Livestock

Setting a new breed record of 1,350gns for an Oxford Down at Worcester was Vickie Jones, Lutterworth, with a shearling ram from her Billesdons flock.

Confidence in the breeding sheep trade looked to be holding up at Thame Summer Sheep Fair, where averages were generally up for most breeds and a clearance rate of 97.3 per cent for the 16,953 sheep penned was achieved.

The Dutch Spotted breed record was smashed when an imported aged ewe from David Roberts’ Boyo flock at Kenley, Shrewsbury, sold for 20,000gns at the Spotacular sale, held at Worcester.

Pit your skills against a professional livestock judge and be in with the chance of winning 250 plus a 250 ram voucher.

Pit your skills against a professional livestock judge and be in with the chance of winning £250 plus a £250 ram voucher.

A dairy farmer has said it ‘beggars belief’ that the media have launched a campaign to save a single bTB-positive alpaca while ignoring the 160,000 cattle which have been destroyed during the 4-year fight to keep him alive.

THE beef inter-breed championship at Garstang Show, which was judged by a panel comprising the breed judges of each section in the show and a member of the public, ended in a tie.

For many farmers, the cost and availability of straw has focused the mind on other options for bedding sheep, with slats often high on the list.

The role of Blackface sheep has been well refined at Calla Farm in the years since the family moved here in 1969. Ewan Pate finds out more about how they fit into the business mix.

THE early NSA Wales and Border ram sale held at Builth Wells saw 211 rams sold with a clearance rate of 73.5 per cent.