Texel Sheep Society Spring Bulletin 2020

TEXEL The bulletin for all

Breeders

Covid-19 latest sales info p6

A Texel Society Publication

JUNE 2020

Texel breeders show their charitable side p9 Commercial focus at Glenross p26

R&D points to eating quality differences p22 In-lamb sales draw the bids p14

In Touch with Texel #addtexeladdvalue

Go online for BIRTH NOTIFICATIONS

FEMALE REGISTRATIONS

SALES CATALOGUE ENTRIES

TEXELPLUS RECORDING

Explore. Analyse Accelerate your flock’s potential www.itexel.uk 2

Spring 2020

texel.uk

TEXEL Breeders Bulletin texel.uk

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 by contacting the Society Office Advertising office@texel.co.uk Registrations & Sales Cataloguing registrations@texel.co.uk cataloguing@texel.uk Accounts accounts@texel.co.uk R&D Projects edsmith@texel.co.uk Society Governance Chief Executive John Yates Chairman Roy Campbell Cowal and Royel flocks Vice Chairman Jeff Aiken Procters and Tatham Hall flocks Treasurer Andy Barr Parkhouse flock Contributors Jonathan Long, Lynsey Clark and Society staff Photography Country Girl Media, MacGregor Photography, Tim Scrivener, Alfie Shaw, Richard Hodgson, Jonathan Long 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

In touch with Texel @BritishTexel #addtexeladdvalue

texel.uk

Texels give certainty in uncertain times

I

n these challenging times it is good to know some things continue unabated.

Nowhere has that been truer in recent months than in the sheep industry where Texels have continued to excel.

Pedigree performance has also been bolstered with recent birth notifications data, providing evidence of a major shift in members’ interaction using the Society’s latest development – iTexel.uk. In May birth notifications exceeded expectations and when combined with April figures reflect a 5% increase on the same point last year.

The Society’s significant investment in its iTexel database has been well timed, allowing members to submit data in a timely fashion while being supported by staff working from remote locations during the COVID-19 lockdown.

I must pay tribute to those Society staff who have worked tirelessly in an extremely difficult period to ensure the Society has, in all aspects, functioned exactly as usual, while also overseeing the implementation of iTexel, itself a herculean task.

However, I’m sure all members will share our disappointment in the cancellation of shows this summer. In the meantime, we wish all show societies every success for when they return next year.

While uncertainty surrounds exactly how sales will operate, one thing which is becoming clearer, is that we hope many will be able to operate, with planning for sales this summer and autumn progressing well.

There is no doubt sales will operate under different conditions to previous years, but the exact detail of those restrictions is currently unknown.

Entries for the Society’s National Sales and Northern Irish Club sales will this year all be done via the Society’s website for pre-entries, with the iTexel database supporting paperless main entries. Members entering these sales are reminded that they must have a Direct Debit set up with the Society and a login to iTexel.uk.

Further sales may also be catalogued via iTexel, but that will depend on how local clubs and sale organisers wish to operate. For the latest information on sales please see the Society’s website at www.texel.uk/sales or contact your local club secretary.

Alongside this bulletin, this spring has also seen the 10th edition of the Society’s successful Primestock magazine published, focussing on the commercial success of the breed. The magazine is an excellent promotional tool with more than 30,000 copies mailed each year to UK sheep farmers.

This year it will also be distributed through NSA Sheep Farmer and The Scottish Farmer.

The Society’s board has continued to undertake a variety of key governance tasks over recent months, with remote meetings using Microsoft Teams software allowing the board and committees to operate successfully and remain in touch on important matters.

All of this, would though, be nothing without the ongoing commitment of the membership and I would like to personally thank all members for their understanding in these challenging times.

The Society continues to reiterate the importance of maintaining accurate flock records and urges all members to check their flock information ensuring it is up to date and that it reflects the pedigree Texels on your farm.

An astonishing number of late male registrations were received in May, many used as sires in September 2019. Please ensure males are registered prior to October 31st as again increased costs and potential delays in registration can result.

And finally, I wish you all a successful summer and sales season and look forward to seeing many of you, albeit at a ‘social distance’ in due course.

John

John Yates, Chief Executive

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 – RBS, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Coventry Branch, 15 Little Park Road, Coventry, CV1 2RN ‘British Texel Sheep Society Ltd (Texel Sheep Society) is a Scottish Charity, SC007271, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)’.

Spring 2020

3

June 2020 6

9

Covid-19 sales latest info

14

8

Texels raise charity funds

In-lamb sales prove successful

Sale entries go online

NEWS

SALES

6

National Sales latest

13 Top tips for alternative selling methods

8

Sale entries move online

14 Strong trade at in-lamb sales

9

Semen and embryos raise funds for RHET

12 New export opportunities open up

4

Spring 2020

texel.uk

20

How texelplus can work for you

28

Oldford flock hits the heights

23

26

Latest R&D points to eating quality differences

Commercial customers are king at Glenross

TECHNICAL CORNER

LIFESTYLE

20 Texelplus: your questions answered

26 Commercial focus for Glenross

22 Research highlights eating quality differences

28 Females flourish at Oldford

23 Video Image Analysis (VIA) helps EBV development 24 Texels shine in AHDB RamCompare project

texel.uk

Spring 2020

5

News

Society Matters

National Sales to go ahead Plans are progressing for the National Sales, but there are likely to be a number of restrictions in place on attendance.

Society Matters

Social Media Members are reminded of the need to act with integrity when engaging in social media activity.

With social media being a relatively recent arrival in the world the way it is used is constantly evolving and members should remember that your professional life and your personal life are intertwined in the online world, just as they are offline.

In all spaces one should adhere to the principle that as every member has a responsibility for maintaining the Society’s credibility. Perception is reality and in online social networks, the lines between public and private, personal and professional, are blurred.

Members should remember that in a community and industry which is largely based on trust and loyalty, integrity is your most important commodity. Avoid writing or posting anything that could embarrass you or the Society.

The golden rule when posting or commenting on social media is not to publish something you wouldn’t say in a public place. Once published that comment can live on forever on the internet and can be republished in any other media provided it is attributed appropriately. While you may be able to delete comments etc..it may be too late if they have been seen and/or saved by another user.

Consider that anything you publish online can, therefore, be used in mainstream published media as direct comment from you or be used by another member or the Society in any case against you for bringing the Society in to disrepute.

Overall social media is a useful tool in promoting the breed, but there will always be times when it can also be a negative tool for some. Use your experience and judgement in all instances.

The Society is currently planning for its National Sales at Lanark, Welshpool, Worcester and Ballymena to go ahead, albeit while bearing in mind restrictions imposed due to Covid-19.

Society chief executive John Yates said the Society was liaising closely with all auctioneers for the National Sales and planning accordingly. “It is highly likely these sales will operate under strict restrictions which are likely to include limits on the number of people able to attend, with adherence to social distancing rules while present at sale venues.

“There will not be pre-sale shows at the National Sales and vendors may be restricted on the number of people able to attend with their consignment, this will obviously be different at each sale.

“From a buyers’ perspective all those intending to attend with a view to purchasing are likely to have to register in advance and anyone not registered will not be able to attend.

“It is expected that only one person per household or flock will be able to attend with a view to purchasing. The Society’s focus is very much to encourage members to only attend if they are selling or definitely buying, social goers and browsers will be discouraged. Online bidding is also likely to be available for some sales,” he explained.

The practicalities of running a sale under these restrictions will of course result in a reduced attendance and the Society asks that members use their own judgement when deciding whether their attendance at a National Sale is both sensible and justifiable in the current circumstances.

“The different format these sales are undoubtedly going to follow will result in a change in the nature of the sales this year, with them being very much a business event and much less of a social outing.

“The Society’s staff and board of directors ask that members work with the Society and auctioneers within relevant restrictions at all venues to enable these sales to take place safely and efficiently. It won’t be easy, but the alternative is not to hold them at all. I am quite sure no member wishes to be in that position,” added Mr Yates.

Organisers of other major sales, including the Kelso Ram Sales and the NSA Main Ram Sale at Builth Wells have yet to make any firm decisions about their events. The Society is keeping a close eye on how plans for these events develop to ensure members are kept up to date and are able to maximise their sales opportunities this autumn.

Members should keep up to date with the Society’s website and social media channels for the latest information regarding sales.

News

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Spring 2020

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Society Matters

Pedigree investigations completed Following a written allegation made by a member, the Texel Sheep Society undertook inspections of the Llangwm and Welsh flocks last autumn.

The flocks were visited, inspected, DNA sampled and the identification of all pedigree sheep checked and updated against society records. Following the inspection, the allegation against the Llangwm flock was unproven.

The Society carried out further parentage verification in the Welsh flock and other flocks impacted. Pedigrees proven inaccurate and where DNA verification wasn’t possible were deregistered. A number of Welsh flock pedigrees were also suspended giving the member the opportunity to prove or remove the animals in question from their pedigree flock records.

In this instance, the member, having considered the costs involved in correcting the records chose to remove the animals in question for their pedigree flock records.

There is no evidence to suggest these errors were made with a view to profiteering or deceiving fellow members.

• The Welsh flock owners were informed by the board of misconduct due to inaccurate record keeping and providing such inaccurate records to the Society for inclusion in the flock book.

• A fine of £2000 was imposed.

• A requirement to DNA sample and genotype for parentage verification 2020 born and registered progeny from the Welsh flock at the Society’s discretion and Welsh flock cost.

The Society reiterates its commitment to maintaining both the highest standards of animal recording and upholding the reputation of the Society and the breed which is a responsibility of all members, staff and officers.

Members are reminded of the importance of compliance at all times with the duties and obligations set out in the Society’s Articles of Association, the byelaws and terms and conditions of service and that it is a duty of all members to maintain accurate records on their flock contained in the Society database. Members should also report any incidents of misconduct to the Society’s Board when they feel it is appropriate.

Society Matters

National Sale Dates 2020 • Scottish National - NI Export Eligible, LANARK, 26th - 27th August • Welsh National WELSHPOOL, 29th August • English National - NI Export Eligible, WORCESTER, 31st August - 1st September • Northern Irish National - EU Export Eligible - BALLYMENA, 5th September

Changes to Society Direct Debits The Society now use the ‘Gocardless’ service to manage Direct Debits. New members will have received an email generated by the society using Gocardless to register their DD mandates. Existing members mandates will be transferred over to Gocardless over the coming months.

This provides improved cybersecurity and GDPR protection removing the need for the society to store members bank details. It also provides a seamless integration into the Society finance software ‘Xero’ providing further efficiencies in our member management.

Staff changes

Changes in staff responsibilities within the Society office have been made following the introduction of iTexel and to aid the second season of texelplus being managed in-house.

Ed Smith is now data and technical services manager, being the point of contact for registrations and texelplus services. This move reflects the Society’s ambition to exploit the results of its recent R&D activity and supports the modernisation of its registry services, explains Society chief executive John Yates.

Additionally, Ailish Ross has moved to become events and catalogues manager to support the roll out of the new iTexel cataloguing services and aid with delivery of Society events

and Society presence at industry events. Ailish will also be involved in registrations support activities.

Meanwhile, Dayna Zambelis remains as catalogues and registration admininstrator and Gil Burton continues in her role as assistant to the chief executive while also undertaking some registrations support.

Christine Hendry is the Society’s finance manager. Further temporary support staff will be in place during busy periods to ensure the Society can effectively service members’ needs.

News texel.uk

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Society Matters

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Members Notice: National sales and Northern Ireland Club sales move to online main entries using iTexel.

Following the success of last year’s move to online pre-entries for Society National Sales and the launch of the new iTexel database, both pre-entries and main entries for this year’s National and Northern Ireland Club Sales will be online.

As a result, members entering these sales will need to use the web form available on the Society website texel.uk from the 22nd June to provide their pre-entry information. In July the main entries will be required to be submitted by members using iTexel.

To complete your pre-entry’s online…

1. Go to texel.uk > Sales > PreSale Entry Forms 2. Complete the online form with the requested details and pre-entry numbers inserted in the relevant shows & sales and classes.

3. Click and read the conditions of sale 4. Tick the agreement box 5. Submit your completed form Once the ballot has been undertaken and any cutbacks for sales applied, members will be notified by email that main entries will then be available via the cataloguing service on the iTexel database.

Update your records if you want to use iTexel easily and quickly, otherwise you will be searching through old data and that will make your task a lot slower.

To submit detailed entries, log in to your iTexel account and then follow these steps…

Click ‘Enter Sales’ and scroll down the list of sales until you find the one you wish to enter. Please note that they are in date order.

1. Your allocation per class at the sale will be shown.

2. Select the sale class you wish to add sheep into.

3. Click on Select Sheep and a list of your eligible animals will then appear.

• You can either search by flockbook number or name, or scroll down the list • To unselect a sheep, untick the animal in the left-hand list • You can reorder the sheep, by using the drag and drop symbol (=) 4. Once you have reached your allocation you will not be able to select any more animals.

5. Once happy click next, if semen or embryos have been collected or the animal has been used as a sire please select the relevant boxes.

6. Then click Finish.

7. Once animals have been selected, if you wish to add notes click ‘Edit’.

• Notes have been limited to 75 characters, must be legible and not all in capitals.

8. If you would like to reorder your animals again, click reorder.

Substitutions or amendments after the closing date of the sale can also only be done online via iTexel.

To make a change, click on the class you wish to make changes in, this will show a list of animals you have entered in that class.

Then, click on Actions, select Substitute and the list of eligible substitutions will appear.

Follow the steps, select Finish and a blue outline will appear around your substituted animal. Substitutes will, as normal, be publicised within the additional catalogue on the day of the sale and the full amended catalogue on the Society website Please note that ALL entries for the National and Northern Ireland Club Sales MUST be completed online. No paper pre-entry or detailed entry forms will be issued by the Society or accepted.

Sheep will only appear on the lists if they are eligible: • All male sheep must be birth notified • All female sheep must be fully registered You will be able to update these within your flock admin pages.

You can enter this screen to change animals, or re-order those entered up until the closing date of the sale.

News

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Spring 2020

texel.uk

Society Matters

Society Matters

Kirree judges at Paris Show Isle of Man-based Texel breeder Kirree Kermode had the honour of judging the Texel classes at February’s Salon International de l’Agriculture (Paris Show), following in the footsteps of a number of UK breeders who have adjudicated in Paris in previous years.

Kiree, who’s family run the Orrisdale flock, is a member of the Society’s YDP committee and judged the Paris event alongside Sylvie Merre, the granddaughter of the first importer of Texels to France.

D

Names for 2020 born lambs begin with the letter…

Society Matters

Invoices by email Members are reminded that from September the Society has been issuing all invoices by email.

Could all members please ensure that the Society has an up to date email address and also remember to mark Society email addresses as safe senders in their email accounts.

Obituaries The Society was informed of the loss of some dear members and friends.

DAVID CORFIELD - formerly Fordwell flock - November 2019 DAVID PRINCE - Stonedge - January 2020 DESMOND ROONEY - Mountain View - February 2020 KATHLYN FORSYTH - Glenside March 2020 MARJORIE LOGNDIN - Wellingly April 2020

Semen and embryos raise more than £7000 for RHET Top Texel genetics were among the star lots in a charity auction staged as part of the Royal Highland Educational Trust’s 21st anniversary celebration.

The auction to raise funds to continue RHET’s work in providing free educational activities and experiential learning opportunities linked to Curriculum for Excellence, raised more than £90,000, with more than £7000 of this coming from five lots of Texel semen and embryos.

A total of 10 doses of semen from the 100,000gns Sportsman’s Batman donated by Procters Farm raised £2300, with a package of six doses selling for £1500 and four making £800.

The Blackwood family’s Auldhouseburn flock also donated semen, giving 10 doses of the £125,000 Rhaeadr Best of the Best. This grossed £2470, with one lot of six making £1720 and a further four selling for £750.

In addition, Gordon Gray and family’s Ettrick flock donated four frozen grade one embryos by Brackenridge Commander and out of one of their best Yuga Khan daughters, with all shipping costs being kindly covered by AB Europe. This package sold for £2550.

Society Matters

iTexel - printed pedigree certificates The Society no longer provides pedigree certificates to members. The status of sheep in flocks can be viewed and changed via iTexel. EU Zootechnological standard certificates for use when exporting can be printed from iTexel by members.

A new function will be released on iTexel later this year to support members transferring sheep between members. This will remove the need to prove new ownership to the Society, other than for those members that have not moved to iTexel online services.

However, ram registration will still require proof of new ownership and DNA sampling for full registration. Contact the Society office for ram registrations before October each year for the most cost-effective fees.

News texel.uk

Spring 2020

9

Dear Texelplus member

2020 Texelplus services

this year ; the first and are several enhancements to texelplus As you will already be aware there base. duction of the Society’s new iTexel data most important of which is the intro od between April g been rolled out over a 15-month peri The new cloud-based database is bein expected in future. ices serv ber mem fit ncements to bene 2019 and June 2020. With further enha ission this year, will need to use iTexel for all data subm On a practical level texelplus members so. do to yet hts for those flocks which have including uploading eight week weig ent time, with AHDB d scanning service available at the pres In addition, there is a limited ultrasoun esses. Private addr e within a 125 mile radius of their hom scanning technicians only operating breeders are and s sion deci and their own risk assessment ultrasound providers will have made on. mati iders for more infor advised to contact their service prov data uploaded by the sound scanning will have their scan Those flocks that do undertake ultra s. ative oper with the ultrasound scanning Society as part of their collaboration ning they are asked to se not to undertake ultrasound scan Where members are unable to or choo out via the iTexel ied carr the Society, again this will be easily provide scan weight information to weeks of age. For 21 and 18 een is to weigh your lambs betw weight recording screen. The advice .

June of ks wee third be in the first to early February lambing flocks this will available from iTexel is inclusion within the first evaluation “The last date for data submission for 17th June.” id-19 restrictions. their CT Scanning services due to Cov Likewise, SRUC have also suspended h not to collect Marc the Society took the decision in Additionally, and for the same reasons, re records are ensu to year is able to double up next mastitis and footrot data this year but maintained.

publishing of EBVs Evaluation flock reports and ders and their t of EBVs on iTexel, giving Texel bree layou Breeders will notice the new style s and rankings on value ding bree her ecip ne to easy-to-d customers fingertip access by smartpho all participating texelplus breeder search also clearly identifies the iTexel animal search. The iTexel breeders with the texelplus logo.

News

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texel.uk

Impact of the Society’s high profile and industry leading R&D programme Importantly, the significant investme nt and vision the Society has with bree d development and its R&D programme, has supported the creation of new, innovative and com mercially derived EBVs. These include EBVs for VIA traits, infor med by slaughter lamb derived data , having worked closely with commercial producers and large-scale processors. Genomic breeding values are also being considered for mastitis and foot rot. These have been developed over five years of activity with some texelplus flocks and SRU C leading to the creation of the Soci ety’s Phenotype Farm structure.

All of this is supported by the Society’s unique genomic reference populatio n which now has more than 10,000 genotypes and a signi ficant volume of hard-to-measure phen otypic data fuelling the evaluations.

The introduction of these novel bree ding values and technology places the Society and texelplus breeders in a progressive position. The Texel Society will be the first in the UK to provide its breeders with routine genomic bree ding values and they are eagerly antic ipated following years of investment and development. A chall enging initative with the roll out expe cted this year.

Future developments To sustain VIA EBVs the Society cont racts with commercial producers to produce slaughter lambs from known sires. This allows a central progeny test structure at a pilot level as part of the exploitation of the Society’s VIA rese arch project. The Society will expand this scheme to increase the number of slaughter lambs gene rated from known sires over the com ing years, increasing their accuracy and benefiting those that will become reliant.

And, finally, once normal service can be resumed following the relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions, the Society through its Breed Development committee has a host of new developments that it is considering, more information will follow later in the year.

John Yates Chief Executive Key actions and dates for

in 2020

Action Add eight-week weights Add scan weights* (18-21 weeks of Flock reports available

age)

When

How

Now June onwards

Weight entry functionality available on iTexel

End of June

via iTexel.uk

News texel.uk

Spring 2020

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Society Matters

New Export Opportunities Another export opportunity has recently opened to the UK, with Taiwan agreeing an export health certificate for sheep semen.

a total of 34 embryos exported from the Ingram family’s Logie Durno flock and sired by both Caereinion Ace and Elmscleugh Assasin.

In addition, in early April Australia also agreed export health certificates for both embryos and semen.

Semen exported was from two sires, both from the Laird family’s Cambwell flock. The first was Langford Adder Again, while the second was a homebred 2018born Cambwell ram, himself a son of Hollyford What A Boy.

Meanwhile, another market which many breeders have previously received enquiries from, Canada, is also opening negotiations with the UK on ovine genetic imports.

Society chief executive John Yates said all of these markets had potential to be valuable for UK breeders. “It is great to see more potential markets opening up for UK genetics. We know from previous exports that British Texels can perform in many different environments across the globe. I have no doubt that they will excel in these countries too, given the opportunity to do so.”

Mexican importer Javier Lara says 17 of the embryos have already been implanted, with 14 holding, while 15 Texel ewes had been inseminated with the semen, with 80% in-lamb.

The remaining embryos are due to be implantated later this spring, he explained.

“These are the first UK Texel genetics I have imported to Mexico, having previously imported from the USA, Canada and New Zealand.”

Society Matters

Fee changes Birth notification and lamb registration fees rose on 1st January 2020 in line with the retail price index, this rise ensures the Society maintains income in line with expenditure and can continue to invest in delivering the high level of service members have become accustomed to in recent years.

Members are reminded that significant savings can be made by using the Society’s online facilities to undertake birth notifications and registrations, with savings of about 30% compared with continuing to birth notify or register via the paper system.

In addition, changes have been made to ram transfer fees and import fees for both males and females.

Meanwhile, semen and embryos have recently been exported to Mexico, with

Society Matters

Remember your ram registrations Members are reminded to register rams prior to use for pedigree breeding and to ensure rams are registered before selling in-lamb ewes or semen from them.

In addition, registering rams earlier saves money as registration fees increase incrementally from October onwards each year. However, it is important to remember that the registration fee is applied on the date the DNA sample is received from the member.

texel.co.uk detailing the identification of the ram and your flock code. Proof of purchase is also required for any non home bred rams. Kits should then be returned by applying the correct Royal Mail postage fees. Underpayments or surcharges for postage will be charged to the member’s account.

been allowed for this during COVID19 but will be removed by August 31st).

Rams cannot be registered without a DNA sample and the resultant genotype. To obtain a DNA sampling kit members should contact the Society office by emailing registrations@

Please note it can take up to eight weeks for DNA samples to be processed by the laboratory and rams will not be registered until a genotype is received from the laboratory (a concession has

Register your rams prior to pedigree breeding, do not leave it too late as it could prove very expensive.

There is an appeal process available to register a ram when a DNA sample isn’t available, however, this incurs a fee of £250 and there is no guarantee that the ram will be registered.

News

12 Spring 2020

texel.uk

Sales

Top tips for alternative selling As much uncertainty still surrounds sheep sales later this summer and autumn, particularly larger, multi-breed sales such as Kelso and Builth Wells, it is highly likely a large number of members will be using alternative outlets to market their animals.

There are a number of online options available, including the full range of social media platforms, as well as dedicated sales websites such as www.sellmylivestock.co.uk, all of which can be used to good effect.

In addition, many auctioneers are likely to be maintaining private sales registers, with some also offering ‘online sales’ giving prospective buyers the opportunity to bid for animals from the comfort of their own home.

All of these options will rely on accurate and meaningful information being available to potential buyers. It is important to recognise the requirements

of potential buyers and tailor advertising to suit the audience. Commercial ram buyers are unlikely to want to know about an animal’s pedigree, but may well want to know of any texelplus information available.

For those with significant numbers of commercial rams to sell an indication of price is advisable to avoid wasted time for both buyers and sellers, as is clear and concise information on animals available and any warranty or assurance offered by the vendor.

Images and video will be beneficial when using these online outlets, but pictures and videos should be of good quality and show animals in relatively close quarters rather than at long distance.

Again, it is important to understand what buyers will want to see and while side portraits of animals are a good way to give potential buyers an overview of animals, it will also be worthwhile

focusing on particular attributes which may be of interest to some, including mouths, feet and leg structure and overall conformation, including gigots and shoulders.

Videos of animals can help potential buyers too, but again focus on both the whole animal and specific elements of the sheep. When using video, showing an animal’s locomotion can also be particularly beneficial.

Top Tips

• Plan early • Make contact with previous buyers • Consider all marketing options • Use photos and videos to illustrate advertising • Give texelplus information when available • Tailor advertising to target audience

Sales texel.uk

Spring 2020

13

Sales

The in-lamb sales season once again proved successful for breeders, with five figure prices achieved at a number of sales and demand clearly strong throughout the season.

Clearance rates of in excess of 90% were seen at many sales and the averages recorded were, likewise, at levels to put smiles on many vendors’ faces.

Lanark Crackers

Topping the Lanark Crackers was this Allanfauld gimmer at 22,000gns

The Lanark Crackers Sale proved profitable for Archie and John MacGregor’s Allanfauld flock when it took the top two prices at 22,000gns and 12,000gns.

Leading the way was XMM1815490 an ET-bred twin by Knap You’re the Man out of a dam by Baltier Wellington and a first prize winner from Biggar Show earlier in the year. Sold carrying to Plasucha Class Act and with an index in the top 10% of the breed she was well fought for before the hammer finally fell with Procters Farm, Clitheroe, the eventual purchaser.

Next best from Allanfauld and second top of the day was a full ET sister the sale topper, this time in-lamb to Garngour Bullet and with an index in the top 25%.

This one was bought by Bruce Renwick for the Castlecairn flock, Kelso.

Myfyr Evans took 7500gns for this ewe lamb

Following that at 7500gns was one from Myfyr Evans’ Rhaeadr pen, ENM1902187.

This ewe lamb is a daughter of Garngour Alabama is out of a dam by the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid and was knocked down to James Amphlett and Ellie Owens, Leominster.

And at 5200gns was another ewe lamb, this time from Brian Hanthorn’s Mullan flock.

This was HBN19012105. Again, ET bred she is by Deveronvale Aftershock and out of a Teiglum Younggun daughter. Taking this one home was Andrew Neilson for the Brackenridge flock.

Allanfauld’s second best was this gimmer at 12,000gns

A 5000gns call then secured a gimmer from Allan Campbell’s Strawfrank flock, CNK1800869. She is by New View Awesome and out of a dam by Ballynahone Yorkie. She sold in-lamb to Harestone Central Bank and was the pick of Messrs Teward for the New View flock, Darlington.

Averages; 57 gimmers £1658.26, eight ewe lambs £2447.06 (Lawrie and Symington).

Sales

14 Spring 2020

texel.uk

Twilight Texels

Kenny, Co Galway, Eire, having stood reserve champion in the pre-sale show.

Trade peaked at 14,000gns at the Twilight Texels Sale, Carlisle, when a gimmer from Robert Bennett’s Plasucha flock set the trade alight.

Then selling for 1600gns was another from the same home, the last of the run, LYM1803055, a Strathbogie Yes Sir daughter out of a dam by Glenside Valhalla and in-lamb to Ellen Valley Caesar. She was knocked down to Messrs Williams, Lampeter, Dyfed.

This one, BFE1808057, a Mullan Awesome daughter out of a dam by Eden Valley Wiz Kid. Described as one of the best gimmers offered from Plasucha, she sold with two recipients carrying embryos from her and in-lamb to the homebred Plasucha All Star. She was bought by Jeremy Theyer, Cheltenham, with an index in the top 25% of the breed.

Second best of the evening was a 7000gns call for another from the same home, BFE1909266, an April-born ewe lamb by the homebred Plasucha Baller and out of a dam by Brackenridge Young Gun. She is another with an index in the top 25% and sold to Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Ayrshire.

Then at 4000gns was another ewe lamb, this time from the Wilkinson family’s Arkle flock, WGA1905775. This ET-bred Silvermere Baltic daughter is out of a dam by Whitehart Wanted and was unbeaten in the show-ring this year.

Buying her was Leigh Smith, Whitehaven, Cumbria.

Averages; 21 gimmers £1571.50, nine ewe lambs £2292.49 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Solway and Tyne Club Sale A top call of 9000gns was the stand out moment of the Solway and Tyne Texel Club’s in-lamb sale at Carlisle.

Taking this bid was a 2016-born ewe from Edward Pugh’s Glanllyn flock, PUG1600788, an ET-bred daughter of Glenside Wild Boy out of a dam by Tullagh Saracen and sold in-lamb to Plasucha Big Gun. This one sold to join the Sportsmans flock of Messrs Boden and Davies, Cheshire.

Second best at 1800gns was the best of the sale from Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank pen, LYM1803128. This Holylee Acrobat daughter is out of a dam by Aman Vyrnwy and sold carrying to Knock Yardsman. She was bought by Messrs

Close behind at 1500gns was a Hilltop gimmer from Kenny Pratt. This was PKH1801744, an ET-bred daughter of Crailloch Ammunition and out of a dam

by Glenside Valhalla. Selling in-lamb to Garngour Alabama, she was taken by Thomas Pateman, Brompton By Sawdon, Scarborough.

Averages; six aged ewes £2371.25, 58 gimmers £629.45, eight ewe lambs £291.37 (Harrison and Hetherington).

January Gems A gimmer from the Mullan family’s Bluegates flock took the top call at the January Gems sale, Ballymena, when selling for 8500gns.

The Bluegates’ sparkler, MUC180512, an ET bred daughter of Drumgooland Aga Khan is out of a dam by Sandelford Wolverine and sold in-lamb to Fairywater Columbo. Having stood champion at Antrim last summer, she sold with a recipient carrying an embryo and was bought by the Innes family for the Strathbogie flock, Aberdeenshire.

Second top at 4000gns was John Trimble’s best of the day from the Curley flock. TYC1800811. This Procters Yankee daughter is out of a dam by Orrisdale Viking and sold carrying to Garngour Challenger when bought by Messrs Simpson and Calvin, Ballyhivistock flock.

Then making 2600gns was another from the same home, TYC1800745, a twinborn daughter of Plasucha All Rounder out of a dam by Knock Trident and inlamb to Challenger again. Buying this one was Stephen Conway.

Next at 2200gns was another Curley gimmer, TYC1800777. This one is by Millar’s Windbrook and out of a Hillhead Trademark daughter. Again sold in-lamb to Challenger she found a new home with Marcus Johnston.

And a 2000gns call then secured another Bluegates gimmer from the Mullan family,

MUC1800523. This one is another by Drumgooland Aga Khan and is out of a Cairness Perfection-sired dam. In-lamb to Fairywater Columbo she sold to Jimmy Garrivan for the Clew Bay flock.

Guest consignors the Clark family, Lanarkshire, then took the same money for their best of the day, CJN1805570 from the Garngour flock. This Sportsmans Admiral II daughter is out of a Mossvale Winston-sired dam and was sold in-lamb to Knock Bantastic and is from the same family as the 65,000gns Garngour Craftsman and the 40,000gns Garngour Alabama. She was the pick of the McCollam family for the Carmavy flock.

Averages; 52 shearling ewes £1048.99, eight ewe lambs £563.06 (Ballymena Livestock Market).

Select Seven Albert and George Howie’s Knock pen was the one to be seen in at the Select Seven Sale, Lanark, with three of the top four prices all coming from this consignment.

Heading up the price list at 20,000gns was HAK1801328 from the Howies, with this being an Allanfauld Am The Man daughter out of a dam by Tophill Wall St and in-lamb to Sportsmans Chieftan. She was bought

by Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn.

Second best at 15,000gns was another from the same home and heading to the same buyer. This was HAK1801319, another by Am The Man and this time out of a Sportsmans Supreme daughter.

She was again carrying to Sportsmans Chieftan.

Then came the top from Messrs Cullen’s Craighead pen, CMC1801761, a Hartside All Star daughter out of a dam by Tullagh Saracen. Sold carrying to the homebred Craighead Crusader, she was knocked down to Myfyr Evans, Rhaeadr, at 13,000gns.

The Howies then took 11,000gns for another by Am The Man, HAK1801282.

She’s out of a dam by Tophill Wall St and again sold carrying to Sportsmans Chieftan. This one was shared by Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld and Stuart Barclay, Harestone.

The Clark family then took 7000gns for one from the Teiglum flock. This was CFT1805749, an Ettrick Yom Kippur

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daughter out of a dam by Teiglum Windfall, herself a full sister to the 70,000gns Teiglum Younggun. This gimmer, a full sister to Teiglum Braveheart, sold in-lamb to Procters Chumba Wumba and with an index in the top 10% of the breed. Buying her was David Morrison, Dalwyne.

Select Seven leader at 20,000gns was this Knock gimmer

The Morgan family, Blaencar, Sennybridge, then spent 6500gns on another Knock gimmer, HAK1801287, an ET bred Allanfauld Am The Man daughter out of a dam by Tophill Wall St and again in-lamb to Sportsmans Chieftan.

At 5500gns Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, sold his best of the day, with this being BYZ1820648, a daughter of the 125,000gns Sportsmans A Star and out of a dam by Garngour Vodka.

She sold carrying to the homebred Auldhouseburn Corky and was bought by the Carmavy flock of the McCollam family, Northern Ireland.

Knock then took 15,000gns for this HAK1801319

Gordon Gray, Ettrick, then took 5000gns for a gimmer by Hartside All Star and out of a dam by Sportsmans Unimog.

This one, GGH1808131, sold in-lamb to Brackenridge Commander and was bought by David MacArthur, Biggar, for the Daer flock.

Averages; 69 gimmers £2344.65, five ewe lambs £1344 (Lawrie and Symington).

Kelso Crackers The Gordon Brooke Estate’s Mershott flock took the top price at the Kelso Crackers in-lamb sale, Carlisle, when selling a gimmer at 3500gns.

At 13,000gns was the best from Craighead

Sale topper, BOK1806764, is a daughter of the £23,000 Midlock Youre The One and out of a Brackenridge Strongbow daughter. This one sold in-lamb to Canllefaes Bright Spark and sold to Ken Hodge, Cheshire, who bought her full brother at Kelso last autumn for £8500.

Next in the roll at 2500gns was one from Michael James’ Duhonw flock, JMU1806403, a Strathbogie Yamaha daughter out of a dam by Meinspride Usain and in-lamb to Garngour Awesome. Taking this one were Messrs Dent, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham.

And then at 2200gns was one from John Elliot’s Roxburgh pen, EJR1803752. Sired

by Duhonw You’re the One, she is out of a dam by Kimbolton Va Va Voom and was Sales

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sold served by Canllefaes Bright Spark.

This was another bought by Ken Hodge.

Averages; 82 gimmers £894.48 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Christmas Present December’s Christmas Present Sale of in-lamb Texels for the Gloucester and Border Counties Texel Club saw a top of 1100gns for a gimmer from the Quick family’s Loosebeare flock.

This was QEL1809146, a daughter of Arkle Armagedon out of a dam by Whitehart Ultra Modern and in-lamb to Strawfrank Activator. She sold to Joshua Jack, Horwood, Milton Keynes.

A pair then sold at 1000gns, with the first of these being from Nicki Hartwright’s Whitehart pen in the form of HWN1803840. Also by Arkle Amageddon, she’s out of a dam by Langside the Gaffer and sold in-lamb to Canllefaes Boxer. Buying her was Owen Williams, Haverfordwest.

Second to make this price was the presale champion from the Chave family’s Peacehay flock. This was CFP1801939, a Clarks Wizard daughter out of a dam by Peacehay Untouchable and in-lamb to the homebred Peacehay Belters Bruv. She was bought by Phil Loveland, Maidstone, Kent.

Averages; two flock ewes £304.50, 115 in-lamb ewes £440.63, nine ewe lambs £248.50 (McCartneys).

Shropshire and Borders Club Sale Robert Bennett’s Plasucha flock was the starring consignment at the Shropshire and Borders Texel Club in-lamb sale, Welshpool, taking the top call in both the gimmer and ewe lamb sections.

Leading the way in the gimmers at 3800gns was BFE1808014, a daughter of the homebred Plasucha All Star and out of a dam by Eden Valley Wiz Kid. This one, in-lamb to Millhouse Cyclone has an index in the top 25% of the breed and sold to Jeremy Theyer, Cheltenham.

Second best at 2000gns was a gimmer from Robert Pierce’s Oldford flock, Cheshire. This was PRE181082, a Gyrhos Andy daughter out of a dam by Tullylagan Tonka and in-lamb to Knock Yankee. She was bought by G Richardson, Whixall, Shropshire.

The next at this level was one from the Midlock pen, WKM1824197. A Clinterty Yuga Khan daughter out of a Garngour ewe by Halbeath VIP. She was offered in-lamb to Knock Bantastic and found a new home with Robbie Wilson for the Milnbank flock, Turriff.

And then at 950gns was one from the Draper family’s Claybury flock, DHL1801349, a Strathbogie Youi daughter out of a ewe by Stainton Vantage II and in-lamb to Strathbogie Cannonball. She found a new home with R C Ellis, Fford, Llaneurgain.

And Procters Farm, Clitheroe, then spent the same money on one from Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock, CKP1802742.

This twin-born gimmer is another by Yuga Khan and is out of an Ettrick Sir Alan daughter. She sold in-lamb to Sportsmans Cannon Ball.

Averages; shearling ewes £513.48, ewes £316.15 and ewe lambs £640.50 (Welshpool Livestock Sales).

Averages; 88 gimmers £1862.59 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Christmas Stars A gimmer from the Sportsmans flock of Messrs Boden and Davies led the trade at the Christmas Stars sale, Carlisle, when knocked down for 10,000gns.

Sale leader, BGS1803093, an ET bred daughter of Fordafourie Amalert, is out of a Tullylagan Tonka daughter and sold carrying to the 65,000gns Lanark champion Garngour Craftsman. Carrying an index in the top 5% of the breed this gimmer was the pick of Messrs Beacom, Fivemiletown, Co Fermanagh.

Next best of the sale at 6000gns was one from the Innes family’s Strathbogie pen, IJS1802812. Sired by Mullan Armani and out of a 15,000gns dam by Knap Vicious Sid, she sold in-lamb to Carran Crackerjack and was taken by Robert Evans for the Hope Valley flock, Shrewsbury.

Then making 5500gns was the best of the sale from the Wight family’s Midlock flock, WKM1824181, a daughter of the homebred Midlock Al Pacino and out of a dam by Foyle View Superstar. She is from the same family as the 22,000gns Midlock Avicii and the 24,000gns Midlock Yorkie and sold in-lamb to Sportsmans Cannon Ball and was bought by Alan Blackwood, Ayrshire, for the Auldhouseburn flock.

Three then followed at 5000gns, with the first of these being another from the Strathbogie offering, IJS1802746. She’s a daughter of Mullan Armani and out of a dam by Glenside Valhalla and was sold carrying to Deveronvale Aftershock.

Buying this one were Messrs Myles, Donegal, Eire.

Northern Area Club Sale Myfyr Evan’s Rhaeadr flock made a worthwhile trip to Skipton for the Northern Area Texel Club’s in-lamb sale when taking both first and second in the ewe hogg class and taking the day’s top call of 1100gns too.

The red rosette winner, a Februaryborn daughter of the Knock Yardsman son, Garngour Alabama, which has many notable offspring, including Sportsmans Batman, also stood reserve champion.

Two full ET brothers had already picked up first and second novice prizes at the English and Welsh National sales, both selling well into four figures, while the Clinterty Yuga Khan-sired dam is herself a maternal sister to the 125,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best and twin sister of Rhaeadr Ace, who has bred sons to 15,000gns.

She sold to North Yorkshire buyers, the Ashbridge family, of Cold Kirby, Thirsk.

Mr Evans, sold three further hoggs by the same sire at 900gns, this for his second prize winner, 700gns and 500gns.

The leading in-lamb price of 1000gns fell to the first prize ewe from mother and daughter, Freda Booth and Helen Keighley, who run the Wigglesworth flock at Settle, with a February 2017born, daughter of the Knap Wot A Nut son, Procters Youre Mine.

Out of a Procters Pay As You Go-sired dam and scanned in lamb carrying twins to Gillians Laithe Bentham, got by the

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At 4500gns at the Northern Stars Sale was SRY1801885 from Roger Strawbridge

70,000gns Teiglum Younggun, the ewe, sold locally to David Hargreaves, Airton.

The flock also claimed two further runners-up rosettes with a brace of in-lamb females. Their second prize shearling ewe, a March, 2018, daughter of Procters Youre Mine scanned carrying twins to Gillians Laithe Bentham, made 900gns when joining Richard Wilson’s Crimple Head flock, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate.

Procters Farm itself produced an eyecatching pen of gimmers and the best of these, a daughter of Halbeath Woody in lamb to the 100,000 Sportsman Batman, also achieved 900gns when finding a new home back in mid Lancashire with Angela Nairey’s Meinspride flock at Liusey, Blackburn.

Averages; ewe hoggs £439.38, gimmers £337.43, aged ewes £341.60 (Craven Cattle Marts).

Alastair Gault took 4000gns for GAF1802307

Tamnamoney Tops Trade at Northern Stars In-Lamb Sale The Northern Star’s in-lamb sale at Ballymena saw an exceptional demand resulting in a 94% clearance rate and 32% of the females sold reaching four figure prices.

Topping the trade at 4500gns was one from Roger Strawbridge’s Tamnamoney Flock, Coleraine, SRY1801885, an April-born Scotsman Ace daughter out of a Duncryne Uber Cool dam. She is full sister to 1900gns Bigus Dicus and from the same breeding line as 5500gns Tamnamoney Yeti and Lanark Champion 5500gns Ballynahone Winner. She sold in lamb to 16,000gns Procters Cocktail with a single pregnancy and was taken by Gary Beacom for the Lakeview flock.

Taking the second leading price of the day at 4000gns was Alastair Gault’s Forkins flock, with GAF1802307, a Duncryne Uber Cool daughter out of a Knock Travis dam. Her grand dam sister is the 11,000gns RUAS champion.

Carrying a single to Procters Cocktail

she crosses the sea to Sherratt & O’Keefe, Annakisha flock, Shropshire.

The next leading price for the Tamnamoney pen was SRY1801839.

Also in-lamb with a single to Cocktail, she is a Scotsman Avicii daughter out of another Uber Cool dam. This gimmer is a maternal sister to the gimmer sold to the Auldhouseburn Flock in 2018 for 4500gns and to 9000gns Young Willie McBride and 10,000gns Tamnamoney Bushtown. She sold to Michael Power, Co Limerick, for 3800gns Welsh breeder Alun Jones of the Ynystoddeb flock, Llangadog, bought Mr Gault’s next best for 3600gns. This was GAF1802253, an Avicii daughter and ET sister to 5000gns Forkins Baz and the 2019 All Ireland Champion shearling ewe.

She sold in-lamb to Halbeath Woody Topping the Knap pen of guest consignor Robert Cockburn was one at 3500gns.

This was a Mullan Amigo daughter, CKP1802847. She is out of an Clinterty Yuga Khan mother which was one of Mr Cockburn’s favourites sold to the Didcot flock in 2018. Sold in-lamb to Sportsmans Cannon Ball and scanned with triplets she heads to the South of Ireland to join Rodney McLoughlin’s flock in Clonmany, Co Donegal.

Averages; 87 gimmers £1101.50 (Ballymena Livestock Sales).

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What is texelplus? texelplus is the Texel Sheep Society’s Genetic Improvement Service, giving Texel sheep breeders an objective way to assess the genetic potential of animals selected for breeding.

Performance recording in Texel flocks is the backbone of improving genetic progress in the UK sheep industry. The Texel breed contributes at least 29% of the sires used across UK flocks and is the sire of at least 12% of the commercial ewe population.

What does performance recording with texelplus involve?

There are three main steps to performance recording with texelplus. Firstly, record birth weight and lambing ease along with pedigree data at lambing. Then record lamb weights at eight weeks of age. Thirdly, lambs should be ultrasound scanned for muscle and fat depth when they weigh between 35kg and 40kg.

In addition, lambs can also be CT scanned for more detailed analysis of muscling, fat depth and muscle distribution throughout the carcass.

What does performance recording with texelplus cost?

The annual flock fee is £97.00 per flock. There is then an additional fee for each ewe in the flock; the first 50 ewes cost £2.60/ewe, the next 100 ewes cost £2.10/ewe and from 151 to 400 ewes the fee is £1/ewe. Ultrasound scanning is provided by AHDB-Signet & approved commercial ultrasound scanners. Fees for ultrasound scanning vary between service providers.

Q&A

Are there price premiums for texelplus recorded sheep?

Every sheep is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

However, at the Society’s National Sales it is often the case that animals with texelplus recording data achieve higher prices than those without.

At the 2019 Scottish National Sale, Lanark, in texelplus ram lambs achieved a 76% clearance rate compared to 61% for non-recorded lambs, while the average price for texelplus lambs settled at £3821.88, compared to non-recorded lambs which averaged £3161.05.

Lambs in the top 5% of the breed for texelplus Index achieved an impressive average of £7156.71.

And at the English National Sale ram lambs in the top 10% of texelplus sold to level at £1933.75, well up on the £1088.26 achieved across the sale.

In addition, shearling ewes in the top 10% sold to level at £1708, more than £540 higher than the overall sale average.

What traits does texelplus produce breeding values for? texelplus produces 16 estimated breeding values (EBVs) that cover a range of breeding, carcass and health traits. These are: birth weight, eight-week weight, scan weight, muscle depth, fat depth, lean weight, fat weight, CT muscularity, mature size, lambing ease, litter size, maternal ability, faecal egg count, eye muscle area, intramuscular fat and spine traits (see Table 1 for a full explanation of these traits).

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Table 1. Estimated breeding values produced for texelplus recorded sheep

EBVs available

Trait definition

Eight-week weight (kg)

Growth rate to eight-weeks of age (measured between 42-84 days)

Mature size (kg)

A ewe’s liveweight before her first mating

Litter size

Indicates prolificacy, number of lambs born alive/dead

Maternal ability

Milk production and the ability to rear lambs

Scan weight (kg)

Growth rate to 35-40kg, measured at ultrasound scanning

Muscle depth (mm)

Carcase muscling across the loin at 35-40kg, measured by a technician

Fat depth (mm)

Carcase leanness across the loin at 35-40kg, measured by a technician

Lean weight (kg)

Carcase lean meat yield, measured by a CT scanner

Fat weight (kg)

Carcase overall fatness, measured by a CT scanner

Gigot muscularity (mm)

Thickness of muscle around the gigot, indicating shape; measured by a CT Scanner

FEC | Faecal egg count

Worm resistance

Birth weight (kg)

Ewes’ ability to produce smaller or larger lambs at birth

Lambing ease

Ewes’ ability to give birth; measured on a five-point scale

CT eye muscle area

The total area of eye muscle, measured by a CT scanner

Spine traits

Six traits to assist in selecting animals who have increased areas of saleable meat yield in high value areas.

CT intramuscular fat %

Predicts the level of intramuscular fat within the loin, which can influence eating quality, measured by a CT scanner

Should ram and ewe selection and breeding decisions be based solely on texelplus traits?

You can base your purchasing and breeding decisions solely on texelplus traits and their values, but this won’t take in to account the wide number of functional traits and breed characteristics which you may also want to consider. EBVs are one tool in the genetic improvement toolbox, it is important to take all factors in to account when buying new stock.

When selecting based on texelplus traits is the overall index more important than the individual traits?

That depends entirely on your breeding plan and goals. It is important to decide which traits you wish to improve or maintain before selecting new stock. The overall index is a useful guide, but for many flocks focussing on specific traits may be more appropriate and a better way to deliver improvement within the flock and the sheep their customers require.

out GBVs for a number of traits in the near future following extensive R&D in this area. This includes research into the genetic factors affecting both footrot and mastitis, as well as work on carcass traits of crossbred offspring.

How do I find out the texelplus results for my flock if I am recording?

There are twelve ‘BLUP’ runs a year for texelplus recording flocks and subsequently twelve reports are published each year.

These reports are available via ‘Your Page’ on the Society’s iTexel database.

How do I sign up for texelplus?

In the first instance contact Ed Smith at the Society office on 0247 669 6629 or visit the texelplus pages of the Society website www.texel.uk/texelplus

What are genomic breeding values and are they important?

Genomic breeding values (GBVs) are breeding values based on both performance recording data and genetic information from the animals’ DNA. The DNA is extracted from a tissue sample or DNA swab and compared to a DNA ‘key’ for the breed which has been developed from data collected from the Society’s phenotyping farms and genomic research projects.

Does texelplus include any GBVs? At the moment texelplus doesn’t include any GBVs, but the Society will be rolling

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Taste vs Waste R&D highlights meat eating quality differences

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ork undertaken through the Society’s Taste versus Waste research project has resulted in technology and methodology being available to differentiate lamb meat quality in an abattoir setting, on commercial slaughter lambs, says Society data and technology manager Ed Smith “If data feedback mechanisms tested in this project could be successfully implemented in commercial practice, this could add important crossbred information on meat quality to inform future breeding programmes,” he adds.

SRUC will use genotypes collected on the crossbred lambs produced in this project to perform initial investigations into the potential of genomic selection for improved meat quality in Texel-sired lambs, he explains.

This will add to data from other projects to build a powerful database containing phenotypes, genotypes, pedigree and crossbred Texel data across a range of important traits.

Future work should assess how best to combine data from these different sources, on a range of traits, into the most useful selection indices for Texel breeders to meet future challenges.

Dr Smith explains that the TvW project was undertaken in collaboration with SRUC, ABP, and a network of commercial farms and saw 58 performance-recorded Texel sires mated to 2050 Scotch Mule ewes over the course of two breeding seasons.

The sires ranged in Terminal Sire Index values from average to the top 1% of animals. In total the TvW project created and followed ~2700 Texel-cross lambs from birth to slaughter. All lambs were reared under commercial conditions and sent to a single abattoir once selected on-farm.

“In addition to the standard EUROP grid grading, the loins of all lambs were weighed and scanned using a hand-held nearinfrared spectroscope (NIR) and with the CT scanner. The CT scanner analysed the internal make-up of the loins, quantifying the amounts of muscle and fat; the NIR scanner was tested as

a non-invasive technology to predict a range of meat quality characteristics.

“A subset of loin samples were also submitted for additional taste and meat quality analysis to investigate taste, tenderness, juiciness and levels of intra-muscular fat, a predictor of eating quality,” he says.

What was learned?

Overall the Texel-cross lambs delivered a very consistent product. More than 97% of lambs slaughtered in the project graded in the top three conformation grades (E, U and R) and more than 96% of lambs graded as fat class 2 or 3.

“These figures compare favourably to national equivalents of 86% and 93%, respectively. The consistency in performance contributed to almost one in four lambs achieving top-spec and attracting a premium payment from the abattoir on top of the base price. At a base price of £4.15/kg, the average price of a lamb slaughtered in the project was £1.20 higher than the average price of lambs slaughtered in the UK. “The lambs also performed consistently in taste tests with little variation in overall taste, juiciness and tenderness, across a range of intra-muscular fat levels that previous trials have found to give high levels of consumer acceptance,” adds Dr Smith.

Additionally, NIR was found to be a reasonable predictor of intra-muscular fat (IMF) levels with an accuracy of about 40%.

“The trait of NIR-predicted intramuscular fat was found to be heritable and correlated highly with the lab determined IMF at the genetic level, indicating control by the same genes. There was no detectable genetic relationship between NIR-predicted IMF and overall growth and carcass fat levels.

“However, animals with genetics for increased NIR-predicted IMF, were likely to be less muscled. Put simply, animals with a high NIR-predicted IMF on average had less muscle depth at weaning, poorer conformation grades at slaughter and smaller loin muscles than animals of equivalent weight with lower levels of NIR-predicted IMF.” Technical Corner

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VIA can help develop new EBVs

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esults from the Society’s VIA project, undertaken in partnership with SRUC and ABP, have shown that using video image analysis (VIA) data from Texel cross carcasses can aid the development of novel estimated breeding values for a number of key traits.

Society data and technical services manager Ed Smith says the research has shown that abattoir feedback in the form of VIA information can be a valuable source of genetic improvement data within the breed.

“VIA has been shown to better predict meat yield from primal regions of the carcass than the existing EUROP grid and with meat yield and tissue distribution being hard-to-measure traits, using VIA is a great way of assimilating this information into breeding value calculations.”

The project looked at the carcasses of 2340 lambs sired by 75 different sires, with more than 16,300 individual animals involved in the analysis once dams, grand sires, grand dams, great grandsires and great grand-dams were included on the Texel side.

“Overall the analysis yielded good results; the heritability of muscle weight varied between 0.10 and 0.46, while heritability of fat weight varied from 0.19 to 0.34 across different carcass primal regions.

“Growth rate heritability varied from 0.24 to 0.40 and for bone the variation was 0.21 to 0.53. This compares favourably to current traits assessed by ultrasound scanning in pedigree lambs where muscle depth has a heritability of 0.29 and fat depth has a heritability of 0.38,” explains Dr Smith.

“The results demonstrate the potential for VIA technology to aid genetic selection for these hard-to-measure traits and this is an encouraging first step towards greater use of abattoir data in genetic improvement within the pedigree population. ” What does this mean for me?

Breeding values related to these traits will be available as part of the Society’s texelplus genetic improvement service, says Dr Smith. “Ideally it will be one value, but this will be (in effect) an index as it will take into account the fat, muscle and bone values from each of the three primal regions. How we publish this information for breeders use is currently being considered now we have the research conclusions.”

Where next for Texel R&D? “The current focus of the Society’s R&D work is to closeout the VIA project this summer and continue the data collection to maintain and exploit the breeding values developed from this project, which also includes footrot and mastitis and carcass values.

“The Society maintains an active awareness of available research funding to further develop Society-led research projects that focus on areas that are, or are likely to become, important for members. “In addition, the Society works closely with SRUC to continue to exploit the data already collected through its texelplus service for the benefit of all members.”

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Texels continue to shine in RamCompare

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ith 18,500 lambs recorded over four years, RamCompare is one of the UK’s largest and most high profile sheep research projects, says project manager Bridget Lloyd.

Established to find the most profitable terminal sires for UK lamb production, data is collected on nine partner farms.

To date, 4470 Texel sired lambs recorded in the project from 47 different rams, with a number of highlights for the breed, including: • Handbank Super Nova provided by Anne Payne was the highest ranked ram for Carcass Merit Index in the 2018 results, seven other Texels featured in this table including Arkle Sandiago, Boghouse Ultra Muscle, Lumbylaw Madras, Elkstone HME1602449, Garngour Nijinsky, Beeford Warrior and Castle Kelly Ajax.

• The five top rams for the Carcass Merit EBV in the combined years results include Roxburgh Shotgun Willie, Penygelli PAP1501802, Handbank PRH1500573, Handbank Super Nova and Gaynes Major, five other Texels join them in the top 15.

• Many of these same rams have also placed well in the Carcass Conformation EBV 2018 result, with Handbank Super Nova top for Texels.

• Elkstone HME1602449 from Matt Hobbs is the top Texel in the new Days to Slaughter EBV 2018 table with Drinkstone Top Gun (Arnold Park) joining him in this trait.

• Work on Primal Yield Data shows that Texel sired progeny have featured in the 2018 tables demonstrating rams on test with extreme muscling, particularly in the haunch and shoulder, though considerable variation exists between individuals • Rugley JER1505263 and JER1505286, both from Alan Jackson place well in their shoulder Primal Yield EBV, joined by Stainton Vantage II (Claybury Texels) and Miserden AAS1401255 (Aubrey and Sue Andrews) • The two Rugley sires mentioned above also demonstrate they are well muscled in the haunch, together with Castle Kelly Ajax (James Kelly), Stonedge Wallykazam (Matt Prince) and Stainton Vantage II (Claybury Texels)

Abattoir traits “EBVs for abattoir-derived traits are updated annually, with tables showing the leading breeding lines available at the start of the ram selling season. The latest results can be found at www. ramcompare.com “Abattoir activity remains a vital part of our data collection and is improving our understanding of the relationship between measurements taken on the live animal (eight-week weight, scan weight, ultrasound muscle and fat depth) and those collected when lambs are slaughtered, the traits on which farmers are paid,” explains Mrs Lloyd.

“Each year, 12 lambs are selected from each progeny group to assess primal yield and tenderness. The breeding values generated from this data highlight our ability to change the yield of meat within the carcass and our ability to enhance tenderness.”

What have we learnt and what do we want to know?

The project has done a great job of enhancing our understanding of traits measured on farm and at the abattoir, highlighting which on-farm traits are good indicators of value to the commercial producer and which carcass attributes may be better assessed directly using CT scanning or abattoir data, says Mrs Lloyd.

“The project clearly shows the variation seen in the value of sires. Extra value worth £3-£5/lamb – or £600-£800/sire is commonly seen on farms, with the overall RamCompare breeding index doing a great job in highlighting the highest value animals.

RamCompare activity this season Phase II of RamCompare is just entering its final season with the lambs born this Spring, and discussions have been underway regarding the continuation of the programme (RamCompare III).

“AHDB recognises how vital animal breeding and genetics is for the future of the sheep industry and remains committed to this as a major plank of its technical activity. At this point, however, the decision has been made to pause the initiation of RamCompare III. For the coming year it is business as usual: • Results for the 4th lamb crop are looking really good and will be delivered in the coming months.

• This summer will be spent collecting data on the new lamb crop across RamCompare partner farms.

Texel rams, including Stainton Vantage II, have been among the best performing in many traits in RamCompare.

However, this decision does mean there is not an open call to nominate rams/semen this spring.

Technical Corner

24 Spring 2020

texel.uk

Breeding for lower methane emissions

C

T scanning rumen volumes could help breed Texels with a lower environmental impact, according to research conducted by SRUC.

Since the 1990s, whole-body CT scanning of elite terminal sire ram lambs has been routinely carried out in UK breeding programmes, leading to substantial improvements in carcass composition, explains SRUC researcher Nicola Lambe.

Combined with research trial outputs, this has resulted in a large archive of CT scans from more than 10,000 sheep with associated pedigree and performance records, most of which have been Texels.

“Previous small-scale research studies, in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, have found links between the size of stomach compartments of sheep, measured by CT, and methane emissions. In particular, animals with larger volumes of the rumen and reticulum stomach compartments are associated with increased methane emissions.

Using pedigree information alongside rumen and reticulum volumes measured from CT scans, genetic analysis was performed on data from commercial Texel ram lambs within the national breeding programme in 2017-19, says Dr Lambe.

“Variation in rumen and reticulum volumes, measured from images obtained during routine CT scanning, was found to be largely due to the lamb’s genes (about 50% heritable). Meaning that the volume of these stomach compartments, could be changed through selective breeding.

“Genetic relationships should now be investigated between rumen measurements and other economically and environmentally important traits before recommendations can be made on how these measurements could or should be used to help reduce emissions from sheep systems,” adds Dr Lambe.

Average rumen volume at a fixed live weight

“Compared at a standardised liveweight, Scottish Blackface lambs had rumen plus reticulum volumes 26% higher than those of Texels, with males having significantly larger volumes of these stomach compartments than females. This suggests that Texel lambs of the same size, on the same diet, may be producing less methane than Scottish Blackface lambs. Significant sire differences were also identified, suggesting genetic control of the volume of these stomach compartments within breed.”

reticulo-rumen volume (1)

7

“Recently, archived CT images at SRUC were re-examined to investigate whether differences could be found between breeds in the volume of these stomach compartments, relative to live weight, as a potential predictor of methane emissions,” explains Dr Lambe.

6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Blackface

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Technical Corner texel.uk

Spring 2020

25

Commercial focus for Glenross

S

trong commercial ram sales are the backbone of most pedigree flocks and nowhere is this the case more than in Nigel Ross’ Larne, Co Antrim-based Glenross flock.

Setting his sights firmly on selling commercial ram lambs to local repeat customers, both at home and local Club sales, Nigel chooses not to venture in to embryo transfer and seldom heads down the AI route either.

“It has been a conscious decision and one many of our customers value, preferring to buy ram lambs which have been reared naturally on Texel ewes rather than on crossbred dams,” he explains.

“We do occasionally AI a handful of ewes to access some different genetics, but this is usually only four or five ewes at a time and it isn’t every year,” adds Nigel.

It is a policy borne out of cost control, but one which is delivering benefits for the flock, with the last two years seeing virtually every ram lamb born being sold to breed.

“In 2018 we sold 48 ram lambs out of 54 that were born to average more than £500, then in 2019 we sold 32 out of 35 to average £475.

“There will be ET lambs being sold at the same sales we take lambs to and they’ll be fetching less money than ours. It really doesn’t make any sense for us to add cost through ET when we can earn as much and often more with natural lambs.”

Not that Nigel has any issue with breeders who do choose to use ET or AI. “That’s entirely their choice, but for our flock it isn’t the right thing to do financially. Many of our customers value the fact our lambs are reared naturally and they’re the ones who’s opinion matters at the end of the day.”

Starting back in 2002 with a handful of ewes bred in his uncle’s Tureagh flock, the Glenross flock nowadays numbers about 50 ewes, with few female additions over the years. “We’ve always bred up from the females we started with, many of which would have been ewes I’d been involved with breeding when I was helping my uncle before he moved to Scotland.

“The focus has always been on strong, functional, correct females which plenty of breed character, but most importantly good carcasses and top lines.

Lifestyle

26 Spring 2020

texel.uk

“He left correct, mobile ewes with great carcasses, exactly the type we want in the flock, and he did it consistently.”

Usher was behind the breeding of Glenross Action Man, the reserve champion at the Northern Ireland National Sale in 2017, with this one being out of an Usher-sired daughter.

“Like many breeders we’re always hoping to breed that one special lamb that catches the eye of the pedigree men, but commercial customers are at the heart of what we do and they have to come first,” says Nigel.

Showing is only undertaken locally with the aim of catching up with previous ram buyers and attracting a few new ones too.

“The local shows at Ballymena and Saintfield are our usual outings as well as Antrim show too. It is a great social occasion and something our children are getting increasingly keen on.”

Top honours have been achieved too, taking the interbreed title at Saintfield Show in 2016 as well as the breed championship at Lurgan in the same year, both times with stock ram Curley Usher.

“But while he may have enjoyed show success the greatest legacy for Usher is the strength in depth in the females he produced. We bought him in 2013 and he was used every year up until last year, although in the later years there weren’t many ewes we could use him on as we kept so many daughters and granddaughters from him.

More recently Nigel and his son, Justin, have invested in a brace of new sires, one from John and Richard Currie’s Tullagh flock and another from the Tamnamoney flock of Richard Strawbridge.

“We have high hopes for both of these and their first lambs are showing plenty of promise,” adds Nigel.”

Lambing for the flock takes place from mid-February onwards, with the aim being to get ewes and lambs back out to grass within 10 days of lambing, weather and ground conditions allowing. “Lambs are then offered creep feed until weaning in mid-June at which point the ram lambs are pulled off from the ewe lambs which are then not fed again.

“Ram lambs continue to be fed to grow them on for sale, while the ewe lambs are left to grow on grass, with a few sold as lambs and another five to 10 sold as gimmers each year.”

Nigel adds that he aims to sell all his rams as lambs, only keeping the odd one through to a shearling. “This is generally any that are particularly late-born. But with a full-time job time is limited, so having all the rams away as lambs helps keep numbers and workload down during the winter.”

Lifestyle texel.uk

Spring 2020

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Females have helped the flock make its mark, including PRE1600699 sold for 3800gns at the Shropshire and Borders in-lamb sale in 2017.

Oldford Yogi Bear lead the way at the Welsh National Sale in 2016

Females flourish for Oldford flock W

hat could have just been a passing interest for an 11-year-old boy has developed over the last 20 years in to a top Texel flock renowned for the quality of its females.

Pulford, Chester-based Robert Pierce bought his first Texel ewe from the Ward flock dispersal back in 1999, after seeing the breed used on the family’s commercial ewe flock.

“I guess I just saw the potential to do something different rather than just running commercial ewes,” says Robert who farms with his father, Graham and mother, Marjorie.

A comment backed up by Graham. “We’d been to look at buying some more Texel tups at a local flock and we were blown away by the size and power of them. They were too dear for what we wanted, but we could see the potential.”

Following that initial purchase, the flock rolled along quietly until Robert turned 16 when he ventured to Chelford to purchase two gimmers from Peter Woof’s Stainton flock. “That was really the turning point. Peter was kind enough to take them home and tup them for me and quickly started showing me just what was needed to get real success within the breed,” explains Robert.

“He was a great help in those early days and helped correct a few mistakes we’d been making in managing the ewes. I followed

his instructions and things really started to click in to place, with that my enthusiasm grew and success followed.

Lifestyle

28 Spring 2020

texel.uk

Oldford Andy Pandy sold for 2200gns at the NSA Ram Sale 2017

“Then for my 18th birthday I was given another Stainton ewe and I bought myself another that autumn too.”

with the Shropshire and Borders Texel Club sale at Welshpool often a happy hunting ground for Oldford gimmers.

Those four Stainton ewes did the flock a lot of good in its infancy, with the latter two quickly forming the foundations of the flock’s involvement with embryo transfer. “This really helped speed things up and laid the cornerstone of the flock today. At this time I was studying at Harper Adams, so left day to day management to mum and dad, then when I came back from college we had a great base to work from.”

“We’re not without success in tup sales, notching up sales to 3800gns for Oldford Yogi Bear at the Welsh National Sale in 2016 and having the second top price ram lamb at the Main NSA Ram Sale 2017 with Oldford Andy Pandy at 2200gns.”

ET has been used judiciously every year since those early days with, as in many flocks, varying levels of success. “The flock is runs at about 35 pedigree ewes, with about 10-12 flushed most years. This helps manage workload as it means the bulk of the lambing is over fairly quickly and we have a large batch of lambs of a similar age,” he adds.

With a 350-cow all year calving Holstein herd as the family’s main enterprise Robert says time given to the sheep can be limited. “Having a big group of lambs of the same age makes that much easier, as it means management tasks are timed to suit the main group of lambs.”

Additional females have come in the form if a 5500gns Ettrick gimmer and a 2400gns Claybury ewe lamb, with both proving sound investments.

“Both have left some great females within the flock and daughters of the Ettrick ewe have sold to 4300gns for a Knock Powerpacker daughter bought by the Morgan family for the Blancaer flock.

“Granddaughters of this ewe have reached 3000gns, selling back to the Ettrick flock, while descendants of the Claybury ewe have hit 5500gns at the Welsh National Sale in 2015 and 3800gns at the Shropshire and Borders Club in-lamb sale in December 2018,” says Robert.

The flock is, by Robert’s own admission, generally more successful in selling females than males, notably in-lamb gimmers,

Rams from the flock are regularly sold at the English and Welsh National Sales, the Ruthin Texel Club Sale, Ruthin, the Shropshire and Borders Club sales and the North West Club sale at J36.

“Tup sales are underpinned by a strong commercial following at each of these sales and the aim within the flock is to maintain the size and scale in our females to ensure we continue to produce tups suited to the commercial trade.

“Ram selection is careful and always with this in mind. Looking back Mullan Supremacy has done the flock a lot of good, as did Anglezarke Uno, Knock Yankee and recently Garngour Alabama and Auldhouseburn Bolt.

“We’ve been lucky to be able to buy in to rams that have done a good job for the flock. As the better rams have become more expensive being part of a syndicate is the only way we have been able to afford the genetics we want. It works well for us and means we are getting far better genetics than we could afford on our own.”

Looking ahead Robert says the flock is unlikely to expand numbers wise as it has to fit around the family’s dairy commitments. “As with everyone I want to continue to improve the quality of the flock and maintain the reputation we’ve built up in recent years.

“While I would never describe the sheep as a hobby they are not our core business and I have to be mindful of which is delivering the most profitability,” he adds.

Lifestyle

texel.uk

Spring 2020

29

Member Fees This Notice supersedes all previous notices of costs and overrides ANY

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printed material which you may have in your possession.

All fees take effect from 1st February 2020.

Male and Female Birth Notifications 1st Jan – 31st May in Year of Birth

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1st January following year of Birth Onwards

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Males can be transferred prior to registration by the new owner.)

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Male registration will only be permitted once a DNA profile has been issued by the laboratory and has been received by the Society office. For purchased rams that require male registration, the Society requires “proof of purchase” in the form of a “ram docket” or a copy of the “invoice of sale”.

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Please note ALL new members are required to set up a Direct Debit payment and use our online services. New members pay a joining fee and a subscription fee. Thereafter an annual subscription on the anniversary date each year.

Adult Joining Fee - £75.00 inc VAT Annual Subscription Fee - £57.00 inc VAT Junior (up to age 21) Joining Fee - £37.50 inc VAT Annual Subscription Fee - £28.50 inc VAT The VAT inclusive prices include VAT at 20%, (*other than the annual subscription which has part VAT relief applied) and may be adjusted at any time.

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30 Spring 2020

Female and Male Registrations certificates will not be printed and posted to members. Members are able to print certificates from iTexel if they require them.

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Texels on Target • 85% of Texel lambs grade ‘in spec’ * • Texel rams add £25/year to their progeny ** • Texel sired lambs earn premium prices • Nine of top 10 carcass merit EBV sires in RamCompare are Texels *** • Texel sired lambs in demand as prime, store and breeding lambs.

For the latest sales information see www.texel.uk/sales

Proven, Pedigree, Performance **Texel Sheep Society Taste v Waste and VIA trials 2019 **AbacusBio Research 2016 *** AHDB RamCompare project 2016-2019