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The Southdown Breed |
| Advanced and Improved Southdown Lamb - fit for the Queen Fifty years after the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Monday 2nd June 2003, the Prince of Wales hosted a dinner for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at which a saddle of Southdown lamb was the main course. The Prince, whose interest in the Southdown breed of sheep is well known, chose Southdown for this important meal as a token of support for British food. The Southdown Sheep Society are grateful to the Prince of Wales for this practical way of putting our breed in the public eye. Menu by gracious permission of HRH The Prince of Wales  |
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| The Modern Southdown Progress breeding policy and retrieval of commercial bloodlines from New Zealand, Australia and France has strengthened conformation and quality High conversion rate - high profit margin Originally bred for the Downs - hardy under all conditions and ideal for large or small flocks Docile and quiet - makes Southdown ideal for high stocking rates and large flocks Quality carcass
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 Photo by Sharon Pond FRANK LANGRISH with his Southdowns East Sussex producer Frank Langrish puts about 1100 of his ewes to a Southdown tup each year. He found a larger type New Zealand Southdown to do theis work and then crossed this Southdown with a better shaped French type. He now breeds most of his own Southdown rams 'They are solid muscle like little bricks' he states. Southdown x Romney finish quickly off his pastures and he starts drawing at nine to ten weeks achieving 16-17 kg carcasses. A Winchelsea butcher takes up to 800 of these crosses each year supplied for over 40 weeks in the year. They have excellent joints and chops and are consistently good quality with excellent meat to bone ratio. The prices is right too, they consistently command a premium from the butcher and in the market. Other crosses are sold at Ashford Market and also deadweight. |
Move into Local Retailing Photo: Chop and Change. Farmer Richard Brown (left) has branched out into retailing with the help of butcher Steve Robertson. Courtesy of Richard Brown and the Farmers Weekly. Richard and Margaret Brown took over a local butcher's shop on the outskirts of Eastbourne to enable them to expand their business and giving them control over farming. They have an organic farm with some 70 head of Sussex cattle and 400 ewe Southdown flock of sheep. All the meat plus some bought in, goes through their butcher's shop. Both breeds thrive in this area and with their wonderful taste and tenderness sell well. They are rarely found on supermarket shelves. 'We have all got to get used to marketing' says Richard Brown. 'Livestock markets are still essential but you can't just dump an animal off at a cattle market and expect to get the best price. We shuld be responsible for meat further up the food chain - looking after stock from the beginning to the end. As farmers we like to think that we can look after the land, the stock and the customer.' They also have control of how their meat is handled. Having a shop means that waste can be minimised. 'If someone says they have enjoyed a piece of meat I always answer - tell your friends'. As farmers we like to think that we can look after the land, the stock and the customer |
| Yorkshire is the
Best Sheep breeder Brian Glaves, who lives near Scarborough with his own abattoir and retail Butcher's business, states there is a lot of future in the meat world for Southdown, providing it is marketed at the right time from 12 to 14 weeks weighing 16 to 18 kg and fed on 18% protein feed. This makes a very good well fleshed compact leg of lamb. There is a large amount of meat to bone ratio. A mini roast which used to be called shoulder sells very well. You should see the queue at my shop at the weekends. They like what they eat and come back for more. Courtesy of Brian Glaves.  East Dean T51 of 1997. Royal Welsh Champion 2003, bought back by his original breeders, commanded 1350 gns at the J D & D Goode dispersal sale. |
| THE SOUTHDOWN SHEEP SOCIETY Registered office: Southdown Lodge, 300 Cople Road, Cardington, Bedford MK44 3SH Telephone 01234 838807 Clive Pritchard, Secretary Email: secretary@southdownsheepsociety.co.uk |