Texel Bulletin - November 2012

November 2012

Bulletin For members of the Texel Sheep Society

l Member and commercial producer surveys proving popular. l Preventing farm thefts. l Getting your 2013 Birth Notification ID’s correct. l DNA Archiving and Mastitis research updates. l Major success for Society show and sale reporting.

SHEEP SOCIETY

www.texel.co.uk

l Corriecravie flock feature.

In Touch with Texel British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

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SHEEP SOCIETY

www.texel.co.uk

Welcome

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Dear Member With any eye to the future this bulletin not only outlines some of the key successes during the summer but also adds a flavour of new services in the pipeline.

27% of our members have joined us within the past 5 years, so we are very much aware of the need to evolve and satisfy the needs of modern breeders.

I recently completed a survey for the Governments Farm Animal Genetic Resources Committee to assist them in updating their Inventory of UK breeds.

Our statistics continue to impress and offer us key performance indicators showing the confidence in Pedigree Texel.

Contents Pg 3 Welcome

Pg 4-9 Society Matters

Pg 10-11

Between 2009-2011 we achieved: 10% increase of Members flocks that are reporting female offspring (Birth Notifying).

15% increase of Members flocks that are reporting male offspring (Birth Notifying).

4.4% increase in overall Birth Notifications to total 59,737 17% increase in female registrations 18% increase in male registrations

Science into Practice

All achieved whilst maintaining a healthy 2000 members during the period.

Lifestyle

Additionally our National sales continue to deliver to both pedigree members and commercial producers demands.

Northern Ireland sale performance had the highest Gimmer & second highest average Shearling ram price in 16 years (789 and 613gns). The Scottish National sold more ram lambs in 2012 (443) than at any time in the last 12 years, with the highest clearance rate in the last 16 years (80%). The Welsh National continues to strengthen at its new venue, with second highest number of ram lambs sold in last 16 years (96), with an impressive second highest average price (733gns) in last 16 years and the third highest average in the same period for the Shearling Rams (918 gns). This leaves the highly popular English National, that delivered with an impressive joint first average price for gimmers in the last 16 years (612 gns) and the second highest average in the same period for Shearling Rams (764 gns).

There are many great things about Texel, too many to mention in this short bulletin, so be sure to keep up to date and visit www.texel.co.uk, which now has a regular visitor rate in the thousands per month, with August alone witnessing 121,432 pages viewed.

Pg 14-15 Youth Focus

Pg 16-17 If you want to offer feedback on Society Promotions email office@texel.co.uk While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the information contained in this publication, no responsibility can be accepted by the Society for any errors or any reliance on the use of information by readers.

Front cover: Scottish National

John Yates Chief Executive

To see the short videos of the Texel breed either SCAN the QR Code above or visit www.youtube. com/TexelSheepSociety More videos will be added during 2012.

Visit us @ Like the Texel Watch videos at Facebook Pages www.youtube.com/texelsheepsociety www.texel.co.uk

B

basco Follow us @ twitter.com/britishtexel

Basco database www.texel.co.uk

The above barcodes or more correctly named QR code or Quick Response code allows readers to use their smart phones to access further information on our services.

Download a QR reader app to your smartphone or camera enabled tablet computer, then launch the app and hold the device over the barcode to access the extra content found on our website.

Visit the iTunes App store or Android Market to download a QR reader app for free.

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SOCIETY MATTERS

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Are you doing all you can to prevent rural crime?

It is estimated that rural crime will top £60, million this year.

• Farms can be easy targets • Many crimes are committed by opportunists but some form part of deeper criminal networks.

• Hotspots for sheep thefts are Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Thames Valley and Derbyshire.

• No area without risk from some sort of rural crime.

• 67,000 sheep were stolen in the UK last year, at a cost of £6M. Play your part in preventing crime • Report suspicious vehicles • If you encounter suspicious behaviour in your area or have a non-emergency request dial “101” • Contact your local constabulary and join a local “Farm Watch scheme” • Crimestoppers can also be contacted on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org Keep Accurate Records • If all your animal movement records are kept on a computer, ensure regular back ups are maintained, keep this back up somewhere away from where the computer is kept, or in a separate building.

• Keep movement records up to date, it is a legal requirement and it will quickly show animal numbers on the farm and the ear tag numbers for each animal.

• Report any incidents, however small, as this helps the police to build profiles of criminal behaviour in local areas.

Social Networking sites There have been incidents of thieves targeting properties as a result of posts on sites such as Facebook, indicating that they would be away. Think carefully and also ensure your family are aware of the reasons for safe posting.

Most Commonly targeted items: • Tools • Most Heating Oil – Diesel • Quad Bikes • Metal • Machinery • Tractor • Vehicles • Livestock

tell Commercial Survey This campaign is proving extremely popular gaining valuable feedback for the Society on the use of Texel in the commercial sector, with over 1500 surveys already returned. The Ritchie Weigh Crate free prize draw closes on 27th February 2013.

If there’s one thing you’d change, what would it be?

SHEEP SOCIETY

“Next years” National AGM and Social Weekend is 1st & 2nd November 2013 The Society AGM 2013 will be combined with a Social Weekend kindly hosted by the South Wales Club. All members and family are welcomed to the home of Welsh Rugby team official Hotel: The Vale Resort, Hensol Park,Vale of Glamorgan Nr Cardiff. www.vale-hotel.com Contact the Society office for further information and a booking form.

Society Fees frozen Society has frozen fees for 2013, with a full fees sheet available on the back cover. Members are encouraged to use the Society Direct Debit service and gain a 10% discount on fees.

Member services survey Make sure you have “Liked us” on our facebook page!

Members have flocked to the Society new facebook page, launched earlier this year.

The page has become the first point of call for all new reports from the society.

Now with over 800 likes and used intensely during this summers busy show and sale season, and allowing key links to the valuable content on the Society website. We like it, hope you can also!

www.texel.co.uk

Members received a services survey sheet along with their flock returns earlier this autumn. All surveys completed and returned by Friday 9th November were entered into a free prize draw for up to 50 free of charge birth notifications for one flock in 2013.

Winner: Mr Paul Goode, Huntshaw flock, Berwickshire Additionally, Flock returns must be returned to the Society by the 31st October, if you still have not completed yours, please give this your urgent attention as the date has lapsed.

5 Reminder: Maedi Visna status of imported stock Stock imported into Texel members MV Accredited flocks need to have a current MV accredited status. Ie before they join your accredited flock in GB. S&GHS scheme have asked us to remind members they must have certification available for S&GHS, to authenticate the newly imported animals MV health status.

The import licence is not suitable for this, members need to obtain a conformation certificate from the exporting flock owners scheme.

£

Members benefit from £11654 of Society Club promotional Grants. £9233 was distributed by the Society in 2012 across Society Clubs, additionally clubs were provided with £2421 worth of promotional banners to assist in local and regional promotions of the breed.

Scrapie Monitored Status (SMS) Some SMS members will lose their valued SMS status as they have added sheep to their flocks from NON-SMS sources. Purchased sheep, both EWES and RAMS must come from known SMS sources or have scrapie genotype ARR/ARR. If a flock has gone through the three year compliance procedure to gain SMS membership it is not worth losing the flock status, as exporting opportunities rise and demand for high health stock from other SMS flocks grows. S&GHS check the status of newly added animals to your flock through the MV scheme administration.

NON SMS flocks should also consider scrapie genotyping stock to assist in marketing.

William Kilgour (Bill) Jackson William Kilgour (Bill) Jackson, (Founder Shareholder British Texel Sheep Society) passed away on Friday, 4 May 2012 at the Inverclyde Royal Infirmary in Greenock, aged 81.

He was born in 1930 in Symington, Lanarkshire, where he lived most of his life, only moving to the west coast of Scotland on retirement in 1989.

James Lindsay Clark James Clark, of Clark Farms, died suddenly but peacefully at home on 21st October 2012.

Jim, as he was always known, was a real “people person” and loved nothing better than a get together of family or friends. Born at Auchtykirnal Farm, Lesmahagow.

Gerallt Williams Gerallt Williams of the Caron flock passed away on 27th October 2012. In Gerallt Williams the breed had one of its characters. A big man with a big heart, a gentle giant with an infectious laugh.

Full obituaries are available at www.texel.co.uk or call the Society office on 02476696629

The Board of Directors, Chief Executive and staff at the Texel office wish all Members and friends of the society a very Merry Christmas

40th Anniversary plans get rolling...

The Society Board has a dedicated 40th Anniversary Committee in place to begin the planning for the 2014 celebrations. If any member has any suitable suggestions please email office@texel.co.uk. It is expected that, special prizes, commemorative gifts, national flock awards, enhanced commercial and pedigree promotions, national stock judging, technical conference and national social weekend will ensure all members and clubs have the opportunity to get involved. We welcome your feedback and will work with local clubs to fine tune the programme of events.

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SOCIETY MATTERS

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Can you afford the risk of your stock failing a Society inspection at a Society sale?

Tag your 2013 lambs accurately and supply the Society with the correct animal ID that appears on BOTH tags.

Members may also want to ensure that their flock prefix is printed on the reverse of the management tag to identify pedigree flock of origin. Additional management information can be printed on the reverse of this tag for your own purposes, however the management ID is not the ID number that is needed for the Society flock book.

Bye Law 9.7: The Society requires that all pedigree Texel sheep carry two ear tags, in accordance with current government regulations, each clearly identifying the breeder’s unique UK flock number and the Society flock book number allocated to that animal. One of the tags shall be an EID tag and the other a visual tag. Any animal with incorrect or indistinct identification or only carrying one tag will be rejected unless the Society has been notified in advance of the inspection and a dispensation certificate accompanies the animal to the point of inspection.

Animals born prior to January 1st 2011 can be identified with a tag plus a tattoo for Society purposes. Hand written tags will not be acceptable for animals born after December 31st 2010.

The decision of the inspector shall be final and failure to accept the inspector’s decision will result in the entire consignment being rejected.

Members are required to use the individual animal id (the last 5 digits of the EID), as the pedigree identifier of Pedigree Texel notifications and registrations. And not the flocks own separate management number.

Type of Tags There are many types of tags on the market. The Society does not stipulate any specific manufactures tags.

However all breeding stock tags must contain UK FLOCK NUMBER & INDIVIDUAL ANIMAL I.D Additional management information can also be added Additional management information for your own use can be printed on tags. i.e. Texel flock code, ABC, CRB, etc or year of birth, 2013, 2014 etc This ID should be used to notify to the Society and forms the basis for the Pedigree flockbook identifier.

Report your UK flock code to the Society office. We will link this to your Pedigree flock number i.e..

ABC, BBC etc

Contact your tag manufacturer for further details on printing management information.

Birth notifications have to be recorded with the Society in their year of birth otherwise there is a fee of £120 for Direct Debit or £132 for cheque, including VAT. Note the Society Sale dispensation certificate does not allow any allowance from the government laws in place for the movement of livestock.

U

2013 Birth Notifications start with

SHEEP SOCIETY

Ualtar Ulysses Urban Unique Uzi Ungus

www.texel.co.uk

Welcome to our 160 new members. Maintaining the Society Membership at

2000

7 Dates for the diary 2013 Royal Shows Royal Ulster Show 15 - 17 May NEW VENUE Judge: V Chestnutt - CLOUGHER

Texel Sponsored Primestock Shows 2012 Entry fees to the Texel classes at these events are financially supported by the Society. Contact the office for further information regarding eligibility for claims.

Royal Highland Show 20 - 23 June Judge: G Gray - ETTRICK Great Yorkshire Show 9 - 11 July Judge:TBC

Countryside Live

Royal Welsh Show 22 - 25 July Judge: S Smith - PENPARC

20 - 21 October

Borderway Agri Expo

Texel Sheep Society National Sale

2 November

N.I. National 12 & 13 August Judge: H Wilkinson - ARKLE

English Winter Fair

Scottish National 21 & 22 August Judge: A Gault - FORKINS

17 - 18 November

Welsh National 23 & 24 August Judge: J E Davies - TEILO

Royal Welsh Winter Fair

English National 26 & 27 August Judge: R Laird - CAMBWELL

26 - 27 November

NSA Sales & Events 2013

Royal Highland Winter Fair 28 November

NSA Central Region Winter Fair 24 January - Bakewell NSA Welsh Sheep 21 May - Llansowel

East of England/Smithfield Festival

NSA North Sheep 5 June - Harrogate

30 November - 1 December

NSA Sheep Northern Ireland 1 July - Ballymena

Northern Ireland Primestock Winter Fair

NSA Builth early Ram sale 5 August Judge: J Hardwick - ABERCRYCHAN NSA Builth Ram Show & Sale 22 & 23 September Judge:TBC

3 December

Prize Fund The above listed Winter fairs are supported by the Society with the following prize funds.

Regional Director Election results East & South East of England Area 7 Director Tim Healy and East of Scotland, area 3 Director Gordon Gray, both stood down from the Society Board as Regional Directors at the AGM on November 3rd when their current terms ended.

One nomination was received from each area, both unopposed. Commencing from the 3rd November 2012 Peter Sutton, Colwood and High Weald flocks will represent Area 7, East and South East of England, whilst David McKerrow, Knocknairey flock will represent Area 3, East of Scotland. Steve Richardson, Stonebridge flock, was re-elected, unopposed in Area 5, North of England.

Tim Healy has been co-opted on to the Society board for 12 months to serve as the Society representative along with the Chief Executive on the Basco Data Ltd Board. Tim is currently the Chairman to the Basco Data Ltd Board.

£250 - Supreme Champion live if sired by a Texel £125 - Reserve Champion live if sired by a Texel £250 - Supreme Champion live if sired by a Texel £125 - Reserve Champion live if sired by a Texel £150 towards Texel show classes

Club In Lamb Sale Dates 2012 Worcester 1 December Thainstone 3 & 4 December Carlisle 7 December Skipton 15 December Welshpool 21 December Llandovery 21 December

2013 Chelford 5 January Peter Sutton

David McKerrow

Steve Richardson

Lanark 5 January

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SOCIETY MATTERS

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National Sales, 1st Season Sire of the Year award 2012

National Sale Toppers 2012 Northern Ireland - Ballymena Braehead Touch of Class QDA1200207 - David Warwick sold for 6,000gns

Sportsman’s Scout BGS1100222 Sire of the year 2012

Sportsman’s Scout BGS1100222- Boden & Davies Congratulations go to Messrs Boden & Davies Ltd (Sportsman’s Flock), who won the Texel Society National Sales, 1st Season Sire of the Year award 2012 with the three top sons of Sportsman’s Scout, (BGS1100222).

Scout was a 10,000gn joint purchase by Clarks Farm via the 2011 Solway and Tyne Club Carlisle Show & Sale. The qualifying winning aggregate for his three leading sons was 73,500gns. All three were in fact maternal ET brothers bred in the Teiglum flock (Clark Farms). Their dam, who was sired by Teiglum Outlaw (CFT085759), is an outstanding show ewe, winning 2nd at both the Royal Highland and the Great Yorkshire Shows respectively

Texel Chairman Nick Tavernor presents the’ Sire of the Year’ trophy to Charlie Boden – Sportsman’s flock

For the full report visit www.texel.co.uk or scan the QR code with your smart phone

Scotland - Lanark Teiglum Tornado - CFT1201701 Clarks Farms - sold for 60,000gns

Wales - Welshpool Teiglum Tennessee - CFT1201702 Clarks Farms - sold for 5,500gns

Rod McKenzie - QMS The Society has been advised that following staff reviews QMS has announced Rod McKenzie will be leaving his post.

Rod has been a stalwart and true advocate of recording in the Scottish Industry in particular in his support of the Texel members in Scotland over the past years.

The Society wishes him every success and has every hope that Rod will be further involved in the industry in the future.

SHEEP SOCIETY

www.texel.co.uk

England - Worcester Mellor Vale Tomahawk BCM12000139 - C Boden - sold for 6,000gns

9 Valuable partnership provides £10,965.76 support for RSABI Ahead of the female sale at the Scottish National the Society hosted a charity auction of semen and embryos raising £10,438,56 in aid of RSABI, the Scottish rural charity, with embryos selling to 400gns and semen to 110gns/straw.

An additional £527.20 in levy was also raised by Lawrie & Symington who have kindly donated directly to RSABI. To read the full report visit the website www.texel.co.uk or scan the QR code with your smart phone

Wool Testing at National Sales Further demands were placed on the Society Board at the recent AGM. The general membership requested that the Society is more active in taking wool samples at Society Sales in 2013. Speaking at the AGM, Society Chairman Nick Tavernor explained that the Wool sampling and testing had been developed as a deterrent and as such had been available over the past years, and whilst sheep had been removed from sales for dressing, the need for more sampling was now evident and needed to be more visible to both assure members and to stamp out dressing.

Members email addresses Reminder - ensure your current email is registered with the Society and on the Society mailing list for up to date news and information.

Email office@texel.co.uk or update your BASCO account profile.

SHROPSHIRE & BORDERS CLUB Evening Sale of In-Lamb Females

on Friday 21st December 2012 at Welshpool Market Call Welshpool Livestock Sales

on 01938 553 438 British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SCIENCE INTO PRACTICE

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Embryo Transfer......friend or foe? ice of embryo Some members have questioned the pract the entire n transfer and its effect on inbreeding withi itors the level of breed. The Society Board constantly mon ip. Currently embryo transfer practiced in the membersh ed as ET rear notifi are ns 10% of the total birth notificatio breed and the in types. The use of AI and ET is permitted nsive tools in used appropriately are important, yet expe flock development.

een making Breeding decisions have to be a balance betw rates of faster rates of genetic gain and minimising to members will inbreeding. Having a simple tool available within their eding inbre of enable them to minimise risks across the e denc own flock and will assist in adding confi membership. s the benefits Additionally, the Society will be able to asses animal in every of of publishing an Inbreeding co-efficient The Society the flock book through the Basco database. ase holds the can achieve this as the Society’s’ Basco datab This new tool d. bree l Texe complete pedigree trees for the and policy would enable;

• •

Inbreeding to be monitored at a breed level at a flock Inbreeding to be monitored and reported level ng, AI & The influences of practices such as ram shari ET to be continually assessed. in sales Inbred animals could simply be indentified and semen catalogues.

to work out The initial tool would also allow breeders to be and likely are gs how closely related future matin on choice of lity nsibi allow them to continue to take respo sires in their own flocks. l population Preliminary work on inbreeding in the Texe s: has also identified the following key point

SHEEP SOCIETY

www.texel.co.uk

showed The initial breed dataset recently analysed on deep 3-4% inbreeding coefficient, which based h mark pedigrees is perfectly acceptable. As a benc ern. conc no anything less than 6% is of

•

itor levels of The Board liaises with geneticists to mon rees. The inbreeding against accurately recorded pedig the Society is level of inbreeding can be measured and and support assist to also developing a new online tool within their members in assessing the level of inbreeding on their own own flock and the influence of new sires flock.

• •

t on depth Inbreeding coefficients are highly dependen times be of pedigree and therefore the level can some change may under estimated. Direction and speed of industry. p shee the to therefore be more relevant

•

5 years Speed of change is more important, 1% over d analysed would be classed as rapid. The Texel bree m, similar showed 0.5% over 5 years or 0.1% per annu d and to the dairy industry, which is not unexpecte perfectly manageable.

•

•

a major Whilst these rates of inbreeding are not is that as concern at the moment, the important fact monitor to inues cont d Boar an assurance the Society ts of affec the as the level of use of AI and ET, as well eding inbreeding. The Society will be analysing inbre and useful in further detail and will invest in suitable their own ge mana to bers tools that can enable mem flocks more effectively.

taining The membership should be aware that main licated records and analyzing pedigrees is a comp ty Socie the but process. It can be done manually, the most are es believes computerised mating programm iding members consistent, reliable and fastest way of prov generations. with pedigree information on at least 5 year Basco system The Society will continue to invest into its t tools for its and ensure that it provides the very lates membership. ld not only Critically, a good mating programme shou provide provide this data analysis, but it should also to help them breeders with clear independent guidance . eding inbre select the right sire to avoid to make The Society believes that allowing members eding at informed decisions that will maintain inbre level is the d bree the at acceptable levels at flock and most constructive approach.

11 Are udder and teat conformation heritable traits that affect mastitis in Texel sheep?

As reported in the February bulletin, many sheep breeders are aware mastitis is an important cause of death and premature culling.

Occurring when bacteria penetrate the teat canal and enter the udder, resulting in anything from a few clots in the milk to a ewe that becomes very ill and dies within a matter of hours.

Most cases of mastitis occur either very soon after lambing or 3-6 weeks later when milk yields peak.

The Society recognises the challenges that the sheep industry has with managing this ailment. The November bulletin outlined the Society’s successful application of a £5000 KTN Spark Award in an area of research into mastitis in sheep.

Warwick University life sciences research team, under the research heading “Are udder and teat conformation heritable traits that affect mastitis in Texel sheep?” began field data collection studies in the spring this year.

Summary

The future

Visiting seven performance recorded pedigree Texel flocks ranging in size from 46 - 151 breeding ewes, and scored 11 ewe udder characteristics. Traits measured were the length, width and position of teats, udder width, udder drop (how low the udder hangs) and degree of separation of the two udder halves. Teats were examined for the presence of lesions and udders checked for the presence of lumps in the udder.

More work is needed to confirm these findings in a larger number of sheep, and we hope to continue this work in conjunction with Warwick University. Further information on Sheep mastitis research can be obtained by contacting Laura Green or Ed Smith at the University, 0247657 5874, or the Society Office.

Using information on the relatedness of the ewes examined and using the Texel Society pedigree records held on BASCO they made initial estimates of the heritability of these traits (the likelihood of being passed on from one generation to the next).

Results • • •

Udder traits are highly heritable Udder drop, udder width and teat width associated with udder abnormalities Age, teat width and length were associated with teat lesions

Nasal sampling of Texel Sheep Using a recently awarded £5,000 KTN Spark award, “Genome-wide-selection approaches in sheep - important pre-requisites for creating a reference population”. The Society’s main aims were to assess this commercial product in collection of sheep DNA, as it had been primarily used in other species. Using a field study focusing on, collection, shipping, and storage at Ark Genomics laboratory in Edinburgh. Nasal sampling devices were kindly donated by DNA Genotek, Canada within the project partnership. Ark Genomics extracted and archived DNA in the field study.

The goal of this project was to find a non-invasive sampling method for routine sampling and address logistical and practical issues as well as Home Office regulations that prevent sampling for non-diagnostic purposes. DNA Genotek nasal swabs were

easy to use by the breeders and would be adopted by if the society if a preliminary archive needed to be created. Also, the kits provide sufficient quantity/quality of DNA, and meet shipping compliance that could enable a reference population to be genotyped.

Whilst Genome Wide Selection is still many years away for the Sheep Industry, the Society continues to evolve its procedures to ensure that the Society is well positioned to exploit the opportunities as they arise.

This initial field study focused on using a commercial non invasive kit to allow for the collection of sheep DNA. The Board will consider the outcomes of this study, along with other projects currently in progress. The Society will be developing new DNA archive services for the benefit of the breed and membership during 2013.

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SCIENCE INTO PRACTICE

12

NORTHERN Ballynahone Clougher Forkins Tamnamoney SATURDAY 15th DECEMBER at 12.30pm Ballymena Mart Catalogues & Enquiries Tel: 028 256 33470

STARS

BALLYNAHONE S OFFERS THIS YEAR ENTIRE GIMMER CROP!

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Thursday 27th Dec 2012 at 1pm Hilltown Livestock Mart, BT34 5YN Tel: 028406 30287

Main service sires Teiglum Target 5000gns - Drumgooland Tattoo 4500gns Ballycoose Tornado 1100gns - Cwmcerrig Topper 4200gns Mullan Supremacy 3800gns

Mullan Tin Tin 3800 gns

Five consignors: Tullagh Talisman 3200 gns

Blackstown • Fairmount Mullan • Springwell • Tullagh Approx. 100 females all eligible for export

For further details contact Louise Robinson:

Tel: 07980 212 016

SHEEP SOCIETY

www.texel.co.uk

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S A M T S I R H C S R E K C A CR CARLISLE

Sale

ers

imm g b m a l of in

RT AUCTION MA

FRIDAY 7th DECEMBER 2012 EVENING EVENT Commences at 5:30pm Record Breaking Highest Priced Texel Females sold at this sale in 2010 & 2011 at 24,000 and 32,000gns respectively

Featuring

Cairness Deveronvale Glenside Haddo Knock Midlock Rascarrel Tophill

Catalogues from auctioneers Harrison & Hetherington Borderway Mart Rosehill, Carlisle, CA1 2RS

Tel: 01228 406 230 Fax: 01228 640921 www.livestock-sales.co.uk

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

YOUTH FOCUS

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Dylan Jones SteddfaTexel flock Dylan Jones along with friends and colleagues completed a colossal 568 mile cycle ride around Wales. Stopping off at all 12 County Federation Offices and 3 bases of the Wales air ambulance as well as the YFC centre. Completed over 6 weekends, with various legs varying from 23-70 miles, Beefys bike ride helped to contribute towards the YFC Wales Charity of the year. £37,759 was collected by all YFC Wales clubs as part of the years charity activity.

Dylan who is also YFC Wales Chairman commented “The bike ride was an ambitious challenge and I am overwhelemed by the level of support that has been shown to the Wales Air Ambulance by Wales YFC over the past 12 months.

Presenting the cheque was an emotional moment for me, adding it was a joint effort of all involved in Wales YFC that made the whole thing possible” For further information please contact Wales YFC 01982 553502 Top: Dylan and Aled outside the Wales Millennium Centre at the end of the Bike Ride Left: Dylan and Aled Jones (Centre) presenting a cheque to Alun Davies, Trustee of Wales Air Ambulance (left) and Mark Stevens, South Wales Fundraising Development Manager (right)

Northern Ireland Members Elliot and Johnny Bell support Society promotion at National NSA Sheep Event.

By Elliot and Johnny Bell Kiltariff flock.

Recently we were given the opportunity by the Society to contribute to the Breeds promotions at the 2012 NSA sheep event. The invitation came un-expectantly in June and before long we found ourselves on our travels to the Three Counties Show Grounds in Malvern Worcestershire on the 4th July.

The stand was outstanding and manned enthusiastically by a number of staff from the Society as well as a selection of young members from across the UK that had also been supported by the Society, as we were. This experience provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with both fellow breeders but more importantly it offered us a chance to speak with the commercial producer, whilst collecting valuable information for the “Tell Texel” commercial survey.

We were surprised of the size and quality of the event, with attendance from across the UK. The attraction for British Texel from the continent was clearly evident, which was extremely encouraging for both of us. We had the opportunity to see the event first hand, and it was clear why it has become so popular. A vast number of breed societies, pharmaceutical’s and various other industry reps were present, which clearly shows how competitive the sheep industry is today.

Overall the event provided an excellent learning experience. Spending a full day in conversation with commercial farmers really focused the mind on the breeding stock we need to produce and areas where we can make improvements. We would like to express our thanks to the Society initiative and for their support and we encourage all young breeders to get involved with future events, if the opportunity arises.

SHEEP SOCIETY

www.texel.co.uk

15

Society support Eblex France at SIA Paris show 2012.

Kirree & Thomas Kermode - ORRISDALE Flock As young, enthusiastic members of the British Texel Sheep Society we were delighted to be asked to represent the Society at the Salon International D’Agriculture in Paris in March this year.

Our remit was to promote English lamb on the St George Meat stand, operated by Eblex to raise the profile of the best of English Beef and Lamb within the wider European community and worldwide. The Show, which attracts over 600,000 visitors over ten days, is one of the largest livestock exhibitions in Europe. There were 4,782 animals exhibited in the livestock area within the huge indoor exhibition, other areas were agricultural services and professions, crop and plant sectors and Gastronomy both in France and abroad.

Our daily duties began at 8am with preparing the four British Texel rams on the stand for a hard day of filming and photographs. It was essential that the stand should be absolutely immaculate to the exacting standard demanded by the head of French EBLEX before the doors opened at 9 am. Indeed the whole of the livestock exhibition was spotless with not a bale of hay or a show box in sight with the animals and their attendants presented with Parisian impeccability. A very big contrast to our very ‘social’ British shows lines. There was much interest in the Texel sheep and we were kept very busy answering questions about their characteristics and the greater muscularity that they have compared to the French sheep breeds, even the French Texels. When we had chance to view the judging of the Texel classes they were shown very differently being tied up in long lines while the breeder/owner joined the grand stands to watch patiently.

Prizes were not only awarded for conformation but for wool as well and not by just 1 judge but 3!! It was fascinating to see. Very little attention was paid to the animals head, colors and characteristics during the judging. Instead very differently a great deal of time was spent measuring and looking at long staples of fleece!! However the French breeders greatly admired the British Texels. There was great admiration to the sheer width, length and extreme conformation.

For the first time in history, British Texel sheep were paraded in the main ring at the heart of the Show, a major achievement, and we had the privilege of preparing and showing them. As a result of being seen by thousands of people there were many enquiries from sheep farmers, fellow Texel breeders and even cattle breeders about semen and the exportation of stud stock from Britain to combine the best of French and British genetics. It was amazing to see the opportunities of markets opening up in front of us, an incredible experience. The days were long with the doors finally closing at 8pm and all that was left to do was to settle the animals down for the night.

However it was not all work and we did have the opportunity during less busy times to explore the rest of the Exhibition. The Gastronomy hall was particularly interesting, designed in such a way to take you on a journey through the different regions of France, by exploring their local produce and delicacies. The quality and diversity on display left our taste buds reeling. Their promotional skills were second to none and their obvious pride in their products was inspirational. Our French lessons at school certainly helped with communication! The atmosphere was incredible - the music, lights and the hustle and bustle of camera crews fighting for the best vantage points at the side of the massive show rings and the rugby scrums surrounding Sarkozy and Holland as they campaigned for the Presidency.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Paris and have returned home with broadened horizons and the realisation that there are markets out there to connect to and opportunities to be had.

We would like to offer our thanks to both Remi Fourier at Eblex and The Texel Society for supporting us and giving us this incredible opportunity.

www.texel.co.uk info@texel.co.uk Join us on Facebook and twitter loads of Videos on our You Tube channel British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

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In addition to the Texels, Paul and Anna keep a few Suffolk cross Border Leicester ewes as embryo recipients and a few Texel cross Border Leicester ewes. Until quite recently they always bought in 10-12 Border Leicester ram lambs in Aberdeen each year to sell on as shearlings. These trips often resulted in bringing a Texel or two home as well, including the ram, Haddo Dazzler, champion at the Aberdeen sale in 1997, who went on the win nine breed championships and seven interbreed titles in 1998.

Demand for

Corriecravie Texels on the increase It was the quality of the carcase which first attracted Paul Johnson to Texels. Although not from farming stock he had always had a passion for livestock and for many years had been keeping cattle on rented land, many of which he showed very successfully in Christmas Primestock shows. Paul explains: “For me the Texel was the obvious choice of sheep as it has a carcase equivalent to that of Limousin cattle and I do think carcase is the most important attribute.”

After Paul’s marriage to Anna they settled at Bignall End, near Stoke on Trent, on a five acre holding and renting additional land nearby. As well as continuing with the cattle they started to establish the Corriecravie pedigree Texel flock. Anna was already aware of the potential of Texels as in the 1970’s, soon after they were introduced to the UK, she bought two Welsh Halfbred ewes, which were in-lamb to a Texel and sold a ram lamb out of one of them for £100, which as she says, was a lot of money in those days.

The flock was started with two in-lamb ewes bought from the Sportsman’s flock of Geoff Boden, Stockport, and four ewe hoggs bought from John Mellin’s Hull House flock, all at the Chelford sale in 1988. A ram, High Tor Ringleader, was bought at the Banbury sale in the same year and Ty Hir Ultimate at the Ty Hir dispersal sale at Chelford in 1991.

Paul says: “Our aim is to breed tups to sell to commercial producers, if we sell to a pedigree breeder, then that is a bonus.“Firstly, I want sheep which are correct on their legs and feet and have a good carcase. Next comes breed characteristics - a good head is a bonus not a priority and although figures are important I wouldn’t buy on figures alone. Ideally, you want a sheep which has all these things.”

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Disaster struck in 2001 when all the cattle and the sheep flock were wiped out in a contiguous cull in the foot and mouth outbreak, with the exception of 27 pedigree and six cross-bred ewe hoggs which were wintering away from home.

These included the female champion from the Aberdeen sale which Paul had bought the previous year after judging her in the show there.

Paul says: “After foot and mouth, when we were eventually able to restock, we decided not to get more cattle, but to concentrate on the Texels thinking, probably mistakenly that they might be less hard work.”

Initially, 10 shearling ewes were bought from the Wollascott flock of Stephen and Carolynne Williams, two Knock in-lamb shearlings from George and Albert Howie and two ewe lambs in the Aberdeen video sale. Another 14 shearlings were bought at the Wollascott production sale in 2002 and were AI’d with Muiresk Forever before coming home. The flock has been built up to 100 ewes and additional land adjacent to the original holding has been bought.

Paul says: “It took a long time to get back to where we wanted to be after foot and mouth. We knew we wanted big sheep, which is why we went to Wollascott and those we bought from Knock were a very different type. For a long time I didn’t really feel like they were my sheep, but eventually things started to fall into place again and we got back on track.”Anna adds: “Financially, it was tough as well.

Fortunately, both Paul and I had other jobs, so it wasn’t as bad for us as some people, but it was 2004 before we started

17 paying more money into the bank than we were taking out.”

In 2002 when restocking with ewes from different flocks and lambs by several tups Paul and Anna decided it was an appropriate time to start performance recording. Although not always convinced about it they are now beginning to reap the benefits as Paul explains: “It is expensive and it is time consuming, but there has been a massive increase in the interest in performance recording from buyers over the last few years.

“We are now seeing customers coming to sales with catalogues already marked with the ones they have picked out on figures and they are doing their homework on the BASCO website. This is not just younger buyers either - the older ones are just as keen.”

In the first three years since Signet Recorded classes were introduced at the main NSA sale at Builth Wells Corriecravie rams have won the class twice and been second on the other occasion.

In 2011 10 ram lambs were CT scanned

for the first time, which has improved accuracy and helped move final EBV indexes up. Lambs chosen to be scanned represented different families within the flock and the couple say they have been encouraged by the financial assistance given towards this by Eblex and the Texel Sheep Society.

Bought in rams which have had a big influence on the re-establishment of the flock include Cambwell J-Normous,

by Toftcroft Gladstone, who was the best ram lamb at a Texel Sire Reference Scheme selection day at Carlisle market in 2003 and participated in the Roslyn Research Institute’s MASAC scheme looking for marker genes. Another is

Haddo Knox Again, bought in Aberdeen in 2004 and who, at eight years of age has been used again this year on a couple of ewes, and Alwent Oliver, who unfortunately died just into his second tupping season, but had been champion at Stafford County and Poynton shows in 2009 and is the sire of the Corriecravie gimmer which was champion at Nantwich Show in 2011, the only show entered last year.

Cambwell Onich by Cambwell Laird was bought at the Ruthin sale and has proved to be one of the best carcased sheep ever bought passing this on to both male and female progeny. He is the sire of Corriecravie Ringleader, top priced shearling ram, at 1,500gns, at the early NSA sale at Builth Wells in 2011, Corriecravie Ringo Kid, who sired the Texel Champion at the Bakewell Ram Fair in 2011 and was himself sold privately from home and Corriecravie Roberto, first prize Signet Record shearling ram at the main NSA Builth Wells sale in 2011, selling at 1,650gns. Onich was champion at Stafford County Show in 2010.

Until recently up to 20 ram lambs were sold every year, but following the disruption to sales due to foot and mouth and bluetongue restrictions in 2007 when no lambs were sold, the decision was made to concentrate on the shearling markets as Paul explains: “This means we have been able to put lambing back to the to first week in March and we don’t creep feed after the lambs are eight weeks of age. This has reduced production costs, which improves profitability because even though I had a job outside farming, the sheep have always had to pay.”

In the main ewes are not sponged and natural service is used, although for the past three years a high index home-bred show ewe and a Glenside ewe have been flushed and a few AI’d to Livery Predator.

Usually ewe lambs and sometimes ram lambs are wintered away from home and have no supplementary feeding. Rams which are to be sold as shearlings get some concentrate feed in preparation for sale. Paul says: “It’s a balancing act, you don’t want to overfeed them, but they have to look good at the sale. We have

spent a lot of money on drainage and reseeding pastures and I like to use plenty of clover in the grass mixes.You have to have the right genetics for the sheep to grow, but you also need to grow good grass and that is something we can do.”

Rams are sold at a variety of sales, but about 25 go each year to the main NSA sale at Builth Wells and a number are sold from home with a regular clientele having been established over the years. Now that numbers have been built up again females are once again being sold and in 2009 and 2010 customers were given their pick of them. However, in 2011 the biggest proportion were by Cambwell Onich and these have all been retained.

In 2012 a number of older ewes have been sold as the base for a new flock, with the unrelated Corriecravie Razzle Dazzle as stock sire. This year Paul and Anna hosted the Derbyshire Texel Club show and in the show ring their gimmer

by Livery Predator, which has an EBV of 333, was breed champion at Stafford County Show. She was also reserve champion at Ipstones to Mitchellhill Sundance, which Paul and Anna own in partnership with Andrew and Bridget Weston, of the Limestone flock.

Most of the best rams this year have been sold from home, for both pedigree and commercial use. Corriecravie Sea The Stars, by Brookhill Rambo, topped the Texels, at 1,000gns at the early NSA ram sale at Builth Wells.

A new addition this year, bought for 4,500gns at the Scottish Premier sale, is Alwent Talent, by Allanfauld Rockafella which has an index of 356. He is out of the Cambwell bred ewe sold at the Grey Peel dispersal which has an EBV of 391 and is the dam of the top priced shearling at £15,000 at Kelso last year.

Another purchase was Connachan Rooster Cogburn who was fifth at the Royal Highland Show as a lamb and has been bought for his size and correctness.

Paul’s final word is that in a breed that has pleanty of supply, all breeders must focus on producing quality for the commercial sector.

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

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The Twilight Texel Sale Friday 30th November At 6.30pm at Borderway Mart, Carlisle Tel: 01228

406 230

In-Lamb Gimmer Sale From the flocks of ALWENT, ARKLE, BALTIER, BEAUTRY, COURTHILL, DOUGANHILL, DUNCRYNE, HALTCLIFFE, HULL HOUSE, LOOSEBEARE, PENPARC, PROCTERS & THACKA

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19

Joint Sale

Saturday 24th November

at Shrewsbury Livestock Auction Market

Loosebeare

Claybury

Sportsman’s & Mellor Vale

Procter’s

First gimmers to be sold by £50,000 Haddo Ringleader

- Service Sires

- Scholars Twenty Twelve- 1st Prize Ram Lamb Grt Yorkshire Show £40,000

- Cairnam Talisman, Overall Champion Lanark 2012, 20,000gns.

- Braehead Touch of Class, purchased at N.I Premier, 6,000gns

• Service Sire:

- Mellor Vale Tomahawk – Supreme Champion at the English National Sale, 6,000gns.

- Clinterty Samba- Has bred some exciting females in his first season, 14,000gns.

• Gimmers will be sired by:

- Tamnamoney Ned - sired sons to 65,000gns

- Claybury Rocky Balboa- sired sons to 5,500gns

- Glenside Royal Male - who has bred some exceptional females.

Plasucha

Gimmers by Tamnamoney Ned & In Lamb to Gyrhos Rambo

Joint production sale from the Loosebeare & Claybury Flocks with guest consigners from Sportsman’s, Procter’s & Plasucha Flocks

Catalogues Available on request from Vendors or Auctioneers: Shrewsbury Livestock Hannah Draper Auctioneers 07976 555 226 01743 462 620 Paul Quick Lawrie & Symington 07866 833 792 01555 662 281 Robert Bennett 07980 232 318 Jeff Aitken 07971 546 623

British Texel Sheep Society, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629, Fax: 024 7669 6472, Email: office@texel.co.uk

SOCIETY FEES 2013 FEES FOR 2013

This Notice supersedes all previous notices of costs and overrides any printed material which you may have in your possession.

Birth Notification Fees take effect for all 2013 born lambs and all other fees take effect from January 1st 2013

2013 Male and Female Birth Notifications 1st Jan - 15th

16th April -

16th June -

1st January following

April

15th June

31st Dec

Year of Birth Onwards

in Year of Birth

in Year of Birth

in Year of Birth

D/D

Method Online/Tel/Paper

Cheque

D/D

Cheque

D/D

Cheque

D/D

Cheque

£1.60

£1.76

£1.80

£1.98

£10.00

£11.00

£100

£110

(£1.92

(£2.11

(£2.16

(£2.38

(£12.00

(£13.20

(£120.00

£132.00

inc VAT)

inc VAT)

inc VAT)

inc VAT)

inc VAT)

inc VAT)

inc VAT)

inc VAT

Female Registrations and Import Registrations (having previously been birth notified) By 15th June in

16th June YOB

1st November year

Year of Birth

- 31st October

following YOB onwards

(YOB)

in year following YOB

D/D

Method Online/Tel/Paper

Cheque

D/D

Cheque

£5.25

£5.78

£5.70

£6.27

£8.50

£ 9.35

(£6.94 inc

(£6.84 inc

(£7.52 inc

(£10.20 inc

(£11.22 inc

VAT)

VAT)

VAT)

VAT)

VAT)

VAT)

D/D

Online/Tel/Paper

D/D

(£6.30 inc

Male Registrations and Import Registrations (having previously been birth notified) Method

Cheque

Cheque

Transfers (only fully registered sheep can be transferred) Method

D/D

Cheque

£26.25

£28.88

£10.00

£11.00

(£31.50

(£34.66

(£12.00

(£13.20

inc VAT)

inc VAT)

inc VAT)

inc VAT)

Online/Tel/Paper

Terms of Membership (Please note Adult fees will now only be accepted by Direct Debit payment)

Apply to pay by Direct Debit and save 10% when compared to the Cheque fees. (not including Membership & Subscription fees).

Adult Joining Fee - £60.00 (Inc VAT) Payable now Annual Subscription fee - £54.21 (Inc VAT) Payable now Junior Joining Fee - Free Annual Subscription fee - £27.11 (inc VAT) Payable now

The VAT Inclusive prices include VAT at 20% and may be adjusted at any time.

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