News from Cassington

Courtesy of Matt Drummond, Cassington flock

Producing low maintenance, cost efficient sheep, whilst maintaining the best breed characteristics is the aim of the game at Cassington.

CassingtonShowRams Cassington Show Rams

There have been a number of changes in farming policy at Cassington over the past few years. Until three years ago, the Drummonds ran a dairy herd, milking 120 performance recorded Ayrshire cows, producing specialist ultra high quality milk. “It was a combination of factors that made us quit,” explained Matt Drummond, whose family have farmed in the parish, within a mile radius, for over 250 years. “Economies of scale, the need to update facilities and our contract to produce milk for chocolate production with Nestle came to an end we were too small and remote to attract anyone else and to increase cow numbers meant a huge investment.” The four farms the Drummonds own were once part of Culzean Estate. “It was badly planned as they put the steadings in the corner of each farm with cows having to travel long distances to graze” commented Matt, who lives at one of the other farms Fardenwilliam, with his wife Elaine and son James (7) while his mother stays at Cassington.

CheviotMule Cheviot ewe with her mule daughter

Cassington is now predominately a lowland semi intensive sheep farm with also 40 Limosan x Ayrshire suckler cows. On the sheep side they have 400 Cheviot and 100 Scotish Blackface ewes which are tupped with performance recorded Bluefaced Leicester rams for the production of Mule ewe lambs, they also have 300 Scotch Mule ewes which are tupped with performance recorded Texel rams to produce prime lambs for high end food retailer Marks & Spencer’s. Mule ewe lambs are also bought in to top up their home bred number to 500 and most of these 500 are sold as yearling ewes the next year. They also have there flock of around 50 performance recorded Bluefaced Leicester.

Bluefaced Leicesters have been bred at Cassington for nearly 70 years. “Matt’s grandfather went to Lazonby just after the war and bought a tup – he liked the lambs so bought two the following year. Matt has obviously inherited his grandfather’s passion for the breed and has been recording for the last 5 years. “Our policy has always been that, if someone wanted to buy a female, we would sell them one, Matt’s father was always of the opinion you should cut a stick when you see it, you just don’t know what’s round the corner. The numbers of ewes in the flock became less as they probably sold too many but over the last 3 year they have embarked in an embryo Transfer program which has enabled them to retain enough females for their own flock while still selling others. Females have been exported all over Europe and even as far as Dubai.
60daytiwns High indexing Cassington ewe with 60 day twin lambs

Farming in the UK is highly subsidised, the subsidies are based on the historical stocking levels that an individual farm had 20 years ago. Matt commented “Many of my neighbouring farmers get annual payment of in excess of £100,000 per year in subsidy payments, where’s 20 years ago we had dairy cows that don’t get subsidised and a few sheep. This has resulted in me getting more or less no payment while others with similar farms receive £2,000 a week in financial help from the EU”. This great financial disadvantage has been enormously challenging for Matt and his family but they have a very positive outlook on this, Matt explained “the days of EU subsides are numbered and having to farm without them we are getting a head start in developing new farming techniques and increasing efficiency, when the rest of the industry has to wake up to living in a word without support our genetics and farming methods will be way ahead.

Two years ago Matt joined forces with another four like-minded Bluefaced Leicester breeders to form a marketing group – Progressive Breeders. Fellow Scot, S Crozier of the Watersyke Flock and three Welsh breeders – M Roberts, Myfrian, E Owen, Cernyw and A Jones, Craig Yr Orsedd make up the quintet. “The objectives of the group are to promote our performance recorded Blues whilst highlighting the benefits of using Mules sired by high index BFL rams. We all have the common goal of trying to produce high index sheep that are still pleasing to the eye,” shared Matt.

“‘High index sheep that are still pleasing to the eye,’ is a statement that does not sit very well with the either the performance recording enthusiasts or sceptics. It could imply that we are not fully committed to the power of the figures, but nothing could be further from the truth. We are realists and recognise that maintaining a strong commercial element is attractive to other breeders. There is little point in us breeding high index sheep that no other breeders want to buy. The world we live in isn’t ready to buy sheep on figures alone.”

The obvious traits selected by the group are maternal ability, to produce efficient Mules, and growth rate. This ensures that the wether Mule lambs and prime lambs can be finished efficiently. “Another trait, which our group believes to be very important, but is not so obvious, is the ability to lay down fat. The tups must have the ability to store enough fat to go out and do their job at tupping time, without us having to chase after them with a feeding bag. We feel that a tup should be able to cover well over 100 ewes in challenging weather conditions without feed and still come back in from tupping in fair condition. The tups that we are breeding today can easily manage this. “The ability to lay down fat is also important in the Mule ewe, this helps her get over any challenges she may face, allowing her to keep feeding her lambs and maintain immunity to many health issues.”

The recording criteria seems to be reaping rewards for the members of the group as in the last three years, the five flocks have collectively notched up Championships at both of the Bluefaced Leicester Association progeny shows in the UK, Breed Champion at the Royal Welsh and Royal Highland Shows, Male and Female Champion at the Breed Association sale at Carlisle and Champion and top price at Builth Wells National Sheep Association Sale. “Last year Elfyn Owen’s flock had an exceptional year, achieving supreme champion at thee BFL sales – Carlisle, Builth Wells and Welshpool.

Two challenges that Matt and the other group members have found in their quest to improve their flocks are conflicting ones. “We all need to share each others genetics to increase linkage within our group of flocks to consolidate the reliability of our figures, but at the same time we need to keep introducing new blood to reduce the threat of inbreeding. This has become even more difficult as some of the bloodlines bred by Progressive Breeder have been used extensively in the breed, especially in recorded flocks, making it difficult to find fresh blood. “Using AI allows us to test tups in all of our flocks and provides accurate performance figures quickly, even if we are using tups that are unrecorded. Once a tup, with the required traits is found – he can be used in flushing programs with selected ewes.”

On the topic of frozen semen, Matt feels that banked semen is much more valuable than an insurance payout. “Semen can also be stored for future use down the line – but it does not always work as fashions change. With others the recorded figures relative to today’s rams can be much lower due to advances in certain traits. However Progressive Breeders have had great success with some older semen in the past year or so, as certain semen has good genetic linkage with current bloodlines and therefore maintains its relative performance. Frozen semen also gives us another method to sell our genetics; selling semen becomes a larger part of our business every year.”

“We realise that in order for us to move forward we will have to work in partnership with other like-minded breeders and we are always looking at ways to achieve this. To this end we have been joined by eleven other recorded Bluefaced Leicester breeders, our “Progressive Breeders Partners”. Jointly we are all working together to supply the ever increasing demand for recorded Bluefaced Leicesters to produce profitable and efficient Mules. The most important thing for us is to stay mainstream; we are producing low maintenance, cost efficient sheep, whilst maintaining the best breed characteristics. We are constantly keeping an eye on what the market wants and supplying a highly profitable and efficient version of that!

At Cassington, Matt has formed a second flock of Bluefaced Leicesters, the “Cassington X” flock of crossing type Bluefaced Leicesters to supply costumers that prefer this type. The idea is to have no more than six ewes; the foundation ewes have been bought on correctness and crossing ability (the ability to produce Mules with dark coloured faces). He will then AI with the very best proven crossing genetics in the breed and flush the best two ewe each year, while each year pre tupping selecting the best 6 ewes in the flock and selling the surplus. It is hoped by putting the best genetics in at the top and taking ewes out the flock for the slightest fault at the bottom, rapid progress will be made.

News from Canada


Alberta, Canada BLU member Jody McLean shares a photo of some of her 2 month old lambs produced by LAI from Myfyrian(B10) Blue Dragon E+, owned by Matt Drummond. Right now, this semen is only available for use in Canada, but the Blue Alliance has also purchased semen, and is working toward getting it imported to the US for the use of our membership. Jody is thrilled with her lambs. I can see why – look at the muscling on these 2 young rams!

This is a photo shared by Matt Drummond of Blue Dragon as a ram lamb. The breeder is Merfyn Roberts of the well regarded Myfyrian flock.

And here is Blue Dragon as an adult, being classified Elite Plus at the 2010 Penrith Progeny Show.

Of interest from the British BFL association

We are holding a meeting for those interested in hearing about the Bluefaced Leicester Association Performance Recording Scheme and our new “Performance Mule” initiative for the promotion of Mules sired by high index Bluefaced Leicester sires.

The “Performance Mule” initiative will help us supply the ever growing market for commercial ewes sired by high index rams that we are losing out on at the present time to our competitors.

This meeting is taking place at The Auctioneer, Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Tuesday 14th February, 2012 at 7.00p.m.

The main focus of the meeting will be a power point presentation given by Sam Boon of Signet this will be to show and discuss the benefits of Performance Recording in Bluefaced Leicester’s. We anticipate an increased demand for performance recorded Bluefaced Leicester’s with the launch of a recorded mule certification scheme.

We would encourage as many members as possible to attend this meeting.

If you would like to discuss this further please contact Matt Drummond on his mobile 07771934071 or contact myself on 07887 891678.
Myrfyn Roberts
Breed Development Chairman

***A group of US breeders have imported semen from performance recorded rams from both Mr Roberts and Mr Drummond.  The Bluefaced Leicester Union of North America encourages our members to use this data collected on UK rams as part of the criteria in selecting top sires for collection and import.

BLU board member makes national sheep news

BLU board member Jared Lloyd was recently interviewed for a Sheep Industry News article.  The article focuses on his flock expansion using Shetland and BFL genetics in a large western commercial flock.     http://sheepindustrynews.org/?page=site%2Ftext&nav_id=3b79b0fae814183646395f41f85dc25e&archive_id

Good News for Canadian BFL Breeders

The Canadian Sheep Breeders Association Recognizes the Bluefaced Leicester For Registry in Canada

Written by Jody McLean 

On June 8th 2011 the Canadian Sheep Breeders Association (CSBA) voted to recognize the Bluefaced Leicester and allow certain animals to be registered in Canada. This was the culmination of a lot of work for the few BFL breeders in Canada that felt this would be a step forward in getting the attention of Canadian sheep breeders.

In 2009 we asked CSBA to register our Canadian born lambs from ewes and rams that were registered with BLUNA. In order for them to do this, they had to first look at the US registration and vote to accept it or not. They decided not to;  it was thought, because the first BFLs that were imported from Canada to the US were not registered, there was no way to prove their purebred status. Therefore CSBA could not accept the registry.

 In the meantime CSBA did vote to accept the UK BFL registry and their breed standard. We thought why not ask the UK to register our ewes and rams. We can then go back to CSBA and ask again for the registry based on their acceptance of the UK registration.

 Early in 2010 we approached Matt Drummond, who I’m sure you are all acquainted with. For those of you that are not, he is the owner of Cassington Farm and also sits on the board of directors of the BFL Sheep Breeders Association of Great Britain. We asked him to intercede for us in applying to register our animals in the UK. He brought our request to the next board meeting. It was voted on and accepted. We emailed our BLUNA pedigrees to the UK. They looked at them closely and voted to accept them. We were then issued certificates by email for our UK registrations.

 This spring (2011) we approached CSBA and asked again to register our BFLs on the basis of our UK registrations. They were more than a little surprised that we would ask again and it was thought that more work would have to be done on this to ensure it was on the “up and up.”  Stacey White, secretary for CSBA  emailed Matt Drummond several times with many questions about their process in accepting our registrations. Matt Drummond’s answers were the only reason that in June at the next board meeting, it was decided that the CSBA could now accept our registrations.

 It’s interesting to note that we can only register BFLs that are registered in the UK, but CSBA requires an extended pedigree (at least 5 generations.) The UK only provides 3. In order to get the 5 generations, we use the BLUNA certificates. So, in a round about way, they are accepting the BLUNA registrations with the exception of coloured animals. Because the UK doesn’t accept colour, neither will CSBA. All coloured BFLs will remain registered in the US and because of the colour issue we will continue to register all our lambs with BLUNA. Once we have a base of Canadian registered animals built, it will no longer be necessary to register them in the UK. At that point we will have a dual registry, US and Canadian.  

 We were asked by Stacey White (CSBA) to put together a Breed Description and a Breed Standard for the Canadian BFL. We mainly used a combination of the  BLU breed standard and the UK’s with some small revisions. You can see this on the CSBA webpage at http://www.sheepbreeders.ca/breed_profiles/Bluefaced_Leicester.html

 With the importation of 3 excellent rams from the UK and the Canadian registry accepted, we are well on the way to re-establishing the BFL in Canada. As sheep breeders, we have exciting times ahead. Many thanks to all that contributed.

To AI or not to AI? That is The Question! By Robina Koenig

By Robina Koenig, Tumble Creek Farm

As one crop of lambs arrives, I plan next year’s breedings and ponder this very topic. Should I use AI again this fall or wait until next year? How good are my current rams? These and other questions pile up as I make preliminary decisions for my flock.

There are several things to consider regarding the use of LAI (laparoscopic artificial insemination). The following questions outline my view, and are the framework for my breeding-season decisions.

Does AI  fit into my long-range goals for my flock? I was fortunate to have a friend share her thoughts on goal-setting when I first acquired sheep. There are immediate goals—short term of 2 to 5 years— then the long term of 10 or more years.

Of course these will change and be updated as time passes but establishing goals has helped me keep focused. The obvious goal in using AI is genetic progress at a greatly accelerated rate.

Can I afford it? What will it do to my budget? Who/what/where is my market, and how many ewes do I want to commit to? In the choice to use AI, there’s the cost of semen, hormone synchronization supplies, and the technician’s fees to count. There’s my own extra work in preparing my ewes and facility.

If AI will be done at my farm, I will need special equipment available for the technician plus a crew of helpers; if it will be done at someone else’s farm, I need to consider transport, perhaps for many miles. My own accomodations would need to be arranged as well if it is too late to drive home when AI is finished.

Which ram(s) do I want to use? This query takes me the most time to answer. Studying the rams’ pictures and pedigrees for traits and characteristics I’d like to add to my flock is the basis for this decision. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it can be difficult to evaluate any animal from a single photograph which may or may not have been taken under ideal circumstances. Comments from other breeders who have used the ram, the AI technician, and perhaps the ram’s owner are very helpful.

When shall I schedule AI? When do I want the lambs born? I answer this based on how big I want my lambs for the first show I attend each year, which is the Black Sheep Gathering (BSG), in late June.

Working backward to select an AI date usually runs me into the last show I attend, Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival (OFFF). One of the benefits of AI is the small window of time for lambing—four or five days—of the ewes that conceived to AI. Timing is everything!

What about bringing in a ram (perhaps an AI offspring) from another flock? The old saying “A ram is half your flock” justifies considerable cost, but that expense may still be less than AI, and it eliminates the investment in time and money involved in the AI preparation and procedure.

Using a first-generation AI offspring ram will carry many benefits to my future lamb crop from very remote and diverse sources. Of course the lambing date widens a bit in pasture breeding if I need to plan lambing time around another event on my calendar.

The questions and answers above will change somewhat if I have my own collection of rams from previous AI breedings. The obvious one is cost, but I seriously consider his pedigree and the less predictable lambing dates.

If I do use my own ram then I’ve seen how he’s grown in body and fleece to evaluate his potential. To me, this is what really demonstrates the benefits of AI genetics for the future. Remarkable improvements in all the traits we value as sheep producers can be obtained using AI or AI offspring in our breeding programs.

When I first considered AI there was only one Bluefaced Leicester sire available, Gwestydd Jamie. Working through the new learning curve of hormone therapy, I took my four ewes 150 miles to team up with two friends for a cold January AI session. One of the four ewes settled and produced two ewe lambs. I was ecstatic!

Rates of conception to AI since then have been quite high; several years 100% of my ewes took to AI with excellent results including a set of quadruplets.

The picture is still changing with new rams that have been selected for import. Choose wisely, my friends.

Super Sire, Ltd. imports straws from magnificent “Masterplan”

After a few of us saw (and drooled over) a photo of a ram named “Scotty” all the way back during New York State Sheep & Wool Festival 2007… straws from UK Bluefaced Leicester ram Mossvale Masterplan 1463/X6 E+ have finally been imported this year by Martin Dally of Super Sire, Ltd.!

Jared Lloyd was fortunate to see Masterplan during his 2009 trip to the UK. Jared wrote in his notes: “Mossvale Masterplan – Phil May (Derwenlas) and Phil Davies (Gornal). Martin is already dealing with them; they’re incredible people. Mr. Davies has a renowned dairy herd, and Mr. May is a rep/tech for ABS Global/Genus. Anyway, Masterplan is a heckuva tup! Tremendous body and easy keeping, his daughters are superb for those traits…. So, we’ll buy this semen from Martin. Masterplan didn’t break his leg, but there was a mistake with the paperwork.”

A few years ago there was a rumor that circulated briefly here, that on the way to the collection station, Masterplan had an accident getting out of a truck and broke a front leg. From whence it came, we have no idea, but many of us who were looking forward to the import were upset, thinking that this magnificent ram had to be destroyed.

Turns out the rumors were UNTRUE and that Mossvale Masterplan was alive and well… and that there was no accident… only some paperwork malfunctions! Were we ever relieved to hear that news! In the years to come, there will always be stories like this one to retell whenever we get together to share our memories…  “Hey, remember the time that… !”

We’re so pleased to have this UK ram’s genetics available to us here in North America. He joins a great list of other UK rams whose straws entered the country this year. Please contact Super Sire, Ltd. at www.toprams.com for more information.

Mossvale Masterplan Scotty
Mossvale Masterplan 1463/X6 E+ (aka "Scotty")

Mossvale Masterplan 1463/X6 E+ (also known as “Scotty”)
Sire: Walton Golden Eye 468/W7 E+ [RR]
Dam’s Sire: Jerriestown 567/N1 E+ [RR]
Birthdate: 2005
Codon markers: ARR/ARR
Color: White
Breeder: A. & J. Minnis
Importer/Year: Super Sire, Ltd., 2010

Derwenlas 3822/Z2 E+, by Mossvale Masterplan 1463/X6 E+

Here is a photo of one of Masterplan’s sons from the UK, bred by Phil May, Derwenlas flock.
Derwenlas 3822/Z2 E+

Blue Alliance Investors Import Straws from Six UK Rams

By Heather Landin, Cedar Fen Farm, Baldwin, WI
Originally published in the newsletter BLU Print; October 2010 issue, Vol. 1, No. 3

Additional content/edits by Kristen Barndt for this version

A group of BFL Union Members from both the US and Canada pulled together last fall with a group of UK breeders to figure out how to solve a problem that was looming in the Bluefaced Leicester breed in North America. There simply was not a sufficiently varied genetic base to continue to grow the population of BFLs and broaden its appeal as a commercially viable breed in North America. More bloodlines were needed.

Jared Lloyd got the whole project started by traveling to the UK in 2009 to learn more about our breed. His 20-day whirlwind tour and introduction to some of the best of the UK BFL stock was invaluable to this project. When he arrived back a loose group of people began comparing notes and figuring out which rams would best complement the sheep we already had.

The group includes Carol Densmore, Robina Koenig, Margaret Fryatt, Margaret VanCamp, Lisa Rodenfels, LeeAnne Richert, Kris Barndt, Kelly Ward, Kathy Davidson, Judy Colvin, Jody McLean, Jared Lloyd, Janice Lever, Heather Landin, Garrett Ramsey, Becky Utecht, and Jolene Vezzetti.

In the UK we have been fortunate enough to work with Jo Binns, Matt Drummond, Phil Davies, Maldwyn Davies, Elfyn Owen, and Martyn Archer among the larger group of BFL breeders that showed Jared their hospitality and worked with him to identify excellent stock for possible import to North America.

Martin Dally and the staff at Innovis were also critical to the success of the project, contributing their expertise and advice. Without all these people’s participation and investment of time, energy, and money the project would not have come together. It’s been a learning adventure. After a couple of false starts and some problems getting viable semen collected and shipped, the project started to come together around Christmas 2009.

Some of the UK breeders had voluntarily taken their rams in for collection on the group’s word they would purchase. Some were waiting for firmer commitments and the season was already late for collection. Investors were not sure what they needed to invest. Spread sheets on costs were finally pulled together with the help of Helene Garnham at Innovis. Checks came in, the last rams were collected, health checks finished and after much paperwork, the US straws collected from six different rams arrived in the US a couple weeks ago in time for fall breeding.

There are extra straws for anyone who would like to purchase straws now they are safely stored in the US. Canada is bringing their straws in next year with two years’ worth of collections all in one shipment. We hope to bring several more rams to the US next year, also.

The six rams represent a variety of qualities and a range of bloodlines that we hope will compliment the North American flock. Extra straws are available to any breeders enrolled in the USDA scrapie certification program from three of these rams, and straws from two more are available on a limited basis. There will also be breeding stock with these bloodlines available next year from Blue Alliance investors doing AI this fall. If you are interested in straws, please contact Heather Landin at Cedar Fen Farm.

Llwygy Black Mountain
Llwygy Black Mountain 1706/B67. Photo by Jared Lloyd, 2009.

Llwygy Black Mountain 1706/B67
Sire: Edgton 3945/A2, by Kilfaddoch 3757/W7 E+
Dam: Llwygy 1706/W15, by Firth 1574/R1
Born 5/3/09; Twin; ARR/ARR
EBVs:
Scan Weight: 3.68 (BFL Top 10%)
Muscle Depth: 1.15 (BFL Top 25%)
Index: 122

Llwygy Black Mountain B67
Front and rear views of Llwygy Black Mountain B67. Photos by Jared Lloyd, 2009.

A dark colored ram from Jo Binn’s Great Llwygy farm in Monmouthshire, Wales. Jo breeds with a strong emphasis on performance. His rams are chosen for their EBVs and suitability as crossing rams while still keeping to the traditional BFL standard for type. He brings a fantastic pedigree to the lines carrying color in the North American flock.

Additional notes; He’s a big, powerful black lamb who is four-square and wide made. He is skeletally correct and his bite is perfect. He has a long, wide pelvis with good angle. Legs and locomotion are correct. His fleece is dense, fine and lustrous with great handle and deep color. Straws of this ram available for purchase.

Myfyrian Trueblue
Myfyrian Trueblue 1183/B13 E+, as a lamb in 2009. Photo by Jared Lloyd, Builth Wells, 2009.

Myfyrian Trueblue 1183/B13 E+
Sire: Cernyw 1070/Y1 E+, by Cernyw 1070/T1
Born 3/1/09; Twin; ARR/ARR
EBVs:
Total index: top 4%
Scanning wt. kgs: top 1%
8 week kgs: top 1%
Mature size: top 1%
Maternal ability: top 1%
Muscle depth scan: top 3%
Owned by Phil Davies, he has proven himself to be a superior sire in his first year breeding. Phil says he produced a fine crop of lambs that grew exceptionally well on grass. Coming from the Myfyrian flock with a sire like Cernyw Y1 E+ speaks for itself. This is a super ram and a great addition to the US flock book.

Phil Davies says, “He has an exciting index, putting him in the top few young rams for total index in the UK, being in the top 4%. His scanning weight kgs in the top 1%. 8 week kgs in the top 1%, and mature size in the top 1%. Maternal ability in the top 1%, but more importantly this is combined with a muscle depth scan in the top 3%. His sire Y1 Cernyw Elite plus has turned out an exceptional breeding ram with great scanning results of his progeny but has also bred many show winning animals dominating progeny shows in Wales.” There are straws of this ram available.

Grugoer Welshman
Grugoer Welshman 2188/B1. Photo by Jared Lloyd, 2009.

Grugoer Welshman 2188/B1
Sire: Cernyw 1070/Y1 E+, by Cernyw 1070/T1
Dam: Grugoer 2188/X50, by Myfyrian 1183/T8
Born 1/1/09; Twin; ARR/ARR
EBVs (9/15/2009, as lamb):
Scanning wt. kgs: top 1%
8 week kgs: top 10%
Mature size: top 5%
Maternal ability: top 1%
Litter size: top 2%

Grugoer B1 Welshman lamb
Grugoer B1 as a lamb, 2009.

Maldwyn Davies says, “He (Grugoer B1) was second in the show and sale in Builth Wells; B1 did also win every show that he went to in North Wales.” Used by both Llwygy flock and Maldwyn Davies flock in fall 2009, he will be used again by both as, according to Jo Binns, “he threw lambs with exceptional colour.” Maldwyn is very pleased with the quality of the lambs he throws. Maldwyn was one of the original supporters of the Longwool index. There are straws of this ram available.

Llwygy X1
Llwygy 1706/X1 E+

Llwygy 1706/X1 E+
Sire: Firth 157/R1, by Walton 468/P4 E
Born 2/3/05; Twin, ARR/ARR
This high-performing ram is a Welshpool reference ram. Lisa Rodenfels has brought in a very small number of straws to try on her flock and will hopefully have lambs to offer in the next few years from his line.

The following two rams are available for in very limited quantities under special conditions. They are both older rams belonging to Martyn Archer and are the sires of many show champions from Martyn’s Carry House flock. We hope to see lambs from these rams available in future years.

Heddon Valley X4
Heddon Valley 3246/X4, taken 2008.

Heddon Valley 3246/X4
Sire: Bowder 708/W1, by Red Cottage 1510/V3
Dam: Beeston 3138/R34, by Eskley 2634/N1 ‘A’

Martyn Archer comments, “He (Heddon Valley) is probably the most consistent breeder we have used with his lambs of a very uniform type. Their breed character and style are outstanding with very good mouths, ears, top lines and legs. He hasn’t grown into a big tup – he was small and stylish when I bought him but his progeny are much bigger.”

Carry House A3 by Heddon Valley X4
Carry House A3 lamb by Heddon Valley X4.

A son, 281/Z1 was the top priced traditional type ram sold in 2007. Champion and top price at the 2007 Hexham sale was from Martin Archer, Carry House, with a ram lamb which sold for the day’s top price of 1900 gns. Please note that Eskley 2634/N1 ‘A’ is Beeston Titan’s and Gigrin Red Kite’s grandsire.

Champion 09 Hexham Heddon Valley son
2009 Champion and Top Price at Hexham, ram lamb by Heddon Valley X4. Sold for £3200. Photo from Martyn Archer.

Arkleby Y1
Arkleby 3865/Y1

Arkleby 3865/Y1
Sire: Rosehill 209/W1, by Barlaes Titus 2217/T5 E+
Dam: Ladybank 3746/S26, by Cocklaw 119/P6, by Pennine 78/L1
Born 2006; Twin; ARR/ARR
Jared took pictures of some very impressive daughters by this ram at Carry House. Please note that Barlaes Titus is this ram’s grandsire. Titus is already a US sire.