Texel Sheep Society Autumn Bulletin 2023

TEXEL

Bulletin N E W S

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SA L ES

Stunning sales performance

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S H OWS

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TE CHN I CAL

N M TU 23 AU 20

A T EX EL SOC IETY P UB L ICAT I O N

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L IF E S TY LE

For All Texel Breeders

Storming summer of shows

Young members gather in Northern Ireland

Society plans for

#addtexeladdvalue

50th anniversary

Giving members

“

MORE for less

Top 1% texelplus ram lambs averaged £1000 more

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at the English National. With the full texelplus genetic

improvement package being 45% cheaper* than any other breed can you afford not to use texelplus?”

Scan here for more information

#addtexeladdvalue Getting involved with texelplus is as easy as 1, 2, 3

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Record birth weight and lambing ease along with pedigree data at lambing

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* texelplus vs Signet for an English 30-ewe flock CT scanning five ram lambs

Record lamb weights at eight weeks of age

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Record weights of lambs at 35-40kg

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Ultrasound and/or CT scan lambs for greater accuracy

For more information or to sign up email registrations@texel.co.uk

Breeders’ Bulletin Texel Bulletin is published by the Texel Sheep Society Ltd twice a year in spring and autumn.

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.

Membership Subscriptions are available online at texel.uk/join-us Advertising office@texel.co.uk Registrations, sales cataloguing and texelplus registrations@texel.co.uk cataloguing@texel.co.uk Accounts accounts@texel.co.uk Society Governance Chief Executive - John Yates Chairman - Jeff Aiken Procters and Tatham Hall flocks Vice Chairman - Peter Mitchell Avon Vale flock Treasurer - Sam Beachell Samsar flock

Pedigree appeals to a broad audience

T

his year’s Autumn Bulletin is a historic publication for the Society, coming at the end of the Society’s 49th year of existence as excitement builds ahead of the 50th anniversary celebrations planned for 2024.

After another successful summer of shows and sales it has been good to take some time to reflect on what makes these events a continued success for so many breeders.

Shows, of course, are a great advert for individual flocks and the wider breed and provide social and business opportunities for breeders across the country, from small one-day events to larger multi-day shows. The ongoing appeal of these events to both farmers and the general public is great to see and a key opportunity for our industry to interact with consumers.

Sales, on the other hand, are prime business days which can determine the success or failure of several years’ work. What makes the Society’s National Sales, Regional Club Sales and the major commercial sales such successful events is that they cater for a wide range of customers, offering animals of varying types at a range of prices.

Contributors Jonathan Long, Lynsey Clark and Society staff

And while, naturally, it is the top priced animals at these events which collect the headlines, the most positive aspect is the broad spread of prices achieved, enabling all potential customers to access the best possible genetics available.

Photography Country Girl Media, Isla Campbell, MacGregor Photography, Alfie Shaw

The breed’s flagship sale, the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, saw more than 80% of the ram lambs sold at 2800gns or below, with more than 90% of the ram lambs at both the English National Sale and the Northern Irish National Sale in the same price bracket.

Design Ghost Design

Meanwhile, at both Kelso Ram Sale and the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, the breed once again dominated the trade, claiming 42% of the day’s income at Kelso and 39% of the takings at Builth. Importantly, at both of these sales pedigree Texel shearlings achieved significant premiums over their non-registered counterparts, with registered shearlings 72% dearer at Kelso and trading at 62% stronger prices at Builth.

Registered office – The Mechanics Workshop, New Lanark, Lanark, ML11 9DB Auditors – Dafferns LLP, One Eastwood, Harry Weston Road, Binley Business Park, Coventry, CV3 2UB Solicitors – Lodders Solicitors, 10 Elm Court, Arden Street, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 6PA Bankers – The Royal Bank of Scotland, 65 Stephenson Way, Wavertree, Liverpool, L13 1HE British Texel Sheep Society Ltd (Texel Sheep Society) is a Scottish Charity, SC007271, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

British Texel Sheep Society, Unit 74 - 4th Street, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG Tel: 024 7669 6629 Email: office@texel.co.uk Website: texel.uk

These pedigree Texel premiums are well deserved by breeders, rewarding the ongoing investment made by flocks in genetics and flock management over many years.

Importantly, to support Society members in their efforts, the Society is continuing to invest in resources and promotions to give members the edge. Further investment in the iTexel database has enabled breeders to supply and access increased levels of information to support selection and breeding decisions, while also enabling an easy transition to genomic evaluations benefiting the entire registry in 2024.

This move further supports breeders and puts the breed at the cutting edge of genetic evaluations and breed improvement as the Society enters its second half-century.

Once again, the Society gives members MORE from Texel, giving you access to the latest tools and information to enable you to progress your pedigree flocks while managing key production, health and welfare traits.

John Yates Chief Executive #addtexeladdvalue

In touch with Texel @BritishTexel #addtexeladdvalue Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

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Contents | Autumn 2023

N E W S 6

National sales - something for everybody

54 Collect data to aid flock development

7

Hexel Four Square is People’s Champion

56 Society research reviewed

8

Society promotes beyond borders

58 International evaluations add accuracy

9

Breed dominates major commercial sales

10 Successful summer of NSA events 12 Haddo Falcon tops Sire of the Year 13 Member Reminders 14 50th Anniversary - save the dates 18 Society welcomes new members

S A L E S 60 Knap Grumpy leads at Lanark 66 Welsh National hits 5500gns 70 Record earnings at English National

S H OWS

78 Searing demand at Ballymena 84 Kelso sees £36,000 topper

20 Millar’s ewe tops Balmoral

88 Booming trade at Builth

26 Amphletts lead at Royal Three Counties

92 Regional sales see strong prices

32 Four Square in shape at Royal Highland 38 Garngour gimmer heads Great Yorkshire 44 Extra Special day at Royal Welsh

Y DP 50 Education awards support learning 52 Five Nations heads to Northern Ireland

4

T E C H N I C A L

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

L I F E S TY L E 96 Spotlight winner Thomas Illingworth in focus

IN THIS ISSUE

10

TEXEL TEAM DELIVERS AT NSA EVENTS

60

KNAP GRUMPY LEADS AT LANARK

96

SPOTLIGHT WINNER THOMAS ILLINGWORTH IN FOCUS

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

5

Society Matters Scottish National Sale Ram Lambs National sales provide something for everybody!

9%

10,000gns +

34%

<1000gns

6%

5000gns-9800gns

3%

3000gns-4800gns

48%

1000gns-2800gns

English National Sale Ram Lambs 8%

3000gns +

61%

<1000gns

31%

1000gns-2800gns

Sales performance at the Society’s Neogen sponsored National Sales was once again impressive , with new record gross takings achieved at both the English National Sale, Worcester and the Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena.

For Worcester’s part, the sale recorded a gross income of £403,553.72, a rise of more than £75,000 (23%) on the year.

Performance here was bolstered by an exceptionally strong shearling ram trade which saw 80 sell to average £2518.13, peaking at 13,000gns for Loosebeare Ferrari from the Quick family.

Adding to the takings here was a solid sale of gimmers, with 35 selling to level at £1509 on an 88% clearance. Demand was hot across all sectors, with 88% of ram lambs finding new homes and 91% of shearlings selling too. This resulted in one of the most successful English National Sales in the Society’s history, rewarding those who have long supported it.

Across the water at Ballymena clearances were even stronger, with 92% of ram lambs heading to new flocks and 98% of shearlings finding buyers too.

Gross takings here came to £359,520, up by more than £53,000 (17%) on the year.

The 51 shearling rams sold ended the sale with a record average of £1518.38, a rise of more than £450 (43%) on the previous year’s sale.

Bumper numbers of ram lambs also found new homes, with 212 sold on the day to level at £1224.79, the second highest ever average achieved at the Society’s Northern Irish National Sale.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Once again total gross takings at the National Sales passed £2m, with £2,039,065’s worth of Texels changing hands at the four sales.

English National Sale Shearling Rams 11%

4600gns +

40%

<1000gns

23%

2000gns-4500gns

Importantly, while the top sellers steal the headlines, performance across the board was strong, with nearly half of all rams (49.6%) at the Scottish, English and Northern Irish National Sales selling at prices of up to 1000gns.

Meanwhile, just 91 (13.4%) sold at prices of 3000gns or more, demonstrating the broad spectrum of prices achieved at these elite sales which provide opportunities for all members to buy and sell, giving access to top level genetics at a wide range of prices, many of them moderate, for a broad range of breeders and commercial buyers.

Society chief executive John Yates added that the Society provided a variety of tools and services to help members, with the National Sales being an early season sales opportunity open to all members.

“While there will always be a focus on the top end, these statistics show there is something for everyone, with robust trade across the board. The Society is always striving to do more to support the membership, the financial performance of these sales is outstanding and a credit to all involved,” he added.

26%

1100gns-1900gns

Northern Irish Sale Ram Lambs 9%

3000gns +

70%

<1000gns

6%

2000gns-2900gns

15%

1000gns-1900gns

Northern Irish Sale Shearling Rams 4%

3000gns +

24%

<1000gns

27%

1600gns-2900gns

45%

1000gns-1500gns

SM Members gain recognition Congratulations to James Hamilton of the Crewburn flock who was named SAYFC Stockman of the Year at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

Meanwhile, long-time breed supporter, Brian MacTaggart, Douganhill, was awarded a long service award by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in recognition of his 45 years of service with the Weatherall Scott Trust, Gelston Castle Estate.

Hexel Four Square is People’s Champion This year’s Texel People’s Champion vote has been won by the breed champion from the Royal Highland Show, Hexel Four Square exhibited by Procters Farm.

Four Square, bred by Donald and Sarah MacPherson and purchased at Lanark for 32,000gns, is by 2022 First Season Sire of the Year Rhaeadr Entrepreneur and is out of a dam by the noted sire Procters Chumba Wumba.

1 - Hexel Four Square, Procters Farm, 33% 2 - CJN2208608, J and H Clark, 26% 3 - VMG2002193, M and C Millar, 19% 4 - AOS2200212, J and E Amphlett, 17% 5 - Douganhill Extra Special II, W and C Ingram, 5%

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

7

Society Matters

Texel promotions fly beyond boundaries Earlier this year Society vice chairman, Peter Mitchell, and chief executive John Yates were guests at the first regional Texel congress of Mercosur held in Uruguay.

Held at Expo Melilla, Montevideo, the event brought together representatives of Texel societies from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, with Mr Yates invited as a keynote speaker at the congress due to his extensive export and breed genetics and industry knowledge.

“This was a great opportunity to interact with Texel breeders in South America again, a region which has been a successful export venue for British Texel genetics in recent years.

“Having previously visited Brazil in 2010 to speak at FEINCO Sao Paulo and for INIA Chile in 2003 and having worked with a number of South American breeders in my previous role working for a breeding technologies provider, it was great to be able to support this inaugural event, interact with Texel breeders who have made use of British genetics and see the value the breed is adding to the South American sheep industry, while also promoting beyond boundaries for the British Texel Society,” he explained.

Mr Mitchell noted that there had been a huge increase in the use of Texels in South America over the last 20 years. “While the first Texel genetics to arrive in Uruguay came from France and the Netherlands some 50 years ago, recent genetic imports have centred on British Texels, with the genetic progress made by British breeders having been noticed by many South American breeders.

“UK breeders have worked hard to optimise the genetic potential within the breed, maximising growth rates without compromising on carcass quality and meat yields. The Society’s focus on professional communications and promotion has also helped raise its profile across the world, which is a credit to the team at the Texel Society,” he said.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Mr Yates added that recent years have seen inward missions and private visits to the UK by breeders from Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina and this is likely to increase in coming years as British genetics have an increasing impact in South America.

Timed to coincide with the Expo Melilla, the international conference was organised by the Sociead de Criadores de Texel Del Uruguay, with Mr Yates giving an overview of both the Texel breed’s place in the UK industry and also the Society’s innovative role in research and development work over the last 15 years.

The Expo Melilla also hosted the fourth Uruguayan National Texel Show as well as an export sale of elite genetic gimmers.

“Alongside the conference and Expo we also took the opportunity to visit Uruguay’s National Sheep Research Station at INIA Los Bruges, which in collaboration with SUL, the Uruguayan national farmers association, provides genetic evaluation services.

“The research team at INIA is an extremely progressive group and is part of a collaborative international project, grass2gas, in which the Texel Society and SRUC are UK partners. Meeting up with the research team was an added bonus and reinforced the links already forged through this project and made clear that farmers across the globe are all facing similar pressures as governments look to mitigate the effects of climate change,” added Mr Yates.

Uruguay in numbers 0.73 the size of UK

Population circa 3m about half live in capital, Montevideo

6.2m National sheep flock 12m National cattle herd 1972 First Texels imported

Pete Mitchel discussing agritech with senior researcher from INIA Uruguay, Dr Gabriel Ciappesoni.

SM Pedigree adds value at major commercial sales

The Reed family’s Scolton Field Marshall led the trade at Builth Wells.

Once again Texels were to the fore at two of the largest commercial ram sales in the UK, Kelso Ram Sales and the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells.

This year’s Kelso fixture saw 591 registered Texel shearling rams sell to average £1653.54, a jump of nearly £165 on the year, with these claiming a 26.86% share of the sales total turnover at £977,240.

Alongside this, 58 registered Texel ram lambs sold to level at £737.07.

Meanwhile, the same sale saw 531 unregistered shearling rams average £959.40, more than 72% lower than their registered counterparts. This gave the breed an overall market share of 42.04% of the sale’s turnover at £1,529,430, nearly double that of the next nearest breed.

At the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, Texels were also the dominant force, taking more than 39% of the sale value with £814,789 spent on Texel rams on the day.

Of this, the majority was spent on registered Texels, with 566 registered Texel shearlings claiming a 28.45% share of the spend and 175 registered Texel ram lambs taking a further 5.7% of the income.

And, as at Kelso the premium available for pedigree rams was clearly evident as registered shearlings averaged £1031.05 compared with unregistered shearlings which levelled at £634.78, some 62% lower than their registered counterparts.

appetite there continues to be for pedigree and performance proven Texel genetics across GB. “The significant investment made by the Society in recent years to support members, with the state of art iTexel database, a more than £600,000 investment to support pedigree services, is complemented by the Society’s texelplus genetic evaluations.

“These two developments provide the most modern tools in the sheep sector to support members in the genetic improvement of their flocks, with the service shifting to economic indexes this year and further changes coming with the introduction of genomic evaluations in 2024, during the Society’s 50th anniversary year.”

Registered shearlings made

72% more at Kelso than unregistered shearlings.

Registered shearlings claimed

28.45% of gross sale takings at Builth.

Kelso

Builth

The seismic difference in values being seen between pedigree and non-pedigree rams at both these sales once again serves to demonstrate the significant added value pedigree status offers to Society members and the added value pedigree Texels offer the UK sheep industry as a whole, said Society chief executive John Yates.

Average price of registered shearlings

£1653.54

£1031.05

Average price of non-registered shearlings

£959.40

£634.78

Registered shearling % of gross sale value

26.86%

28.45%

Non-registered shearling % of gross sale value

14%

5.57%

Registered shearling top price

£36,000

24,000gns

“These commercial sales continue to offer further proof of the commercial

Non-registered shearling top price

£6000

2100gns

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

9

Society Matters

Society shines at 2023 NSA events This summer’s season of NSA Sheep Events has seen the Society attend events from South West England to Northern Ireland, with plenty of interest in the breed at each event.

First up was NSA Sheep South West, where, Society sales cataloguing and events manager Ailish Ross said the support of the South West Texel Club had been tremendous. “As with any regional event, having Club members on the stand is a real asset and the sheep provided by the Burrough family’s Godworthy flock were a great addition to the stand.”

Next up was NSA Welsh Sheep, which was a highlight of the summer and hugely successful. Featuring Texel x Mule ewes suckling Texel sired lambs, kindly supplied

by Anthony Turner, Newtown, the Society’s stand picked up first place in the Breed Society trade stand competition and caught the attention of plenty of commercial producers.

Society chief executive John Yates said winning the red ticket in this competition was a great achievement and backed up the work done by Society staff and members in putting on a first-class display.

Away from its own stand, the Society sponsored the event’s NSA Next Generation young shepherd competition, with 20 eager and highly skilled competitors tackling a range of tasks before 17-year-old, Mena Protheroe was named as the winner.

In a rare feat Miss Protheroe won not only the overall title, but also that for the best under 21 competitor. Currently studying Agriculture at LLysfasi College, Miss Protheroe, who’s family run a beef and sheep farm at Beulah, said she was over the moon to have won.

Claiming second spot was, Gethin Rhys Roberts, with Jamie Farmer picking up third prize.

NSA North Sheep was another good day for the Society with the Society stand attracting attention. Helping draw visitors to the stand were the sheep exhibit, a pair of Bluefaced Leicester x Texel ewes with Texel sired lambs at foot kindly supplied by Ian Murray, Wrangham Redsteads, Berwick Upon Tweed.

“North Sheep proved, once again, to be a hugely positive, well supported event

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

More than 20 entrants took part in the Texel Society sponsored NSA Next Generation Shepherds’ Competition at NSA Welsh Sheep.

showcasing all that is good about UK sheep farming. The Society’s presence reinforced the strong position the breed has in northern sheep farming,” added Mr Yates.

The final stop on the summer tour was Sheep Northern Ireland in early July supporting the Society’s regional membership and the breed’s promotion.

Overall winner of the NSA Next Generation Shepherd’s competition was Mena Prothero.

The Society’s stand was named best breed society stand at NSA Welsh Sheep.

SM New board members join the team This year’s Society AGM will see five new board members take up places to represent members from their regions.

In area one, North of Scotland, David McKerrow Jnr, Tillycairn, will replace retiring board member Graeme Knox, Haddo, while in area four, South West of Scotland and Cumbria, Nick Woodmass, Harene, will take over the reins from Roy Campbell, Cowal and Royel.

Taking on the mantle in area 13, Mid Wales and Borders, will be James Draper, Claybury, as he steps into the shoes of Steve Smith, Penparc.

Further south in area 11, South Wales and Borders, Keith Thomas, Tywi, will fill the seat which has been vacant for the past 12 months.

Notice of the Annual General Meeting Notice of the Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the British Texel Sheep Society Limited will be held at Woodland Grange, Old Milverton Lane, Royal Leamington Spa, CV32 6RN, on Thursday 23rd November 2023 at 15.30 for the following purposes.

1.

To Receive apologies for absence

2.

RESOLUTION: Approval of the minutes and Matters Arising of the AGM which took place on 12th November 2022 in the Argyll Suite, Drimsynie Estate Hotel, Lochgoilhead, Cairndow, PA24 8AD

3.

To receive the Chairman’s report

4.

To receive the Chief Executive’s report

5.

RESOLUTION: To receive, consider and adopt the income and expenditure account for the year ended 31st March 2023 and the balance sheet as at that date and; to receive, consider and adopt the reports of the Board of Directors and the Auditors for the year ended 31st March 2023.

6.

RESOLUTION: To confirm the appointment of Dafferns LLP as the Auditors for the Society and to authorise the Board of Directors to fix their remuneration.

7.

SPECIAL RESOLUTION: To receive, and if thought fit, pass the following That paragraph (a) of article 38 of Part 2 of the articles be deleted and replaced by the following in substitution therefor:For the purposes of election of area members the Board of Directors shall divide the United Kingdom and overseas into areas, the boundaries of which shall be decided by the Board of Directors and which may be varied from time to time as the Board of Directors may so decide. Save in relation to overseas countries each area so specified shall be entitled to elect one member to the Board of Directors, but such a member shall reside in the area for which he or she seeks election. Such a member elected shall be known as an area member. The election of area members shall be by ballot of the members of the Society resident within the area for which the member is seeking election and shall further be subject to the provisions of Article 39. Such ballot shall take place by such means as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion deems appropriate including but not by way of limitation by post or in electronic form. The area member of the Board of Directors allocated to the overseas members shall be the Chairman from time to time.

And finally, members in area three, South East Scotland, will be represented by Neil Harvey, Blackadder, as John Elliot, Roxburgh, steps down from his place on the board.

Society chairman Jeff Aiken thanked all retiring board members for their input to the Society over the time they had been on the board.

“The Society is indebted to these board members for the time they have given to Society affairs and events during their terms. I and other board members look forward to working with the incoming board members in the coming years to continue working for the benefit of all members.”

SCAN HERE

That the definition of the Bye-laws in article 1 of Part 2 of the articles be amended to refer to regulation 42(a) and not regulation 45(a).

8.

Announcement of Board of Directors election results Area 1 North of Scotland, David McKerrow, Uppermill/Tillycairn - unopposed Area 3 South East of Scotland, Neil Harvey, Blackadder - unopposed Area 4 South West of Scotland & Cumbria, Nick Woodmass, Harene – unopposed Area 11 South Wales & Borders, Keith Thomas, Tywi – unopposed Area 13 Mid Wales & Borders, James Draper, Claybury – unopposed

9.

Any other business that has been approved by the Chairman for discussion.

By order of the board John Yates MBA Chief Executive & Company Secretary 20/09/2023 The Mechanics Workshop, New Lanark, Lanark, ML11 9DB

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

11

Society Matters

Falcon soars to Sire of the Year title Haddo Falcon, bred by the Knox family and sold at Lanark for 9000gns last year, has clinched the 2023 First Season Sire of the Year title, recording an average price of 58,100gns for his top three selling sons from different dams.

Top seller among these was the 170,000gns Knap Grumpy from the Scottish National Sale, Lanark, with the 2500gns Knap Governor also selling at Lanark, while Overburns General sold at 1900gns at the same sale.

Taking second spot was Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants, bred by Alan Blackwood. His top three selling sons achieving an average of 44,333gns were Strathbogie Gypsy King at 100,000gns, Hilltop Golden Eye at 30,000gns and Strathbogie Gangster at 3000gns, all sold at Lanark.

In third spot with an average of 32,666gns was Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi. This one

was bred by Jack Arnott and his top three selling lambs were Auldhouseburn Ghost at 42,000gns, Auldhouseburn Gazza at

36,000gns and Sportsmans Grand Slam at 20,000gns, all three of these sold at Lanark.

Sire

Breeder

Ram Lamb

Dam

sold for Gns

Haddo Falcon

Messrs Knox

Knap Grumpy

CKP2004684

170,000

Knap Governor

CKP2105703

2,500

Overburns General

RNA1800924

1,800

Strathbogie Gypsy King

IJS2106128

100,000

Hilltop Golden Eye

PKH2002379

30,000

Strathbogie Gangster

IJS2106057

3,000

Auldhouseburn Ghost

BYZ2129109

42,000

Auldhouseburn Gazza

BYZ2129065

36,000

Sportsmans Grand Slam

BGS2104942

20,000

Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants

Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi

Alan Blackwood

Jack Arnott

Average Gns

58,100

44,333

32,666

Nominate for Spotlight Award The Society is once again running the Texel Sheep Society Spotlight Award this autumn and is seeking nominations from regional Clubs.

The award will be presented to an active young Texel breeder, who’s local Club believes they have made an outstanding contribution to the breed, club and flock within their local area or nationally.

All 19 regional Texel clubs across the country will be invited to nominate, via an online nomination form, an individual who must be under the age of 35, a full member of the Society or actively involved with a full member’s flock, that they believe goes above and beyond for the breed.

Nominations must be received by 1st December.

All nominees will be interviewed by representatives of the Society board and staff during December, with the winner being announced in January 2024.

For more information SCAN HERE

In Remembrance The Society was saddened to be informed of the passing of the following members.

Duncan Currie, Beautry, June 2023

12

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Carol Houldey, Hartpury, September 2023

Sue Robinson, Cotton Valley, September 2023

Rod Smale, Upcott, October 2023

SM

Member reminders bs Parentage Testing Lam

mals is uncertain, parentage When the parentage of ani that accurate data are tests are required to ensure the Members should consider entered into the flock book. re mo ng usi n whe ts tes se extra cost implications of the . than one ram to mate a ewe

se tests through the It is possible to complete the contact the office or Society and members should o.uk for further details. Any email registrations@texel.c soon as possible after birth as tests should be carried out ifications. to prevent delays to birth not

Export registrations

Males and females which are exported must be fully registered by the breeder.

Additionally, all females used for pedi gree breeding must be fully registered by the breeder.

This means that females must be fully registered before they can be entered into sale s run under the auspices of the Society or catalogu ed by the Society.

This applies to upcoming in-lamb sale s, females sold privately between members or sold privately to purchasers intending to start a pedi gree flock.

In all other circumstances registratio n of females is at the discretion of the breeder and if not completed it is the responsibility of the purchaser.

The Society operates a scale of fees in relation to date of registration submission.

Ram DNA sampling kits Members requiring DNA kits to sample

Flock records Members are reminded of the importance of maintaining accurate flock records on iTexel, as described in the Society rules. This ensures that the information presented publicly for each flock on the ‘Find Breeder’ search is up to date and relevant (example image below).

The number of registered breeding ewes is displayed, along with the numbers of birth notifications in each of the preceding three seasons, plus other flock information and member contact details.

Animal (and flock) details can be updated on the Flock Admin page of iTexel. When many animals’ details are being updated, the Society recommends making updates and saving the changes in batches of 10-15 animals.

The year letter for lambs born in 2024 is

H

Add shearling ewe weight s via

iTexel

Members can contribute more data to help genetic improvement in the breed with the option to add shearling ewe weights via iTexel now ava ilable. This is easily done through add weights screen on iTexel. Weights are take n at or around tupping time.

new stock rams can now request these

via iTexel.

to request the DNA sampling kits you your details and upload a proof of purchase all with along ID ram’s the r ente ly Simp for homebred rams. require. Proof of purchase is not required the all cases the Society must have the ID of as early as possible to avoid late fees. In kit.

Members are reminded to register rams DNA the g and the flock code of the member requestin animal (flockbook number or UK number) without a sire DNA sample.

Birth notifications cannot be processed

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

13

50 s Schedule

T EX EL S H E E P SOC I E TY

th

Anniversary

Event

APRIL & MAY

AUGUST

• 50th Anniversary Publication released

• Scottish National Show & Sale

• 1st of four podcasts • Commemorative 50 Anniversary Rosettes released th

JUNE • NSA Scotsheep , 5th June • Royal Three Counties , 14th-16th June • Royal Highland Show 20th-23rd June • 2nd of four podcasts

• Welsh National Show & Sale • English National Show & Sale

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER • NI National Show & Sale • National Flock Competition Judging • NSA Main Builth Show & Sale • 3rd of 4 podcasts

JULY

NOVEMBER

• Inter-Club Competition Day, 5th July

• Social weekend (including Society AGM), Chester, 14th-16th November

• Summer Sizzler BBQ, 5th July • Textravaganza National Show, 6th July • International Visitors Workshop • Great Yorkshire Show, 9th-12th July • Royal Welsh Show, 22nd-25th July • NSA Sheep Event, 30th July

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

To complement the release of the 50th Anniversary Publication, four podcasts will be released throughout the year featuring interviews with members discussing the breed and the progress the Society has made over the past 50 years and offers thoughts on what the future may hold.

• Final podcast Find out more about the Society’s 50th Anniversary celebrations and how you can be involved here

SCAN HERE

14

TEXEL PODCAST RELEASE

COMMEMORATIVE

ROSETTES

Special 50th Anniversary champion rosettes will be available to all club and local shows on request.

INTER-CLUB COMPETITION DAY Date: Friday 5th July

50 1974 - 2024

Location: Exhibition Hall, Borderway Mart, Carlisle

What: A team competition day for all Texel breeders clubs to showcase their skills, knowledge and ability to win the ultimate prize of champion club. With prize money up for grabs. to use towards promotion or trips. Clubs can enter as many teams of five individuals as they wish.

SUMMER SIZZLER PARTY Date: Friday 5th July Location: Exhibition Hall, Borderway Mart, Carlisle What: All Society members and friends and encouraged to join us for an evening get-together with a BBQ and bar, following a great day with clubs and preparing for Textravaganza the following day.

TEXTRAVAGANZA NATIONAL SHOW Date: Saturday 6th July Location: Exhibition Hall, Borderway Mart, Carlisle What: All members are invited to enter a one day National Show starting at 10am. With 12 show classes available, this provides a great opportunity for members to showcase their stock and celebrate the breed.

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS WORKSHOP AND FLOCK VISITS Date: Linking in with Textravaganza on the 6th July and the Great Yorkshire Texel show classes and members reception on the 10th July.

Who: Invited international guests What: A global event, involving a trip for invited international Texel guests to join the Society at the Textravaganza National Show. Followed by a day of flock visits and workshops to socialise and network while sharing best practice.

NATIONAL FLOCK COMPETITION Who: All flocks registered with the Society, who are members of a Regional Breeders Club are eligible to enter the National Flock Competition.

What: Using the Society’s successful Club structure, all champion flocks from the Regional Club competitions will be judged by a master judge selected by the Texel Sheep Society Board.

SOCIAL WEEKEND (INCLUDING AGM) Date: Friday 14th - Sunday 16th November Location: Chester What: The final celebration event, invites all society members, family and friends to celebrate 50 years of the Society across a weekend in Chester. The itinerary will include a variety of activities, with a themed social evening on the Friday Night to throw back to the 70s when the Society began. Along with a Black Tie Ball on the Saturday night to include a special Awards Ceremony and the National Flock Competition results.

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

15

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16

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

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11/03/2022 14:29

Society Matters

Welcome to new members The Society is delighted to have welcomed the following new members to the Texel flock since the spring.

HIGHLAND

NORTH OF SCOTLAND

SCOTTISH

SOLWAY & TYNE IRELAND

SCAN HERE

NORTH WEST

DUTCH RUTHIN NORTH WALES SHROPSHIRE & BORDERS

SOUTH WALES

NORTHERN AREA

DERBYSHIRE

The Society wishes them well in their Texel endeavours and is sure they will receive a warm welcome from members at Society and Regional Club events.

MIDLAND

GLOUCESTERSHIRE &

BORDERS

SOUTH EASTERN

DYFED SOUTH WEST

SOUTHERN CENTRAL

Welcome Essential information to

.

support new members

Useful information for new members can be found on the Society website.

Flock Code

Name

Prefix

DHU

DOUGLAS HILL

TURNABARSON HILL

1

GTG

TOBY GREEN

WESBAXTER

1

OGG

GEORGE GUNN

GLASCUNE

1

QHM

HUGH MCRAE

SHETHIN

1

RGU

RORY WOOD

TAYWOOD

1

RRZ

RHANNA RUSSELL

STRUSSELL

1

UMA

ANTONIA TAYLOR-RAMSEY MORINSH

1

XAS

AILSA SPENCE

SCARVA

1

BDZ

SOPHIE BANNATYNE

DRUMALBIN

2

NBZ

NICOLA BROWN

BOSOLO

2

NSJ

SAMUEL JAMISON

BRACKENDALE

2

TMQ

GRACIE TAYLORMACPHERSON

GRACEAMBEWILL

2

UJM

JOHN MACKENZIE

NOBLE

2

AAH

ANTHONY & HONOR GRAHAM

GRAHAMS

3

RMQ

RODDY MAXWELL

COLT RIVER

3

VCH

CATHLEEN HEPBURN

KLOTTEN

4

XEB

EION BLACKWOOD

DALBLAIR

4

YMP

MARK PHILLIPS

CAPS

4

AGP

ADAM GREENWOOD

LITTLE PRESTON

5

FHB

HARRY BERTRAM

SEVEN SPRINGS

5

GPK

GRAHAM PEARS

FLASH HOUSE

5

MQV

JOSEPH MACKLEY

MOUNTSTED

5

NSH

SARAH HADLEY

EAST COAST

5

PSQ

PHILIP SMITH

BUZZBEE

5

TSK

STEVEN KIRBY

BARSTOW HALL

5

DXZ

MICHAEL DOLAN

DOLAN

6

EFJ

FIONA JOHNSTONE

EAST BECK

6

18

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Region Number

Flock Code

Name

Prefix

Region Number

IKM

KATE MANSFIELD

WYCHFOLD

6

QCW

CLAIR WILCOCK

GLADDEN HEY

6

RSI

SHAUN ROBERTS

HENTHORN

6

TTG

TRUDY THORNLEY

STANTON DALE

6

XFK

FRANKIE KUNICA

KUNICA

6

YDS

DAVID STONIER

GIANTSWOOD

6

JNI

JASON NILES

LUCKSALL

7

JWV

JANE WOODBRIDGE

WADENHOE

7

NFJ

JOSHUA FARRELL

NIGHTINGALE

7

PFC

JADE LANHAM

BOUDICCA

7

DHV

DANIEL HAYWARD

SPA VIEW

8

HSQ

CHARLES HOLTOM

SPRING

8

KDF

KIERAN DANCER- FARREN

HONEYBROOK

8

LRQ

LEWIS REA

CUSOP

8

OBA

OLIVER BASKERVILLE

BASCOTE

8

OHS

SAM HORNER

HORNERS

8

AZW

ZACHARY WILLIAMS

ZINE

9

QCL

CALLUM LOCKHART

TEIGNHEAD

9

QJD

JESSICA & DAWN GREENAWAY

TOLLGATE FARM

9

TMW

THOMAS MOUNCE

WOOLADON

9

UHG

HANNAH GRAY

DANDY

9

UWA

WAYNE APSEY

SYMONDS DOWN

9

VST

SPUD & AMANDA TAYLOR

COMBE MARTIN

9

DXW

DEREK WILLIAMS

THE WILLOWS

10

EDX

NIA LLOYD DAVIES

PENTREDU

10

KCJ

CARLA JONES

CARLEN

10

IHG

HARRY GUILE

HARBEK

11

IWC

IFAN WILLIAMS

CADOG

11

SM Society Regions Regional directors for each region can be found here;

Area 1

SCAN HERE

Area 9

South West England

Area 2

Area 3

Area 4

North of Scotland

Central Scotland West

South East Scotland

South West Scotland & Cumbria

Area 5

Area 6

Area 7

Area 8

North East England

Northern Midlands of England & Isle of Man

East & South East of England

Southern Midlands of England

Area 10

Area 11

Area 12

Area 13

North Wales & Borders

Northern Ireland

South Wales

Flock Code

Name

Prefix

Region Number

IWH

WILLIAM GARETH HOPKINS

BRYNDEWI

11

URS

ROB STARK

CROW VALLEY

11

WAV

WILLIAM A’COURT

WENTWOOD

11

ABC

BREIDGE MCALISTER

CLEMENTSMOUNT

12

AFG

ANDREW FOLLIS

GREENOGUE

12

AXD

MENA & COLLEEN MCCLOSKEY

ARD DUBH

12

ECT

EOIN CROSSAN

TERRYDREEN

12

EEM

EUGENE MCLARNON

KILCURRY

12

FTL

TREVOR LAW

FAVOUR ROYAL

12

GBM

MATTHEW MAGILL

BALLYVADDY

12

JPN

JOHN PAUL BRANNIFF

GREENVALE

12

JPS

JANINE PORTER

CROTLIEVE

12

KRR

ROBERT ROBINSON

ROBINSONS

12

NHM

MARK CALVERT

MOSSLANE

12

NJB

JOHN BELLINGHAM

ARTIFORTY

12

Mid Wales & Borders

Flock Code

Name

Prefix

Region Number

NLX

NIGEL LOANE

BRIDGEWATER

12

PFM

PAUDIE MORGAN

FOFFANY

12

QRS

RUTH SPENCE

CROSSAN BARN

12

ROH

RYAN O’HARE

DREE HILL

12

UJG

J & G HANNA

BALLYLACKEY

12

VJB

JAMES BROWNE

BLUE ROCK VIEW

12

XJN

JONATHAN NEILL

BULLSEYE

12

XJV

JOSH VANCE

BALLYRUSH

12

YGC

CIARAN MCBRIDE

GLENCHIEL

12

YNK

NEIL KELSO

DONAGHENDRY

12

YPS

PETER SMYTH

CARRICKROVADDY

12

EIE

IEUAN EVANS

CAPEL MAWR

13

FJD

DAFYDD JONES

FRONGOY

13

NHT

HARRI THOMAS

GRAIG LWYD

13

VLM

LIAM MIDDLETON

BROOKLYN

13

YRL

ROBERT LEWIS

LAWLEY

EZB

GIAMPIETRO GELFI

SWEETSHEEP

13 European

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

19

20

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Millars ewe takes Balmoral top ticket Father and son duo Cyril and Martin Millar, scooped top honours among the Texels at the season’s first major show, Balmoral, when lifting the overall championship with their aged ewe, VMG2002193.

S

ired by the 7500gns Lanark purchase Lauder Cobra, she is out of a Charben Yankee Boy daughter. This two-crop ewe is backed by a show winning pedigree, with Cobra himself having won the ram lamb class at the 2019 Royal Highland Show.

Having come through as female champion, this ewe was followed through the championship line up by the reserve female champion and winner of the ewe lamb class, W & J Herdman’s HKP2302426 from the Templepark flock.

Judge Roy Campbell, Cowal, receives his judge’s memento from chairman Jeff Aiken.

This ET-bred lamb is by the homebred Templepark Eye Candy and out of a Milnbank dam. Carrying on a rich vein of form for the Templepark flock, a brace of full ET siblings to this ewe lamb stood first and second in the ram lamb class, with the winner of this class being Templepark Gunfire. He went on to be male champion under judge Roy Campbell, Cowal.

James Herdman then went on to enjoy interbreed success with his first prize winning ewe lamb and ram lamb scooping the interbreed pairs championship under judge John Stephenson, Barnard Castle.

Back with the females and the gimmer class was won by J Wilson & J & A Moses with his daughter of the 18,000gns Lakeview Eye Catcher, WWB2201776. This one is out of a dam by Knock Classic and goes back to the prolific Castlecairn Doodlebug on her sire’s side.

Standing reserve male champion was James Cleland, Rose Hall, with the leader from the aged ram class, Botera Embrace.

Sired by Hexel Dallas, he is out of a dam by Midlock Yorkie.

And leading the shearling rams was another from the same home, this time Larkhill Frank. He’s by Alderview Eldorado and out of a dam by Mullan Captain Jack.

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

21

22

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

CLASS RESULTS

AGED RAMS

1

James Cleland’s

2

Dera and John Watson’s

3

Philip Dodds’

BOTERA EMBRACE

MOUNT PROSPECT EFRAIN

AULDHOUSEBURN EYE CATCHER

Botera Embrace won the aged rams and took the reserve male championship for James Cleland.

SHEARLING RAMS

First prize shearling ram was James Cleland’s Larkhill Frank.

1

James Cleland’s

2

J Wilson & J & A Moses’

3

James Cleland’s

4

Jacob Henry’s

5

Paul Swindell’s

LARKHILL FRANK

BOTERA FEE FEE

ROCKWELL FREEDOM BLUE GATES FREEDOM TREEMORE FANTASTICO

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

23

CLASS RESULTS

RAM LAMBS

Top spot in the ram lambs and male champion was this lamb from W & J Herdman.

1

W & J Herdman’s

2

W & J Herdman’s

3

Stephen McNeilly’s

4

Gary Beacom’s

5

Gary Beacom’s

TEMPLEPARK GUNFIRE TEMPLEPARK GLADIATOR DRUMADOWNEY GAMBLER LAKEVIEW GOLD LKV2309352

AGED EWES

1

Martin and Cyril Millar’s

2

Gary Beacom’s

3

Paul Swindell’s

VMG2002193 LKV2108227

BFE2010118

Aged ewe leader was Martin and Cyril Millar’s VMG2202193.

SHEARLING EWES

Leading a strong gimmer class was this daughter of 18,000gns Lakeview Eye Catcher.

1

J Wilson & J & A Moses’

2

Gerard McClelland’s

3

Maureen Nixon’s

4

Dickson Farms’

5

Gary Beacom’s

WWB2201776 MNV2200402 MNV2200412 DSO2201800 LKV2205676

EWE LAMBS

First prize ewe lamb and reserve overall champion came from the Templepark flock of W & J Herdman.

24

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

1

W & J Herdman’s

2

Gary Beacom’s

3

Gary Beacom’s

4

Dickson Farms’

5

W & J Herdman’s

HKP2302426 LKV2309496 LKV2309400

DSO2301830 HKP2302439

Martin and Cyril Millar’s AGED EWE, VMG2002193

RESERVE OVERALL CHAMPION W & J Herdman’s

EWE LAMB, HKP2302426 Taking the championship was the day’s aged ewe winner, VMG2002193, from the Millar family’s Millars flock.

MALE CHAMPION W & J Herdman’s

RAM LAMB, TEMPLEPARK GUNFIRE

RESERVE MALE CHAMPION James Cleland’s

AGED RAM, BOTERA EMBRACE

Male champion was the Herdman family’s ram lamb, Templepark Gunfire.

CLASS RESULTS

OVERALL CHAMPION

FEMALE CHAMPION Martin and Cyril Millar’s AGED EWE, VMG2002193

RESERVE FEMALE CHAMPION W & J Herdman’s

EWE LAMB, HKP2302426

Female champion was Martin and Cyril Millar’s aged ewe.

YDP NI YOUNG BREEDERS’ CLUB SENIOR CLASS Conor, Old Park

YDP NI YOUNG BREEDERS’ CLUB JUNIOR CLASS Holly, Ballynadretta

Texel Bulletin |

25

Topwood gimmer is top of the tree at Royal Three Counties Local breeders James and Ellie Amphlett, Leominster, took the female and overall championship at the Society’s southern feature show, Royal Three Counties Show, Malvern, with their gimmer AOS2200212.

T

his one, from the couple’s Topwood flock, is by Garngour Destiny II and out of a Teiglum-bred dam by former Sire Of The Year, Knock Bantastic. This one had come through as the winner of the gimmer class and female championship under judge Ryan Bradley, Bradleys and Far Hey, before going on to lift the overall ticket.

Taking the day’s reserve championship was the winner of the aged ram class, senior stock ram for James Theyer’s Clanfield flock, Auldhouseburn Expression. This 2021-born 100,000gns Lanark purchase is by the record breaking 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond and out of a dam by the 125,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best.

Reserve female championship honours went to Nick Legge’s Thornbury flock with the second prize gimmer, BFE2212130. This Sportsmans Expression daughter is out of a Cowal dam by Plasucha All Star and was purchased at the Plasucha dispersal in December.

26

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

27

Reserve male champion was the second prized aged ram, this time from Ian and Fiona Andrews and Fordwell Farm Partners in the form of Maineview Envious. He’s a son of Lakeview Dirty Dancer and is out of a dam by Midcombe Axel.

Meanwhile, leading the way in the first class of the day, the group of three lambs, was James Theyer with a trio of lambs from the Clanfield flock.

Topping the shearling rams were Ian and Fiona Andrews, Cattistock, with a homebred shearling, Cattistock First Place.

He’s a son of Teiglum Crackerjack out of a dam by Glenside Razzle Dazzle.

In the ram lambs the leader was James Theyer with Clanfield Golden. Sired by last year’s Lanark topper, the 160,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice, he is out of a dam by the day’s male champion, Auldhouseburn Expression.

In the ewe lambs the top spot was another lamb from the Clanfield flock, THE2301388.

She’s also by Rhaeadr First Choice and out of another Expression daughter.

28

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

CLASS RESULTS

GROUP OF THREE LAMBS

1

James Theyer

2

Ian and Fiona Andrews

3

Jeremy Theyer

CLANFIELD

CATTISTOCK

CHEDWORTH

James Theyer’s Clanfield flock led the group of three class.

AGED RAMS

1

James Theyer’s

2

Ian and Fiona Andrews and Fordwell Farm Partners’

AULDHOUSEBURN EXPRESSION

MAINEVIEW ENVIOUS

3

Anthony Carter’s

AULDHOUSEBURN EVENING STAR

Reserve champion was the leader of the male classes, Auldhouseburn Expression from James Theyer.

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

29

CLASS RESULTS

SHEARLING RAMS

Ian and Fiona Andrews topped the shearling rams with Cattistock First Place from their Cattistock flock.

1

Ian and Fiona Andrews’

2

Robert Watkins’

3

Robert Watkins’

4

Anthony Carter’s

5

Fordwell Farm Partners’

CATTISTOCK FIRST PLACE CORRAS FRANCO

CORRAS FERNANDO HADDO FREEDOM

FORDWELL FIREBALL

RAM LAMBS

Ram lamb leader was Clanfield Golden sired by Rhaeadr First Choice.

1

James Theyer’s

2

James Theyer’s

3

Alan Powell’s

4

Alan Powell’s

5

Matthew Coles’

CLANFIELD GOLDEN THE2301391

MONNOW HILL GO LIKE THE CLAPPERS MONNOW HILL GAME IS AFOOT PEARTREE GRAN TURISMO

AGED EWES

1

Harriette Taylor’s

2

Lisette Smith’s

3

Tara Dougherty’s

TIW2015330

VFK2101969

XOB2100402

Top spot in the aged ewes was TIW2015330.

SHEARLING EWES

Topping the line up at Royal Three Counties was James and Ellie Amphlett’s gimmer from their Topwood flock.

30

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

1

James and Ellie Amphlett’s

2

Nick Legge’s

3

Anthony Carter’s

4

Ellie and James Amphlett’s

5

Alan Powell’s

AOS2200212 BFE2212130

LYM2204907

AOS2200208 XPA2200137

James Theyer’s Rhaeadr First Choice daughter led the ewe lambs.

1

James Theyer’s

2

James Theyer’s

3

Alan Powell’s

4

Ian and Fiona Andrews’

5

Nick Legge’s

THE2301388 THE2301455 XPA2300196 AIC2300786

LEN2301666

OVERALL CHAMPION James and Ellie Amphlett’s SHEARLING EWE AOS2200212

RESERVE OVERALL CHAMPION James Theyer’s

AGED RAM AULDHOUSEBURN EXPRESSION

Topping the line up at Royal Three Counties was James and Ellie Amphlett’s gimmer from their Topwood flock.

CLASS RESULTS

EWE LAMBS

MALE CHAMPION James Theyer’s

AGED RAM AULDHOUSEBURN EXPRESSION

RESERVE MALE CHAMPION Ian and Fiona Andrews and Fordwell Farm Partners’ AGED RAM MAINEVIEW ENVIOUS

Male champion was Jame’s Theyer’s aged ram Auldhouseburn Expression.

FEMALE CHAMPION James and Ellie Amphlett’s SHEARLING EWE AOS2200212

RESERVE FEMALE CHAMPION Nick Legge’s

SHEARLING EWE BFE2212130

Female champion was James and Ellie Amphlett’s Topwood gimmer.

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Hexel Four Square is in shape at Royal Highland Shearling ram Hexel Four Square from Procters Farm, Procters, led the championship line up at the Royal Highland Show, taking the male championship before going on to be tapped out as overall champion by Irish judge Flor Ryan.

F

our Square, a son of 2022 First Season Sire of the Year, Rhaeadr Entrepreneur, is out of a dam by the noted breeder Procters Chumba Wumba and was purchased at Lanark last year for 32,000gns on a day when sons of his sire sold to a top of 130,000gns.

Following him through to take the reserve male and reserve overall championships was the winner of the open ram lamb class, Strathbogie Gypsy King. Sired by the 28,000gns Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants, he is out of a dam by the 4600gns Milnbank Dance Monkey Scooping the day’s female championship and winning the gimmer class for the second year in a row were Alan Clark and family, Garngour.

Their leader was CJN2208631, a daughter of the 34,000gns Lanark purchase Claybury Dunkirk out of a homebred dam by Procters Chumba Wumba.

Taking the reserve female championship was Sheena Woodrow, with her aged ewe, XMM2121426 from the Newmains Islay flock. Purchased from the MacGregor

family’s Allanfauld flock for 7500gns last December as an in-lamb gimmer, she is another by Dunkirk and is out of a Knock Yardsman-sired dam. She had previously stood fifth at the Royal Highland as a gimmer last year.

The day’s opening class, the aged rams was won

by Robert Cockburn, Knap, with Dundas Evolution.

Bred by Brian Gilchrist, he’s by Mitchellhill Actionman and out of a dam by Midlock Yohann and bought for £10,000 at Kelso last September as a shearling.

Then in the texelplus ram lambs the winner came from Gordon Gray, Ettrick, with Ettrick Gaucho, a lamb by Sadlerhead Fury and out of a dam by Claybury Dunkirk who’s influence on the top of the line up was significant.

And the ewe lamb class saw the Strathbogie flock claim another red ticket, this time with IJS2307808.

This one is a full ET sister to the first prize tup lamb and reserve overall champion, being by the 28,000gns Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants and out of the same Milnbank Dance Monkey-sired dam.

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

33

34

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

CLASS RESULTS

AGED RAMS

1

Robert Cockburn’s

2

T & R Laird’s

DUNDAS EVOLUTION COWAL ESCOBAR

Aged ram winner was the £10,000 Dundas Evolution from Robert Cockburn, Knap.

SHEARLING RAMS

Overall champion under judge Flor Ryan was shearling ram Hexel Four Square from Procters Farm.

1

Procters Farms’

2

T & R Laird’s

3

Procters Farm’s

4

Sandy Hunter’s

5

A J E Calder’s

HEXEL FOUR SQUARE DEVERONVALE FASTRAC TATHAM HALL FAST TRACK HEW2208156 WXK2206876

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

35

CLASS RESULTS

RAM LAMBS

Reserve male champion and first prize ram lamb came from James Innes’ Strathbogie flock, with this Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants son.

1

James Innes’ & Sons

2

David McKerrow and Sons’

3

William Knox’s

4

Douganhill Farms’

5

Robert Cockburn’s

STRATHBOGIE GYPSY KING UPPERMILL GAZZA HADDO GOLIATH

DOUGANHILL GOLDEN EYE KNAP GENGHIS KHAN

texelplus RAM LAMBS

Winning the texelplus ram lamb class was Gordon Gray’s lamb Ettrick Gaucho from the Ettrick flock.

1

Gordon Gray’s

2

David McKerrow and Sons’

3

Messrs Campbell’s

4

William Knox’s

5

Procters Farm’s

ETTRICK GAUCHO UPPERMILL GLENMORANGIE OVERBURNS GENERAL HADDO GERONIMO PROCTERS GREATEST SHOWMAN

AGED EWES

Leading the aged ewes was Sheena Woodrow with her one-crop Allanfauld-bred ewe.

1

Sheena Woodrow’s

2

Procters Farm’s

3

Gordon Gray’s

4

William Knox’s

5

K, A and R Campbell’s

XMM2121426 PFD2104616

GGH21011142 KWJ1901849

CKC2012163

SHEARLING EWES

Top spot in the female classes went to Alan Clark and family’s Claybury Dunkirk-sired gimmer from the Garngour flock.

36

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

1

J and H Clark’s

2

Andrew Clark’s

3

Robert Cockburn’s

4

Robert Cockburn’s

5

William Knox’s

CJN2208631 CFT2200687

CKP2206632 CKP2206657 KWJ2202411

Topping the ewe lambs was a full ET sister to the first prize ram lamb, again from the Strathbogie flock of James Innes.

1

James Innes’

2

Robert Cockburn’s

3

William Knox’s

4

J and H Clark’s

5

Gordon Gray’s

IJS2307808

CKP2307530 KWJ2302657

CJN2308800

GGH2315046

OVERALL CHAMPION Procters Farm’s

SHEARLING RAM HEXEL FOUR SQUARE

RESERVE OVERALL CHAMPION James Innes’

RAM LAMB STRATHBOGIE GYPSY KING

Overall champion was Hexel Four Square from Procters Farm.

CLASS RESULTS

EWE LAMBS

MALE CHAMPION Procters Farm’s

SHEARLING RAM HEXEL FOUR SQUARE

RESERVE MALE CHAMPION James Innes’

RAM LAMB STRATHBOGIE GYPSY KING

Judge Flor Ryan with his male champion (l) and reserve.

FEMALE CHAMPION J and H Clark’s

SHEARLING EWE CJN2208631

RESERVE FEMALE CHAMPION Sheena Woodrow’s AGED EWE XMM2121426

Judge Flor Ryan with his female champion (l) and reserve.

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Garngour gimmer triumphs at Great Yorkshire The leader from the gimmer class, Alan Clark and family’s CJN2208608, took the breed championship at this year’s Great Yorkshire show.

S

he is a daughter of the 15,000gns Procters Chumba Wumba and is out of a dam by the former sire of the year, the 12,000gns Knock Bantastic.

Collecting his second Great Yorkshire championship in as many years and again with a gimmer, Allan’s winner this year was on her second outing, having stood fourth at Lesmahagow and been saved since then for this trip south.

She took the overall championship ahead of the day’s male champion, shearling ram Hexel Four Square from Procters Farm under the stewardship of Jeff and Jennifer Aiken and daughter, Katie and son, Robbie.

Allan Wight, Midlock, had the task of judging at Harrogate.

Four Square, a son of 2022 First Season Sire of the Year Rhaeadr Entrepreneur, is out of a dam by the noted breeder Procters Chumba Wumba and was purchased at Lanark last year for 32,000gns on a day when sons of his sire sold to a top of 130,000gns.

Judge Allan Wight, Midlock, said the gimmer had been an easy champion, coming through from an exceptional class of gimmers earlier in the day. “She has everything you want in a Texel female.

She’s great on her legs, has a tremendous carcass and carries it all with a bit of class and plenty of character.

“Equally the shearling ram is a tremendous tup, with great power and fleshing, but overall the gimmer just had the extra bit of class I was looking for in my champion.”

Taking the reserve female championship under Mr Wight, was the leader from the aged ewe class from Gordon Gray, GGH2111142. She’s by Claybury Dunkirk and out of a dam by Midcombe Brigadier and stood third at the previous month’s Royal Highland Show.

Reserve male honours fell to the winner of the texelplus class, Keith and Andrew Campbell’s Overburns Gladiator from their Overburns flock. This son of the 28,000gns Haymount Foremost is out of a Castlecairn ewe by Sportsmans Cannon Ball.

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39

Winning the day’s opening class was Anthony Carter with his aged ram Auldhouseburn Evening Star, a Sportsmans Double Diamond son out of a dam by Sportsmans A Star.

Then in the exhibitor bred shearling rams the winner was Sandy Hunter with one from his Wedderburn flock, HEW2208156.

He’s by Teiglum Elgin and out of a Westburnhouse dam by Knock Yardsman.

The open ram lamb class was then won

by Gordon Gray with Ettrick Gangster, a Sadlerhead Frank The Tank son out of a Midcombe Brigadier daughter.

Leading the ewe lambs were Keith and Andrew Campbell with KOB2315252, another by Haymount Foremost and this time out of a Hexel dam by Procters Chumba Wumba.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

1

Anthony J Carter’s

2

E D Davies’s

3

J L Chapman Jewitt

4

J L Chapman Jewitt

AULDHOUSEBURN EVENING STAR MILBOROUGH DEL BOY

Aged ram leader was Anthony Carter’s Auldhouseburn Evening Star

HOMEBRED SHEARLING RAM

Topping the exhibitor bred shearling rams was Sandy Hunter with HEW2208156

1

S Hunter’s

2

Procters Farm’s

3

Caroline Orr’s

4

G Gray’s

5

Ian Murray’s

HEW2208156 THF2205533

HALBEATH FLASH GGH2214443 MFZ2203093

CLASS RESULTS

AGED RAMS

OPEN SHEARLING RAM

Male champion and reserve breed champion was shearling ram Hexel Four Square from Procters Farm

1

Procters Farm’s

2

Mark Ireland’s

3

Ian Murray’s

4

P Longdin’s

5

Anthony J Carter’s

HEXEL FOUR SQUARE HILLTOP FALCON

GLENWAY FIRECRACKER WELLINGLEY FLASH HADDO FREEDOM

OPEN RAM LAMBS

Top spot in the open ram lambs went to Gordon Gray’s Ettrick flock with Ettrick Gangster

1

G Gray’s

2

D McKerrow’s

3

Procters Farm’s

4

K and A Campbell’s

5

G L Riby’s

ETTRICK GANGSTER UPPERMILL GAZZA PROCTERS GREASED LIGHTNING KOB2315315

STONEHILLS GOLD BAR

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CLASS RESULTS

texelplus RAM LAMBS

texelplus ram lamb leader and reserve male champion was Keith and Andrew Campbell’s Overburns Gladiator

1

K and A Campbell’s

2

G Gray’s

3

Procters Farm’s

4

D McKerrow’s

5

R Wilson’s

OVERBURNS GLADIATOR ETTRICK GRIN’N’BEARIT PROCTERS GRAND SLAM UPPERMILL GLENMORANGIE EDEN VALLEY GO GET HER

AGED EWES

Reserve female champion and first prize aged ewe was Gordon Gray’s GGH2111142

1

G Gray’s

2

Procters Farm’s

3

D McKerrow’s

4

P Longdin’s

5

Messrs Peel and Johnson’s

GGH2111142 PFD2104616 CFT200057

LJW2101419

BFE1909177

SHEARLING EWES

Female champion was the Clark family’s gimmer.

1

J and H Clark’s

2

Andrew Clark’s

3

J and H Clark’s

4

D McKerrow’s

5

G Gray’s

CJN2208608 CFT2200687

CJN2208728

DMN2200002 GGH2214246

EWE LAMBS

Leading the ewe lambs were Keith and Andrew Campbell, Overburns, with KOB2315252

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

1

K and A Campbell’s

2

J Aiken’s

3

S Hunter’s

4

G Gray’s

5

G Gray’s

KOB2315252

AXC2300356 HEW2309023 GGH2315024 GGH2315046

PAIRS

1

G Gray

1

G Gray

2

K and A Campbell

2

Procters Farm

3

Boden and Davies

4

D McKerrow

5

Caroline Orr

ETTRICK

OVERBURNS

ETTRICK

PROCTERS

SPORTSMANS UPPERMILL HALBEATH

OVERALL CHAMPION J and H Clark’s

SHEARLING EWE CJN2208608

RESERVE OVERALL CHAMPION Procters Farm’s

SHEARLING RAM HEXEL FOUR SQUARE

CLASS RESULTS

GROUP OF THREE

Lifting the breed championship as well as the female championship was Alan Clark and family’s gimmer CJN2208608

MALE CHAMPION Procters Farm’s

SHEARLING RAM, HEXEL FOUR SQUARE

RESERVE MALE CHAMPION K and A Campbell’s

RAM LAMB OVERBURNS GLADIATOR

Male champion and reserve breed champion was shearling ram Hexel Four Square from Procters Farm

FEMALE CHAMPION J and H Clark’s

SHEARLING EWE CJN2208608

RESERVE FEMALE CHAMPION G Gray’s

AGED EWE GGH2111142

Female champion was the Clark family’s gimmer.

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43

Extra Special day for Ingram family at Royal Welsh William and Carole Ingram and family picked up the Texel championship at this year’s Royal Welsh Show with their aged ram Douganhill Extra Special II. 44

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

T

his two-shear ram is

by Claybury Dazzler, a full brother to Claybury Dunkirk, and out of a ewe

by Glenside King II. He had picked up the red ticket in the aged ram class before going on to be male champion and the overall champion under judge Andrew Reed, Scolton.

Mr Reed said Extra Special II, purchased by the Ingrams for £40,000 at Kelso last September, was an excellent example of the breed and a mature ram with a lot of promise. “He’s a powerful, super fleshy ram with enough show ring presence to match his great carcass and top.”

Taking the female championship and then reserve overall championship were the Morgan family, Blaencar, with their ewe lamb, YME2311476. This one is a Sportmans Dare Devil daughter out of a dam by Knock Yardsman and was one of two red tickets picked up by the Morgans on the day, with their other being the first prize ram lamb.

Chief executive John Yates presents judge Andrew Reed with his memento after judging at the Royal Welsh.

Leading the way for the family here was Blaencar Gladiator. He’s by the 6500gns Haymount Filmstar and out of a dam by Teiglum Crackerjack.

Reserve male champion on the day was the second prized aged ram, Iolo Jones’ Corras Dundee. Bred by the Watkins family, he’s by Loosebeare Braveheart and out of a dam by Hollyford Venus.

Then taking the reserve female title was the leader from the shearling ewes from Sioned Thomas’ Onnen flock. This Plasucha-bred gimmer, BFE2212269, is by Sportsmans Express and out of a Plasucha Corker-sired dam.

Top honours in the aged ewe class went to Procters Farm with PFD2104616. This onecrop ewe is by the 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond and out of a dam by Fordafourie Balvenie.

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46

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

CLASS RESULTS

AGED RAMS

1

W and C Ingram’s

2

Iolo Jones’

3

W T Davies and Co’s

4

Ian and Fiona Andrews and Fordwell Farm Partners’

DOUGANHILL EXTRA SPECIAL II CORRAS DUNDEE CANLLEFAES DYNAMITE

MAINEVIEW ENVIOUS Male and overall champion was the first prize aged ram, Douganhill Extra Special II from the Ingram family.

5

J E and S J L James’

DUHONW CHEEKY CHARLIE

SHEARLING RAMS

Top place in the shearling rams went to Caron Furious from the Williams family.

1

D G and N Williams’

2

J E and S J L James’

3

A E Williams and Son’s

4

Procters Farm’s

5

J E & S L James’

CARON FURIOUS

DUHONW FIRE CRACKER CLUN FRONT RUNNER

TATHAM HALL FAST-TRACK DUHONW FIRE BALL

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

47

CLASS RESULTS

RAM LAMBS

Leading the ram lambs was Blaencar Gladiator from the Morgan family’s Blaencar flock.

1

E G Morgan’s

2

Joseph Williams’

3

J E & S J L James’

4

R J Pierce’s

5

Alan Powell’s Monnow Hill

BLAENCAR GLADIATOR OWL VALLEY GOLDEN TICKET DUHONW GOLDEN BALLS OLDFORD GIOVANNI MONNOW HILL GAME IS AFOOT

AGED EWES

1

Procters Farm’s

2

Tomos Evans’

3

Shae Price’s

4

Sioned Thomas’

PFD2104616

CKC2113567 PFA2100213

VFK2101983

Topping the aged ewes was PFD2104616 from Procters Farm.

SHEARLING EWES

First place gimmer and reserve female champion came from Sioned Thomas, Onnen.

1

Sioned Thomas’

2

Iolo Jones’

3

James and Ellie Amphlett’s

4

E G Morgan’s

5

G W & K Williams’

BFE2212269 JLI2205651

AOS2200217

YME2210209

WYN2203130

EWE LAMBS

Top placed ewe lamb and reserve overall champion was the Morgan family’s YME2311476.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

1

E G Morgan’s

2

D J J Watkins & Co’s

3

R J Pierce’s

4

R J Pierce’s

5

Joseph Williams’

YME2311476 WJJ2301885

PRE2301597

PRE2301623

WPH2304918

W and C Ingram’s

AGED RAM DOUGANHILL EXTRA SPECIAL II

RESERVE OVERALL CHAMPION E G Morgan’s

EWE LAMB YME2311476

Male and overall champion was the first prize aged ram, Douganhill Extra Special II from the Ingram family.

MALE CHAMPION W and C Ingram’s

AGED RAM DOUGANHILL EXTRA SPECIAL II

RESERVE MALE CHAMPION Iolo Jones’

AGED RAM CORRAS DUNDEE

Reserve male champion was the second prize aged ram, Corras Dundee.

CLASS RESULTS

OVERALL CHAMPION

FEMALE CHAMPION E G Morgan’s

EWE LAMB YME2311476

RESERVE FEMALE CHAMPION Sioned Thomas’

SHEARLING EWE BFE2212269

Top placed ewe lamb female and reserve overall champion was the Morgan family’s YME2311476.

YDP YOUNG HANDLERS

1

Carla, Kitrob

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49

Y O U T H

D E V E L O P M E N T

P R O G R A M M E

Education awards reward top students Each year the Society makes Educational Awards to students attaining the highest mark on a sheep production related Honours Research Project.

T

he awards of £250 are offered to four Universities one in each home nation.

In Northern Ireland the award is made at Greenmount, in Scotland it is made to an SRUC student, while in Wales it is awarded at Aberystwyth University and in England the award is made to a student at Harper Adams.

The Society’s chairman Jeff Aiken says the future of the sheep industry depends on knowledgeable, educated and inspired young people and the Society’s support of these awards is aimed at encouraging students with the ability and passion to drive the sheep industry forward.

Carys Vaughan Aberystwyth campus, University of Wales

Leigh Bell SRUC

Martha Racey Harper Adams University

Danielle Connelly Greenmount College

“The Society’s Educational Awards are unique in the sheep sector and reward the hard work and dedication of students.

They are a core part of the Society’s promotional work to engage with the next generation of sheep producers and decision makers in the sheep sector.”

The 2023 winner of the award at Aberystwyth University was Carys Vaughan for her dissertation on the ‘Perceptions and attitudes of UK farmers towards Iceberg Diseases. Is there an opportunity for an iceberg disease screening scheme to enhance the market value of breeding ewes and ewe lambs?’

At SRUC the 2023 winner was Leigh Bell who conducted an investigation into the impact of simultaneous infections on the productivity of lambs.

The Greenmount winner for 2023 was Danielle Connelly for her investigation into ‘The effect of storage conditions on immunoglobulin, bacterial and nutritional properties of ovine colostrum and colostrum substitutes’ which sought to determine how best to store colostrum and subsitutes to maximise their effectiveness.

At Harper Adams this year’s Educational Award winner was Martha Racey who conducted a research project looking at rearing methods employed by sheep farmers across the UK when it came to rearing orphan lambs.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

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Y O U T H

D E V E L O P M E N T

P R O G R A M M E

Learning at heart of Texel YDP Five Nations Weekend in Northern Ireland An eager and enthusiastic group of young Texel enthusiasts from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales gathered in Northern Ireland over the weekend of 30th June -2nd July for the Texel Sheep Society Youth Development Programme’s Five Nations weekend.

O

nce again organised for those with an interest in the breed aged 1835 the weekend saw participants undertake a number of visits and take part in several challenges and competitions along the way.

Of particular interest for many on the trip was a visit to AFBI Hillsborough on the first day which saw researchers explain the centre’s work in a wide variety of areas, including; feed intake and emissions, virtual collars out in the field, research into alternative anthelmintics, the use of multi species swards to improve carbon sequestration and how Willow trees can be used to harbour phosphorus and prevent it from entering water courses.

The Society YDP coordinator Ailish Ross said the visit had been both thought provoking and inspirational, giving young breeders an insight into areas of the industry they may not have previously been aware of or given significant thought to.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

“The work being done at AFBI Hillsborough covers a wide range of areas, but all of it addresses some fundamental issues the farming industry will be grappling with over the coming years. Getting the chance to hear from world leading researchers first hand was an excellent opportunity for everyone on the visit.”

Following that the weekend saw the attendees visit a number of leading flocks in the country, including Alastair Gault and family’s Forkins and Cherryvale flocks, the Millar family’s Millar’s flock and the multi-faceted livestock business of James Alexander which includes both pedigree and commercial sheep and cattle enterprises.

First place went to the all-female Scottish team.

Miss Ross said the flock and farm visits had been excellent with high quality stock on display at every farm and the usual Northern Irish hospitality on offer in abundance.

Taking second place was the Welsh team.

Y D P “This year’s Five Nations weekend once again proved terrifically popular with young Texel breeders and everyone who came will have gone away with new friends and new knowledge to put in to practice at home,” she said.

The Forkins and Cherryvale flock visit saw the youngsters pit their wits at stock judging with four classes, Texel shearling ewes, Suffolk shearling ewes, Texel shearling rams and crossbred lambs being judged and Dennis Taylor of Smyths Daleside acting as master judge.

There was also a guess the weight competition featuring a Forkins Texel shearling ram, with points awarded for those closest to the correct weight.

Top spot in the individual stock judging was a three-way tie between Willy Davis, Usk Vale, Robyn Hardman, Oak Vale and Bryn Robinson, Preenbank, with Irish breeder Andrew Friel second and third taken by Mel Buchan, Clinterty.

Miss Ross said all three visits had been excellent and showcased the some of the very best livestock in UK. “The three hosts had put a lot of work in to the visits and are to be thanked for their superb hospitality and willingness to open their gates and share their knowledge with these keen young people.”

Winning the team competition and with it the Drumgooland Shield was the Scottish team of Kim Laird, Melissa Buchan, Karyn McArthur, Katie Wight and Ailish Ross.

Then in second was the Welsh team of Gerallt Rowlands, Angharad Thomas, Bethan Jones, Aled Davies and Willy Davis and in third was the Irish team of Michael Haverty, James Dunne, Cathal McCauley, Oisin Lunney and Andrew Friel.

Miss Ross said the event would not have been possible without the generous support of its sponsors Ballymena Market, Smyths Daleside and AB Europe .

“The Society extends its thanks to all these sponsors for their support of the weekend.”

This visit also featured a relay race which included push ups, eating raw eggs and competitors having to power a shearing machine via a bicycle. The Northern Irish A team came out on top in this competition.

Saturday morning saw the event visit the Millar family’s farm to view the Millar’s flock as well as the family dairy unit. Once again the quality of the stock on show was top drawer in both the Texels and the Holsteins.

This visit also included a competitive element, with a Texel themed quiz being undertaken as well as another relay race, once again collecting points for their national teams.

And the final visit of the weekend was to James Alexander’s farm, where visitors got to see a selection of the pedigree and commercial sheep and cattle being produced by this extensive enterprise. The final competition of the weekend here was a stock judging competition featuring four crossbred heifers.

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53

T E C H N I C A L

Recording lambing data on iTexel, including birth weight, lambing ease and number born helps with future breed development.

Animal, flock and breed data collection Having access to accurate, up to date information is vital for the future development of both flocks and the breed as a whole.

M

embers have a key responsibility to themselves and the membership as a whole to provide core data to the Society, giving valuable information for breed improvement and promotion and to support the Society’s research and development activities.

There are a range of data which members can provide, all of which add value throughout the breed, says Society data and technical services manager Ed Smith.

All members It is the responsibility of all members to provide data on their animals to the Society through iTexel (see Table opposite).

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Data recording begins at lambing, all members are provided with a lambing book each year that has space to record birth weight and lambing ease scores alongside the pedigree information that can be uploaded to iTexel when lambs are added to the database.

All members are also encouraged to upload lamb weights, at no cost, when lambs are eight-weeks old and when they weigh about 40kg, through the weight screens on iTexel.

Shearling ewe weights can also be uploaded around tupping time, through these screens.

T E C H N I C A L scheme Following the reduction in texelplus fees to £21.50/flock and removal of individual ewe charges, the number of flocks signed up to take advantage of the Society’s texelplus scheme has increased by 18% over the last two years. Meaning that more flocks now participate in the scheme than at any time in the previous five years.

Participation offers benefits to the individual flocks as they can access detailed genetic improvement reports, a useful tool to support flock development and inform breeding decisions to enhance genetic gain.

For more information SCAN HERE These flocks also have access to performance sale material for their own flock and performance information on all animals in iTexel. texelplus members can also collect data on carcass quality through ultrasound and CT scanning; additional fees apply for these optional services, with generous Society and levy board subsidies available for CT scanning.

The Society also funds the genotyping of CT scanned animals.

The extra trait data offers dual advantages: breeders benefit from more detailed information on their animals than is provided by weights alone; and the breed benefits from increased data supporting the production of breeding values and economic indices.

With the increase in numbers of flocks participating in the texelplus service, it is timely to remind all members of the importance of capturing and recording good quality data in iTexel.

Data quality can be summarised in three main points: • Variation – the data recorded should show a spread of values • Completeness – data should be recorded for all animals, not just a subset • Timeliness – data should be added to iTexel soon after recording to prevent data loss An under-reported metric is that of dead lambs, these can be added to iTexel when adding lambs with minimal effort by simply providing the total number of lambs born and the number alive. iTexel will automatically record the difference in the two numbers as dead lambs. It is important to credit a ewe for producing a multiple

litter of lambs, even if one lamb is dead; when the ewe is evaluated, the number of lambs she produced influences her ‘litter size’ traits, that in turn contributes to her replacement index.

Best practice in data collection by ALL members Trait

All members

texelplus members

iTexel location

Born alive / dead

•

•

Record lambs

Animal ID number

•

•

Record lambs

Sex

•

•

Record lambs

Genetic sire

•

•

Record lambs

Genetic dam

•

•

Record lambs

Date of birth

•

•

Record lambs

Service type

•

•

Record lambs

*Recipient information

•

•

Record lambs

Litter size

•

•

Record lambs

*Fostering information

•

•

Record lambs

Lambing ease

•

•

Record lambs

Birth weight

•

•

Record lambs

Eight-week weight

•

•

Record weights

Scan weight

•

•

Record weights

Shearling ewe weight

•

•

Record weights

**Ultrasound muscle depth

•

Admin upload

**Ultrasound fat depth

•

Admin upload

***CT scan information

•

Admin upload

Enhanced iTexel reports

•

Reports

Performance sale charts

•

Reports

Access to breeding values / indices

•

Reports / Animal pages

Performance figures in catalogues

•

Catalogues

Genotyped CT lambs (Scrapie information)

•

Gene-tex

Opportunity to be involved in Society R&D

•

n/a

Benefits

*where relevant; **additional non-Society fees apply; ***Society and levy board subsidies available, Society-funded genotyping (including Scrapie), additional non-Society fees apply

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

55

T E C H N I C A L

Round up of Society research activity provides insights into managing methane emissions Smarter project concludes

T

he H2020 SMARTER project, an ambitious EU-funded endeavour, concluded in June this year following a final meeting of project leaders, partners and stakeholders.

The meeting reviewed the progress made during the project and identified the potential for future collaborative research.

The SMARTER project (“SMAll RuminanTs breeding for Efficiency and Resilience”) was a collaborative effort involving multiple European and international institutions, industry partners and research organisations.

Started in 2018, the project sought to study how genetic selection can help to increase resilience and efficiency in small ruminants (sheep and goats) in their environments and across a range of diverse environments. The project comprised eight independent work-packages (WP): the Texel Society contributed data to work packages 1, 2 and 6 and provided expertise in drafting new guidelines for the collection of efficiency and resilience data from livestock and supported the project Round Table in December 2022.

WP1: Efficiency A variety of proxy and predictor traits were tested for feed efficiency by various project partners. A potential link between feed efficiency and milk fat in dairy animals was detected, though work is needed to provide any conclusive results.

WP2: Health and welfare The major highlights of this work-package included the first genomic breeding values obtained for footrot and mastitis in UK Texel sheep, a direct result of the participation of the Society in the project.

WP6: Tools and networks The work done in work-package six produced the first across country evaluation methodology for small ruminants, highlighting its weaknesses and strengths and potential for enhanced future evaluations.

WP8: Dissemination The communications work-package successfully achieved all of its planned activities, including 10 round tables in 10 partner countries and a summer school at the final project meeting.

WP3: Trade-offs No major conflicts between resilience and efficiency were detected when data were analysed using a variety of approaches. This is a positive finding as it means that selection for resilience traits can be done without any major negative effect on efficiency traits and vice versa.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

SCAN HERE TO READ MORE

PEDIGREE LAMB FEED

Feeding Champions Since 1865 T: +353 (0) 74 917 1300

smythsdaleside.com

T E C H N I C A L

Grass to gas project The Texel Society has been involved in the Grass to Gas project by providing performance-recorded sires to SRUC to produce crossbred lambs which have been studied for feed intake and growth characteristics. All sires and a large proportion of lambs were CT scanned to provide extra information for analysis.

been working with the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) to develop protocols for feed efficiency trials and methane measurements. This has the potential to facilitate data sharing that could benefit future research and international / global genetic evaluations.

The rumen plays an important role in the digestion of food by ruminants; previous research has found that larger reticulo-rumen volumes, as measured by CT scanning, are associated with increased methane emissions. Across two years, twin-born Texel x Scotch Mule lambs from 10 sires were split across two finishing systems at weaning for a total of eight weeks. Approximately half the lambs were grazed outdoors (n = 242) and the other half finished indoors (n = 237) on pelleted grass nuts and recorded through individual feed intake recording equipment.

Weight measurements have been correlated with feed intake, but weren’t able to provide an accurate estimate of feed efficiency.

Lambs finished indoors on grass nuts were significantly heavier, grew quicker, and had more fat and muscle (as measured by ultrasound and CT scanning) at the same liveweight, than lambs grazing lowland pastures. Lambs grazed outdoors had significantly larger liveweightadjusted reticulo-rumen volumes post-trial.

The sire had a significant effect on all measured traits, with lambs from the same sire ranking similarly in each system, indicating a genetic influence on all traits. Within this study however, reticulo-rumen volume pre- or post-trial had no significant relationship with measures of feed intake, supporting the results from the Smarter project that this is a complex trait that requires further study.

Rumen volumes have potential as a proxy for methane emissions, but information is needed on the link between rumen volume and greenhouse gas emissions at the genetic level which SRUC is studying.

Also, breeding animals for smaller rumen volumes may hinder their ability to adapt to poor quality grazing conditions, for example hill sheep that are required to survive on poorer forage.

The project also evaluated the potential impact of breeding for Work from other partners in the project has investigated links between productivity and lower emissions for the UK sheep industry, in feed intake and methane emissions. While the results to date are combination with other mitigation strategies. The maximum reduction inconclusive, in general animals that are more feed efficient produce estimated for UK sheep was equivalent to 27% reduction in emissions. less greenhouse gases [total emissions]. However, animals classed Sheep breeding strategies explain almost 30% of this reduction. as more feed efficient can have increased emissions Gross emissions vs emissions intensity intensity, meaning they emit greater Gross emissions is the total GHG emissions from an animal, whereas emissions intensity is a measure amounts of of the GHG emissions per unit of production, usually expressed as per kg of meat produced in sheep methane for every production systems. kg of dry matter intake.

Further work has also been done to identify proxy measurement for feed efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions that would enable phenotyping of larger numbers of animals with the aim of developing breeding values for these traits.

The GrassToGas team has

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T E C H N I C A L

Society supported student gains PhD The Society is pleased to be able to congratulate Karolina Kaseja on recently passing her PhD viva with minor corrections. The Society has supported Karolina’s PhD in Veterinary and Animal Sciences through funding and providing access to the largest sheep genomic dataset in the UK.

Karolina Kaseja has recently completed her PhD with support from the Society.

To exploit the advantages genomics offers, the Society is:

Karolina’s research has focused on the use of Texel data to investigate the breed’s genetic and genomic influence on health (footrot and mastitis) and production (birth, eight-week and scan weights, and muscle and fat depths) traits.

Karolina has presented posters and papers at international conferences, supporting the promotion of the Society at these academic and scientific events. In addition, she has published three peer-reviewed articles on genomic parentage verification and using genomic information to increase the accuracy of genetic evaluations.

The third article published from her PhD reports on the association between genomic markers and the above health and production traits. More than 9500 genotypes, 9000 phenotypes and 820,000 animal records were used in the analysis and highlights include: • An analysis of the genetic basis of footrot, mastitis and production traits.

• Results that indicate the traits are highly polygenic with a complex genetic architecture.

• Twelve Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with production traits.

• Five Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms were associated with health traits.

• Using whole genome information can enhance selection decisions.

Of the 12 SNPs associated with production traits, three remained significant at the genome level (after taking into account testing all other markers across all chromosomes) and were associated with birth weight, eight-week weight and scan weight; with each marker only explaining 0.1-0.2% of the trait variation. However, of the five markers associated with footrot and mastitis, none were significant when all markers were considered.

Next steps for the Society’s use of genomics

• Engaging with a genomic evaluation provider to understand the impact of any changes to the evaluation, with potential roll out of genomic evaluations by 2024.

These results demonstrate the highly polygenic background underlying health, welfare and production traits in Texel sheep.

This supports the premise of using a single-step method for genomic evaluation of this breed which combines all pedigree, phenotype and genotype data into a single evaluation, without the need for post-evaluation processing.

Using genomics offers the Society other advantages, including increased accuracy of evaluations, particularly for lambs where limited data are available, and an automated method to detect and correct any parentage inconsistencies, improving the reliability of the pedigree registry.

There is also the opportunity to access single marker information (similar to how Scrapie data are accessed) on traits including health and welfare, fecundity and meat quality, supporting the access to information for breeders as well as providing whole breed population monitoring.

• Encouraging data collection from all members’ flocks for all traits to inform the genomic reference population.

• Investing in the latest technologies in data management and genetic improvement in support of its membership, developing advanced registry services and supporting the breed’s further development.

• Investing in iTexel database to ensure breed data is stored and published for the benefit of the membership.

Glossary Polygenic - A polygenic trait is one that is controlled by two or more genes; frequently there are a large number of genes with small individual effects.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, pronounced ‘snips’) - These are the most common type of genetic variation in mammals. They are used as markers that can help to locate genes associated with disease or other traits.

Reference population - Individuals with known phenotypes and genotypes.

Used as the basis for prediction equations to produce genomic breeding values for the wider population.

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Knap Grumpy dwarfs all others at 170,000gns Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock, Crieff, enjoyed a flying trade at the Scottish National Texel Sale, Lanark, taking the day’s top call of 170,000gns for Knap Grumpy, also selling his full ET brother, Knap General Lee at 100,000gns and netting an average of £60,060 for five lambs sold.

The breed’s flagship sale saw 20 lambs make 10,000gns or more, with a record sale average of £5311.25 and a 79% clearance of the lambs on offer. 82% of the ram lambs sold at prices of up to 2800gns, giving buyers huge opportuninities.

Paying the top money for Knap Grumpy were Charlie Boden and family for their Sportsmans flock, Cheshire, with Grumpy being a son of the 9000gns Haddo Falcon out of Robert’s noted ewe CKP2004684 ‘Knap Daisy Duke’, herself a Sportsmans Cannon Ball daughter and overall champion at the Textravaganza national show in 2021.

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Top flock averages Flock

Number sold

Average

Knap

Five

£60,060

Teiglum

Three

£24,500

Auldhouseburn

Five

£20,223

Clarks

Two

£16,668

Ettrick

Four

£13,833

Hilltop

Three

£11,550

Hexel

Three

£10,080

Scholars

Two

£9975

Clanfield

Five

£9324

Midlock

Four

£8820

Garngour

Five

£8610 Robert’s 100,000gns lamb, Knap General Lee, a full brother to the 170,000gns Grumpy also sold to join the Sportsmans flock.

A second 100,000gns call came early in the day for the champion from the presale show Strathbogie Gypsy King from Jim Innes, Aberdeenshire. This son of the 28,000gns Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants is out of a dam by Milnbank Dance Monkey and had also been reserve overall champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

After fierce bidding he sold across to Northern Ireland to Johnny Cubitt, Ballymena, with equal shares also taken by the pre-sale judge Richard Henderson for the Ballynahone flock, Alastair Gault, Forkins and Roger Strawbridge, Tamnamoney.

Robert Cockburn was involved in the next best too, when he paid 65,000gns for Teiglum Goliath from Andrew Clark. This son of the 7500gns Forkins Fancy is out of a dam by Wydden Ding Dong and had stood third in the texelplus class in the pre-sale show, having stood second at Biggar earlier in the year. He sold with a top 25% terminal index.

A pair then followed at 42,000gns, with the first of these being Alan Blackwood’s best of the day from the Auldhouseburn pen. This was Auldhouseburn Ghost, a lamb by the 130,000gns Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi and out of a Sportsmans Double Diamond daughter and was bought after strong bidding, both at the ringside and online, by Eammon Vaughan for the Partridge Nest flock, Staffordshire.

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S C OT T I S H NA T I ONA L S A L E , L A NA R K

Alan Blackwood then took 36,000gns for another in his pen, Auldhouseburn Gazza. This is another by Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi and out of a Sportsmans Double Diamond-sired dam and sold to Mark Priestley, Seaforde, Kenny Pratt, Hilltop and Robert Cockburn, Knap.

The second to make 42,000gns was Ettrick Grey Goose from Gordon Gray, Selkirk. Sired by Sadlerhead Fury, he’s out of a Midcombe Brigadier daughter and has an index in the top 5% of the breed. Having stood first at Lesmahagow earlier in the year he sold to Keith, Alan and Roy Campbell, Cowal and Nick Legge, Thornbury, with Gordon Gray retaining a third share too.

Then came a trio at 30,000gns. The first of these being the reserve overall champion from the pre-sale show, Clarks Gray Goose from Dye and Elizabeth Clark. He’s a son of Allanfauld Frisky Galore and out of a Procters Chumba Wumba daughter, being bought in a two-way split by Gordon Gray, Ettrick and Procters Farm, Procters.

And a third 30,000gns bid was made for Clanfield Golden from James Theyer. This son of the 2022 Lanark topping 160,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice is out of a dam by the 100,000gns Auldhouseburn Expression and was the pick of three north of Scotland flocks, David McKerrow and family, Uppermill, Jemma Green, Corskie and Robbie Wilson, Milnbank.

Second to sell at 30,000gns was Hilltop Golden Eye from Kenny Pratt. This son of Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants is out of a dam by Sportsmans Chieftain and was taken by Alistair Breen, Drumderg, Northern Ireland and James Dunne, Kilduff, Terry Dolan, Castle and Barry Farrell, Oberstown, all Eire.

After that came a 24,000gns bid for Hexel Geronimo from Donald and Sarah MacPherson and family. By the homebred 32,000gns Hexel Fan Club, he’s out of a Corskie-bred dam by Holylee Acrobat and sold to Willy Davis and Paul Rowlands, Usk Vale, Kerr Jarvie, Duncryne, Alan Powell, Monnow Hill, John Neville, Co Wexford, Eire and James Porter, Saltcotes.

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Alan Clark and family, Garngour then took 22,000gns for their best, Garngour Geezer. This second prize winner from the texelplus class is by 15,000gns purchase Midcombe Fireball and out of a dam by Procters Chumba Wumba and sold with a top 10% index to Robert Evans, Hope Valley.

Then making 16,000gns was Scholars Governor from Neil and Matthew Ellis. He’s by the 26,000gns Rhaeadr Field Marshall and out of a dam by Corbo Coors Light. Buying him was Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn.

Next in line at 20,000gns was the best of the sale from Charlie Boden, Sportsmans Grand Slam. This son of Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi is out of a Castlecairn Doodlebug daughter and with a top 1% terminal index was taken in a three-way split. Taking shares were Alan Clark, Garngour, the Knox family, Haddo and the MacGregor family, Allanfauld.

Following on were three at 15,000gns, the first of which was another of the Auldhouseburn pen from Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn Godfather. Sired by Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi, he’s out of a Sportsmans Double Diamond-sired dam and sold to Robbie Wilson, Milnbank and Jemma Green, Corskie.

The second one at 15,000gns was Mullan Game Changer from Brian Hanthorn. He’s a Mellor Vale Déjà Vu son and out of a Knock Bantasticsired dam and has a top 10% index.

He found a new home with a trio of Northern Irish breeders, Adrian Liggett, Corbo, James Wilkinson, Ballygroogan and Andrew Kennedy, Maineview.

The last at 15,000gns was Midlock Grizzly from the Wight family. He’s by Garngour Falcon II and out of a dam by Mullan Amigo and was knocked down to David Houghton, Tophill, Harry Griffies, Cairngryffe, Paul Castle, Ulmus, Nicola Howie, Cairnton and Jeremy Theyer, Chedworth.

At 12,000gns was Midlock Gran Torino from the Wight family. Sired by Garngour Falcon II, he’s out of a dam by Mullan Amigo and sold to the Teward family, New View.

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Averages; 222 ram lambs £5311.25 (Lawrie and Symington).

James Theyer, Clanfield, was back in action selling Clanfield General at 10,000gns. This son of Rhaeadr First Choice is out of a dam by the 100,000gns Auldhouseburn Expression and stood first in the texelplus class in the pre-sale show before selling to Angus Howie, Millhouse, with a top 5% index.

Keith and Andrew Campbell, Overburns, also took 10,000gns for their best, Overburns Gladiator. This top 1% index lamb is by Haymount Foremost and out of a dam by Sportsmans Cannon Ball. He stood first in the novice class in the pre-sale show having been male champion at Great Yorkshire Show and sold to Dye and Elizabeth Clark, Clarks, David Preacher, Holylee, the Knox family, Haddo and John & Craig Connell, Lauder.

Rhaeadr Cracker daughter goes bang at Lanark Herefordshire-based breeders James and Ellie Amphlett topped the gimmer trade at the Scottish National Sale, when selling their pen leader at 9000gns.

T

his was AOS2200208, a Rhaeadr Cracker daughter out of a Clarks bred dam by Procters Chumba Whumba. After strong bidding she found a new home with Jed Sharp, Worcestershire.

Second best of the evening was a 6000gns call for the best from the Boden and Davies partnership’s Sportsmans pen.

This was BGS2205984, she’s by Seaforde Empire King and out of a dam by Castlecairn Doodlebug and sold with an index in the top 25% of the breed. Buying this one was Ben Ditchfield, for the Caben Knoll flock, Staffordshire.

Following her at 4000gns was the day’s female champion from Ryan Bradley. This was BYK2200448 from the Bradleys flock. She’s a Hilltop Escobar daughter out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Bolt and joined the Strathbogie flock of James Innes.

Then making 3400gns was one from Gordon Gray’s Ettrick flock, GGH2214417. This Procters Chumba Wumba daughter is out of a dam by Ettrick Yager Bomb and has a top 1% index. She was the pick of A and R Dickson and Son for the Lonicera flock, Omagh.

And the Amphletts then took 3000gns for their second gimmer, AOS2200206. This Garngour Destiny II daughter

is out of a Rhaeadr-bred dam by Rhaeadr Ace and sold to Messrs Blackwood, Castlehill.

Averages; 32 gimmers £1604.86 (Lawrie and Symington).

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65

Knap Ghostbuster exterminates the competition It was another good day for Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock at the Welsh National Sale, Welshpool, when he topped both the ram lamb and gimmer trade, after taking the championship in the pre-sale show with his ram lamb Knap Ghostbuster.

T

his Haddo Falcon son is out of a homebred dam by Sportsmans Cannon Ball and is a full ET brother to Robert’s lambs which sold for 170,000gns and 100,000gns at Lanark earlier in the week. Buying this one at 5500gns was Matt Prince of the Stonedge flock, with shares later taken by Iolo PrysJones, Llangwm and Tom Evans, Welsh.

Next best in the ram lambs was a 3200gns call for the reserve champion from Robert Evans. This was Hope Valley Grand Slam, an Auldhouseburn Freaky Friday son out an Auldhouseburn-bred dam by the 350,000gns Sportsman’s Double Diamond. He was knocked down to P Gray, Scrogtonhead, with a half share taken by the day’s judge John Gilmour, Humeston.

Following him at 2400gns was Rhaeadr Gangster from Myfyr Evans. He’s by Streatlam Fire Cracker and out of a dam

by Sportsman’s Dare Devil. He sold to join the Rue Wood and Tiki flocks of the Lowe family.

Next best at 2100gns was another from Robert Cockburn, Knap Goldfinger, with this one being a Stump Cross Foreman son out of an Orchilmore-bred dam by Rhaeadr Best Of The Best. He was taken by Michael and Heulwen Owens, Glantre.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

And at 1700gns was another of the Rhaeadr pen in the form of Rhaeadr Gold Mine.

This is a full ET brother to the 2400gns Gangster and was knocked down to Gerallt Rowlands, Traws.

Shearling rams Topping shearling ram prices at 2050gns was Corras Field Marshall from Robert and Nesta Watkins. This Roxburgh Deadly Dave son is out of a dam by the homebred Corras Armidale and sold to G Morgan, Llanfynydd.

Then came a 2000gns call for the first prize shearling ram Caereinion Ffab-Iw-Lys from Cefin Pryce and family. Sired by Meinspride King Kong, he is out of a dam by Kimbolton Ace and was bought by R E and C J Davies, Yockleton, Shropshire.

Two then sold at 1000gns, with the first being Caereinion Front Runner, a Caereinion Champion son out of a dam by Cambwell Trademark and with an index in the top 25% of the breed. He heads to the Isle of Man with Danny Creer and family, Ballaglonney.

The other at this money was Corras Fighter from the Watkins family. He’s by Loosebeare Braveheart and out of a dam

by Ballaglonney Vident and headed away with M J, B M and D T Bates, Llanfair Caereinion.

WELSH NATIONAL SALE, WELSHPOOL

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Gimmers Leading the gimmers at 1300gns was CKP2206713 from Robert Cockburn, with this one being a New View Electrifying daughter out of a dam by Mullan Amigo.

She was the pick of William Ridge for the Ridgeway flock.

Next in line at 1000gns was the female champion from Gordon Gray, Ettrick. This was GGH2214458, a Holtridge El Primo daughter out of a dam by Midcombe Brigadier. Buying this one was J E Isaac, Pontrobert.

A pair then made 800gns, the first of which was from Vaughan Farms’ Kingspark flock, VFK2202164. She’s by Usk Vale Eddie and out of a dam by Plasucha Corker and went away with Michael and Heulwen Owens, Glantre.

Second at this level was another from the Knap pen, CKP2206651. Another by New View Electrifying, she’s out of another Mullan Amigo daughter and heads to the Logram flock of Mark Collins.

Knap Ghostbuster topped the trade at 5500gns.

Averages; 21 ram lambs £1186.50, seven shearling rams £1224, 16 gimmers £717.94 (Welshpool Livestock Sales).

Second best at 3200gns was Hope Valley Grand Slam.

Myfyr Evans took 2400gns for Rhaeadr Gangster.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Best of the shearlings was Corras Field Marshall at 2050gns.

WELSH NATIONAL SALE, WELSHPOOL

Rhaeadr Gold Mine 1700gns

Caereinion Ffab-Iw-Lys from Cefin Pryce and family made 2000gns.

Gordon Gray sold GGH2214468 at 1000gns.

Top priced gimmer was Robert Cockburn’s CKP2206719 at 1300gns.

The Vaughan family’s VFK2202168 at 750gns.

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Top shearling ram flock averages Flock

Number sold

Average

Duhonw

Two

£11,025

Loosebeare

Four

£7796

Whitehart

Five

£5880

Caron

Two

£5145

Mershott

Two

£3832

Roxburgh

Five

£3381

Clun

Three

£2730

Millend

Two

£2625

Halbeath

Three

£2555

Corras

Three

£2380

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

ENGLISH NATIONAL SALE, WORCESTER

Loosebeare Ferrari races to 13,000gns A resounding shearling ram trade at the English National Sale resulted in a 91% clearance in the rams on offer with 80 sold to level at a second best ever average of £2518.13, with 35 more sold than 12 months earlier.

Loosebeare Ferrari from the Quick family, Devon, led the ram trade at the English National Texel Sale, Worcester, with this shearling selling for 13,000gns.Sired by the 8200gns Whitehart Class Act and out of a dam by Crookholm Bouncer, he was knocked down after fierce competition to a brace of Scottish breeders, A Gray and Son, Langside and P Gray, Scrogtonhead.

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Second best in the shearlings at 12,500gns was another of the Loosebeare pen, Loosebeare Five Star. Living up to his name, this one is Crookholm Bouncer and is out of a Loosebeare Voomer daughter. He was also split two ways, selling to a brace of Worcestershire breeders in the shape of Jim and Nicola Hartwright, Whitehart and the Dorrell family, Stonegrove.

Close behind at 12,000gns was Duhonw Fireball from Michael James and family.

He’s by Meinspride Usain and out of a dam by Garngour Awesome and after spirited bidding fell to Gary and Meinir Howells for the Shadog flock.

Making 7500gns was the best of a strong run from Jim and Nicola Hartwright, Whitehart First Class. He’s by the homebred Whitehart Big Style and out of a Loosebeare Voomer daughter and was knocked down to P L and O J Watkins, Caenantmelyn and the Smith family, Slapton.

Another from James family then sold at 9000gns, with this being Duhonw Fire Cracker, the first prize shearling and reserve male champion from the pre-sale show.

He’s another by Usain Bolt and is a full ET brother to the 12,000gns Fireball. Taking this one home were Neil and Matthew Ellis for the Cressage and Scholars flocks.

A pair then followed at 7000gns, with the first being Caron Furious from the Williams family. This second prize winner from the pre-sale show is by Tullylagan Commander and out of a Tamnamoney Yeti daughter and had previously stood first at the Royal Welsh Show. He was bought by Mark James for the Ripperston flock.

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

Second at 7000gns was another from the Hartwrights, Whitehart Four Square.

He’s by Brijon Deal Breaker and out of a dam by Loosebeare Yahoo and sold to Einon Probert and Sons for their Mortimer flock.

ENGLISH NATIONAL SALE, WORCESTER

Next best was a pair at 5500gns, the first of which was Whitehart Full Of It, another by Brijon Deal Breaker and this time out of a dam by Strawfrank Wild Thing.

He was taken by R and M Rottenbury and Son, Chipstaple, Taunton.

The other to make 5500gns was Matthew Ellis’ Cressage Frenzy, a Knock Eagle Eye son out of a dam

by Scholars YSL. He found a new home with Marlsborough Farm for the Marlsborough flock.

Three then followed that at 4500gns. First was Mershott Fast Ball from John Elliot, with this one being by Walston Clansman and out of a Brackenridge Strongbow daughter and sold with a texelplus index in the top 25% of the breed. He headed away with Messrs Furness and Taylor, Westgate.

The next at 4500gns was Clun Fireball from Roger Williams and family. He’s by the homebred Clun Diamond and out of a dam by Blore View Winger and was the pick of Owen Williams, Solbury.

The third and final 4500gns sale was for Whitehart Falcon from the Hartwrights.

Another by Brijon Deal Breaker, he is out of a Cherryvale Shergar-sired dam and sold to join T and E Vaughan for their Vaughan flock.

And taking the same bid of 4000gns was Corras Flintoff from Robert and Nesta Watkins, with this one being by Loosebeare Braveheart and out of a dam by Corras Armidale. This one headed east to Essex with Robin Creighton, Endway.

Close behind at 3800gns was Roxburgh Finest Hour from John Elliot, a son of the £65,000 Campsie Drambuie and out of a Hightecs Yorick daughter. He was bought by R G and R A Jones and Son, Rowlestone.

A brace then traded at 4000gns. First up was Halbeath Flash from Robin and Caroline Orr. This son of the 32,000gns Caron Dynamite is out of a Knock Bantastic daughter and was taken home

by Giles Pyman, Thacka.

A 3500gns call then secured Whitehart Freestyle from the Hartwrights. This son of Brijon Deal Breaker is out of a Canllefaes Boxer daughter and headed away with Dafyd Evans, Bwlch Y Gwynt.

Averages; 80 shearling rams £2518.13 (+£26.13) (McCartneys).

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Fireball son sets trade alight at Worcester A surging demand resulted in a second best ever average of £1321.14 for 133 ram lambs sold on an 88% clearance rate at the English National Sale, Worcester, with the sale also recording a new centre record total, grossing £403,553.72 across the ram lambs, gimmers and shearling rams.

Auldhouseburn Grizzly Bear, a son of the 50,000gns Okehall Fireball, set the ram lamb trade alight when making 8500gns. This one from Alan Blackwood is out of a dam by the 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond and had stood third in the pre-sale show. He was knocked down to the Owens family, Woodhouse, Shobdon.

Top ram lamb flock averages Next in line at 8000gns was Knap Godzilla from Robert Cockburn. A full ET brother to Robert’s 170,000gns and 100,000gns sellers at Lanark a week earlier, he is by Haddo Falcon and out of the Sportsmans Cannon Ball daughter Daisy Duke. He headed back north when joining Gordon and David Gray for the Ettrick and Tima flocks, with a share taken by the MacGregor family for their Allanfauld flock.

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Flock

Number sold

Average

Auldhouseburn

Two

£4987

Ettrick

Six

£3106

Knap

Five

£2797

Strathbogie

Four

£2756

Allanfauld

Three

£2695

Cambwell

Five

£1722

Milnbank

Five

£1602

Strawfrank

Four

£1575

Clanfield

Four

£1509

Teiglum

Three

£1382

ENGLISH NATIONAL SALE, WORCESTER Another of the previous week’s high earners, Jim Innes, then took 6500gns for Strathbogie Ghost Rider, an Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants daughter out of a dam by Sportsmans Benchmark. He sold to Euros Jones, Ynystoddeb.

The Grays then took back some of their spending when taking 5800gns for Ettrick Gaucho, a second prize winner from the pre-sale show. He’s by Sadlerhead Fury and out of a Claybury Dunkirk daughter and had stood first at the Royal Highland Show and sold with a top 1% texelplus index. His new owner is Tom Ayrton, Ayrtons.

A 4000gns sale followed that for Ettrick Gladiator from Gordon Gray. This is another Sadlerhead Fury son out of a dam

by Midcombe Brigadier and has a top 25% index. He was knocked down to Messrs Gilbert, Aelmund.

Robbie Wilson’s champion from the pre-sale show, Milnbank Gambler followed on at 4500gns. This one is by Holylee Foreman and out of a Knock Yardsman daughter. He headed away with the Williams family for the Caron flock.

Next in line at 3500gns was Allanfauld Gladiator from the MacGregor family. He’s

by Plasucha Fury and is out of a dam by Procters Chumba Wumba and has a top 10% index. Buying this one was James Bailey, Orkney.

Selling at 3200gns was James Theyer’s best of the day, Clanfield Gino, a son of the 160,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice out of a dam by the 100,000gns Auldhouseburn Expression. With a top 5% index he headed away with Vaughan Farms, Kingspark.

And a 3000gns sale then followed for Ettrick Golden Balls from Gordon Gray. This is another by Sadlerhead Fury and out of a Midcombe Brigadier daughter, with the buyer of this one being Fordwell Farm Partners and Ian and Fiona Andrews for the Fordwell and Cattistock flocks, respectively.

Averages; 113 ram lambs £1321.14 (McCartneys).

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Topwood gimmer fells the competition at 16,000gns For the second time in a week James and Ellie Amphlett’s Topwood flock led the female trade at a Texel Sheep Society National Sale, topping the gimmers at the English National Sale at 16,000gns, a joint centre female record. A resounding demand for gimmers saw the sale record a new record average at £1509 with an 88% clearance.

Second best at 5600gns was the day’s female and reserve overall champion from Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock. This was CKP2206646, a New View Electrifying daughter out of a dam

by Baltier Rascal and from the same family as the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid. She found a new home with Charlie Fielder, Romsey for the Test Valley flock.

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The Amphlett’s topper this time was AOS2200212, an ET bred daughter of Garngour Destiny II out of a Teiglum-bred dam by former sire of the year Knock Bantastic. She had previously stood breed champion at the Royal Three Counties Show and was subject to frenetic bidding before being knocked down to Alan Blackwood for the Auldhouseburn flock.

Following her at 2600gns was Robert Laird and family’s fifth prize gimmer from the pre-sale show, LTC2206560. Sired by Cowal Escobar, she is out of a dam by Fordafourie Young Star and was the pick of Tomos Adams for the Ty Medi flock, Cowbridge.

ENGLISH NATIONAL SALE, WORCESTER

Northern Irish breeder Gary Beacom then took 1800gns for his best of the sale, LKV2208671. This daughter of Alderview Explosive is out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid and was taken by Roy and Elizabeth Campbell for the Royel flock, Cumbria.

A trio then traded at 1500gns, with the first of these being BGS2205908 from the Boden family’s Sportsmans flock. She’s by the 80,000gns Procters El Presidente and out of a dam by Fordafourie Amalert and went home with Robert Evans for the Hope Valley flock.

And the final 1500gns call came for the only gimmer of the day from Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank flock, LYM2204829. This daughter of Harestone Eldorado is out of a dam by Cowal Bucking Bronco and was knocked down to Alan Carrington Jones, Caestwbrwn, Welshpool.

Averages; 35 gimmers £1509 (+£431.28) (McCartneys).

Second at this level was another from Gary Beacom’s Lakeview flock, LKV2208581, with this one being a full ET sister to the 1800gns gimmer from the same home. She was bought by Paul Castle for the Ulmus flock.

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N O R T H E R N I R I S H S A L E , B A L LY M E N A

Glenhone Galaxy shoots for the stars at Ballymena A 12,000gns top call and a 91% clearance with an average which rose by more than £85 for nine more sold, were the hallmarks of a successful ram lamb trade at the Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena.

Leading the sale was Glenhone Galaxy, the pre-sale champion from Martin McConville. This one is by Rhaeadr Entrepreneur and out of a dam

by Mullan Awesome. He heads to Scotland to join the Strawfrank flock of Allan Campbell, with shares taken by Andrew Clark, Teiglum and Ewan MacTaggart, Rascarrel.

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Top flock averages Flock

Number sold

Average

Glenhone

Two

£6825

Seaforde

Four

£4672

Lylehill

Four

£4392

Brague

Four

£2795

Kiltariff

Four

£2769

Innisrush

Three

£2660

Largy

Four

£2283

Mullan

Seven

£2019

Cherryvale

Three

£1995

Millburn

Four

£1968

Next in line at 7500gns was Kiltariff Golden Boy from the Bell family, with this one being by Mellor Vale Déjà vu and out of a dam by Knap Bonanza. He stayed locally, joining Peter Boyd’s Poseyhill flock.

Also making 7500gns was the best of the day from the Mulligan family’s Brague flock, Brague Gypsy King. This son of Carnew Fiddler is out of a dam by Aman Bendigedig and heads south to John Greene, Donegal, for the Greenstar flock.

Following them was a 7000gns call for Mark Priestley’s Seaforde GI Joe, a son of Coniston Equinox out of a Knap-bred dam by Sportmans Cannon Ball. He sold to Bruce Renwick and family for the Castlecairn flock.

Two then traded at 5000gns, with the first being Alan Glendinning’s Lylehill GTR. Sired by Plasucha Folklore and out of a Garngour dam by Procters Chumba Wumba, he sold to Scottish breeders Alan Blackwood and Stuart Barclay for the Auldhouseburn and Harestone flocks, respectively.

Darryl Branagan then took 6500gns for Tullinasoo Gold Dust a Haddo Fabio son out of the high yielding Knap Daisy Duke, another by Cannon Ball, with other sons already sold to 170,000gns and 100,000gns this season.

He was taken by the Chestnutt family for their Clougher and Bushmills flocks and and Mark Noble’s Longford, Eire-based, Kilcoursey flock.

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N O R T H E R N I R I S H S A L E , B A L LY M E N A

And another pair then shared the next best call of 4800gns. Leading at this price was Alan Glendinning’s Lylehill Gunshot, a son of Plasucha Folklore out of a Garngour-bred dam by Procters Chumba Wumba. He was taken by Brian Hanthorn, Mullan, Mark Paterson, Alderview, John Trimble, Curley and James Wilkinson, Ballygroogan, with a share retained.

The second at 5000gns was another from Mark Priestley, Seaforde Gentleman Jack. He’s by Coniston Equinox and is out of another Knap-bred dam by Cannon Ball. He found a new home with Stephen Etherson, Killans.

Eugene Branagan then took 4800gns for Largy Grizzly Bear. This son of Rhaeadr Entrepreneur is out of a Knap Abracadabra daughter and headed away to the Millar’s flock of Martin and Cyril Millar.

Another 4000gns sale saw Brian Hanthorn trade Mullan Governor the first prize winner from the texelplus class in the pre-sale show. By Plasucha Folklore, he is out of a Sportsmans A Star daughter and sold with a top 25% index when taken by Allan Campbell, Strawfrank and Andrew Clark, Teiglum.

At 4000gns was Millburn Gypsie King from Naomi and Rian O’Hare, with this one being a Mellor Vale Déjà Vu son out of a dam by Midlock Yorkie and was knocked down to Stewart Ferris, Bellefield.

Average; 212 ram lambs £1224.79 (+85.57) (Ballymena Livestock Mart).

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Duvarren shearling provides the future at Ballymena John Waton’s Duvarren Future topped the shearling ram trade at this year’s Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena, selling to 4500gns.

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ired by the homebred Duvarren Colorado, he stood second in the presale show and is out of a dam by Duvarren Winston and was taken by Fraser and Helen Tweed for their Ballycoose flock.

Shearling ram trade was strong from start to finish, with 98% of the rams forward finding new homes and the average jumping more than £450 to £1518.38.

Topping trade at 4500gns was Duvarren Future from John Watson which sold to Fraser and Helen Tweed, Ballycoose.

Second best at 3600gns was Alastair Gault’s Forkins Fancy That, a first prize winner from the pre-sale show. He’s by Sportsmans Dare Devil and out of a dam by Clarks Bolt and sold to Christian Wilson.

Following him at 2000gns was another from John Watson, Duvarren Firm Favourite.

This son of Duvarren Direct is out of a dam

by Duvarren Valencia and was knocked down to N McGarrigle.

Also at this price was Neil Watson’s Findrum Foursquare, a Procters Escapade son out of a dam by Haddo Cherokee. He found a new home with W and I Hanna.

Close behind were a trio at 1900gns, the first of which was John Watson’s Duvarren Flame. Sired by Dunelm Charisma, he is out of a dam by Duvarren Valencia and headed away with previous buyer N McMarrigle.

The other to make 1900gns was Richard Henderson’s Ballynahone Firecracker.

He’s a Rhaeadr Edge son out of a dam by Procters Cocktail and had stood fifth in the pre-sale show. Taking him home was Shaws Hill Farm.

The third and final call at this price was made for M and J Watson’s Hillhead

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Freeman, a Brague Diamond Star son out of a dam by Duvarren Whats The Craic.

He was the pick of Malachy McMeel, Co Monaghan.

Second best at 3600gns was Alastair Gault’s Forkins Fancy That.

Two then sold at 1850gns, with the opener at this price being Fraser and Helen Tweed’s Ballycoose Finch. He’s by Duvarren Cantona and out of a Kiltariff Albert daughter and was bought by Gerard McMullagh.

The other to make this money was Ballyrussell Forest from Mary Clarke. He’s

by Silver Hill Ecstatic and out of a dam by Aman Bendigedig. He found a new home with previous buyer Shaws Hill Farm.

Average; 51 shearling rams £1518.38 (+£457.06) (Ballymena Livestock Mart).

Selling at 2000gns was another from John Watson in the form of Duvarren Firm Favourite.

N O R T H E R N I R I S H S A L E , B A L LY M E N A

Teiglum Eclipse daughter obscures the competition Top call in the gimmers at the Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena, was a 2500gns bid for a Teiglum Eclipse daughter from Mark Priestley’s Seaforde flock. This was PRQ2202133, a gimmer out of a dam by Sportsmans Cannon Ball.

H flock, Perthshire.

aving stood reserve female champion in the pre-sale show, she was knocked down to Robert Cockburn for the Knap

Second best here at 1750gns was one from Richard Henderson, Ballynahone, HBR2201823. She’s by Rhaeadr Edge and out of a dam by Tophill Yankee and found a new home with Neil Kelso, Stewartstown.

Following her at 1500gns were a pair, the first of which was WFI2200554 from Kenneth Wilson’s Firgrove flock. Also sired

by Rhaeadr Edge, she is out of a dam

by Garngour Alabama and was taken by Malachy McMeel, Co Monaghan.

The other at this price was one from the Mullan family’s Blue Gates flock, MUC2202008. This Annaskisha Edan daughter is out of a dam by Drumgooland Aga Khan and was the pick of Sean Hamill, Donalds View.

Then making 1000gns was Martin and Cyril Millar’s gimmer VMG2202688, a Millars Eye Of the Tiger daughter out of a dam by Cowal Yorkshire Lad. She sold to join Barry Casement, Co Down.

Heading the gimmer prices at 2500gns was Mark Priestley’s gimmer from the Seaforde flock.

And then at 980gns was one from Brian Hanthorn, Mullan. This was HBN2202748, a Sportsmans Dare Devil daughter out of a dam by Haddo Ringleader and with a top 25% texelplus index. She was taken by R Bolton, Swatragh.

Averages; 31 gimmers £723.48 (Ballymena Livestock Mart).

At 1500gns was Kenneth Wilson’s WFI2200554 from the Firgrove flock which sold to Co Monaghan to join Malachy McMeel.

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Teiglum Firefly sparks up Kelso at £36,000 Texels dominated proceedings at Kelso Ram Sales, achieving the top breed average, top individual price of £36,000 and most sold of any breed. Overall, 591 registered Texel shearling rams averaged £1653.54, while 58 registered Texel ram lambs levelled out at £737.07.

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ommenting on the day’s trade, Lawrie and Symington auctioneer, Brian Ross, said: “Good sheep were easily sold, with commercial buyers willing to consistently go to four-figure prices. We had a sound commercial trade right through the sale.”

Topping the Texel trade and achieving the best price of all breeds on the day, was Teiglum Firefly, a shearling ram from Andrew Clark’s flock at Crossford, Lanark, which sold at £36,000. Following on from a successful sale at Lanark the previous month, selling a lamb at 65,000gns, Mr Clark’s topper this time was a son of Seaforde Egyptian Warrior, bought for 26,000gns at Ballymena two years ago with the Harestone and Allanfauld flocks.

A natural born triplet out of a ewe by Craighead Crusader, this stylish ram was knocked down to large-scale commercial sheep producer Paul Slater, Whiteley Hey, Cheshire, who also bought, another by Egyptian Warrior from Mr Clark, for £5000.

The next best price came later in the day when the Wight family sold the best from their Midlock consignment at £22,000. He is by Bradleys Executioner, which stood champion at the Scottish National Sale two years ago. Out of a ewe by Mullan Amigo, he sold in a two-way split to Alan Clark,

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Garngour, Lesmahagow, and Malcolm Coubrough, Hartside, Biggar.

From the same home, another Midlock shearling, a full brother to the £22,000 pen leader, sold at £12,000 to Gerwyn Jones, Graig Goch, Conwy.

Topping the Texels and the entire sale at Kelso was Andrew Clark’s Teiglum Firefly at £36,000 when bought by Paul Slater, Cheshire.

The Procters pen, brought out by Jeff Aiken and family, proved popular, selling up to £16,000 for the third prize winner from the Royal Highland Show, which sold to Robin and Caroline Orr, Halbeath, Dunfermline.

The entire pen were sons of Coniston Elmo, which was champion stock ram in the North West Texel Breeders’ Club flock competition

KELSO RAM SALE Selling at £22,000 was this shearling from the Wight family’s Midlock flock.

Best of the sale from the Procters Farm team was this Coniston Elmo son which sold at £16,000.

last year, with others selling at £6200, to Messrs Dean, Kirkhouse, Carlisle, £6000 to Meikle Jackson, Wolfclyde and Tom Cockburn, Kingside and £5500 to Messrs Buchan, Torrax.

Jonathan Watson, Brijon, Berwick upon Tweed, sold the best from his Brijon flock at £15,000, to Jim Gibb, Toftcombs, Biggar, and Iain Minto, Townhead, Dolphinton. He is by Harestone Emperor, bought as a lamb at Lanark, while the dam is a daughter of Pant Wolf.

The Laird family, Cambwell, Biggar, received £12,000 for their pen number one, a son of Blackadder De Boer, which sold to Angus Kennedy, Mitchellhill, Biggar and Ian Hunter, Dalchirla, Crieff. A second prize winner at the performance recorded show the evening prior to the sale, this one was out of a Wilodge-bred ewe by Whitehart Big Style.

Another at the same money came from Ken Hodge’s Greenarch flock, a son of Wolfclyde Dynamo, out of a homebred ewe, which sold to Jonathan Watson, Brijon.

Last at five figures came from the final pen of the day in Ring Nine, Archie and John MacGregor’s Allanfauld consignment from Kilsyth. Their topper,

by Seaforde Egyptian Warrior, out of a Teiglum-bred dam that had been bought at the Select Seven sale, sold at £10,000 to Billy Renwick, Blackhouse, Yarrow, shared with Steven Renwick’s Craig Douglas flock.

Jonathan Watson’s pen topper for the Brijon flock made £15,000, with this being a Harestone Emperor son.

Top 10 shearling ram averages Flock

Number sold

Average

Teiglum

5

£9430

Midlock

10

£4970

Procters

14

£4379

Allanfauld

8

£3425

Dyke

5

£3380

Cambwell

8

£3100

Logie Durno

10

£3010

Strathbogie

4

£2850

Greenarch

8

£2694

Greenall

11

£2255

Donald MacGregor, Dyke, Milton of Campsie, sold to £9000, for a shearling by Ettrick Eastern Promise, out of a ewe by Campsie Claymore, which went to the Wights at Midlock, while John Green, The Craggs, Lilliesleaf, sold a Knock Yardsman son, out of a ewe

by Langside Stiffler at £7200 to the Procters flock.

Best for Jim Innes’ Strathbogie lot, brought out by Michael Leggat was a £6400 bid for a shearling son of Canllefaes Bright Spark, out of a Broomknowes Comrade daughter, which sold to the Quick family, Loosebeare, Devon.

Peter and Lynn Gray sold to £6000 twice from their Scrogtonhead flock, for two sons of Cornmore Diamond, with the first selling to Messrs Davis, Cardigan, Wales and the other going tothe Quick family, Loosebeare.

Also making £6000 was one from Iain Minto’s Townhead consignment, a son of Thinacres Etype, which went to Jim Gibb, Toftcombs, Biggar.

Leading the Quick family’s Loosebeare lot was one by a homebred sire, which made £6000 to the Watkins’ Corras flock.

Averages; 591 registered shearling rams £1653.54 (+£164.76), 58 registered ram lambs £737.07. (Lawrie and Symington and Hexham and Northern Marts).

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

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Live bidding with Mart Eye Top line animals within the modern Texel breed. Includes carefully selected show winning lines from some of the best flocks in Northern Ireland Consignors: Carmavy • Drumagarner • Dunelm • Glenhone Lonicera • Milestonehill Note: all lots offered for sale are eligible for immediate export on the day

Scolton Fieldmarshall commands Builth trade at 24,000gns Shearling ram Scolton Fieldmarshall from Andrew Reed and family, Pembrokeshire, led the Texel trade at the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, selling at 24,000gns and topping the entire sale in the process.

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ired by the former Builth champion, the homebred Scolton Dynamo which sold in 2021 for 6500gns, Fieldmarshall himself took the championship in the pre-sale show for the Reeds under Northern Irish judge Fraser Tweed.

Second best of the day at 22,000gns was Caron Fire Fly from the Williams family, Lampeter. This one is by Tullylagan Commander and out of a dam by Knap Waverly and heads north to join the Greenarch flock of Ken Hodge and the Roxburgh flock of John Elliot in a two-way split.

Out of a dam by Wilodge Bravo, he was subject to fierce and frenetic bidding which escalated quickly, eventually falling to Moldbased Esmor Evans for his Maerdy flock.

Following him at 10,000gns was another from the Reeds on a day that saw the family sell 20 shearlings to level at £3496.50, with the pen also collecting the prize for the best pen of shearling rams in the

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Topping trade at 24,000gns was Scolton Fieldmarshall from the Reed family.

Society rings. Their second best was Scolton Fortress, another by Dynamo and out of a Wilodge Bravo-sired dam. He was taken by local breeders Jonathan and Aled Davies, with Jonathan having judged the best pen competition on the Society’s rings at the sale.

The Reeds then had a hand in the next dearest when they paid 5800gns for the second prize shearling ram from the open class in the pre-sale show from Hywel Thomas and family. This was Cennen Fivestar, a Knock Yardsman son out of a dam

by Brackenridge Yabber.

M A I N N S A R A M S A L E , B U I LT H W E L L S

Leading flock shearling ram averages in CTF rings Flock

Number sold

Average

Scolton

20

£3496

Cennen

3

£3395

Vale

3

£2485

Caereinion

6

£1916

Blaencar

11

£1551

Millend

16

£1381

Pant Idda

3

£1260

Second best at 22,000gns was the Williams family’s Caron Fire Fly. The Reeds took 10,000gns for another in the form of Scolton Fortress.

Taking 5800gns was Hywel Thomas when selling Cennen Fivestar.

Selling at 5200gns was Scolton Fielder, again from the Reeds. This is another similarly bred tup, being by Scolton Dynamo and out of a Wilodge Bravo daughter. Buying him was Phil Weaver for the Empire flock, Notts.

Old Hemley First Class then made 4500gns for Stephen Abberley, with this one being by Duhonw Defender and out of a dam by Whitehart A Lister. He found a new home with D J and G M Davies and Son, Pentrefel.

Making 5200gns was another from Scolton, this time Scolton Fielder.

The Williams family’s Caron flock was then back in action selling Caron Fierce at 4200gns. This son of Hilltop Envy is out of a dam by Tullylagan Commander and was the pick of D T Richards and Son, LLangynwy.

Geoff and Eifion Morgan then took 4000gns for Blaencar Front Runner, a Knock Yardsman son out of a dam by a Strathbogie sire, with this one selling locally to Stephen Abberley, Brecon, for his Old Hemley flock.

Then at 3600gns was the best of the day from Cefin Pryce’s Caereinion flock, Caereinion Field Marshall. A first prize winner in the texelplus class in the pre-sale show he is by the homebred Caereinion Emperor and out of a dam by Kimbolton Venturer. Sold with a top 10% index he headed away with T C and R L Adams for the Ty Medi flock, Vale of Glamorgan.

Averages; 566 shearling rams £1031.05 (Clee Tomkinson Francis and Hexham and Northern Marts).

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Blaencar Gladiator battles to 7500gns at Builth Topping the ram lamb trade at the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, at 7500gns was Geoff and Eifion Morgan’s Blaencar Gladiator.

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his first prize winner from the Royal Welsh Show earlier this summer is by Haymount Filmstar and out of a dam by Teiglum Crackerjack and sold in a two-way split to Robin Clwyd Ellis and Tomos Huw Ellis for the Eglur and Kauri flocks, respectively.

The Davies family’s Teilo flock followed that with one at 5000gns in the shape of Teilo Gogoniant. He’d stood second in the texelplus class in the pre-sale show and is

by Haymount Finders Keepers and out of a dam by Mattadale Dance Monkey. He was bought by Neil Harvey for the Blackadder flock.

Alan Powell then sold Monnow Hill Game Face, a Glenside Forever II son out of an Ettrick-bred dam by Douganhill Desperado.

He was knocked at 2800gns down to Stuart Barclay for the Harestone flock.

Leading the lamb trade at 7500gns was Geoff and Eifion Morgan’s Blaencar Gladiator.

James and Ellie Amphlett followed that when taking 2400gns for Topwood Glen Coco, a Knockem Fandabbydozi son out of a Teiglum-bred dam by former sire of the year Knock Bantastic. He had stood second in the pre-sale show as well as being part of the best pen of ram lambs. Buying him was Christopher Cornthwaite, Clitheroe, for the Stump Cross flock.

The Davies were then back in the money taking 2300gns for Teilo Gawr, another by Haymount Finders Keepers and out of a dam by Hope Valley C The Stars. Sold with an index in the top 10% of the breed he headed away with the James family, Ditton Priors, Bridgenorth.

Averages; 175 ram lambs £668.31 (Clee Tomkinson Francis and Hexham and Northern Marts).

The Davies family took 5000gns for Teilo Gogoniant.

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M A I N N S A R A M S A L E , B U I LT H W E L L S

Topwood gimmer fulfils Destiny at Builth Leominster-based young breeders James and Ellie Amphlett led the female trade at the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells, with their Topwood gimmer, AOS2200217.

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his Garngour Destiny II daughter is out of a dam Teiglum dam by Knock Bantastic and had stood third at the Royal Welsh Show earlier this year. A second prize winner in the pre-sale show, she was bought by Charlie Fielder, Test Valley at 1800gns.

James and Ellie Amphlett’s Garngour Destiny II daughter, AOS2200217, sold at 1800gns.

At the same money was the female champion from the pre-sale show from Vaughan Farms’ Kingspark flock, VFK2202135. This Usk Vale Eddie daughter is out of a dam by Plasucha Aberfeldy and was the pick of C Jones, Llanbadarn Fynydd.

Next in line at 1100gns was another from the same home, VFK2202155. She’s another by Usk Vale Eddie and is out of a Plasucha Corker daughter. She was bought by A E Davies, Llandeilor Graban.

Three gimmers then made 1000gns, with the first two coming from Geoff and Eifion Morgan’s Blaencar flock. The first was YME2210214, a Blaencar Bandit daughter out of a dam by Allanfauld Am The Man. She sold to M E Jones and Son, Beulah, Ceredigion.

The same buyer then paid the same price for YME2210235. She’s by Knock Yardsman and out of a dam by a Strathbogie sire.

Female champion, VFK2202135, from Vaughan Farms’ Kingspark flock also found a new home at 1800gns.

The final 1000gns gimmer was AOS2200210 from the Amphletts. This was a full sister to their earlier 1800gns gimmer and was knocked down to G M Bennett and Partners, Bourton-On-The-Water.

Leading the ewe lambs at 1000gns was Carwyn Lewis’ first prize winner from the pre-sale show, LCY2300439 from the Hathren flock. She’s by Clanfield Foremost and out of a Mattadale Dance Monkey daughter and sold to L S Rea, Dorstone.

Second best in the lambs was another from the same flock, LCY2300444. This one is similarly bred, again being by Clanfield Foremost and out of a dam by Dance Monkey. Buying her were J P P Whittingham and Son, Raglan.

Averages; 56 gimmers £610.50, nine ewe lambs £466.67 (Clee Tomkinson Francis).

Heading away at 110gns was VFK2202155 from Vaughan Farms.

Topping the ewe lambs at 1000gns was LCY2300439 from Carwyn Lewis, a first prize winner from the pre-sale show.

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Regional Breeders Clubs across the UK have once again hosted successful sales this autumn With demand at many sales as strong as it has been for several years, demonstrating the universal appeal of the breed across the country.

Solway and Tyne Texel Breeders Club, Carlisle

K

enny Pratt’s Hilltop Goliath led the trade at the Solway and Tyne Texel Club’s sale, Carlisle, when selling at 90,000gns.

Sired by the 28,000gns Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants who has already bred lambs to 100,00gns this year and out of a dam by Sportsmans Chieftain, he had stood champion in the pre-sale show and was taken in a two-way split by John Forsyth, Glenside and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn.

Topping the shearling ram trade at 16,000gns was Craigdarroch Flint from Ruaridh and Isla Graham. This son of Cornmore Diamond is out of a Clinterty Yuga Khan daughter and sold to the Kermode family, Orrisdale.

Shropshire and Borders Texel Club, Shrewsbury

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hearling rams hit a high of 1500gns at the Shropshire and Borders Club Sale, Shrewsbury, with this price paid twice.

First to take this money was Boycott Fernando from R E and C J Davies, with this one being by Millend Explosion and

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Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

out of a dam by Clun Big Boy. He sold to Messrs Gibbs.

down to Stephen and Carolyn Williams, Wollascott.

The other at this level was Bentley Ford Finnegan, a Sportsmans Diesel son from the Higgins family. He’s out of a dam

by Wollascott Boycie and was knocked

Averages; 199 shearling rams £800.80, nine ram lambs £457.33, 34 gimmers £360.34 (Halls).

CLUB SALES HIGHLIGHTS

North West Texel Breeders Club, J36

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yfyr Evans’ ram lamb, Rhaeadr Gale Break, was the top seller at the North West Texel Breeders Club’s show and sale, J36, when making 2600gns.

Sired by Streatlam Fire Cracker and out of a dam by Sportsmans Dare Devil, going back to the 12,000gns Auldhouseburn ewe which has bred well at Rhaeadr. He sold to T Ryan-Davies, Eglysbach, Conwy.

Averages; 96 gimmers £607.79, 10 ewe lambs £527.10, 37 shearling rams £728.25, 98 ram lambs £629.23 (North West Auctions).

Northern Ireland Texel Breeders Club, Armoy

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he second prize shearling ram from the pre-sale show from Mary Clarke’s Ballyrussell flock topped the trade at the Northern Ireland Texel Breeders Club sale, Armoy. The sale topper at 1260gns is a Stangmoy Eldivo son out of a Seneirl Arnos daughter.

The Ballyrussell pen saw this sheep’s penmate, a Lakeview Dazzle son, next in line for the cash selling at 940gns. Selling for the same money was Pat Garrivan’s Ballydesland shearling, a homebred Ballydesland Eddie son out of an Orrisdale Viking daughter with another Eddie son from the Ballysdesland pen changing hands for 920gns.

Northern Area Texel Club, Skipton

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cottish Borders breeder John Green’s Greenall flock claimed the top call of 3000gns with a shearling ram at the 42nd Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders’ show and sale.

Mr Green topped the sale with Greenhall Fantastic Mr Fox, a son of Greenarch Dark Knight. Out of a Pant Wolf-bred ewe, the buyer was Jonathan Wales, Raughton Head.

Next at 2800gns was a shearling ram from Martin Furness, Westgate. His Westgate Firecracker went off to Wharfedale to join the Keighley family’s Manderlea flock, Leathley.

Averages; shearling rams £930, ram lambs £405, shearling ewes £380, ewe lambs £236 (CCM Marts).

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Ruthin Texel Breeders Club, Ruthin

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rices peaked at 3800gns at the Ruthin Texel Club’s sale, with the top call coming for Robert Cockburn’s ram lamb, Knap Grizzly Bear.

This son of Haddo Falcon, which has already bred sons to 170,000gns and 100,000gns this year, is out of a Pant Idabred dam by Millars Drive and was knocked down to James Draper for the Claybury flock.

Shearling tup trade hit a high of 1800gns for Caron Full Throttle from the Williams family whose Caron flock dominated the high prices. He’s by Hilltop Envy and out of a dam by Forkins Vodka and sold to W A Jones, Groes.

Averages; ewe lambs £304.50, shearling ewes £522.90, shearling rams £781.57, ram lambs £534.93 (Ruthin Farmers Auction).

Scottish Texel Club, Lanark

A

strong commercial demand ensured a successful Scottish Texel Club sale at Lanark, with averages up for both shearlings and ram lambs and more sold on the previous year.

The Struthers sold another at 2200gns from Iain’s own Craigend flock. This was Craigend Golden Eye, another Eagerbeaver son, out of a ewe by Fordafourie Amalert which went to W J Clark and Son, Upper Bolton, Haddington.

Leading the trade at 2800gns was the pre-sale show champion, Collielaw Gilbert, an Ettrick Eagerbeaver son from Robert, Margaret and Iain Struthers, Collielaw, Carluke.

Making the same money was Knap George Ezra, a Haddo Fabio son from Robert Cockburn, Hill of Errol. Out of a daughter of Sportsmans Deal Breaker, he went to D W Roberts, Fronhill, St Asaph.

Out of a homebred ewe by Milestonehill Aztec, this one made up part of the first prize pair of lambs at Biggar Show in July. He sold in a two-way split to Iain Minto, Townhead, Dolphinton and James Orr, Wester Walston, Carnwath.

North of Scotland Club Sale, Thainstone

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he champion from the pre-sale show, SED2203012, from Matthew Seed’s Auchry flock took the top call at the North of Scotland Texel Club’s sale, Thainstone.

Selling at 2400gns he is by Fordafourie Everest and out of a dam by Canllefaes You Are The One. He was bought by Cairness Ltd, Fraserburgh.

Matthew Seed also took the second top with another shearling ram, this time sired by Loosebeare Chief, which sold for 2200gns, also selling to Cairness Ltd, Fraserburgh.

Averages; 79 ram lambs £626.01; 53 shearlings, £937.07 (Aberdeen and Northern Marts).

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Averages: 12 shearling rams £739.38, 123 ram lambs £678.06 (Lawrie and Symington).

South Wales Texel Breeders Club, Llandovery

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hearling rams hit 850gns twice at Llandovery, with the first to achieve this being a Bodnant El Dorado son from Marlsborough Farm selling to Messrs Price-Davies, Babel, with the same purchasers also buying a Sportsmans Einstein son from A E Jones, Gwynfe, at the same money.

G Davies, Trefere Texels, sold a Maerdy Colonel Son for 800gns to G R and S E Davies, Crai, who also bought a same way bred shearling from the same vendor at 700gns. D M Thomas, Cruglwyd Texels sold a Garngour Alabama son for 750gns to I J and A M Price, Llandovery.

Averages; 40 shearling rams £531.69, one aged ram £420, eight gimmers £329.44 (Clee Tompkinson Francis).

CLUB SALES HIGHLIGHTS

Solway and Tyne Texel Breeders Club, second sale, Carlisle

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obert Cockburn’s Knap flock once again led the trade at the Solway and Tyne Club’s second sale, when taking 4500gns for Knap Go For It, a Haddo Fabio son out of Knap Daisy Duke, the dam of both the 170,000gns and 100,000gns Knap lambs from Lanark earlier in the season.

This March-born ET lamb sold to join John Green’s Greenall flock, Melrose.

Scan here for all the latest sale news

Second best at 3500gns was a full brother to the sale topper in the form of Knap Gandolph. This one was taken by Michael James and family, Duhonw.

Averages; 46 gimmers £684.55, two ewe lambs £866.25, one shearling ram £682.50, 99 ram lambs £826.95 (Harrison and Hetherington).

SCAN HERE

Pedigree Texel Female Sale

OPEN TO ALL TEXEL SOCIETY MEMBERS for in-lamb females and empty ewe lambs

SATURDAY

16th December

Champion & Reserve 2022

at Skipton Auction Mart

Hosted by Northern Area Texel Breeders Club

Tel: 01756 792375

for more info.

2023

North Yorkshire, BD23 1UD

texel.uk

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

95

Pedigree passion with commercial edge at Glenrock A passion for livestock and primarily pedigree livestock has underpinned Thomas Illingworth’s life from an early age, including the development of the Glenrock flock of Texels, founded by his parents as an enterprise for Thomas and his sister, Vicky, when they were too young to work with the family’s Limousin herd.

“W

e were both keen to get among stock from an early age, but working with cattle as young children was difficult, so a small flock of Texels was formed to give us our own interest and the ability to work with stock on a daily basis.”

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“Today the flock stands at about 40 ewes and Vicky is no longer involved, with the flock absorbed into the larger family farming enterprise which I run in partnership with my father, Stephen, and mother, Helen.

“Alongside the Texels we have 550 commercial ewes, a flock of pedigree Suffolks and 32,000 laying hens, as well as the Glenrock Limousin herd which numbers about 25 cows with a further 20 recipients kept alongside them too,” explains Thomas, the winner of the 2023 Texel Sheep Society Spotlight Award.

Focussed solely on the production of shearling rams for sale at noted sales, such as the Solway and Tyne Club Sale, Carlisle, sales at Stirling and Longtown marts and, in recent years, Kelso Ram Sales, early females for the flock came from the Priestley family’s Brontemoor flock, with others joining from the Ashledge flock of the Kirton family as well as the College flock of Ted Fox, the Quick family’s Loosebeare flock and Jonathan Watson’s Brijon flock.

“We have also bought females from the Clark family’s Garngour flock and more recently James Wilkinson’s Ballygroogan flock. It is fair to say they’ve all played their part in the development of the flock, but the Garngour and College lines are the ones which have had the biggest influence in recent years.

“Ewes from these lines are consistently producing the better shearling rams which meet a ready demand.”

The flock currently sells 20-30 shearling rams a year and while a limited amount of embryo transfer work is undertaken,

Thomas is clear that the focus is on breeding better females for the family’s own use rather than gimmers to sell. “There could be a temptation to sell females, but I’d rather cull hard and ensure we’re always improving our own flock. Long-term the aim is to stop using ET and return to all natural breeding,” he adds.

With a broad range of experience in the industry, having spent time working with pedigree Limousins at the Procters herd and a further three seasons as an AI technician for a sheep breeding company,

A clear commercial focus is important for 2023 Spotlight Award winner Thoms Illingworth.

Thomas has a clear focus for the future.

“It would be easy to get drawn into the top end pedigree circle and devote a lot of time and money to chasing that dream. However, our goal here is to be as profitable as possible and there’s no doubt in my mind that selling shearling tups at between £1000 and £1500 is the most consistent return we can achieve.

The commercial ram trade is there year in, year out, so long as we continue to produce the right rams, the customers will keep coming back.

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“That said, we’ve been fortunate to enjoy exceptional success with the Limousins, selling to a high of 125,000gns for heifer Glenrock Illusion. On top of that four of the seven Limousins to have sold for more than 100,000gns have Glenrock genetics in their pedigree,” he adds.

As a result of the flock’s commercial drive and farm conditions, the pedigree ewes lamb in early to mid-March, followed by the commercial flock in mid-April. “We’re on a heavy, wet farm, so later lambing allows grass to get going in spring and means ground is in better condition before we turn ewes and lambs out.”

Thomas’ experience in the wider industry has also informed his views on performance recording, with the flock texelplus recorded for a number of years.

“We’ve been recording for quite a while, although we did drop out for a couple of years. However, we found customers were wanting the information and it was also proving valuable for us in selecting our replacement females.

“We’ve seen big differences in longevity and fleshing ability in ewes depending on their fat depth index.

Those with positive fat indexes are more natural doers and tend to last longer in the flock, so that is now a key attribute for us.

“This makes a big difference to flock management as we only feed ewes for about a month ahead of lambing and a month afterwards and lambs are only creep fed for about two months to give them an early boost.

“Ewe lambs then won’t see any feed again until they come into the flock as gimmers ahead of lambing, while tup hoggs are fed lightly over the winter to keep them moving forward and then aren’t fed again until midlate June,” explains Thomas.

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Stock tup selection relies on physical attributes first and texelplus data second, says Thomas. “We do pay close attention to texelplus figures, but the tup has to be the right type, first and foremost. I’m also keen wherever possible to buy sheep with longlived mothers and preferably something naturally conceived too. The last four rams we have bought have come from 4-5 year old dams.”

Away from the farm Thomas is also heavily involved in local club activities, having been chairman of the Solway and Tyne Texel Club for three years and currently vice-chairman of the Scottish Limousin Club. “I’ve really enjoy getting involved in these clubs and giving something back to the breeds that have given me so many opportunities. It is important that the younger generation get involved and help drive these clubs forward,” he adds.

Nominate for the 2024 Spotlight Award All 19 Texel clubs across the country are invited annually to nominate an individual, who must be under the age of 35, full members of the Society or are actively involved with a full member, that they believe goes above and beyond for the breed for the Society’s Spotlight Award.

For more details

SCAN HERE

Texel Bulletin | Autumn 2023

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TEXEL

DELIVERING MORE FOR UK SHEEP FARMING

Adding

£334m to industry *

Texel is second most popular crossbred maternal sire **

27%

17%

UK’s largest pedigree breed with 50,000 birth notifications/ year ***

Over their lifetime high index Texel rams add £1500 to their commercial progeny. ***

of all sires are Texel **

of all ewes are Texel sired **

+

#addtexeladdvalue

Sources: *AbacusBio report 2022 **AHDB British Sheep Breeds Survey 2020 ***Texel Sheep Society data