.JPG)
.JPG)
East Anglian Group
The East Anglian Group has had an active winter season. On 28 November 2007 we were invited by the local Suffolk Breeders group to a talk by Lesley Stubbings OBE, the well known sheep consultant. Lesley gave some provocative views on the prospects for the sheep sector, with an inevitable focus on blue tongue.
2008 looks like being a difficult year in the east of the country as we wait for the vaccine and hope that it arrives before the midges start flying.
Our first visit of the new year was to Dennis Jenkins' Heathgate flock near Thetford in Norfolk, where we saw the flock and were treated to an impressive demonstration of working sheepdogs. The value of good dogs was clear as a large flock of heavily pregnant ewes were summoned from the distance without any stress and held close by for viewing. In addition to his full time job, Dennis runs over 50 Southdowns and a large commercial flock, and finds time to compete in and judge sheepdog trials. The sheep live outside all year and lamb outside in the parkland. It was fascinating to see good quality Southdowns thriving on an extensive low input system. There is a lesson for the rest of us that the difficult lambings so often associated with Southdowns can be minimised by doing without the usual concentrate feeding in the run up to lambing. Our thanks go to the Jenkins family for their hospitality and an insructive afternoon.
| |
| |
| Denis Jenkins and some of his sheep |
| |
Finally, on 13 February we made a victorious return to the East Anglian Sheep Club quiz night, regaining the title we won previously in 2006. The venue was full with ten teams competing for the shield and the honour of organising next year's contest. In a tight contest our team (made up of members of the Allen, Hutley, Dane and Sprake families) scored consistently throughout and sealed victory with full marks in the final round.
Next year the quiz will be on 11 February 2009 at Bradfield Combust near Bury St Edmunds. Put the date in your diaries!
Lindsay Dane
South Western
Group
We were very fortunate to have the eminent Roger Green, M.R.C.V.S., to talk at
the meeting held on Sunday 27th January 2008 at North Hele Farm, the home of
Caroline and Adam Brown.
The morning was spent in the lambing shed, the main theme being 'The New-born Lamb and Ewe Management'. This session was packed full of useful information, and members were encouraged to ask questions as they arose and contribute generally. Adam and Caroline provided long-suffering but co-operative sheep and lambs to demonstrate various points in detail when necessary.
After lunch in the sheltered sunny farmyard, Roger brought us up to date with the regulations about Blue Tongue and other veterinary-related topics concerning sheep. This was followed by a general discussion in which everyone was encouraged to join. Eighteen members were present and it was a most enjoyable social occasion as well as a mine of practical information.
 |
 |
 |
| |