’s Burhos Xtravagent, with from left Russell Steer, Kivells, Mr Simon Dunk Osmonds and Matthew Care 52
TEN REASONS WHY DORSET HORN & POLL DORSET SHEEP MEAN
HIGHER PROFITS 1.
Rams work at a younger age. The Dorset, being one of the earliest maturing breeds, will work at a younger age, hence more lambs are sired during a ram’s working life.
2.
High lambing percentages. Many breeders are achieving170% lambing rates, and this coupled with a frequent lambing system of 3 crops in 2 years, can give annual averages of around 250%.
3.
Faster weight gain. The ewes are excellent milkers and are thus able to achieve very quick growth rates with prime lambs being fit for the butcher at around 10 weeks of age.
4.
Top prices. Lambs sired by Dorsets, both pure and crossbred, are much in demand for the quality retail trade, and found on many supermarket shelves. The carcase has a high % of lean meat required by the butcher and the housewife resulting in premium prices.
5.
Excellent crossing ability. Dorset rams have the unique ability to sire quality prime lambs from any breed of ewe, but with the all-important asset of imparting their out-of-season breeding characteristic to their female progeny.
6.
Adaptability and versatility. The Dorset is able to thrive and adjust to a wide range of conditions, both in the UK and abroad. Altitude and climatic conditions whether it be cold, high rainfall areas or drier, more arid conditions present no problem to this versatile sheep.
7.
Cash savings. Lambs sold at an earlier age mean there is less valuable time spent on their management and expensive drenches, inoculations etc.
8.
Higher stocking rates. As lambs are carried for a shorter time, more ewes can be run to the hectare.
9.
Better workers. You need less rams in large flocks because of their ability to mate all the year round in frequent lambing systems.
10.
Long life. The ewe is particularly noted for longevity, thus reducing frequent flock replacements.
For further information, contact:
The Secretary Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association, Agriculture House, Acland Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1EF. Tel/Fax: 01305 262126 e-mail: dorsetsheep@xlnmail.com Website: www.dorsetsheep.org.uk 53
BREED DIRECTORY Mr S Alderson Paddock Leach Barn Cockey Moor Road Ainsworth Bolton, Lancashire BL2 5PX
(Paddock Leach)
W & K Carson (Downkillybegs) 161 Whitesides Road Downkillybegs Ballymena County Antrim, Northern Ireland BT42 2JG
Tel: 01617 620430/07812 210701 e-mail: stuartalderson@rocketmail.com P W & M F Baker Deepmead Eastfield Farm East Chinnock Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9EP
Tel: 07841 746705 e-mail:williamdownkillybegs@yahoo.co.uk
(Chinnock) Centurion Breeders Group c/o Mr G Langford Tel: 01823 680086 Mr L Clements Avenue Lodge Old Melton Road Normanton on the Wolds Nottingham NG12 5NN
Tel: 01935 863160/07977 273569 e-mail: philip.eastfield@googlemail.com Mr W Bradley Home Farm Dulas Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 OHJ
(Dulas)
Tel: 07539 160526 e-mail: leeleeclements@gmail.com
Tel: 01981 241108 e-mail: willandmaddy@homefarmdulas.co.uk www.homefarmdulas.co.uk Mr & Mrs A P Brookin Rhippinllwyd Cwmcou Newcastle Emlyn Ceredigion, Wales SA38 9PR
Miss L Crowther The Grange Buckenhill Bromyard, Herefordshire HR7 4PG
(Gwenffrwd)
(Buckenhill)
Tel: 01885 483459 Tel: 07976 877978 (Louise) Tel: 07909 793455 (Matt) e-mail: goatgrange@aol.com
Tel: 01239 710804/07415 851441 e-mail: gwenffrwd76@btinternet.com V P, M & A Care Burhos Farm Burras Wendron Helston, Cornwall TR13 OJD
(Gilbert)
Mr S Driver 9 Sandy Lane Chisworth Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 5RZ
(Burhos)
(Sandy Lane)
Tel: 07811 141860 e-mail: sam.driver1@btconnect.com www.sandylanedorsets.co.uk
Tel: 01209 831738 (Matthew)/07875 558489 (Adam) e-mail: aljcare@hotmail.co.uk
54
BREED DIRECTORY Jim & Joe Dufosee Farnicombe Farm Upton Scudamore Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 OAD
(Blackhill)
R & R Hole Hill Street Farm Holwell Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5LJ
(Sherborne)
Tel: 01985 214559/07977 121169 (Jim) 07525 208053 (Joe) e-mail: jim@jdufosee.f9.co.uk www.blackhillorganiclivestock.co.uk
Tel: 01963 23263/07813 97505 e-mail: robhole7@gmail.com www.sherborneflock.co.uk
Mrs S Dunsdon (Lukyns) Combined Counties Properties Lukyns Estate Office Holmbury Road Ewhurst Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7SJ
R & D Huxter Welland Down Farm Sandford Crediton, Devon EX17 4EN
Tel: Tel: 01363 775928 e-mail: wellanddown@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 07769 318692 e-mail: joe@lukyns.co.uk sarah.dunsdon@lukyns.co.uk Fooks Bros. Manor Farm North Poorton Bridport, Dorset DT6 3TH
J H Kemball & Son Wantisden Hall Farms Wantisden Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3PG
(Poorton)
(Staverton)
Tel: 07970 240855 (Tim Pratt) e-mail: farm@wantisden.co.uk
Tel: 01308 485509 e-mail: francis.fooks@btinternet.com W L French Higher Scarsick Treneglos Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8UH
(South Ham)
A & C Kingdon Kingdon’s Farm Gummows Shop Summercourt Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4PP
(Wilsey)
(Polgreen)
Tel: 01872 510636
Tel: 01566 781372/07870 981118 e-mail: heatherfrench@btconnect.com
Kivells Exeter Livestock Centre Matford Park Road Exeter, Devon EX2 8FD
Harrison & Hetherington Borderway Mart Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2RS
Tel: 01392 251261 e-mail: livestock@kivells.com www. kivells.com
Tel: 01228 406200 e-mail: heatherp@borderway.com www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk
55
BREED DIRECTORY G & A Langford Great Garlandhayes Farm Clayhidon Cullompton, Devon EX15 3TT
(Blackdown)
Mr A Morton Stobilee Farm Cleghorn Lanarkshire, Scotland ML11 7SL
(Stobilee)
Tel: 01823 680086/07771 984966 e-mail: greatgarlandhayes@gmail.com www.greatgarlandhayes.com
Tel: 01555 870437/07771 332393 e-mail: amorton46@gmail.com www.facebook.com/stobilee
Joe Larder Walden Acres Byeways Lane Sandford, Somerset BS25 5PG
Mr & Mrs B Muncaster Thornbank Farms Gosforth Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1HT
(Byeways)
(Thornbank)
Tel: 01934 852196/07824 333995 e-mail: joelarder@hotmail.com
Tel: 01946 725207/07736 596461 e-mail: thornbank.gosforth@gmail.com
J B May & Son Coombe Farm Sweets House Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 5AL
Northern Dorset Breeders Club c/o Mr A Steff/Mrs K Hodgson Tel: 01282 411154/07970 920220 (Alec) Tel: 01946 726245/07988 885120 (Karen) e-mail: wasdaleheadhallfarm @hotmail.co.uk e-mail: alecsteff@yahoo.co.uk www.northerndorsetbreedersclub.co.uk
(Newtoncoombe)
Tel: 01208 872417/07773 191633 e-mail: gkeithmay@hailmail.net www.newtoncoombe.co.uk
Northern Ireland Dorset Club c/o Mr W Carson
McCartneys The Heath Meadow Nunnery Way Worcester WR4 0SQ
Tel: 07841 746705 e-mail:williamdownkillybegs@yahoo.co.uk www.nidorsetclub.co.uk
Tel: 01905 769770 e-mail: worcester@mccartneys.co.uk www.mccartneys.co.uk Mr G Meaden Crossroads Cottage Criggion Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 9BD
Mr & Mrs T W L Pratt Hamble House Marlesford Road Hacheston Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 0DP
(Criggion)
(Deben)
Tel: 07970 240855 e-mail: farm@wantisden.co.uk www.debendorsets.co.uk
Tel: 01938 570194
56
BREED DIRECTORY R & D Rossiter Burton Galmpton Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 3EY
(Huish)
Tel: 01548 561210 (David) 07549 938198 (Rich) e-mail: rossiterburton@gmail.com Mr J Royan The Granary Putton Mill Duns Berwickshire, Scotland TD11 3HT
(Bennachie)
Tel: 01361 882991/07786 150637 e-mail: j.royan@sky.com Mrs M Sheed Aldinnie Rhynie Huntly Aberdeenshire, Scotland AB54 4GS
(Srathbogie)
Tel: 01464 861152/07570 277110 e-mail: mariannesheed@live.co.uk www.strathbogie-dorsets.co.uk Signet c/o Emma Steele Tel: 0247 6478826 e-mail: emma.steele@ahdb.org.uk David J Thomas & Son Treguddick South Petherwin Launceston, Cornwall PL15 7JN
(South-Win)
Tel: 01566 86201/86770/07977 058184 e-mail: treguddick@aol.com (Mark) e-mail: coombeorchard@outlook.com (David) Welsh Dorset Club c/o Gwylon Evans Tel: 07977 863631 57
GUIDE TO COSTS AS AT 1 JANUARY, 2018 (These costs are correct at time of printing, but may be subject to alteration by Council at any future date). Item
Cost
Annual Subscription Annual Subscription (Junior, 16 and under) Associate Membership Ewe Registration Individual ram registration Sale entry fee for Rams at May Fair Sale entry fee for individual females at May Fair Pens of females at May Fair Pro forma pads for ram registration Approved Ewe Inspection Fee Approved Ewe inspection cost per ewe
£55 £10 (for first three years) £25 (to include Flock Book) £2.00/female (under 12 months) £2.60/female (over 12 months) £20.00 per head £10.00 per head £5.00 per head £10.00 per vendor Free of charge £25.00 £2.50 per ewe
COST OF TATTOOING EQUIPMENT Tattooing Forceps Hire of Special tattoo block Letters & Numbers Blanks Green paste – 2oz. tube
£85.00 (2nd hand, if available, £40) £43.00 £5.00 each £2.00 each £8.40 SALES LIST
Hard Back Flock Book Badge Ties Trailer Sticker – red logo Windscreen Sticker – red logo Beanie Mugs Caps Record Cards The Baa Book History of the Dorset Horn Book Clothing – Softshell Jacket Sweatshirt Polo Shirt Hoody
£25.00 £0.50 £10.00 £1.25 £0.32 £4.17 £3.75 £6.25 £0.10 £2.50 £5.40 Details and prices on request
Postage and packing will be charged on above items. All prices are plus VAT.
58
APPLICATION FORM FOR MEMBERSHIP REGULATIONS FOR ENTERING THE FLOCK BOOK: 1.
Applications for the Registration of Sheep are received only on the understanding that the applicant agrees to the inspection of their flock, if considered necessary by the Council, and that they agree to abide by the decision of the Council as to the eligibility of their flock for entry, and that they agree to pay the expenses of such an inspection if the Inspecting Committee decide that such a flock are not pure Dorset Horns or Poll Dorsets.
2.
No flock shall be eligible for entry except such as shall be proved to be true Dorset Horns or Poll Dorsets.
3.
The Council reserve the right of declining the right of any entry. st
As of 1 September, 2012 members have been given the option of tattooing or tagging their sheep for Society identification. You will be given a Society flock number which ever option you choose. If members wish to tattoo you will be issued with a tattoo block with your own personal number on it at a cost of £43. Other tattooing equipment is available from the Breed Society office. If members wish to tag, the tag must include your society flock number and year letter (appropriate to the year of birth). Please tick below which option you are choosing as appropriate, and send a cheque made payable to DH & PD SBA with the full amount with your application form. A receipt will be sent. I HEREBY APPLY to be admitted a member of the DORSET HORN & POLL DORSET SHEEP BREEDERS’ASSOCIATION and agree, when elected, to abide by the bye-laws of the Association. Adult:
£55 per annum plus VAT at the current rate (Tagging) = £55 + VAT
Adult:
£55 per annum plus VAT at the current rate (Tattooing) £43 for Tattoo block plus VAT = £98 + VAT
Junior:
£10 per annum for first three years (16 & under) Please state date of birth:
(Tagging) = £10 + VAT _______________________
Junior:
£10 per annum for first three years £43 for Tattoo block plus VAT (16 & under) Please state date of birth:
(Tattooing) = £53 + VAT _______________________
Associate Membership :
£25
Renewal of Membership fees fall due on 1 September each year. NAME:
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
ADDRESS:
……………………………………………………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………….
TELEPHONE: ……………………………………. Fax:
……………………………
POST CODE: ………..……………………………… e-mail:…………………………….............................. UK Flock No…………………………………………
PROPOSED PREFIX: 1st choice : …………………………… 2nd choice : ………………………………
MV ACCREDITED:
YES/NO (Please delete as appropriate)
PLEASE FILL IN DETAILS OF SHEEP AND QUESTIONNAIRE OVERLEAF 59
When completed please tear out and return to The Breed Secretary, Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Office, Agriculture House, Acland Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1EF DORSET HORN/POLL DORSET FLOCK established by the purchase of: Quantity
Horn/Poll
Rams/ewes/hogs
From
The Flock now consists of : …….… Ewes …….… Hoggets ….…… Rams & Ram Lambs N.B. ONLY ANIMALS WHICH ARE TATTOOED OR TAGGED IN THEIR EARS WITH THE APPROPRIATE FLOCK NUMBER AND YEAR LETTER ARE ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION. Where did you hear about the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Society?: Website:
YES/NO
May Fair:
YES/NO
Breed Stand at Agricultural Show:
YES/NO
If Yes, which show:
______________________________
Newspaper/Magazine:
YES/NO
If Yes, which one:
______________________________
Word of mouth:
YES/NO
Other (please specify):
______________________________ 60
APPLICATION FOR INSPECTION OF PUREBRED UN-REGISTERED EWES FOR ENTRY TO THE FLOCK BOOK NAME:
……………………………………………………………
ADDRESS:
……………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………..
POST CODE:
………………………………………
UK Flock No.:
……………………………
TEL. NO.: …………………………..
e-mail: ……………………………………………….
NUMBER OF EWES FOR INSPECTION ………………………. HORN/POLL IF YOU ARE AN EXISTING MEMBER PLEASE STATE YOUR : PREFIX :
……………………………
FLOCK NUMBER: …………………….
IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER AND IF YOUR EWES ARE APPROVED WHAT IS YOUR PROPOSED PREFIX? 1ST CHOICE : ………………………….
2ND CHOICE : ………………………….
INSPECTION All sheep to be inspected must be female and over 6 months of age. They will be inspected by an Association Inspector and will be required to be of a high standard. If accepted for registration they will be ear-tagged and known as Approved Sheep. Their progeny, if sired by a registered ram, will be eligible for full pedigree status. Ear-tagging will be carried out by the Association’s Inspector at the owner’s risk. Please make sure clean water and disinfectant are available. Fee: £25 inspection fee mainland UK & Northern Ireland (other areas – prices on application) plus £2.50 per ewe, plus VAT at 20% must be paid in advance and sent with this application form. We will issue an invoice/receipt for this. In the case of rejection, or, if for any reason any ewes to be inspected are unavailable, the fee is nonrefundable. As of 1st September, 2012 members have been given the option of tattooing or tagging their sheep for Society identification. You will be given a Society flock number which ever option you choose. If members wish to tattoo you will be issued with a tattoo block with your own personal number on it at a cost of £43. Other tattooing equipment is available from the Breed Society office. If members wish to tag, the tag must include your society flock number and year letter (appropriate to the year of birth). Please tick below which option you are choosing once your ewes have been approved. Tattooing
Tagging
New Flocks which are approved following inspection will have their first year’s subscription to the Association and the Flock Book free of charge. 61
62
2018 SHOW & SALE DATES Northern Ireland Spring Ram Show & Sale
Monday, 12 March
May Fair Exeter Livestock Centre
Tuesday, 8 & Wednesday, 9 May
Llandovery Llandovery Market
Saturday, 30 June
Worcester Worcester Market
Saturday, 14 July
46th NI Annual Premier Export Show & Sale Ballymena Mart
Monday, 30 July
Hilltown EU Export Show & Sale
Friday, 10 August
Gisburn Show & Sale
Saturday, 11 August
Omagh Show & Sale
Friday, 17 August
Carlisle Borderway Mart, Carlisle
Friday, 31 August
29th NI Autumn Sale Ballymena Mart
Monday, 1 October
FOR DATES OF 2018 NSA EVENTS – SEE PAGE 47 63
‘Consistent Commercial Cross-Breds’
Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association Agriculture House, Acland Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1EF
www.dorsetsheep.org.uk e-mail: dorsetsheep@xlnmail.com
Tel: 01305 262126
64