Dorset Horn and Poll Sheep: the only sheep breed that can breed all year round - ideal for controlling your lambing times.

POLL DORSET AND DORSET HORN - MAY SHEEP FAIR

DORSETS IN DEMAND WITH INCREASED AVERAGE AT MAY FAIR

A top price of 4,200gns for Downkillybegs Strongbow from Northern Ireland breeders William and Karen Carson - read full May Fair Report

Dorset sheep flock wins top award for genetic progress for second time

EBLEX BRP Improved Flock Awards 2012 - James & Barbara Stratton, Somerset - Stratasys Dorset Flock

The Dorset sheep winner of the EBLEX Improved Flock Awards for 2012 is the Stratasys Flock, owned by James and Barbara Stratton who farm near Charlton Mackrell in Somerset.

Organised through the Sheep Better Returns Programme, this award is presented to the performance recorded flock that has shown the most impressive improvement in genetic merit over a 12-month period, within English recorded flocks for the breed. This is the second time they have taken top spot, also winning in 2009.

The Stratton’s established the pedigree flock at Priory Farm 13 years ago with 30 ewes. They have since built numbers up to more than 100 Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset ewes with six to ten stud rams. >> read more

Worcester Sale – Report 2011

On a soaking wet Saturday morning, breeders from across the country gathered in a very damp Worcester market. The judging, moved indoors to avoid the rain, was undertaken by Mr Michael Lewis, Colhugh.

Winning the Shearling ewe class and going on to become overall Champion was Sherborne Nellie shown by R & R Hole. This Poorton Jeppy daughter, from a long line of show ewes, was later sold for 460gns to Mr Pratt, Suffolk.

Other noticeable female prices included 400gns for a Huish Kango sired shearling ewe from Mr David Rossiter selling to Mr & Mrs Ryan, Conwy, and 340gns for a shearling ewe from Mr Jim Dufosee. This Downkillybegs Hunter daughter joins Mr Joe Larder’s Byeways Flock.

The Reserve Champion was Sherborne Nato sired by Poorton Kingcombe. This was the days highest price at 490gns, again joining the Ryans in Conwy. Blackhill Noggin was next in the ring achieving 470gns to Mr Gibson, Nantwich.

Highest price ram lamb was from Huish, being bred from Blackhill Kipper. This lamb sold for 400gns to Mr James, Tregaron. Kipper was also responsible for the top ewe lamb from Huish reaching 300gns to Mr Mark Hayman.

The Association would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make judging and the sale run smoothly, and would welcome ideas and input for next year’s event.

Click here for WORCESTER SALE PRICES, 2011

Rob Hole with Champion	Richard Hole with Reserve Champion

The Dorset Horn Sheep Breeders' Association was established in 1891 for "the encouragement of the breeding of Dorset Horn Sheep at home and abroad and the maintenance of the purity of the breed".

During the late 1950's hornless Dorset sheep, developed in Australia, were introduced to the UK and rapidly grew in popularity. By 1974 there were more Poll Dorsets registered than Dorset Horns and in recognition of this the Association's name was changed in 1981 to the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders' Association.

 

Image: Champion Exhibit at May Fair 2011