Suffolk E-Newsletter Issue 4 April 2012 Welcome It gives me great pleasure to launch the first of our electronic newsletters in 2012. Please forward to any interested individual and ask them to sign up to receive future editions. If someone wants a paper copy please contact the Society office.
New Year Surprise What a great beginning to the New Year for Andrea Gardner, when quintuplets were delivered to a three year old, pedigree Suffolk ewe. The birth process took over an hour and the five lambs weighed in at a whopping 19.2 kilos. This litter size is rare with a pure bred Suffolk and what a bonus that all lambs, plus mum, known as Mary, are doing well. The ewe was artificially inseminated on 6th August 2011to breed stalwart, Stockton Supersire '95 . This certainly provided good value for money from one straw of semen! Andrea originally became interested in Pedigree Suffolk sheep while working as Farm Secretary at Myerscough College. Part of her role was involved in the breeding programme. In 2006 the flock achieved the coveted Signet award for the Most Progressive Flock in the Suffolk breed. Buoyed by this experience Andrea established the Powerline Flock in 2007. The flock currently has twenty ewes and continues to Performance record.
Society Stand leads the way at NSA Melton Mowbray Event The Society Promotional Stand was voted the Best Sheep Breed Stand at the first NSA Sheep Event held in 2012. This event took place at Melton Mowbray on Friday 27th Jan. A stand is only as good as the members that put the effort in to source good livestock and give a welcoming atmosphere. Thanks to all involved from the Midlands & Eastern Branch. Congratulations to all who helped on the day and contributed to this success. Anita Gail Jefferies & Liz Needham accepting the award on behalf of the Society
Email: lewismcc@suffolksheep.org catherinef@suffolksheep.org zara@suffolksheep.org
www.suffolksheep.org
CT Scanning SAC will continue to provide a CT scanning service in 2012, both at Edinburgh and with the mobile scanner at various sites throughout England and Wales CT Scanning Dates 2012 Date
Location
Breeds that have scanned at this time in the past*
7th - 9th May
Edinburgh
Charollais / Hampshire Down
15th - 17th May
Nottingham
Charollais / Hampshire Down
6th - 11th June
Edinburgh
Suffolk
11th - 12th July
Nottingham
Texel / Suffolk / Hampshire Down / Beltex / Charollais
16th - 18th July
Edinburgh
Texel
8th - 9th August
Midhurst
Texel / Suffolk
21st - 22nd August
Aberystwyth
Texel / Suffolk
* Please note dates are NOT exclusive to the breeds indicated. CT scan charges (before subsidy) for 2012 are as follows: SAC scanner (Edinburgh) - £60 per lamb, Mobile scanner (Nottingham / Aberystwyth) - £92 per lamb, Mobile scanner (Midhurst) - £109 per lamb CT scanning subsidy - The devolved bodies in Great Britain have kindly agreed to continue support for this service in 2012. The subsidy will apply to male lambs only and will be for a minimum of 5 lambs per flock, with a selection of sires represented. The following rates have been agreed with maximum lamb numbers applicable: EBLEX -£55 per lamb (max of 15 lambs per flock / breeder), HCC - £55 per lamb (max of 10 lambs per flock / breeder), QMS– Signet are contacting all Scottish pedigree producers to see what the projected uptake of CT scanning is likely to be. Once this information is acquired QMS will notify subsidy support level. LMC - Northern Ireland is the only UK region that does not financially support CT scanning.
Signet Analysis Dates Suffolk 1 - Data Deadline - Friday 6th April - Publication 25th April Suffolk 2 - Data Deadline - Wednesday 13th June - Publication 26th June Suffolk 3 - Data Deadline - Wednesday 8th August - Publication 24th August Suffolk 4 - Data Deadline - Friday 5th October - Publication 22nd October Could recording members please ensure that all relevant information is submitted and lambs are Birth Notified before the above dates to be included in Suffolk Evaluations For more details contact Signet.
Tel: 0247 647 8829
Email: signet@eblex.org.uk
Unit B, Ballymena Livestock Market, 1 Woodside Park Ballymena, BT42 4HG Tel: 028 2563 2342 Fax: 028 2563 2739
Flock Inspections The Society has a duty to ensure that accurate information is collected and maintained on pedigree Suffolk sheep. This information can relate to back pedigree or date of birth. The Suffolk Sheep Society has taken public criticism that some dates of birth, supplied by members, may be incorrect. Council took this matter on board and commenced inspections on a targeted and random basis. Please note that flocks with unusual lambing patterns will be targeted for inspection in future years. Other flocks will be chosen at random. All the Society requests is that the correct date of birth is recorded. Please note there is no longer a lambing date and no lambs with December birth dates will be excluded from Society events or sales.
MacGregor Photography - Society Photographer 2012 MacGregor Photography is widely recognised as one of the UK's leading livestock photographers, specialising in the pedigree sheep and beef industries. They cover a wide range of subjects, usually those with four legs, both at major events and out in their fields of residence. Catherine MacGregor founded MacGregor Photography in 2004 and has since grown the company into one of the countries leading agricultural photographers. She is well known across the UK for the quality of her work and dedication to marketing quality pedigree livestock. The Society looks forward to working with this company. Catherine Laurenson - Catherine joined MacGregor Photography in 2012 after spending many years working with the well respected farming publication 'The Scottish Farmer'. Catherine is an award-winning photographer, has a passion for farming, an eye for detail and a unique creative flair. MacGregor Photography will cover the National and Stirling sales plus the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire, Three Counties and Royal Welsh Shows.
The Society currently has a selection of old Year books and Flock books. If you are missing The Sires Used part of the 2012 Flock Book some from your collection, please contact the can only be entered if the information has Society and we may be able to help. been provided to the Society on your Autumn Return Form. If you have not submitted an Autumn Return form and want sires entered for your flock, please contact the office, before the end of April. Please note that data will be extracted on 1 May to compile the 2012 Flock Book.
Flock Book Sires
Email: lewismcc@suffolksheep.org catherinef@suffolksheep.org zara@suffolksheep.org
www.suffolksheep.org
Dates for your Diary Show Dates RUAS (Balmoral)16th - 18th May (Judging 16th @ 2pm) Three Counties 15th -17th June (Judging 15th @ 9am) RHAS 21st -24th June (Judging 21st @ 9am) Suffolk Championships, 30th June, Sheep 2012, Teagasc, Athenry Great Yorkshire 10th - 12th July (Judging 10th @ 9am) RWAS 23rd - 26th July (Judging 23rd @ 9am)
Gordon Mackie, Drimmie Melvin Stuart, Birness Andrew Wilson, Shannagh To be confirmed Scott Brown, Capielaw Huw Francis, Ward
Society Sale Dates Roscrea
Saturday 14th July
To be confirmed
National (Shrewsbury)
Friday 20th & Saturday 21st July
Arthur O’Keeffe, Annakisha
Scotland (Stirling)
Thursday 26th & Friday 27th July
Jim Jeffery, Bawnard
Ballymena
Wednesday 1st August (Evening)
Robin Irwin, Kings
Carlisle
Friday 10th August
John Christie, Westcarse
NSA Sheep Events 6th June
Scot Sheep (Morrisons Farm, Dumfries House, Cumnock, Ayrshire)
13th June
South Sheep (Nugent Farms Ltd. Upper Lambourn, Berkshire)
4th July
Sheep 2012 (The Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcs)
6th August
Wales & Border Early Ram Sale (Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells)
21st September
Eastern Region Ram Sale (Melton Mowbray)
24th September
Wales & Border Main Ram Sale (Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells)
For more information on any of the above events go to www.nationalsheep.org.uk
Society Website Members can advertise semen, stock rams and general pedigree stock for sale, free on the Society Website. Just send the details, price, photo and contact details to zara@suffolksheep.org
Photograph Copyright The Society would like to advise that any image forwarded for use in Society Publications must be owned by members and is not subject to Copyright cost. Any image that is subject to Copyright will be met by the member.
Unit B, Ballymena Livestock Market, 1 Woodside Park Ballymena, BT42 4HG Tel: 028 2563 2342 Fax: 028 2563 2739
Midland & Eastern Branch The Branch Show will be held in conjunction with Rutland Agricultural Society, on Sunday 3rd June 2012, at Burley on the Hill near Oakham, Leicestershire. A full range of seven classes, including ram lamb pairs, flock ewes & a group of three are open to all Society members, with trophies for each class & cash prize money on the day. The 2012 judge will be Chris Holmes (Rookery flock) & all Midland & Eastern Branch members will receive a schedule, as soon as they become available. Non branch members should contact the Rutland Show Secretary, Mrs. J. Morley, on 01572 787567 or go to www.rutlandcountyshow.co.uk & download a schedule. If the last two years have been anything to go by, our branch show boasts some of the strongest classes of Suffolks in the country. It is also a great social occasion, with a communal ‘bring your own picnic’, held after the judging. As this is Diamond Jubilee week it will have an added celebratory dimension! Spectators & supporters are also very welcome. Bring your picnic, see some good sheep & enjoy the show & craic! If you require any further information please call or email the Midland & Eastern Branch Secretary, Liz Needham: Tel: 01476 870 223 or e maillizneedham@btinternet.com
The next Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 15th May if you have any issues that you wish to be raised at this meeting please contact your local council representative or the Society Office.
Do You Need a Sale Catalogue Prepared for a Sale?
This Newsletter is only as good as EWE make it…if you have any topics that you wish to discuss, or
Are you planning a production, dispersal or female sale? If you are preparing a sale the Society can create your catalogue for a total have any news updates or anycost of £25+Vat. thing in general please email: All you have to do is provide the Society with a list of registered zara@suffolksheep.org or post to sheep in the preferred order. The information can then be exthe Society Office. tracted from Basco and placed into a word document, ready to send via email. The Society is happy to place the completed cata- If there is an event you want logue on the Society website to aid in promoting the sale. to advertise, why not do it here. Contact the Society with The Society would appreciate any pictures and reports from sales, the details and we’ll do the shows etc. so this can be added to the website or used in Society rest! publications.
Email: lewismcc@suffolksheep.org catherinef@suffolksheep.org zara@suffolksheep.org
www.suffolksheep.org
New Society President Jim Jeffery Bawnard Flock (900) I have been involved with Suffolk sheep all my life. Our flock was established two years before I was born, in 1964, by my late father Jim. Suffolks have always been part of our farming enterprise, because at the end of the day they make money for us. The Suffolk breed is excellent on growth, good on lameness and hardy. On the maternal side the Suffolk cross ewe is an excellent mother with very high resistance to mastitis. These are the attributes that our customers require and demand of us in today's world of sheep farming. This is why we breed Suffolk sheep. Our biggest achievement to date was breeding the supreme Champion at the South of Ireland Branch show and sale in 1990. This ram lamb sold for the then record price of €7,000gns. We also had the next two highest ram lambs, that day, selling at €2,500gns and €2,100gns respectively. My advice to any new breeder is to breed what the market requires. Produce rams with length and shape that flesh easily. Talk to your customers. This is the most important way to find if you are breeding what they require. This feed back is invaluable to guide you in your breeding policy.
Performance Recording Survey The Society and Signet jointly prepared a survey on a wide range of issues relating to performance recording. This was sent to all current recording members and those that had ceased within a set time frame. Results from this survey have been tabulated. There were many useful suggestions and some clear findings. These main conclusions were: 1. 2. 3. 4.
The Society should establish a recording group to head up recording and work with Signet/AHDB. Change our lambing difficulty scoring system. Look at all ways to improve the system. Look at creating additional EBVs and Index
Caption Competition kindly sponsored by Natural Stockcare Ltd. We would like your Captions for this picture. Please email your entries to zara@suffolksheep.org with Caption Competition as the Subject. The winning Caption will receive a £25 Voucher from Natural Stockcare Ltd. The Winner will be announced in the next E-Newsletter.
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Unit B, Ballymena Livestock Market, 1 Woodside Park Ballymena, BT42 4HG Tel: 028 2563 2342 Fax: 028 2563 2739
Changes to Constitution Changes in the interpretation of Charity Law by the Scottish Charity Commission has required the Society to amend its Memorandum and Articles of Association. This interpretation by Scottish Authorities had implications for the Northern Area Branch. Unfortunately the legal process was not complete to incorporate as part of a Special Resolution at our AGM on 23 February 2011. An extraordinary general meeting will be held, in conjunction with the Northern Area Branch Sale at Stirling, on 26th July at 4pm to ratify this change. The new Articles of Association was sent along with the 2012 Yearbook. If you have not received your copy please contact the Society office. If you cannot attend and have any issue to raise, please contact Dr Lewis McClinton at the Society Office by Friday 20th July.
Advertise While You Drive!! NEW TRAILER STICKERS AVAILABLE A trailer sticker to promote Quality Suffolk Lamb was dispatched with our 2012 Yearbook. Please take time to place this on the back door of your trailer. A second larger sticker for the front of your trailer will be available from the Society office, Sales and NSA events. Please take time to put it on your trailer.
Email: lewismcc@suffolksheep.org catherinef@suffolksheep.org zara@suffolksheep.org
www.suffolksheep.org
Outsourced work to NMR Ceased on 1 April 2012 The Society has been operational in Northern Ireland since October 2008. The efficient running of our Charity has now been attained. With over 77 per cent of our members paying by Direct Debit this has freed up staff time and provided financial stability to grow the business. Over recent years additional work has been taken back from National Milk Records (NMR) and now is the time to bring in the rest. The Society appreciates the assistance that NMR has provided, especially during the period of transition. To facilitate the extra workload the Society has offered Zara Morrison a full time, two year contract. Zara brings a wealth of knowledge from the pedigree world and is actively involved in breeding pedigree British Blue cattle. Zara has been employed, part time, over the last year and has already become an important cog in the Society wheel. Zara will be actively involved in updating our website, designing promotional material and printing. The Chief Executive said on Zara’s appointment, “Staff are the most important part in any business. In Catherine and Zara the Society have two people that have excellent interpersonal skills and are dedicated to delivering the Society objectives. I am delighted that the Society has now a team of three which will enable us to provide a wider range of services for our members.” Royal Mail has just released a set of first class stamps showing six different British Sheep Breeds. The Welsh Mountain Badger Face, Dalesbred, Jacob, Suffolk, Soay and Leicester Longwool are the breeds featured. They only come in first class and you cannot get packs that include only the Suffolk breed. Keep an eye on your mail to see if you notice them.
NEW TIES HAVE ARRIVED!! The Society has designed three new ties which combine the old and new Society logos. These are in three colours; fuchsia, green or grey. The popular Blue Stripe tie is also available. Each tie costs £12+Vat which includes packaging and posting. To make an order please contact the Society.
The Suffolk Sheep Society accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Suffolk Sheep Society, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, editor or publishers. The editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisement or editorial article submitted to this magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to the editor. The Suffolk Sheep Society does not endorse any goods or services advertised, nor any claims or representations made in any advertisement in this magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the copyholder and publisher, application for which should be made to the publisher.
Unit B, Ballymena Livestock Market, 1 Woodside Park Ballymena, BT42 4HG Tel: 028 2563 2342 Fax: 028 2563 2739
European Corner Dutch Suffolk Events The National Show of Suffolk sheep is organised jointly with Oostermoer Show and will be held on 14th July at Borger which is in the northern part of the Netherlands. “Suffolk Day” will be held on 8th September at the premises of Mr. Westhoff, Redcreek flock. Belgian Suffolk Events Herne Show will be held on 28th May. This local Flemish town is transferred into a big market spread over several kilometers. Aalst Show will be held on 21st July at Aalst, outside on the market place. Beveren-Leie Show will be held on 19th August and will have all the top Belgian breeders present. Why not book your holidays and see a EU Suffolk show? For more dates of Suffolk Shows, please see www.suffolkstamboeknederland.nl
Reminders: BIRTH NOTIFICATION FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE 30TH JUNE. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL ANIMALS HAVE BEEN BIRTH NOTIFIED BEFORE ENTERING THEM FOR A SALE.