Dorset Sheep Newsletter May 2015

DORSET HORN & POLL DORSET SHEEP BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION May 2015

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SOLID COMMERCIAL TRADE FOR DORSET MAY FAIR RAMS Dorset pedigree sheep achieved a level, commercial trade for rams which met a virtual clearance while ewes broke breed records at the annual Dorset May Fair in Exeter Livestock Centre on Wednesday (May 6).

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Conducted by Kivells on behalf of the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association, the sale saw well over 2,000 pedigree and commercial breeding sheep sold.

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The sale is one of the largest in the UK for commercial early lambing ewes as well as pedigree rams and ewes and it provides a yardstick for the year’s forthcoming breeding sheep sales.

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Averages for 128 rams sold, an increase of seven on the 2014 sale, were down by £55 a head on last year to £807.19, although fewer than 20 forward left the ring unsold. Accredited ewes averaged £303.42 for 46 sold while ewe lambs and hoggets levelled at £198.59 for 295 sold. A total of 2,224 pedigree accredited and non-accredited and commercial breeding rams and females went under the hammer.

Six rams topped 1,500gns with the top of 3,100gns for the overall male champion at the previous days’s show for Northern Ireland couple Trevor and Sharon Knox’s Riverview flock.

D I A R Y Sharon & Trevor Knox with Champion Male, Riverview Wasabi, W24 and purchaser, Joe Dufosee 1

Pedigree females broke the record twice in the day with a pen of two six tooth ewes making £1,000 a head in the dispersal of the Rossiz flock for Ross and Emma Sizmur, of Higher Oatnell, Thorndon Cross, Okehampton, Devon, to Northern Ireland breeders Amy McConnel’s Beachmount flock in Temple Patrick and William and Karen Carson’s Downkillybegs flock.

The female champion from Tom Clarke, Nymet Tracey, Bow, Crediton Devon, in the accredited section, Manorcroft Wisteria, made 1,450gns to Samuel Caldwell Granagh flock in Rasharkin, Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Tom Clarke with Champion Female, Manor Croft Wisteria, W779 and Samantha Vigus from Mitchells Chartered Accountants Ross Sizmur’s pen of two six tooth ewes

The previous record for a ewe was 1,100gns in 2004 while a ewe lamb made 950gns in 2013.

Dorset society chairman and Northern Ireland poll and horned Dorset breeder Ben Lamb, said: “The sale reflected a very good commercial trade which is the market the breed is aiming for. The breed is gaining popularity in mainland UK and Northern Ireland - there were new buyers from throughout the British Isles at the sale.

“The Dorset always had a very strong base in the south west of England but now the versatility of the breed to lamb at any time of the year is being recognised across the UK.” Kivells’ auctioneer Mark Davis, who shared the rostrum with Simon Alford, said: “The sale achieved some good top prices and breeders’ rams achieved their real value - this was despite a fall in prime lamb prices. Few have gone through the ring unsold.”

Attending the May Fair for only the fourth time with their sons Adam, 11, and Jason, 10, the Knox’s said their ram Riverview Wasabi had attracted a lot of interest back home. The September 2014 born ram is by Riverview Underarmour, the Welsh ram lamb in 2014, and 2

his Riverview dam has been breeding quality twin lambs each year. Two years ago they sold another ram at the event for 3,000gns with Riverview Torque.

The 35 ewe flock was established 14 years ago and they have concentrated in recent years on improving the sheep through the muscling Myomax gene. They are currently running four Myomax rams.

Trevor farms the 230 ha family unit which runs commercial ewes and suckler cows and the pedigree Dorset flock is run separately with Sharon as an interest and both enjoy showing.

The ram’s grandsire was the high index ram, Blackhill Trevor, bred by purchasers of the top priced Wasabi, Jim and Joe Dufosee, Farnicombe Farm, Upton Scudamore, Warminster, Wiltshire, and it was in the top 1% of the breed.

Equalling the previous best of 3,000gns for the Sherborne flock, Rob Hole and his father Richard, of Hill Street, Sherborne, were delighted with their sale average of £1,143, despite being late in the sale schedule, which further adds to the 50th anniversary of the flock this year.

The ram, the September 2014 born Sherborne Wayfarer, was sold to Edwin and Jenny Pocock of Totley Hall Farm, Totley, Sheffield, who have given their Hall Lane Flock, which lambs in November-December and March-April a boost before its dispersal sale on October 7 at Exeter.

The ram will be running with the ewe lambs prior to the sale which will offer around 400 females, the majority of which will be in lamb.

Rob Hole with Sherborne Wayfarer, W2730

The flock which runs at 600-900ft on the edge of the moors was established 12 years ago, since when Edwin has been a party to establishing the Chelford sale three years ago as well as the North of England Dorset Club, being its chairman for three years.

The couple who are retiring have focused their breeding policy on making genetic improvements to the flock and have had it Signet recorded as well as selecting for type.

They paid 4,500gns for the top Signet recorded ram Blackhill Trident two years ago at Exeter and they have since been awarded the EBLEX prize for the most genetically improved flock.

It has a Terminal Sire Index of 350 compared with the bred average of 278 with a mothering ability EBV of 2.19 and 1.89 lambs born per ewe.

William Carson and his wife Karen, of Whitesides Road, Downkillybegs, Ballymena, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, achieved a pen average £1,552.50 for seven sold to top at 2,000gns twice.

First was the September 2014 born Downkillybegs Wallaby, bought by Gill and Richard Trace who run 200 Signet recorded Poll Dorsets at Sheepwash in North West Devon which fits in well with their 90-acre - 23,000-tree cider orchard.

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The ram is by Wilsey Panther out of a Downkillybegs dam which was full sister to the 2012 supreme champion and top price at the Norhern Ireland premier show and sale.

They also bought the top Signet ram Downkillybegs Wonderboy for 1,700gns for their Gortleigh flock.

Ewes are lambed in the last week in November to allow the apple harvest in the early autumn and lambs are sold to Waitrose. Pedigree rams and females are also sold, mainly from home.

W & K Carson’s Downkillybegs pen of rams

“We lost all our sheep - 500 Dorsets and 600 commercial sheep - in 2001’s foot and mouth epidemic and we always like to run a number of rams. We have stuck to the Dorsets and we thought this ram was very correct and the other stands up with his figures,” said Gill.

Writing the cheque for the second 2,000gns to Downkillybegs, for Downkillybegs Wonka, was Liz Matthews for her 12 ewe Cornella flock in Bridgend.

Her husband David had been a Dorset enthusiast, buying his first Polls from Bunny Lenthall in Dorset more than half a century ago. While unable to manage the 200 ewes he ran, she wants to maintain the flock by buying good genetics and the ram’s Myomax muscling gene attracted her.

In memory of David, she set up a bursary to encourage young Dorset breeders. She is supported in the breed by her daughter Rhiannon Richards and her husband Philip David who bought the reserve champion ram for their Treoses flock.

Selling at 1,800gns and achieving a flock best was from the Wilsey flock run by Les French, at Higher Scarsick, Treneglos, Launceston, Cornwall.

Purchasers were Trevor and Sharon Knox who said it was a strong sheep with a good carcase which they hoped would continue to improve their flock.

The March 2014 born ram is by Ballytaggart Sapphire out of a Wilsey ewe.

Les French with Wilsey U768

Mr French’s flock of 120 Poll Dorsets which he has been selling at the May Fair for the last 30 years and breeding for 40 years lamb principally in the spring with some in October4

November to help conserve grass for grazing the 140- Friesian type Holstein dairy cows and silage making.

The Carsons also produced the next leading price ram making 1,750gns September 2014 born Wurzell by Wilsey Panther and out of a Myomax home bred ewe which sold to Messrs Brookin of Rhippinllwyd, Cwmcou, Newcastle Emlyn, Ceredigion.

The best Horned exhibit went to Society Chairman, Ben Lamb’s Richhill Woody selling at 1,150gns to J Wolfe, Porchfield, Isle of Wight.

Ben Lamb with Richhill Woody, W487, Simon Dunk, Osmonds & Andrew Kingdon, President

The dispersal for Ross and Emma Sizmur’s Rossiz flock saw 68 females and seven rams sold. The flock was sold after 10 years to concentrate on their commercial 650 ewe flock and suckler herd. It has won the society’s flock competition twice.

Leading ram prices: (Lot 19) Overall champion - 3,100gns, from Trevor and Sharon Knox, Altarichar Road, Armoy, Ballymoney, Co Antrim to Jim Dufosee, Farnicombe Farm, Upton Scudamore, Warminster, Wiltshire.

(Lot 161) 3,000gns from Robert and Richard Hole, Hill Street Farm, Sherborne, Dorset, to Edwin and Jenny Pocock of Totley Hall Farm, Totley, Sheffield.

(Lot 70) 2,000gns from William and Karen Carson, Whitesides Road, Downkillybegs, Ballymena, Co Antrim to Gill and Richard Trace, Gortleigh, Sheepwash, Beaworthy, Devon.

(Lot 72) 2,000gns from William and Karen Carson to Liz Matthews, Ty-Hen, Treoes, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan.

(Lot 123) 1,800gns from Les French, Higher Scarsick, Treneglos, Launceston, Cornwall to Trevor and Sharon Knox, Ballymoney.

(Lot 69) 1,750gns from from William and Karen Carson to Messrs Brookin of Rhippinllwyd, Cwmcou, Newcastle Emlyn, Ceredigion.

(Lot 68) 1,700gns from William and Karen Carson to Gill and Richard Trace.

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(Lot 24) 1,450gns from David Rossiter, Burton, Galmpton, Kingsbridge, Devon to Richard and Robert Hole.

(Lot 20) 1,350gns from Trevor and Sharon Knox to Messrs Patton, Ballykenver Road, Stanocum, Ballymoney.

(Lot 86) 1,250gns from Ross and Emma Sizmur to Sam Driver, Chisworth, Glossop, Derbyshire.

(Lot 158) 1,250gns from R & R Hole to Sam Driver.

(Lot 10) - 1,1,50gns from R Currie, Whitesides Road, Ballymena, Co Antrim to Messrs Burrington, Westward Farm, Longdown, Exeter, Devon.

(Lot 96) (Horn Champion), 1,150gns from Ben Lamb, Lime Tree Farm, Richhill, Co Armargh to J Wolfe, Porchfield, Isle of Wight.

(Lot 21) 1,100gns from Trevor and Sharon Knox to Messrs Cory, Maendy Farm, Peterstonsuper-Ely, Vale of Glamorgan.

(Lot 71) 1,050gns from from William and Karen Carson to Messrs Martyn, Lower Redwood Farm, Pensilva, Callington, Liske.

(Lot 106) 1,020gns from Tom Clarke, Nymet Tracey, Bow, Crediton, Devon, to S & S Lyons, Beragh, Omagh, Co Tyrone.

(Lot 17) 1,000gns from Thomas Wright, Kilraughts Road, Ballytaggart, Ballymoney, Co Antrim, to Messrs Steff, Lower Treworrick Farm, St Clear, Liskeard, Cornwall.

(Lot 29) 1,000gns from David Rossiter Messrs Brook, The Barn, Pennycott Farm, Shobrooke, Crediton, Devon.

(Lot 73) 1,000gns from William and Karen Carson to Messrs Whiting, Greenacres, Little Sodbury Common, Bristol.

(Lot 156) 1,000gns from Gary Henderson, Old Mill Cottage, Bushmills, Co Antrim, to Louise Crowther, The Grange, Buckenhill, Bromyard, Herefordshire.

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2015 MAY FAIR PRINCIPAL EWE AND RAM PRICES AV PRICE £

TOP PRICE £

1942.50 1114.75 1552.50 1000.50 840.00 1023.75 810.25 783.00 906.00 745.50 717.50 675.50 735.00 735.00 656.25 630.00 549.50 525.00 504.00 441.00 404.25 420.00 399.00 367.50

3255.00 3150.00 2100.00 1522.50 1312.50 1207.50 1207.50 1071.00 1050.00 840.00 840.00 840.00 735.00 735.00 682.50 630.00 577.50 525.00 504.00 504.00 441.00 420.00 399.00 367.50

MVA MVA MVA/SMN MVA/SMN MVA MVA/SMN MVA/SMN MVA MVA MVA/SMN MVA MVA MVA/SMN MVA/SMN MVA MVA MVA MVA/SMN MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA

861.00 1312.50 1050.00 855.75 708.75 724.50 637.00 588.00 498.75 546.00 551.25 444.93 525.00 525.00 504.00

1890.00 1312.50 1050.00 945.00 787.50 735.00 735.00 735.00 735.00 651.00 630.00 546.00 525.00 525.00 504.00

MVA MVA MVA/SMN MVA MVA MVA/SMN MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA/SMN MVA MVA

Ram Lambs T & S Knox R & R Hole W & K Carson D W Rossiter R & E Sizmur Richard Currie Ben Lamb Tom Clarke Thomas Wright Raymond Hill J & C Robson David Lewis Fooks Bros.

G & G Henderson Mr B & Miss A McConnell Seamus Mullan S & S Lyons Miss C Johnson James Royan Mark Hayman Joe Larder Tim Pratt Windrush Farming Partners R M Eglin & Son Ltd.

3 av 6 av 7 av 7 av 7 av 2 av 6 av 7 av 7 av 3 av 3 av 3 av 2 av 2 av 2 av 3 av

3 av 2 av 2 av

Shearling Rams W L French R & R Hole G & G Henderson V P, M & A Care Griffiths & Davies Fooks Bros.

David Lewis J B May & Son N J Burrington Sam Driver A & C Kingdon Adrian Dufosee Miss C Johnson Edwin Pocock James Royan

6 av

6 av 2 av 2 av 3 av 7 av 3 av 2 av 4 av 4 av 3 av

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AV PRICE £

TOP PRICE £

1013.25 420.00 278.25 210.00 199.50

1522.50 504.00 367.50 210.00 210.00

MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA

525.00 367.50

546.00 367.50

MVA MVA

Single Ewe Lambs Tom Clarke R & R Hole P W Baker & Son David Lewis Windrush Farming Partners

2 av 2 av 2 av 2 av

Single Shearling Ewes Tom Clarke R & R Hole

2 av

PENS Registered Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Ewe Hoggets £ R & E Sizmur P 300 – 420 2 pens D J Thomas & Son P 155 – 205 6 pens P W Baker & Son P 205 1 pen Fooks Bros.

P 185 – 195 4 pens A & C Kingdon P 165 – 180 5 pens W L French P 130 – 165 5 pens S & D Cole P 112 – 165 10 pens Joe Larder P 160 1 pen Mrs S Britton P 150 – 155 3 pens M J Freegard P 140 – 150 5 pens B A Wernham & Son P 150 1 pen Mark Hayman P 135 1 pen N & J Eyre P 95 – 130 6 pens R M & J E Brown P 130 1 pen R M Eglin & Son Ltd. P 122 1 pen

R & E Sizmur P W Baker & Son R M Eglin & Son Ltd. R M & J E Brown

R & E Sizmur Tom Clarke R & R Hole P W Baker & Son Joe Larder G & E Jones

Registered Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Ewes £ P 220 – 1000 9 pens P 175 1 pen P 132 – 135 2 pens P 102 – 110 5 pens Registered Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Ewe Lambs £ P 300 – 450 6 pens P 200 – 290 2 pens P 280 1 pen P 175 1 pen P 150 – 165 2 pens P 142 1 pen 8

MVA MVA MVA MVA/SMN MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA

MVA

MVA MVA MVA

MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA MVA

J B May & Son R M Eglin & Son Ltd. Mr & Mrs C Hall C S, M E & G S Brook R & D Huxter

AV PRICE £ 140 135 110 100 70 – 95

P P P P P

TOP PRICE £ 1 pen 1 pen 1 pen 1 pen 3 pens

MVA MVA

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MAY FAIR SHOW RESULTS, 2015 Class 1 – Best Ewe Lamb

Class 2 – Best Shearling Ewe

(Sponsored by Waitrose)

(Sponsored by Kivells)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

178 177 181 182 180

Mr T Clarke Mr T Clarke R & R Hole Windrush Farming Partners R & R Hole

175 179 170 176 185

Mr T Clarke R & R Hole Mr D Lewis Mr T Clarke R M Eglin & Son Ltd.

Reserve Champion Female Tom Clarke with Manor Croft Ultima, U602 and Mark Davis, Kivells

Tom Clarke with Manor Croft Wisteria, W779, and Dylan Laws, Waitrose

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Champion Female (Sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants) Tom Clarke with Manor Croft Wisteria, W779, and Samantha Vigus, Mitchells Chartered Accountants

Special Class – Signet Class

Class 3 – Best Pair of Ram Lambs

(Sponsored by EBLEX Better Returns)

(Sponsored by Mr Simon Dunk,Osmonds)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

68 161 23 69 168

W & K Carson R & R Hole D W Rossiter W & K Carson Miss C Johnson

Karen Carson with Downkillybegs Wonderboy, W97 and Sam Boon from EBLEX

162, 163 15, 17 133, 134 71, 72 86, 87

R & R Hole Mr T Wright S & S Lyons W & K Carson R & E Sizmur

Reserve Champion Male Exhbit Robert & Annabel Hole with Sherborne Warfare, W2824 & Watermark, W2857, Simon Dunk, Osmonds & Andrew Kingdon, President

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Class 4 – Best Single Horn Ram Lamb (Sponsored by Shearwell Data Ltd.)

1st 2nd

96 97

Best Horn Exhibit (Sponsored by Mr Simon Dunk, Osmonds)

Mr B Lamb Mr B Lamb

Ben Lamb with Richhill Woody, W487, Helen Davies, Shearwell Data Ltd., & Andrew Kingdon, President

Ben Lamb with Richhill Woody, W487.

Mr Simon Dunk, Osmonds, & Andrew Kingdon, President

Class 5 – Best Single Poll Ram Lamb (Sponsored by Waitrose)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

19 24 70 1 145

T & S Knox D W Rossiter W & K Carson Fooks Bros.

Mr S Mullan

Champion Male Exhibit (Sponsored by Waitrose) Trevor Knox with Riverview Wasabi, W24, Dylan Laws, Waitrose & Andrew Kingdon, President.

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Class 6 – Best Group of Three Rams

Class 7 – Best Shearling Horn Ram

(Sponsored by Shearwell Data Ltd.)

(Sponsored by Kivells)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

1st 2nd 3rd

11, 13, 18 23, 26, 29 68, 69, 74 106, 107, 108 137, 138, 139

Mr T Wright D W Rossiter W & K Carson Mr T Clarke Mr A Dufosee

Thomas Wright with Ballytaggart Whirlwind, W1224, Whip Lash, W1209 & Weapon, W1162, Helen Davies, Shearwell & Andrew Kingdon, President

6 80 142

Fooks Bros.

Mr S Driver Mr A Dufosee

Francis Fooks with Poorton, U37, Russell Steer, Kivells & Andrew Kingdon, President.

Class 8 – Best Shearling Poll Ram

Class 9 – Best Pair of Shearling Rams

(Sponsored by Waitrose)

(Sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants)

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

156 158 126 127 45

G & G Henderson R & R Hole Mr D Lewis Mr D Lewis Griffiths & Davies

Gary Henderson with Sandelford Ultan, U301, Dylan Laws, Waitrose & Andrew Kingdon, President 12

111, 112 35, 37 124, 125 118, 123 140, 143

A & C Kingdon V P, M & A Care W L French W L French Mr A Dufosee

Andrew Kingdon & Sam Driver with Polgreen U969 & U961, & Samantha Vigus, Mitchells Chartered Accountants

Best Pen of 5 or more Rams R & E Sizmur, Rossiz Flock

Special Class - Progeny Group of Three 1st 2nd

106, 107, 178 129, 130, 170

Mr T Clarke Mr D Lewis

Class 10 – Best Pen of 5 Ewes 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

251 228 226 336

R & E Sizmur P W Baker & Son R M Eglin & Son Ltd. R M & J E Brown

Class 11 – Best Pen of 5 Hoggets

Class 12 – Best Pen of 5 Ewe Lambs

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

R & E Sizmur D J Thomas & Son Fooks Bros.

Mrs S Britton P W Baker & Son

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

231 243 234 233 235

Champion Pen:

251

R & E Sizmur

249 215 271 205 203

Mr T Clarke R & E Sizmur P W Baker & Son R & R Hole Mr M Hayman

(Sponsored by denis brinicombe agri)

Reserve Champion Pen:

249

(Sponsored by denis brinicombe agri) 13

R & E Sizmur

Blackdown flock wins Most Improved Flock Award for the Dorset breed Bred at just under 1000 feet above sea level a few miles from the Wellington Monument, the Blackdown Flock is managed by Graham and Anne Langford with help from their son Joss, and his family. The flock has been recognised by EBLEX as the Most Improved Flock of Dorset sheep in England for 2014.

The award is presented by the EBLEX Better Returns Programme (BRP) to the recorded flock that shows the greatest genetic gain for commercial characteristics over a 12-month period. There is a separate award for each of ten UK breeds.

The Langford family established the Blackdown flock in 2002. They’ve farmed at Great Garlandhayes, near Taunton, for almost 20 years, and have 110 acres of land, mostly permanent grassland within a Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. The Dorset breed have wonderfully milky mothers and are easy to manage without dogs. The family maintain a flock of 125 pedigree breeding ewes, alongside their rented cottages business.

The Centurion Group of Polled Dorset Breeders collectively form their own Sire Reference Scheme Group.

Graham and Anne purchased above average in-lamb stock from Centurion members, and became part of this group of breeders. Through artificial insemination they were able to use semen from the Centurion Ram of the Year for four years, taking quality and whole flock figures to a high level.

They won this award in 2003 as a result of early work and did not expect to win it again!

Blackdown Ewe with twins

Recording to balance terminal and maternal breeding values “My philosophy is ’if you do not measure it then you cannot manage it’ and that can be applied to all enterprises,” comments Graham.

“From the outset we have recorded with Signet to ensure our stock have full information on past performance of sires and dams, and to give an idea of potential for progeny.”

Following the Warwick University study on feet issues some years ago, they had a cull of stock with foot problems and all routine trimming was stopped. This has paid dividends in foot health and associated labour costs. Similarly any ewe requiring intervention at lambing does not remain in the flock, nor any of her progeny.

“I have concentrated on achieving an evenly graded flock with high breeding values in both the Terminal Sire and Maternal Indices,” Graham said.

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“We are careful to encourage a genetic balance between the two indices. Rapid, early muscle development for well-conformed, fast growing lambs is key for the commercial market place.

“That is combined with the continual improvement of the litter size and maternal traits to promote superior replacement ewes and vigorous rams.

“All this is done against a background of minimum feed input other than grass and forage in a totally outdoor lambing and rearing regime.”

With the objective that the Blackdown flock improves as a whole, they keep sight of breed characteristics to ensure the phenotype remains sound. This will enable wider genetic choice of lambs to retain for breeding, compared to a narrow targeting of just index enhancement.

A balanced approach to breeding values Lambing in the autumn, the ewes are provided with some supplementary feeding before and after lambing only, and lambs are weaned at Christmas. Mating design is organised to bring higher Terminal Sire index rams with the ewes that are down a little in their figures, and higher Maternal index rams to compliment ewes lacking in this area. In addition to blending the indices, careful attention and a complicated spreadsheet help to ensure rams with higher litter size traits are put to ewes that need improvement. Ewes are sorted into their groups ready for tupping in April.

Ewes are pregnancy scanned in early July, and any empties are turned straight back out with a ram. Lambing commences from September with returns producing in November/December, no December born lambs are retained for breeding.

Graham and Anne find it difficult to get away from home so they make use of their own website to market stock available for sale.

Blackdown lambs

This year they also supported the Performance Recorded sale on 11 April at Sedgemoor Auction Centre. The majority of Blackdown stock is sold directly off the farm to both pedigree and commercial buyers. In the past they have shown and won at County shows for stock, wool on the hoof and fleece competitions.

“The show arena does not lend itself to best seeing our performance recorded stock, and as we don’t supplementary feed our stock, their condition is not always comparable.

“We do not cull our ewes with lower figures; instead we choose rams to enhance their progeny. We have ewes in their ninth year lambing, and these by definition are way behind in terms of index when compared with younger females in the flock,” Graham said.

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“As we do not chase indices for individual sheep, this award provides recognition for the overall quality of the flock and for our efforts on our approach to balanced breeding values within the flock.”

Commenting on the win, Signet Breeding Services Manager Sam Boon said: “Rates of genetic improvement in Signet recorded flocks are at an all-time high. The difference between the best high EBV breeding stock and average animals is increasing year on year.

“This means commercial producers have more to gain when investing in rams with superior genetics.

Pedigree breeders can capitalise on these differences too and this is exactly what the Langford family has done. The improvement in the genetic merit of their flock is clear and they are to be congratulated on their achievement.”

Early Notice of 2015 Annual General Meeting The 2015 Annual General meeting is to be held on Saturday, 7 th November, at the Palace Hotel, Buxton, Derbyshire. Rooms are being kept available for Society members to book up until 8 weeks before the event. After that any spare rooms will be put on general sale. Rooms are £55 per person/per night. If you are going to require accommodation I suggest you book early, stating it is for the AGM and certainly ensure you book at least 8 weeks in advance – Tel No. 01298 22001 Further details including menu choices etc. will be sent out with the July newsletter

50 YEARS OF DORSETS AT SHERBORNE SATURDAY, 1ST AUGUST, 2015 @ Hill Street Farm, Holwell, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 5LJ The Sherborne Flock invites you to help them celebrate 50 years of breeding Dorsets.

Arrive at 2.30 p.m. for refreshments, followed by a farm walk, sheep inspections, auction of select females and BBQ. RSVPs would be hugely appreciated by 1st July, 2015, to e-mail: alh@sherbornepolldorsets.co.uk. or Tel: 01963 23263 16

JUDGE’S DAY TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, 5TH JULY, 2015 FARNICOME FARM, UPTON SCUDAMORE, WARMINSTER, WILTSHIRE BA12 0AD 2.00 p m for 2.30 (Tea and coffee will kindly be provided on arrival)

By Kind permission of the Dufosee family A great opportunity for those on the judge’s & probationer’s panel, or indeed anyone wanting to know anything about showing and judging ALL WELCOME A reminder that all members on the judge’s panel MUST attend at least one judge’s day in three years and any probationers on the panel must attend at least one judge’s day before being eligible to be nominated on to the main panel.

If you would like to attend PLEASE either fill in the reply slip below or e-mail: dorsetsheep@xlnmail.com or telephone 01305 262126. ===================================================== JUDGE’S DAY – SUNDAY, 5TH JULY I/We will be attend the judge’s day at Farnicombe Farm, Upton Scudamore on Sunday, 5th July.

NAME(S): ………………………………………………………………………………………..

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WORCESTER SALE SATURDAY, 11TH JULY, 2015 As with May Fair, the Worcester entry forms are only being posted to members who have sold at the sale over the past five or six years. If you are on e-mail they will be e-mailed to you. They will also be available to download off the website if you have access to this. If you would like to receive entry forms for the Worcester sale by post please ring the office.

ENTRIES CLOSE 12 NOON, FRIDAY, 12TH JUNE

2015 FLOCK COMPETITION You will find the entry forms for the 2015 flock competition attached/enclosed with this mailing and again they are available to download off the website.

The judge Samuel Caldwell and a co-judge (TBC) are planning carrying out the judging in late July/August (exact dates to be confirmed).

Do please try and support the competition – it will be well worth the effort

ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY, 3rd JULY, 2015

DISCLAIMER

DORSET HORN & POLL DORSET SHEEP BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION

The Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset Sheep Breeder’s Association produce this newsletter in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies contained therein.

Agriculture House, Acland Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1EF Tel/Fax: 01305 262126 e-mail: dorsetsheep@xlnmail.com website: www.dorsetsheep.org.uk Breed Secretary: Marguerite Cowley

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