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Dorset Sheep Events:
> May Fair 2013 Report


DORSET RAMS PEAK AT 4,800GNS BOOSTING CONFIDENCE AT EARLY SALE
The annual Dorset May Fair in Exeter Livestock Centre on Wednesday (May 8) on behalf of the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association provided a positive early barometer for the year’s sheep trade with six rams making 2,000gns and more to a top of 4,800gns, and averages well above the sale two years ago.
Tuesday 21st May - Trethorne Leisure Centre, Highland Suite, Launceston, PL15 8QE - 10.00am - 4.00pm (Bacon bap on arrival at 10am)
Or Wednesday 22nd May – Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Quantock Suite, Somerset, TA6 6DF 10.00am - 4.00pm (Bacon bap on arrival at 10am)
Key speakers in farm animal veterinary practice and other industry specialists. Hear focus farmers' views and how the project has had a positive impact on their businesses, talk to proactive vets, discuss with other farmers and browse sponsor stands. Carvery lunch included. Free to attend.
To confirm your booking please contact: Healthy Livestock on 0845 458 7485 or rbs@duchy.ac.uk
The Dorset sheep winner of the EBLEX Improved Flock Awards for 2013 is the Hall Lane Flock, owned by Edwin and Jenny Pocock at Totley Hall Farm, near Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Organised through the Sheep Better Returns Programme, this award is presented to the English performance recorded flock that has shown the most impressive improvement in genetic merit over a 12-month period, within the breed.
Edwin and Jenny Pocock established the pedigree flock ten years ago with 50 ewes and the tup, Blackhill Champion. They have since built numbers up to more than 175 Poll Dorset ewes with 125 of these lambing in November and December. There is also a commercial flock of Texel ewes which lamb in March and April.
read all of the article
Why not come to the Royal Bath and West on 29th May - 1st June. They are celebrating 150 years and it is open to both M.V and non.
The Dorset horn was one of the breeds that were shown from the very first show. What an advert for our breed, so it would be great to see as many horns and poll`s this year.
Rob and i have been showing there for some 20 years and make it our busmans holiday, so if you can`t spare 4 days "DON`T WORRY".
If you bring your sheep and show them on show day (Wednesday). Rob and i would be very happy to look after them until they can go home on the Friday morning.
Look forward to seeing as many members as possible.
Nicky Jesse | 07950886563 | 01725552340
The first entry of the ram lambs secured the top price of 1,100 gns at the annual show and sale for the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Society
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Reserve Supreme & Male Champion |
Northern Ireland Breeder Thomas Wright of the Ballytaggart flock based at County Antrim took the leading price tag of 1,100 gns for his November, 2011, born entry, Ballytaggart Saxon. His full brother sold at Ballymena Premier Sale held in July this year and a full sister is retained in the flock. Saxon is a son of Ballytaggart Premium and out of one of the best ewes in the flock. He was successfully purchased by Sam Driver of Glossop, Derbyshire.
The Male and Reserve Supreme Champion entry from Thomas Wright of Northern Ireland followed next in the price listing selling for 600 gns. Ballytaggart S114, a December 2011 born ram lamb is sired by Downkillybegs Nitehawk and goes back to Downkillybegs Jethro on his mother’s side. This lamb now travels to Cornwall for V P, M & A Care of Helston
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Sam Driver’s Breed and Male Champion |
Sam Driver’s Female Champion |
The Northern Dorset Breeders Club held its inaugural show and sale at Chelford market on Saturday 11th August, with 9 vendors exhibiting 62 sheep between them. The good haymaking and harvesting weather kept some potential purchasers away, but those who did attend were prepared to pay good money to secure their chosen stock. Once again females were in great demand but trade was very selective when it came to the male section, although, here again, some rams sold very well. >>more
Open publication - Free publishing - More dorset horn
DORSETS CONTINUE TO GAIN STRENGTH AT WORCESTER
The Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn Sheep Association’s Annual show & Sale at Worcester continues to gain importance and strength with an almost total clearance and a buying contingent that came from literally across the country.
Topping the bill in the pricing stakes was a ram lamb from David Rossiter’s “Huish” flock. Having taken First in the class he went onto take Overall Championship, not only did he favour the show judge but with a maternal index of 276 and an index of 363 plenty of interest reigned from purchasers being eventually secured by Richard and Robert Hole for use in their “Sherborne” flock in Dorset. >>more

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
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 2012
News:
Council Meetings:
18th July
3rd October
12th December
> (Smallholder) ADAS Sheep Meetings for Smallholders Maximising fertility of ewes and rams at mating - As part of the Livestock Health South East initiative, join ADAS for this FREE workshop. Sheep consultant Nerys Wright from ADAS will be running the workshop which is specifically for smallholders or farmers keeping a small number of sheep.
>> download word doc
> (Commercial) ADAS Sheep Meetings for Smallholders Maximising fertility of ewes and rams at mating - As part of the Livestock Health South East initiative, join ADAS for this FREE workshop. Sheep consultant Nerys Wright from ADAS will be running the workshop which is aimed at commercial sheep farmers.
>> download word doc
Two forms have been added to Dorset Documents:
> Individual Ewe Registration Form - download
> Ram Registration Form - download
2012 - Flock Competition Results
EBLEX wants nominations for Sire Linkage Programme
EBLEX has just launched the second round of the 2012 Sire Linkage Programme (SLP) and is inviting all sheep breeders who performance record their flocks to take part...
read press release
EBLEX Sire Linkage Programme (SLP)
- click to download doc
Newsletter: May 2012
> PLEASE REMEMBER that any ewe lambs (year letter "P")