NSA Briefing on the discovery of Schmallenberg virus in England. 23rd January 2012
Introduction
Schmallenberg virus has been confirmed by Defra AHVLA to have been found on 4 farms in England, in the counties of East Sussex, Suffolk, and Norfolk. At this stage most farmers should do no more than be aware and extra vigilant – it is most likely that the infection was transmitted by insects during the late summer/autumn of last year and the risk of further infection being transmitted from these farms is low. There are currently no implications to trade and no ‘firewall movement barriers’ being put in place in the UK, although Russia has put in place export bans on live ruminants and ruminant products from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, where Schmallenberg virus has been present for some time.
Guidance for sheep producers
Official veterinary advice is two-fold at the moment; Farmers are strongly encouraged to support the gathering of information and report any suspicions of Schmallenberg to their veterinary practice (see below for clinical symptoms), and secondly any imports of live animals from EU regions affected by Schmallenberg virus should be undertaken in strict consultation with veterinary advice and guidance.
The clinical symptoms in sheep include late abortion and birth defects/malformed foetuses and the NSA would encourage any sheep keepers that experience such occurrences to speak to their vets and consider post mortem testing. Producers in Scotland should also contact SAC Veterinary Services, and those in Wales and Northern Ireland their Government veterinary departments.
Schmallenberg virus also affects cattle with symptoms including fever, milk yield reduction, and diarrhoea. Defra have indicated that they will cover the costs of testing for Schmallenberg virus although post mortem costs will be at the farmers cost. There is currently no vaccine available to protect against Schmallenberg virus, vaccine manufacturers and laboratories are currently considering whether it would be possible and effective to develop a vaccine but estimates are that such a vaccine would be at least 2 years away. It is expected that animals that have been infected with Schmallenberg virus will develop immunity and production is likely not to suffer in subsequent years – however if experienced it could affect individual flocks seriously.
Summary
It may seem that there is little that farmers can do to protect their flocks, and in terms of vaccine protection this is true. However there are things that farmers can and should do and these include:
·
Support the gathering of information and reporting by speaking with their vet regarding any abnormalities in fertility, abortion, or lamb malformations
·
Take veterinary advice before importing any animals from areas affected by Schmallenberg virus (details can be found on the defra web link below). The NSA would discourage any imports of live animals from these regions.
·
Remember that the virus can be transmitted during periods when insect activity is evident – but that clinical signs may not be seen until later in the season. Consequently always assess the risks of bringing stock onto your farm.
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Always practice the highest possible levels of general biosecurity and quarantine/separation whenever bringing new animals on site.
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Manage your stock to promote general health and vitality. This can be helped by good nutrition including optimum mineral and trace element levels, and through managing internal and external parasites. Given that there is no vaccine available do all you can to increase the ability of your flock to cope with disease challenges.
For more information please follow this link to the defra web site www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/files/poa-schmallenburg-update-120117.pdf (note the alternative spelling – both versions are being used).
The NSA will continue to keep you informed of any developments via our web site, our regular e newsletter, and the Sheep Farmer magazine. If you do not receive the e newsletter and would like to please email membership@nationalsheep.org.uk with your membership number, to be added to the list of recipients.
East of England Smithfield Festival entries now open
Primestock enthusiasts wanting to be in with a chance of winning some of the most prestigious silverware in the cattle and sheep showing world are reminded that entries are now open for the inaugural East of England Smithfield Festival.
The event, which will take place at Peterborough on December 2 and 3, will see a pair of leading judges take centre stage in placing the prime cattle and sheep entries, with commercial showman and breeder of pedigree Welsh Black cattle, Tecwyn Jones, Llanrwst, Conwy, Wales, taking charge in the cattle ring.
Meanwhile, John Hall, Inglewood Edge, Carlisle, Cumbria, who farms with his brother, Peter, and daughter, Joanne, will place the sheep entries.
A number of classes have been introduced to the event this year, including a single lamb carcass competition, while pedigree calf shows will also be hosted for Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorn and Simmental calves.
The National Festival of Meat beef ribs competition will also be hosted at the event, with this section judged by Asda senior meat trader Jim Viggars, star of Asda’s recent Butcher’s Selection range television advertising campaign.
Young stockpeople attending the event will also have a chance to compete for a £450 prize pot in the Young Stockperson of the Year competition which will test both their handling skills and their livestock knowledge.
In addition the event, which has Newark Livestock Market as its major sponsor, will also host a multi-breed pedigree beef cattle sale for breeding cattle.
This new event, will be housed in the East of England Showground’s purpose built Exec exhibition centre, and has already confirmed more than £20,000 of sponsorship for the livestock classes.
Event manager Kerry Buttriss said entries for the primestock classes were already being received. “The number of entries already received and the high level of interest in recent weeks bodes well for a highly successful event.
“Anyone who hasn’t yet received a schedule should contact the event office on 01733 234 451 to receive one, schedules can also be downloaded from the event’s website www.eoesmithfieldfestival.co.uk. Entries for all classes close on Monday 24 October.”
SCRAPIE GENOTYPING
Southdown Breed Society members can take advantage of special discounts on scrapie genotyping this season. Innovis have frozen their prices for the coming season and can continue to offer the discounts on genotyping for smaller sized batches. However, these discounts will only be available up until July 31st 2011. Innovis states that this is to try and avoid last minute submission of samples just before the Autumn sales. Whilst results often come back in good time, the labs cannot guarantee a turn around of less than 10 working days and they want to avoid members being disappointed if results do not come back in time.
The current discounted rate for 2011 are as follows:
| BATCH SIZE | CURRENT PRICE (excl. VAT) | DISCOUNTED PRICE (excl VAT) available until July 31st only |
| 1-10 samples | £18.00 | £15.00 (saving of £3 per sample) |
| 11-29 samples | £14.00 | £12.00 (saving of £2 per sample) |
| 30+ samples | £9.00 | £9.00 |
For more information contact Innovis on 01970 828 236 and quote your Southdown Flock Number.
EBLEX Better Returns Programme and the Southdown Sheep Society Sheep Breeding and Grassland Management event on Thursday August 25th 2011, 4.00pm – 8.00pm by kind invitation of Patrick Goldsworthy MBE at Ambleside, Church Road, Grafham, Huntingdon, PE28 0BE
Join EBLEX at this on farm event for an opportunity to see how using a recorded ram cam improve returns for commercial producers. Recorded rams have Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) that can be invaluable in aiding correct ram selection to produce a better flock. EBLEX’s Carol Davies will take you through the importance of EBVs. In addition, Mike Slater of Frontier and Patrick Goldsworthy will highlight the importance of grassland management and appropriate weed control. Southdown rams (with high and low EBV rankings) and their progeny will be available for inspection.
To register for your FREE place ring Hellen or Sandra on 0870 609 1840 / 01904 771213 or email: brpevents@eblex.org.uk
Southdown breeder triumphs at Devon County Show carcase competition
Southdown breeders Adam and Caroline Brown of Clayhanger, Devon, triumphed in the native sired lamb carcase competition at the recent Devon County Show.
The lambs were out of Suffolk cross Southdown ewes born mid January; they weighed 35kg live and 19 kg dead, killing out at 54% and grading E3L. As Adam Brown says “Who needs continentals to sire proper lambs with results like these?”
Chaileybrook ram features on Original Suffolk
A ram from the Chaileybrook fl ock of Jonathan Long is playing a leading role in this year’s Suffolk Sheep Society 125th anniversary celebrations, as the sire of a crop of ‘original Suffolks’ being bred at Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park.
The ram, which was delivered last October, has been used on a number of Norfolk Horn ewes at the farm, with the lambs born in March this year. The lambs, a replication of the original crossbred sheep which was
ORIGINAL SUFFOLKS then fi xed as the Suffolk, will be used, subject to approval by Adam Henson, on breed promotion stands at summer shows and regional sheep events by the Suffolk Sheep Society.
Mike Caunter, livestock manager for Mr Henson, reports the lambs were easily born and quick to suckle. “So far I’ve had 5 ewes lamb with 8 lambs, 6 of which have been ewe lambs. I am very pleased with them, they get up and suckle very quickly and are skipping within 2 hours.”
Suffolk Sheep Society chief executive Lewis McClinton said the lambs would be a key feature of the Society’s celebrations this year. “We wanted to show how the breed had developed over the last 125 years and these ‘original Suffolks’ show just where the breed started from.”
It’s an interesting and novel idea to breed the ‘original Suffolk’, said Jonathan Long, himself a former Suffolk breeder. “The Southdown has been behind the development of many of the leading terminal sires in the UK, with the Suffolk the most prominent of them. It will be great to see the lambs later in the summer and see how they develop as they grow.”
News from Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland breeders have been working hard to fly the flag for the breed in their region, and none more so than members Cochrane and McCauley and their Moleswood Flock.
Robert McCauley started the fl ock in 2008 with stock purchased from Maurice Pogue and G & J Newell. A busy show season resulted in 6 championship wins and 4 reserve champions and culminated in being awarded the RBST Northern Ireland Show Team Award for the second year running in 2010.
In the photograph, Mr Brian Hunter, Chairman of RBST Northern Ireland, presents the Champion Rare Breeds Sheep trophy to Robert McCauley and his 2 year old ram, at the Balmoral Show.
Robert McCauley and John Newell are co-ordinating and organizing the Southdown stand at NSA Sheep NI 2011 taking place on Monday July 4th at Ballymena Livestock Market.
2011 Field Day and AGMThe Society’s Field Day and Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday August 6th 2011 at Wells Farm, North Chideock, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6JD, by kind invitation of David Randall and Sarah Mitchell. Full details and a booking form are included with the newsletter. Members can expect an interesting and very informative day.
Speakers on the day are Frank Langrish, former Chairman of the British Wool Marketing Board, and one of the largest users of Southdown rams in the country; and Graham Loader, an independent local butcher from Yeovil.
Members are especially encouraged to bring along fleeces to enter in to the annual fl eece competition – this year there are classes for fl eeces from stud rams, flock ewes and 2 tooth ewes. The Natural Fibre Company has kindly offered a fi rst prize of a throw to each class winner, and the Champion fl eece is awarded the Greg Chapman Wool Trophy.
GOODWOOD FARM WALK and SHEEP OPEN DAY Saturday June 25th 2011
Meet at Goodwood Farm Shop, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QF at 12 o’clock midday. Refreshments provided.
Southdown breeders are warmly invited to join the farm walk. The farm runs approximately 900 Mules and Suffolk x Mules, and 35 Southdown ewes. Over 60% of the flock is put to Southdown rams, lambing in February. The remaining Mules are crossed with Suffolk tups to produce replacement ewes.
For more details and to book a place please contact Peter Rycraft on 01428 717544, by June 15th at the latest.
Peter recommends this as a good, interesting day.
Below is a current excerpt from the Goodwood website:
Goodwood Shepherd clinches a flock of awards
Goodwood Home Farm Shepherd, Nick Page, is celebrating early this Easter after clinching three coveted prizes in Hailsham Easter Show of New Season Lambs. Securing first prize for ‘Best Pen of Hoggets’ and first and second prize for ‘Best Pen of Three New Season Lambs’, Nick builds upon his award winning success following several accolades in 2010, including awards at the South of England Show and the Weald and Downland Rare Breeds Show. Farm Manager, Tim Hassell comments, ‘We are very proud of Nick and these newest awards just serve to enhance Goodwood’s reputation for producing some of the best quality lamb in the South of England.’ Goodwood has a long tradition of breeding and showing Southdown sheep, with the Dukes of Richmond serving as patrons of the Southdowns Sheep Society for many generations. The Southdown is a breed which has flourished on the Downs for hundreds of years helping to sustain the downland landscape, as well as providing food to the Dukes of Richmond and the local community for the last 300 years.
EBLEX Better Returns Programme Grassland and Breeding Workshop
North Hele Farm, Clayhanger, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7NZ Courtesy of Adam & Caroline Brown and the Southdown Sheep Society Thursday 30th June, 2011
EBLEX, in conjunction with the Southdown Sheep Society offer you this FREE interesting workshop aimed at commercial sheep farmers. The meeting will cover grassland topics, led by Dr Liz Genever, and the use of estimated breeding values to select rams, led by Sam Boon, Signet
For further details, or to register your FREE place please contact Hellen Tordoff, EBLEX Ltd BRP Events Co-ordinator, Tel: 0870 609 1840, Email:hellen.tordoff@eblex.org.uk
1st March 2011 East of England Agricultural Society and Royal Smithfield Club announce new primestock event partnershipThe East of England Agricultural Society and the Royal Smithfield Club have today announced their intention to create a new winter primestock show as a joint venture for 2011 and future years.
This new event, to be held at Peterborough Showground on 2 and 3 December 2011, will build on the successful East of England Winter Stock Festival, which has grown rapidly in three years to be recognised as one of the premier primestock shows in the UK, explained East of England Agricultural Society chief executive Paul Wallwork.
“The growth of our Winter Stock Festival has been phenomenal and our hosting of last year’s Royal Smithfield Primestock championships, following the cancellation of AgriLIVE Smithfield, underlined it’s recognition as one of the leading winter events.
“This new agreement, which will see the show housed in the showground’s purpose built Exec exhibition centre, will allow the event to move forward significantly and secures the future of the Royal Smithfield Club’s championships too.”
Primestock classes at the event will include classes for prime cattle and sheep, with the traditional auction sale of exhibits to round the event off, with the event being managed by East of England Agricultural Society agricultural manager Kerry Buttriss.
Speaking on behalf of the Royal Smithfield Club, the Club’s secretary Geoff Burgess said the new event would build on the successful relationship between the two organisations which existed as a result of last year’s successful show.
“We are looking forward to working with the East of England Agricultural Society to create a new showpiece event in the winter primestock calendar. This new prestigious event should attract entries from across the UK and provide a much needed end of season spectacle for the winter primestock circuit,” he added.
Editors notes:
Press release issued by moonandbaa.com on behalf of the East of England Agricultural Society
Further details on the event, including its name and class details will be available next week after further meetings between both parties
For more information contact Paul Wallwork at the East of England Agricultural Society (01733 234 451) or Geoff Burgess at the Royal Smithfield Club (07702 050 119)
The 2010 Field Day
The 2010 Field Day was held at Caer Gog Farm, Bodfford, Llangefni, Anglesey, by kind permission of Lynne and Thomas Rowlands and family.
An excellent day was enjoyed by 40 members and friends who had made the long but worthwhile journey up to North Wales. Following coffee and a brief introduction to the Caer Owen flock by Lynne, members enjoyed a walk around the flock, guided by Tom. The dry weather conditions that had affected grazing for most breeders in UK had not been a problem to the grassland on Anglesey, and it was a treat to see sheep enjoying lush green pastures. Indeed, the rain from previous days held off for the Field Day and meant that raincoats and umbrellas remained dry.
Our guest speaker was Stephen Kitson, Regional Technical Manager for the British Wool Marketing Board, who gave an interesting and informative talk on wool and the Wool Board. (A full write-up of his talk can be found elsewhere in this newsletter). A good number of fleeces were entered in the annual fleece competition which was judged by Stephen. He selected a fleece from Jane & Chris Ing as his Championship fleece and commented that this was an excellent fleece, being uniform, bright, clean and springy.
Members enjoyed an excellent lunch prepared by Lynne and her team of helpers.
Following lunch, the formal part of the day took place with the Annual General Meeting. President Neil Stainthorpe took the chair and welcomed the incoming President, Alan Mummery. Two Council members were re-elected: Alan Mummery and Gareth Lloyd Hughes. Three members of Council retired at the AGM and did not stand for re-election: Mrs Anne Lambert, Paul Humphrey and Brian Rideout. The President thanked them for the valuable contribution they had made to the Southdown Sheep Society during their time on Council. The President welcomed three members newly elected to Council: Mrs Alex Long, Jonathan Long and David Randall.
Following a nomination from the West Midlands Regional Group and the unanimous approval of Council, Gerry Armstrong was awarded Honorary Life Membership. His certificate was received on his behalf by Andrew Beckett.
The Chairman gave his annual report in which he reported on the continued success of the breed and the Society. He drew the comparison between the 300+ members we have in 2010, and the fact that only 40 years ago in 1970 there were just 47 members listed in the Flock Book, with 176 lambs registered in that year. The Chairman concluded his report by thanking all those who had contributed to the Society in any way over the year.
The general discussion that followed covered topics that included the viability of a nation Southdown event, shearing dates, the website and NSA events. Council will address the issues raised when they meet in November. Trophies were presented by the President, Alan Mummery.
An innovation at this year’s Field Day was an auction of “sheep paraphernalia”: items were kindly donated by members and then skilfully auctioned off by Alan Mummery, amidst some considerable amusement, to the assembled gathering. A collection of authentic sheep bells were divided in to lots and sold off to eager bidders; a copy of the American Southdown Journal was kindly donated by Mr & Mrs Hulme, and bidding was brisk for a 1936 edition of the Southdown book, which was kindly donated by the family of the late Hugh T Clark MBE. Altogether the sheep paraphernalia auction raised a total of £190, and it looks set to be an annual feature.
The day was rounded off with afternoon tea and homemade cakes.
NSA event reports 2010 NSA SHEEP 2010
The Southdown Sheep Society was well represented at the national NSA event on August 3rd at Malvern, Worcs. More than 9,500 visitors attended the biennial premier one day event and Southdown representatives on the stand were kept busy throughout the day. The theme of the Southdown display this year was “seeing is believing”: commercial rams from D S & P Humphrey were displayed alongside crossbred ewes and their Southdown sired lambs from the Gunton flock of A & C Brown. The lambs were proof of the Southdown’s ability to produce a quality lamb from ewe lamb mothers.
NSA SOUTH SHEEP 2010
The first NSA South Sheep event for ten years took place on June 16th at Chilbolton Farm, Stockbridge, Hampshire. The Southdown stand displayed animals from the Chaileybrook flock of JMA Long. The crossbred ewe and lamb emphasized the ability of the Southdown ram as a terminal sire to pass on his qualities to his progeny and with more than 1,600 visitors through the gates on the day, we were kept busy talking to interested farmers.
BREEDING & FERTILITY WORKSHOP
In conjunction with EBLEX Better Returns Programme and Eastpoint Veterinary Group
A successful event was held on July 8th 2010 at Forstall Farm, Brook, Ashford, Kent by kind invitation of Mrs Alex Long and JMA Long.
After an introduction by Jonathan Eckley, EBLEX Regional Manager, Sam Boon of Signet, offered a practical guide to understanding and using breeding strategies to purchase the best genetics for your flock. This was followed by an informative presentation on fertility by Alex Waters, veterinary surgeon with Eastpoint Veterinary Group. Alex’s powerpoint presentation was accompanied by often amusing anecdotes, and he was successful in getting the serious message across that fertility is an important issue, and one which we as breeders must take seriously. The evening was rounded off with a BBQ of Southdown lamb, and the chance to view the Chaileybrook flocks of Southdowns and Hampshire Downs.
THE SOUTHDOWN SHEEP SOCIETY FLOCK COMPETITION 2010
Judge: D. Craig Esq.
Class A : Flock of 40 ewes or over. Winner is awarded the Berkhampstead Rose Bowl and £15
1st Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
2nd S J Cook
Class B: Flock of 10 – 39 ewes. Winner is awarded the Gaddesden Trophy and £15
1st T & L Mead
2nd D G & M Y Crundwell
3rd J Mark Hawtin
Res Mr & Mrs Simon Hutley
Class C: NOVICE Competition, not to have won a first prize. Winner is awarded the Frank Grantham Trophy and £15
1st Mr J P & Mrs A Woollard
2nd Martyn Smale
3rd Amy Readhead-Higgins
Res Patrick Goldsworthy
Tufton Beamish Trophy to the Champion Flock T & L Mead
Reserve: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
Hobgen Salver for the best intake of shearling ewes Martyn Smale
Miller Hallett Trophy for the best ewe lambs T & L Mead
Paynter Wool Trophy for the flock with the best wool S J Cook
Noakes Trophy for the best three lambs of each sex, sired by a named ram, present and shown Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
The Jim Cresswell Trophy for the best ram or group of rams Martyn Smale
All trophies to be awarded at the Southdown Sheep Society Field Day 2011.
Trophies to be held for one year.
Southdown Classes for the first time in 2011
Two show societies have announced that they will be including dedicated Southdown classes for the first time in 2011.
Rutland County Show takes place on Sunday June 5th and further details can be obtained by contacting jo@rutlandshow.fsnet.co.uk
Tendring Hundred Show, in Essex, takes place on Saturday July 9th and more details can be obtained from info@tendringshow.co.uk
Northern Ireland breeder flies the flag for Southdowns
Southdown breeder Maurice Pogue is celebrating after winning the Interbreed Sheep Championship and the Derby Championship at the RBST Annual Show for Northern Ireland with his home-bred two year old ram Redhills Charlie. Maurice established his Redhills Flock in 1998 and he says that it has taken him ten years to achieve this success. A long-standing, loyal competitor on the Northern Ireland show circuit, Maurice points out that this year he has attended only four shows: Lurgan, Saintfield, Omagh and Enniskellen, and Redhills Charlie has been placed Champion or Reserve Champion at all four shows.
Maurice, from Brookeborough, Co Fermanagh, says that “this year’s flock of twelve breeding ewes has performed extremely well with all ewes producing twins”. This is the first year that stock from the Redhills flock has been exported in to the Republic of Ireland.
Photo courtesy of Trevor Armstrong, The Impartial Reporter
Eurotier 2010
Secretary Gail Sprake attended the Eurotier international livestock exhibition in Hannover, Germany, November 16th – 19th , as part of the British Livestock Genetics team with Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and EBLEX. Livestock on the stand included Lleyn ewes, British Texel rams and two Southdown rams from the All Saints flock of MF &G Sprake. All animals had been sold prior to leaving GB. The livestock provided a point of interest during the four days, with visitors from EU, China, Russia, Iraq, Iran and the Americas.
EUROTIER 2010 November 16th-19th
Eurotier takes place biennially in Hannover, Germany and bills itself as the world’s top event for professional animal farmers, covering cattle, pigs, sheep and poultry farming.
At Eurotier in 2008 approximately 130,000 visitors came to gather information about machinery and equipment, genetics, farm inputs and services for modern animal husbandry as well as to learn about the latest developments in the field of bioenergy.
The British flag is flown at Eurotier through the organisation of British Livestock Genetics, and for the first time this year there will be two Southdown rams on display on the stand, along with two British Texel rams and two Lleyn rams. All animals on the stand have had to have been presold since import regulations prohibit the return of recently exported animals.
To find out more about this top event for professional animal farmers log on to
www.eurotier.de
Lamb registrations
Lambs must be registered by December 31st in the year of their birth. The current charge for this is £3 per ewe lamb, £6 per ram lamb. Any animal registered later than during its birth year incurs a charge of £20. Registrations received in to the Office after December 31st may miss the printing deadline and will therefore not appear in the forthcoming Flock Book. Please ensure that all information is correctly listed on the green forms, with the flock book number of the sire and the dam included, together with the ear tag. Photocopies of the form can be used, or contact the Office for further copies.
Annual Subscription
The annual membership subscription from January 1st 2011 will be £35.
Standing Order Instruction forms are available from the Office.
Members are reminded of the upset prices and the minimum weights at all Society sales:
UPSET PRICES
Shearling rams – 150 guineas
Shearling ewes – 90 guineas
Ram lambs – 100 guineas
Ewe lambs – 70 guineas
There are no upset prices for older sheep.
MINIMUM WEIGHTS
Shearling rams – 70kg
Shearling ewes – 50kg
Ram lambs – 50kg
Ewe lambs – 29kg
There are no minimum weights for older sheep.
NSA SHEEP 2010
The Southdown Sheep Society was well represented at the national NSA event on August 3rd at Malvern, Worcs. More than 9,500 visitors attended the biennial premier one day event and Southdown representatives on the stand were kept busy throughout the day. The theme of our display this year was “seeing is believing”: commercial rams from D S & P Humphrey were displayed alongside crossbred ewes and their Southdown sired lambs from the Gunton flock of A & C Brown. The lambs were proof of the Southdown’s ability to produce a quality lamb from ewe lamb mothers.
NSA SOUTH SHEEP
The first NSA South Sheep event for ten years took place on June 16th at Chilbolton Farm, Stockbridge, Hampshire. The Southdown stand displayed animals from the Chaileybrook flock of JMA Long. The crossbred ewe and lamb emphasized the ability of the Southdown ram as a terminal sire to pass on his qualities to his progeny and with more than 1,600 visitors through the gates on the day, we were kept busy talking to interested farmers.
BREEDING & FERTILITY WORKSHOP
In conjunction with EBLEX Better Returns Programme and Eastpoint Veterinary Group
A successful event was held on July 8th 2010 at Forstall Farm, Brook, Ashford, Kent by kind invitation of Mrs Alex Long and JMA Long.
After an introduction by Jonathan Eckley, EBLEX Regional Manager, Sam Boon of Signet, offered a practical guide to understanding and using breeding strategies to purchase the best genetics for your flock. This was followed by an informative presentation on fertility by Alex Waters, veterinary surgeon with Eastpoint Veterinary Group. Alex’s powerpoint presentation was accompanied by often amusing anecdotes, and he was successful in getting the serious message across that fertility is an important issue, and one which we as breeders must take seriously. The evening was rounded off with a BBQ of Southdown lamb, and the chance to view the Chaileybrook flocks of Southdowns and Hampshire Downs.
I got up very early to feed all the animals on time to get to the airport and catch our plane. It took about half an hour to get to the airport from us and by that time it was about 10 minutes to 6 o’clock. First we got checked by security who checked out bags and even made us take off our shoes to make sure there were no bombs hidden in them. Soon we were sitting in the aeroplane - I was by the window so I could see what was happening outside and below. We soon saw the propellers turning and they got faster and faster and soon we were taxiing down the runway and then bouncing in to the air. Soon we were high above the clouds and the fields below were tiny. On our flight we saw the Severn Bridge and flew over the North Yorkshire moors. Next we reached Edinburgh airport and we walked from the airport to the showground which wasn’t far away. We then had something to eat and went to look at the sheep. There were (no surprise) lots of Scotch Blackface sheep and loads of lovely Angus cattle, and I even saw some Highland cows which belonged to the queen! We looked at the countryside area and I tried a cross country BMX cycle riding course. The rest of the day flashed by and soon we met up with the rest of the South West group and back at the airport ready for the flight home which made my ears pop as we were coming in to land. It was a most exciting day and I hope we do the same to somewhere next year.
We were pleased to welcome Stephen Kitson, Technical Manager for the British Wool Marketing Board, to this year’s AGM and Field Day. Stephen gave us an informative and fascinating insight in to all aspects of wool and the industry: he explained that after a five year apprenticeship and nearly 30 years in the industry, he is still learning – it is hoped that this resume provides therefore just a little of the information he conveyed.
The British Wool Board was established in 1950 to promote British wool on a worldwide basis. The BWMB collects, tests and grades wool, then sells it on a computer based open auction system to obtain the best market prices for of us, the producers. It deals with approximately 70 pure breeds, plus numerous cross breeds, and there are in excess of 180 grades of wool. Each wool bale is core sampled, and the 2kg sample is tested to guarantee the buyer a good quality end product. British wool is some of the best – it has resilience and spring, and goes back to shape. Breed – and climate – affects the quality and type of wool too.
The wool from each breed has its own characteristics and categories: hog (shearling) wool has a longer staple than that of a wether/2nd shear and in general wool from a younger animal produces a better fleece.
With hog wool, there is a tip or point to the staple, and the staple tapers from the tip to the base, with the crimp being more apparent in younger animals. Staple is defined as a group of wool fibres/follicles held together in parallel form by the tip or point of the wool (the point of the wool is the growth point and not the shorn end)
Historians have noted that wool has been graded since 1900BC. 70% of British wool goes in to carpet wool and is of a very high quality. To take out the grease content the wool is first scoured, with great care being taken to ensure the wool is not damaged for future use – the better the staple, the easier the scouring process. Nepping is the term used to refer to the small tangled fibres which damage wool.
Wool is quite inflammable and naturally fire retardant and burns only at 600degC. It is also hygroscopic - it resists water and liquid but absorbs water vapour, meaning it insulates and keeps cool.
BWMB holds 22 wool sales each year at the one auction centre in Bradford, West Yorkshire. As breeders we must provide the industry with a continuous quantity of quality wool: each sale handles 1-2 million kilos of wool, and each sale sees on average approximately 20 buyers, depending on the sale. A large percentage of wool is exported to China, India and Italy.
British wool fibre is 3 times finer than human hair, with Southdown wool being some of the finest in UK, with a Bradford Count of 60, at approximately 30 microns. Some of the most valuable wools are those with a high lustre content such Wensleydales and Blue Faced Leicesters.
A British Wool Campaign has recently been launched by HRH Prince Charles , together with John Thorley. This campaign is raising awareness of the quality of British wool and it is hoped will transport wool through to a new era. The 2012 Olympics is being targeted as playing its part in this: the aim is to include the British Wool emblem on the Olympic logo and to provide a British wool carpet at the Olympic Games medal presentation area.
Stephen Kitson judged the members’ fleeces on display at the Field Day. The Champion fleece this year was a hogg/first shear fleece exhibited by Jane and Chris Ing.
Stephen commented on the winning fleece: it was very uniform, very bright, very clean with no trace of vegetable matter in the wool. The fleece opened up and he tested the strength and springiness of the staple, which was strong and sound.
The 2010 Field Day was held at Caer Gog Farm, Bodfford, Llangefni, Anglesey, by kind permission of Lynne and Thomas Rowlands and family.
An excellent day was enjoyed by 40 members and friends who had made the long but worthwhile journey up to North Wales. Following coffee and a brief introduction to the Caer Owen flock by Lynne, members enjoyed a walk around the flock, guided by Tom. The dry weather conditions that had affected grazing for most breeders in UK had not been a problem to the grassland on Anglesey, and it was a treat to see sheep enjoying lush green pastures. Indeed, the rain from previous days held off for the Field Day and meant that raincoats and umbrellas remained dry.
Our guest speaker was Stephen Kitson, Regional Technical Manager for the British Wool Marketing Board, who gave an interesting and informative talk on wool and the Wool Board. (A full write-up of his talk can be found elsewhere in this newsletter). A good number of fleeces were entered in the annual fleece competition which was judged by Stephen. He selected a fleece from Jane & Chris Ing as his Championship fleece and commented that this was an excellent fleece, being uniform, bright, clean and springy.
Members enjoyed an excellent lunch prepared by Lynne and her team of helpers.
Following lunch, the formal part of the day took place with the Annual General Meeting.
President Neil Stainthorpe took the chair and welcomed the incoming President, Alan Mummery.
Two Council members were re-elected: Alan Mummery and Gareth Lloyd Hughes. Three members of Council retired at the AGM and did not stand for re-election: Mrs Anne Lambert, Paul Humphrey and Brian Rideout. The President thanked them for the valuable contribution they had made to the Southdown Sheep Society during their time on Council. The President welcomed three members newly elected to Council: Mrs Alex Long, Jonathan Long and David Randall.
Following a nomination from the West Midlands Regional Group and the unanimous approval of Council, Gerry Armstrong was awarded Honorary Life Membership. His certificate was received on his behalf by Andrew Beckett.
The Chairman gave his annual report in which he reported on the continued success of the breed and the Society. He drew the comparison between the 300+ members we have in 2010, and the fact that only 40 years ago in 1970 there were just 47 members listed in the Flock Book, with 176 lambs registered in that year. The Chairman concluded his report by thanking all those who had contributed to the Society in any way over the year.
The general discussion that followed covered topics that included the viability of a nation Southdown event, shearing dates, the website and NSA events. Council will address the issues raised when they meet in November. Trophies were presented by the President, Alan Mummery.
An innovation at this year’s Field Day was an auction of “sheep paraphernalia”: items were kindly donated by members and then skilfully auctioned off by Alan Mummery, amidst some considerable amusement, to the assembled gathering. A collection of authentic sheep bells were divided in to lots and sold off to eager bidders; a copy of the American Southdown Journal was kindly donated by Mr & Mrs Hulme, and bidding was brisk for a 1936 edition of the Southdown book, which was kindly donated by the family of the late Hugh T Clark MBE. Altogether the sheep paraphernalia auction raised a total of £190, and it looks set to be an annual feature.
The day was rounded off with afternoon tea and homemade cakes.
The Great Tastes Awards, organized by the Guild of Fine Food, are the “Oscars” of the food world, and Southdown breeders Trudie and Ian Townsend scooped three of the top awards this year when they entered their produce for the first time.
Having purchased their first Southdowns 4 years ago, Trudie and Ian set up Elmhurst Farm Free Range: Elmhurst farm is an idyllic smallholding set in 24 acres of West Sussex countryside which specializes in the raising of free range meat. Breeds are selected for “best flavour” and in addition to the Southdowns, include Tamworth pigs, Dexter and Belted Galloway cattle and free range chickens.
The Great Taste Awards attracted an entry of over 6000 products in 2010, from 1300 different companies. All products are judged by at least three different judging panels, all tasting is blind, and the judges (of which there are over 300), are fine food retailers, chefs, restaurant critics, food writers and other food industry experts. Their Southdown mutton leg joint was one of only 90 products to receive the Elite 3 star Gold Award, with Elmhurst oak smoked gammon also gaining the 3 star Gold Award. Elmhurst pork sausages were awarded 2 star Gold. “This is the first time we have ever entered the Great Taste Awards and we are really, really pleased. It’s a huge accolade for us” says Trudie.
More information about Elmhurst Farm and details of the range of products can be found on their website: www.elmhurstfarmfreerange.co.uk
Jul 14, 2011 6:29 AM
