2005 Annual General Meeting

VET NEW TEXEL TOPMAN

Ballyclare veterinary surgeon Wilson Kennedy is the new chairman of the Northern Ireland Texel Sheep Breeder’s Club.

NI Texel Club 2005 office holders

Handing over the reins of leadership retiring chairman Michael Watson told a well supported AGM that 2004, their Club’s 25th. Anniversary year, was a year of celebration and sales success.

“Records were broken as Club membership reached 252 and an Ulster record price of 13,000gns was set,” the Dundonald farmer recalled.

“In fast trade and flat trade alike one thing is certain. Quality sells and that is certainly the case in the sheep sector. Despite uncertainty in the run up to decoupling Texel tups met a better than expected trade.

“ Not least due to strong demand from the Republic and mainland, which is a tribute to the standard of stock we offer. I must also pay tribute to the service provided by local auction marts, not least Dungannon Farmers’ Mart.”

Stepping down after two hectic years in the chair Michael Watson noted that results from farmer funded sheep trials conducted by the ARINI, Hillsborough continued to strengthen the case for using Texels.

“During 2004 the focus of these trials moved to hill farms where the ARINI team foresee a major role for Texels in boosting lamb quality on all but the hardest mountain land. I have no doubt progressive hill sheep farmers will run fewer, but better ewes put to Texel tups as a way of protecting profits.”

Members at the AGM

Apart from sales success Michael Watson also looked back on a very special 25th anniversary year for Ulster’s largest pedigree sheep club.

“The highlight of this past year was our Glenarm Show on July 13, a joint venture with the British Texel Sheep Society marking its 30th anniversary year. Congratulations to champion of the field Paddy Kinney and to all who helped make this a day to remember.

“Happily in this anniversary year our annual Janssen Flock of the Year event also attracted a near record entry with Austin Shaw of Larne taking the honours.

“To Austin and all, who won Texel events in 2004, well done and thanks to everyone who took part in shows including sponsors.

“Our 25tht Anniversary Celebrations ended on a high at a very special dinner dance in the Radisson Roe Hotel, Limavady. There Barbara Gamble was awarded the Society President’s Trophy by Keith Campbell and our club was graciously presented with an anniversary trophy by the Irish Texel Society.”

Castlederg farmer John Young, presents Samantha Creighton of the Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association with a cheque for £525.

Stepping into the Texel top seat for the coming two years Wilson Kennedy paid tribute to the efforts of Michael Watson and his wife Lorna. The amount of unpaid time and effort they had devoted to club duties was a mark of their enthusiasm for Ulster’s premier carcass breed.

In the closest possible election the following were then chosen to serve on the NI Texel Club committee for the coming three years;

Nigel Hamill, Crumlin, Alistair Gault, Newtownabbey, Robin Kennedy, Ballymena and Robbie Mulligan, Banbridge.

The other office holders are; Austin Shaw, vice chairman, David Workman treasurer, secretary/PR agent Rodney Magowan, President, Barbara Gamble.

Following the AGM in Greenmount College Steven McLean, British Texel Sheep Society CEO, gave an excellent presentation on BSCO, the computerised recording system developed in association with the Suffolk and Limousin Societies.

The evening drew to a close with past society president Simon Farmer explaining how breeders could benefit their breed by using the National Semen Archive to preserve genetic material. Those interested can contact Simon direct on 0845 0060008 or through NI Texel Club liaison officer Robert Calvin of Ballymoney.

SAINTFIELD TEXEL SCENE SETTER

On Tuesday evening, July 26, Saintfield Mart hosts the first of a dozen Texel Sheep Sales planned for the province this summer.

A shearling only sale sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health the Co Down event has an especially impressive entry of rams with larger numbers of ewes than usual also on offer.

As before a Cydectin wormer pack goes to the buyer of the highest priced sheep sold in what is always a packed ringside.

Austin Shaw

Looking ahead Northern Ireland Texel Sheep Breeders’ Club vice chairman Austin Shaw of Larne is decidedly up beat at about prospects for pedigree sheep sales.

“The sheep sector has a more certain future than other enterprises after decoupling, not least because producers do not face pouring money into slurry stores to meet DARD’s cross compliance demands,” explained Austin, who farms near Larne.

“Texels already dominate the market for tups in lowland flocks and this trend is growing in hill areas. Now that premiums are gone hill sheep numbers will dip, but more ewes will go to Texel rams.

“In ARINI trials Dr. Alistair Carson and colleagues at Hillsborough compared terminal sires on hill flocks and highlighted the Texel’s role in drastically up grading lamb quality.”

However, as vice chairman of the growing NI Texel Club Austin is also realistic about the number of rams needed each year.

“Our members have been told to keep true to breed characteristics and send to the meat plant any merely mediocre ram lambs. Pedigree breeders, who look at the cost of bringing a ram out to a pedigree sale soon realise a run of the mill animal is better away early to the factory.

Asked why buy Texel Austin had a one word answer – grades. “Every week as Antrim Quality Lamb Group co-ordinator I see hundreds of lambs graded. Top grades almost always means a Texel tup has been in action. That’s the best possible advertisement for using Texel tups - they make your cheques bigger.

“No wonder 75% of the lambs I watch going through the plant are Texel bred. The British Texel as a breed has made great strides this past 25 years as regards speed of finishing and ability to stay lean to heavier weights. With sheep offering a better return on capital invested that cattle I see prospects as pleasing for good Texel tups.”