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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.
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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
Huish Poll Dorsets “2016 Another Year to Remember� Unique Sired Huish Exhilarate X09383: May Fair single ram lamb class winner & Reserve Champion
Huish Excalibur X09323: Reserve Breed Champion Devon County Show Interbreed Ram Lamb Champion Devon County Show Breed Champion Royal Cornwall Show (Future Stock Sire at Huish)
Carlisle Overall Champion in-lamb to Unique selling to a record price
Stock Sires win their section of the Flock Competition
Stock & Semen available for UK & Export
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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 4
UK0364432
Est. 1965
M V Accredited
Flock No. 994
Celebrating 50 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 5
STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR POLL DORSET AND DORSET HORN 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.
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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 their flock’s performance, thus making your selection easier. 7
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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! Roger & Dodie Huxter Welland Down Farm Sandford Crediton Devon EX17 4EN Tel/Fax : 01363 775928 e-mail: wellanddown@hotmail.co.uk
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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.
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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.
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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, 12th August, 2017
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 13
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www.nidorsetclub.co.uk
58 years actively promoting Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Sheep in Northern Ireland and further afield. 2017 Club dates and Events 13th March 3rd July 22nd July 31st July 4th August 11th August 18th August 2nd October
4th Annual Spring Ram Show & Sale NSA Sheep NI Event National Dorset Show Classes – Shanes Castle Grounds 45th Annual Premier Show & Sale NI Club’s Family BBQ 6th Annual EU Export Show & Sale – Hilltown 2nd Annual Omagh Show & Sale 28th Annual Autumn Show & Sale
Further details available from: Chairperson Vice Chairperson Secretary
Amy McConnell Allister McNeill William Carson 16
07729 807679 07921 615622 07841 746705
Performance just from Pasture
Fit not Fat Best genetics
Broad pedigree base Outdoor lambing flock
Breeding Stock only come from top % of Signet records Waitrose lambs at 100% in specification
Come and see for yourself Centurion Member Signet Recorded
Maedi Visna Accredited LEAF Member 17
DORSETS PROVE THEIR ADAPTABILITY AT SMALLBURN FARMS North of Scotland businessman and farmer Dean Anderson has seized opportunities and shaped his enterprises depending on their profitability, but one aspect which has remained constant for half a century has been his flock of pure bred Dorset sheep. Mayne Farm, Elgin, Morayshire, was originally home to the family’s farming operation, but Dean has expanded the area farmed to 3,000 acres and has also run successful ancillary businesses. “I first got to know the Dorset breed 60 years ago when I saw the sheep owned by a friend of my father in a field on my way home from school,” he said. “I have had a flock of pure bred Dorsets for the last 50 years and they have remained integral to the mixed farming operation I now run with my son, Andrew,” added Dean. With an eye for a business opportunity, he expanded his farming enterprise with the purchase of the Hopeman Estate on the fertile Morayshire coast more than 30 years ago and since then various holdings have been added to make up the current acreage owned by Smallburn Farms. Until 2007, dairying was the principal enterprise. Mr Anderson bought Allarburn Dairy in Elgin 20 years ago expanding the business to processing 13,000 litres of milk a day mainly sold by doorstep delivery and, as a result, employing 62 people., With it came the expansion of the dairy herd to 350 Holstein cows averaging 12,500 litres a lactation which were moved to a purpose built unit at Plewlands Farm, Duffus, and the ultimate accolade of winning the National Milk Records Gold Cup two years running in 1999 and 2000. But the challenges on profitability of the milk retail business and milking dairy cows led to a major change in direction. The retail milk business was sold as were the dairy cows but the Allarburn Dairy farm shop in Elgin has been and continues to be developed under the management of Dean’s daughter, Hilary.
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A herd of 450 crossbred beef cows - very much a passion for Andrew - has taken the place of the dairy cows at Plewlands and there are 19,000 free range laying hens as well as ducks at Mayne Farm which supply eggs to the farm shop. Land is rented out for growing potatoes and carrots as well as for pig rearing. The livestock is an important part of the farming business which consists of a large arable operation growing wheat and barley for malting and for feed. The cattle and sheep help fertilise the soil and the sheep clean up the grazing ground. The pure-bred flock now numbers 160 Poll Dorset ewes which runs alongside 280 crossbred ewes. “In the early days of the Dorset flock, the sheep were horned and fat with fat tails, but now with modern genetics they are longer and leaner with bigger gigots and they really do a grand job for the commercial lamb market,� said Dean. The flock has never been registered but always bred pure and, while it is closed to female bloodlines, rams are regularly purchased. The most recent were from the Bennachie flock of James Royan, Duns at the Carlisle August 2011 sale, and the Bencran Flock of S & S Lyons, the Islaharnan Flock of Seamus Mullan & Richhill Flock of Ben Lamb in Northern Ireland, and Fooks Bros. Poorton flock, Bridport, at the 2016 May Fair in Exeter. Previously rams have been purchased privately from the Blackhill flock run by Jim and Joe Dufosee in Warminster, Wiltshire. The Dorsets lamb in February but any that do not hold - probably up to a dozen - get another chance and run with the Texel and Suffolk rams and then are lambed with the commercial flock of Texel and Suffolk cross ewes as well as Dorset Suffolk crosses starting at the end of March to the first few days of May. They then run with the Dorset with the aim of joining the purebred flock for the following year. All the February-born lambs are sold at 22-23kg deadweight to Dunbia owned Rhinds of Elgin in the last two weeks of May and the first two weeks of June. 19
The Dorsets could be lambed in January but they would produce lamb too soon for the Scottish market which is still dealing in hoggs. “We manage them so that when the lambs are sold in May and June the ewes are kept on bare grassland during July and early August to prevent them putting on too much condition,” said Dean. “We flush them for 10 days before putting in the rams and this has been producing a 200% lambing percentage on the scanned ewes. In 2011, 104 ram lambs averaged £114 with prices reaching a high of £5.40 a kg but this year the trade was down £20 a head. “The Dorset ewe is very docile and there’s nothing better than having her lamb unassisted and finding her with two lambs suckling in the morning,” he added. “They are very milky and good mothers.” Six weeks before lambing triplet-bearing ewes are housed and fed a small amount of high dry matter clamp silage mix. Other ewes are housed just prior to lambing. After lambing they are fed a silage and barley mix. “The Dorsets are equally as profitable as the commercial ewes, even though we feed them in the winter. There is also less work in managing them which is important these days when everyone leads such busy, hectic lives,” said Dean. Around 50 ewe lambs are kept as flock replacements each year and they are expected to easily produce six crops of lambs. Trade for Dorset cast ewes is also good - with their tight, short wool and big carcase they can compete with other leading commercial ewes such as the Suffolk on price. The surplus - around another 50 - is attracting a ready demand from commercial producers in the north of Scotland who are seeing the merits of the lighter-boned, versatile Dorset which can lamb at any time of the year to fit in with other enterprises on the farm. “The Dorset is very adaptable having the ability to lamb when you want it to lamb, even out of season. It’s a lot easier and you can even have three crops of lambs in two years. As a result of their versatility, coupled with being a good commercial sheep producing a valuable lamb, we are selling more ewe lambs than we have before and there is a lot of interest in the breed,” said Dean. “The Dorsets are definitely ere to stay at Smallburn Farms!” 20
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THORNBANK POLL DORSETS Grass reared in the Lake District FREQUENT LAMBING EASILY MANAGED
PROFITABLE FORAGE BASED SYSTEM Contact us early to buy Home number: 01946 725207 Brian Muncaster: 07736 596461 Cathryn Pritt Muncaster: 07736 596462
We provide help, advice,support and the chance to chat to fellow Dorset breeders E Mail: thornbank.gosforth@gmail.com 22
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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):
Burhos U724 Poorton Possum P140 Polgreen U901 (son of Tattykeel Blue Print 214-07 (Australian) Richhill X633
Andrew & Chris Kingdon Kingdon’s Farm, Gummows Show, Summercourt, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4PP Tel: 01872 510636 24
PADDOCK LEACH POLL DORSETS Signet Performance Recorded 2017 litter top 25% 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
BYEWAYS POLL DORSETS NATIONAL FLOCK COMPETITION WINNERS 2016
Enquiries Welcome. MV Accredited. Stock available at Society sales: Mayfair, Worcester, Llandovery & Carlisle 01934 852196
Joe Larder
Walden Acres, Sandford, Somerset
For more info find us on
@ Byeways Poll Dorsets.
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07824 333995
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WELSH DORSET CLUB
12th Annual Show & Sale in Llandovery Market ( Clee, Tompkinson & Francis ) Saturday, 24th June 2017
Club Contacts: Chairman: Vice Chairman: Secretary: Treasurer: Auctioneer:
Rowland Davies Gwylion Evans Elin Hughes E M James Derfel Harries
01970 832224 01570 470797 01974 261521 01974 821626 01550 720440
NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED
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, 8th July 2017 Further details from The Heath Meadow, Nunnery Way, Worcester, WR4 0SQ. Website: www.mccartneys.co.uk
Tel: 01905 769770 Email: worcester@mccartneys.co.uk.
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Est – 1978
MV Accredited
13 years Scrapie Monitored
Flock Code – C3
POLL DORSETS Signet Performance Recorded
Centurion Group Member Recorded
Loinmax Muscle Genes
Genomic Tested
Myomax Muscle Genes
Scrapie Genotyped DOWNKILLYBEGS XACO
1st prize Signet Recorded ram at May Fair, 2016, who sold to D W Rossiter, Huish Flock for 1600 gns. (Highest Signet Indexed stock ram for 2017).
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
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MIXED LIVESTOCK AND ARABLE FARMING IN THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN Jemima Jones shares a passion for livestock with her parents Martyn and Jane and she is now heavily involved with the day to day running of Corntown Estates, Bridgend in South Wales. The farm runs to almost 600 acres in The Vale of Glamorgan and Poll Dorset sheep have been integral to the operation and a favourite with the family for more than two decades - and now the breed is set to play an even bigger role. The flock of 1,200 Dorset ewes, with the ability to lamb at any time of year, are an integral part of the mixed livestock and arable operation which includes finishing cattle, bronze turkeys reared for Christmas, pigs, laying hens - and horses. “We’re using the sheep to the farm’s benefit in the crop rotation and for providing manure along with the cattle which helps us cut the cost of fertiliser,” said Jemima. The farm was run organically for almost two decades until several years ago but the Jones still try to apply the principals when possible. The next plan for the business is to expand the direct marketing of the meat they produce to the public through a farm shop which will based in the family’s DIY shop in Pyle, near Bridgend, alongside a new coffee shop area. Currently, a wide range of fresh and frozen meat such as lamb, beef and pork sausages, beef roasting joints, steaks is sold from the farm. Jemima, aged 25, began working full time on the farm three years ago after completing an equine course at Bridgend College, Pencoed, followed by a BSc Hon Degree in organic agriculture at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. Martyn Jones’s interest in Dorset sheep began when he was just 11 when he bought his foundation females from well known Dorset breeder and commercial cattle and sheep showman, the late David Matthews, of Treoes, near Bridgend, who helped him establish the Corntown flock. Martyn has always taken great pride in his flock and shown them to a high standard and getting highly placed on every outing. Especially with the third generation, Archie Jones, Martyn’s Grand father, Martyn and now Jemima taking part and showing the flock proudly in Glynnogough Show, and The Vale of Glamoregan Show being placed first in many classes. After studying agriculture at Usk College, Martyn and his wife Jane, whom he met at college, continued to expand both the flock and the farming enterprises. With numbers of Poll Dorsets now at 1,200 ewes, the majority of the flock has been run commercially, although there are now approaching 100 pedigree ewes. The plan is for sheep numbers to be increased to more than double the current flock size. 30
With only family labour and the help of one man, breeding cattle are no longer kept to reduce the workload - they were Longhorn-Hereford crosses. Now either Hereford or Angus heifer calves are bought at three to six weeks old and they are finished at 15 to 22 months old with around 500 being finished a year. They are fed home grown silage and home milled cereals through a complete diet feeder.
“It is all a balancing act on the farm and, now we have decreased the cattle numbers and the work load, we find we can manage a lot better with not having to calve the cows in between the lambings,” said Jemima. The ewes are kept in two flocks of 600 including ewe lambs, and they lamb three times in two years. Each lambing is kept to as tight a six week period as possible. This year, home-bred pedigree rams have been used. To help fertility, teasers are used before the rams are put in to help all the ewes sync and keep to the tight six week lambing period. The lambing periods start in the second week of February, the second week of July and the second week of October. All the sheep are electronically tagged for management and breeding purposes and this also helps with the selection of pedigree breeding rams now being used on the flock. All the ewes are lambed indoors which helps ensure there is no mis-mothering to maintain the accuracy of the tagging and to help support any new mum or weak lamb and to be able to assist in lambing if needs be. “The ewes are given three cycles with the ram and if they are not in lamb they are assessed to find a reason to why they may not be catching, weight wise or just out of synch completely, if nothing can be found or something is wrong with regards breeding from them they are then culled as there is no point in keeping the dead weight,” said Jemima. As many of the double ewe lambs are kept as possible and put back into the flock as the Jones have found that they are likely to produce twins. “We plan to considerably increase the sheep flock - to around 2,500 ewes. We also want to increase the number of pedigree sheep. My Dad is very choosy in what he selects and this year we have added 25 ewe lambs to the pedigree flock to make 100 females and there are eight home-bred rams,” said Jemima. “Eventually, I would like to sell pedigree stock. I am very impressed with the society’s sale in Exeter which is a real shop window for the breed and it is my ambition to show and sell there,” she added. 31
“I like the Dorsets because you could almost put them on a concrete yard and they would maintain condition! They also have great fertility and I find it’s not an issue with them. They are also great mums and can produce amazing amounts of rich milk for the lambs.” “We can turn them out in the early part of the year in wintry weather and they just get on and graze. They love stubble turnips. We don’t have trouble with hedges with them,” said Jemima. Cereals are grown on 150 acres in a continuous rotation, plus there are 80 acres of stubble turnips and 25 acres of swedes have been grown for the first time this year. The remaining acres are mainly made up of red and white clover grass leys that are mixed with a variety of rye grasses. The red clover leys are cut off early on in the year to be cut later on for silage, haylage and hay. There are only a few acres of permanent grazing, which means that almost the whole farm can be in a rotation between crops, resting crops, stubble turnips, long term leys and short term leys, the Jones are always looking to put back into the soil and ground what is taken off. The autumn born lambs and ewes are grazed on the stubble turnips and in the early part of the year they graze the winter barley when it is still at the leafy stage. This helps to take out any weeds and helps to protect the crop from frost. In March the lambs that were born in October are then weaned. Those who are not fit are then placed on to the swedes. The Swedes are super high in protein that will help the lambs to grow. “We like everything to go out into the sunshine in the summer,” said Jemima. The average lamb weight is 37-40kg live weight with some up to 55kg. They are sold mainly to Dunbia and some go through Cowbridge market and now being sold through the farm direct to the customer. At Easter 2015, the Jones won first and second prizes in the under 35kg lamb class at the market. An increasing number of naturally reared lamb - as well as beef - is being sold direct since last October. The animals are slaughtered at Maesteg slaughterhouse and they are cut and packed by an experienced butcher in a new facility on the farm. The range of meats produced is being expanded. It includes different joints and now lamb sausages. “The Dorset’s ability to lamb out of season perfectly suits our aims to market fresh, naturally reared lamb all the year round,” said Jemima. As well as the Old Spot cross Pietrain pigs which also produce meat products for the retail side of the business, the laying hens produce eggs and there are the turkeys for Christmas. The Jones are also equine enthusiasts. At one time they had 75 horses from Irish draughts to Section A Welsh driving ponies which they bred and sold on for riding and driving. Being busy with so many other things on the farm, the horse have now become a hobby and have decreased to only five.
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33
Flock S26
Est 2005
MV Acc
Contact : Marianne Sheed Tel: 07570277110/ 01464 861152 Email: mariannesheed@live.co.uk 5 Essie Crescent, Rhynie, Huntly, AB54 4GS
Set in North-East Scotland, 1 hour from Aberdeen. Visitors Welcome www.strathbogie-dorsets.co.uk
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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 35
36
Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn Genetic Gain over the last 15 years Written by Emma Steele, Signet Breeding Services (January 2017)
Selective breeding to improve desirable characteristics has happened for thousands of years and is not a new concept, however, our ancestors only ever had the opportunity to do this by eye. Signet breeding services provides the national genetic evaluation for sheep within our Sheepbreeder scheme, giving breeders the tools to select breeding stock on more than just looks alone. Signet performance recording uses pedigree information, birth information, 8 week and 17-21 week weights and ultrasound scanning to measure eye muscle and back fat depth to give breeders the ability to select breeding stock on individual genetic potential. In 2016, nearly 4,500 Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn lambs were recorded from over 20 flocks with Signet, this is a fantastic effort by Dorset breeders. Multiply this up over the last 15 years and Signet holds a staggering 74,241 Dorset performance records compiled since 2001. Many flocks have records going back into the 1980s.
Since 2001, the estimated breeding values (EBVs) for both eight week weight and scan weight have increased, with Dorset lambs now weighing, on average, 3.56kg more with an extra 1.65mm muscle across the loin at 21 weeks of age than their ancestors 15 years ago. This gain means that Dorset lambs now have the genetic potential to reach slaughter weights quicker, with better conformation, and with no compromise in the level of finish, giving us lambs that reach target market specifications quicker and, therefore, reduced production costs.
While terminal traits are important when producing Dorset slaughter lambs, it is also vital that Dorset’s don’t lose their renowned maternal characteristics and ‘easy management’
37
credentials. Signet-recorded Dorset’s receive both a maternal and terminal index for breeders to use, along with their individual trait EBVs. While the average terminal index value has risen by 138 points over the last 15 years, showing the improvement in growth and carcase traits, the maternal index has improved by over 100 index points. This means that the Dorset terminal improvements have not been at the expense of their maternal characteristics, with improvements in Dorset prolificacy and the ewes’ ability to milk well and look after her lambs with minimal intervention. In summary, over the last 15 years, the Dorset breed had shown phenomenal progress. Animals with a top 10% terminal index in 2001 would now be ranked as average at best in the 2016 flock analyses, with lambs now reaching slaughter weights and carcase specifications quicker with better conformation. All the while, Dorset ewes remain good mothers, keeping all the maternal traits the breed is known and loved for. How do I get involved? With the new, cheaper Signet Sheepbreeder fee structure, there has never been a better time to begin performance recording with Signet. For more information, or to request an information pack, please contact Emma Steele Email: emma.steele@ahdb.org.uk or give Signet a call Telephone: 024 7647 8829
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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 39
BREED DIRECTORY Mr S Alderson Paddock Leach Barn Cockey Moor Road Ainsworth Bolton, Lancashire BL2 5PX
(Paddock Leach)
Miss L Crowther The Grange Buckenhill Bromyard, Herefordshire HR7 4PG Tel: 01885 483459 Tel: 07976 877978 (Louise) Tel: 07909 793455 (Matt)
Tel: 07812 210701 e-mail: stuartalderson@rocketmail.com P W & M F Baker Eastfield Farm East Chinnock Yeovil, Somerset BA22 9EP
(Chinnock)
e-mail: goatgrange@aol.com Mr S Driver 9 Sandy Lane Chisworth Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 5RZ
Tel: 01935 863160 e-mail:philip.eastfield@googlemail.com V P, M & A Care Burhos Farm Burras Wendron Helston, Cornwall TR13 0JD
(Sandy Lane)
Tel: 07811 141860 e-mail: sam.driver1@btconnect.com www.sandylanedorsets.co.uk
(Burhos)
Mr J Dufosee Farnicombe Farm Upton Scudamore Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 0AD
Tel: 01209 831738 (Matthew) Tel: 07875 558489 (Adam)
(Blackhill)
Tel: 01985 214559 Tel: 07977 121169 (Jim) Tel: 07525 208053 (Joe) e-mail: jim@jdufosee.f9.co.uk www.blackhillorganiclivestock.co.uk
e-mail: aljcare@hotmail.co.uk W & K Carson (Downkillybegs) 161 Whitesides Road Downkillybegs Ballymena County Antrim, Northern Ireland BT42 2JG
Fooks Bros. Manor Farm North Poorton Bridport, Dorset DT6 3TH
Tel: 07841 746705 e-mail: downkillybegsdorsets@gmail.com
(Poorton)
Tel: 01308 485509 e-mail: francis.fooks@btinternet.com
Centurion Breeders Group c/o Mr G Langford Tel:
(Buckenhill)
W L French Higher Scarsick Treneglos Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8UH
01823 680086
(Wilsey)
Tel: 01566 781372/07870 981118 e-mail: heatherfrench@btconnect.com 40
BREED DIRECTORY J E & S M Gray Goit Stock Farm Eastfield Lane Burley in Wharfdale Ilkley, Yorkshire LS29 7QU
(Burley)
J H Kemball & Son Wantisden Hall Farms Wantisden Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3PG
Tel: 07970 240855 (Tim Pratt) e-mail: farm@wantisden.co.uk
Tel: 07717 623052 (Sheila) Tel: 07860 818118 (John) e-mail: polldorsets@gmail.com
Andrew & Chris Kingdon (Polgreen) Kingdon’s Farm Gummows Shop Summercourt Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4PP
Harrison & Hetherington Borderway Mart Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2RS Tel: 01228 406200 e-mail: heatherp@borderway.com www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk R & R Hole Hill Street Farm Holwell Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5LJ
Tel: 01872 510636 Kivells Exeter Livestock Centre Matford Park Road Exeter, Devon EX2 8FD
(Sherborne)
Tel: 01392 251261 e-mail: livestock@kivells.com www.kivells.com
Tel: 01963 23263 (Richard) Tel: 07813 975050 (Rob) e-mail: robhole7@gmail.com www.sherbornepolldorsets.co.uk R & D Huxter Welland Down Farm Sandford Crediton, Devon EX17 4EN
(Staverton)
G & A Langford Great Garlandhayes Farm Clayhidon Cullompton, Devon EX15 3TT
(South Ham)
(Blackdown)
Tel: 01823 680086 Tel: 07771 984966 e-mail: greatgarlandhayes@gmail.com www.greatgarlandhayes.com
Tel: 01363 775928 e-mail: wellanddown@hotmail.co.uk
Mr J Larder Walden Acres Byeways Lane Sandford, Somerset BS25 5PG
Miss C Johnson (Bamburgh) Fowberry Farm Bamburgh Ltd. Fowberry Farm Bamburgh, Northumberland NE69 7AT Tel: 01668 214421 e-mail: enquiries@bamburgh-touring-caravans.co.uk
41
(Byeways)
Tel: 01934 852196 Tel: 07824 333995 e-mail: joelarder@hotmail.com
BREED DIRECTORY J B May & Son Coombe Farm Sweets House Bodmin, Cornwall PL30 5AL
(Newtoncoombe)
Northern Dorset Breeders Club c/o: Mr A Steff/Mrs K Hodgson Tel: 01282 411154/07970 920220 (Alec) Tel: 01946 726245/07988 885120 (Karen) email:wasdaleheadhallfarm@hotmail.co.uk e-mail: alecsteff@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: 01208 872417 Tel: 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: downkillybegsdorsets@gmail.com Mr & Mrs T W L Pratt Hamble House Marlesford Road Hacheston Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 0DP
Tel: 01905 769770 e-mail: worcester@mccartneys.co.uk www.mccartneys.co.uk Mr G Meaden Crossroads Cottage Criggion Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 9BD
(Criggion)
Tel: 07970 240855 e-mail: farm@wantisden.co.uk D W Rossiter Burton Galmpton Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 3EY
Tel: 01938 570194 Mr A Morton Stobilee Farm Cleghorn Lanarkshire, Scotland ML11 7SL
(Huish)
(Stobilee) Tel: 01548 561210 (David) Tel: 07549 938198 (Rich) e-mail: rossiterburton@gmail.com Mr J Royan The Granary Putton Mill Duns Berwickshire, Scotland TD11 3HT
Tel: 07921 249781 e-mail: amorton46@gmail.com Mr B Muncaster & Mrs C Pritt-Muncaster Thornbank Farms Thornbank Gosforth Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1HT
(Deben)
(Thornbank)
Tel: 01361 882991 Tel: 07786 150637 e-mail: j.royan@sky.com
Tel: 07736 596461 (Brian) Tel: 07736 596462 (Cathryn) e-mail: thornbank.gosforth@gmail.com
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(Bennachie)
BREED DIRECTORY Mrs M Sheed Aldinnie 5 Essie Crescent Rhynie Huntly Aberdeenshire, Scotland AB54 4GS
(Strathbogie)
Tel: 01464 861152 Tel: 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 Tel: 07977 058184 e-mail: coombeorchard@outlook.com (David) e-mail: treguddick@aol.com (Mark) Welsh Dorset Club c/o Rowland Davies Tel: 01970 832224
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GUIDE TO COSTS AS AT 1 JANUARY, 2017 (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 Car Sticker Mugs Caps Record Cards The Baa Book History of the Dorset Horn Book
£25.00 £0.50 £10.00 £1.25 £0.32 £0.32 £3.75 £6.25 £0.10 £2.50 £5.40
Postage and packing will be charged on above items. All prices are plus VAT.
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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 45
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):
______________________________ 46
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 plus £2.50 per ewe inspection fee, 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 non-refundable. 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. 47
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NSA EVENTS, 2017 The Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders Association will be represented at the following NSA Events in 2017: Welsh Sheep, Talybont-on-Usk, Brecon, Powys Highland Sheep, Ross-Shire North Sheep, County Durham Sheep South West, Tiverton, Devon Sheep NI Event
49
Tuesday, 16th May Wednesday, 31st May Wednesday, 7th June Tuesday, 20th June Monday, 3rd July
Champion Exhibit & Best Group of Three, May Fair, 2016 Fooks Bros. Poorton X843, X889 and X895
Best Horn Exhibit & Horn Ram Lamb, May Fair 2016 J H Kemball & Son’s Staverton Xose X1810
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2017 SHOW & SALE DATES MAY FAIR SHOW DAY – TUESDAY 2ND MAY SALE DAY – WEDNESDAY 3RD MAY EXETER LIVESTOCK MARKET
LLANDOVERY SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, 24TH JUNE - LLANDOVERY MARKET
WORCESTER SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, 8TH JULY – WORCESTER LIVESTOCK MARKET
45TH BALLYMENA ANNUAL PREMIER EXPORT SHOW & SALE MONDAY, 31ST JULY - BALLYMENA LIVESTOCK MARKET
NORTHERN DORSET BREEDERS CLUB – GISBURN SHOW & SALE SATURDAY, 12TH AUGUST
CARLISLE SHOW & SALE FRIDAY, 25TH AUGUST - BORDERWAY MART, CARLISLE
28TH BALLYMENA AUTUMN SHOW & SALE MONDAY, 2ND OCTOBER – BALLYMENA LIVESTOCK MARKET FOR DATES OF 2017 NSA EVENTS – SEE PAGE 47 51
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