The official Newsletter of the Society Incorporating Notices for Members Ryelandfbs Coloured Ryeland News 2012 Sheep Survey : Enclosed with this newsletter you will find your 2012 sheep survey. Please complete the form as fully and as accurately as possible. The survey can also be completed online. For some of you, this may be quite a large task - the database currently records all the sheep registered by a breeder as still being in their ownership. Please mark sheep on the list as being either still on your ownership, sold (with details of the purchaser if possible) or dead. Also add to the bottom of the list any sheep you have bought in from other breeders. This survey is being carried out to allow members to make the best use of the online flock book facility. Please return the completed forms as soon as possible but before 31st March at the latest. If you did not complete last year’s survey, please December 2012 make an extra effort to do it this year. 2012 Subscription Invoices: Also included in this mailing is an invoice for your 2012 membership subscription. If you have signed up to pay annually by Banker’s Order there will not be an invoice enclosed as your bank will make the payment automatically. If you are a dual flock owner, please check that your banker’s order includes the second flock fee. Payments are made on the 6th January so contact your bank before then if possible. If you have not taken up the Banker’s Order option, please send your subscription by the 31 st March. If your fee is not paid by this date you will be removed from the mailing list. Newsletter in Colour: There is a simple way to receive your Society newsletter in colour. Sign up to have your copy of the newsletter sent by email and you will be able to view or print a full colour version. Simply email [email protected] to request your newsletter by email. This will also help to minimize costs and reduce the impact on the environment. 2012 Year Letter: Advance notice that the year letter for lambs born in 2013 will be T . Annual General Meeting 2013: This year it will be the turn of the North of England region to host the AGM. Council have agreed that the meeting will probably take place in Yorkshire but the venue is still to be confirmed. The date of the meeting is Saturday Supreme Champion Sheep at National Rare Breeds Show, Three Counties June 2012. - 4th May 2012. Further details to follow in due course. F30245 00960/P2. Shearling Ewe. Bred and exhibited by J & S Donovan. Left: Peter Titley (RBST President) and Simon Donovan. Results on page 8. Photo: John Donovan. Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2013! Chairman’s Message Well we are nearly at the end of another year! Ryeland FBS Contact: Dot Tyne, Secretary, Ty’n y Mynydd Farm, Boduan, This year has seen a continuation in the popularity of both the Ryeland and Coloured Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 8PZ. Telephone : 01758 721898 Ryeland nationally. Membership and sheep registrations are at their highest level ever Email: [email protected] recorded. We now have nearly 550 members from all over the country, so we are Opinions expressed by authors and services offered by advertisers are not specifically endorsed obviously doing something right. by the Ryeland FBS. Advertisers must warrant that copy does not contravene the Trades The best marketing tool that we have is the sheep themselves, which can be seen at an Description Act 1968, Sex Discrimination Act 1975, or the Business Advertisements (Disclosure) ever increasing number of shows across the country which is due to the hard work of the Order 1977. Newsletter printed by SJH Print membership.

32 1 We started the year with a new Council but unfortunately we only had one Northern EDITORS CONTACT DETAILS Council member and none for Scotland. However in the last few months we have had a MERRRY CHRISTMAS AND flurry of interest and now have three new Council members representing the north of the country, we are however still in need two members for Scotland!! Val Howells HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL This year has been a really busy year for me as Chairman, Sue & I have travelled the OUR MEMBERS AND LETS length and breadth of the country and we have really appreciated the warm welcome that Acresway has been given to us. HOPE 2013 WILL BRING YOU Next year I am sure will bring new challenges for us all, but I am sure the Ryeland breed Great Burches Road ALL GOOD CHEER will continue to flourish and give us all so much pleasure. Many of you will be looking Benfleet AND LOTS OF LOVELY forward in the next few months to the new generation of lambs and hoping that maybe Essex SS7 3NE one of them will be a future championship. LAMBS! It just remains for me to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and I hope a prosperous 01268 741658 New Year. [email protected] Best Wishes to you all OH AND SOME DRY Andy McVicar WEATHER!! Chairman

Editor’s Letter Coloured Ryeland Sub Committee It's December again and the end of quite a year! A great year for the Society with another SHOW COATS FOR SHEEP record membership total, 548 at the last count with 89 new members in 2012. Whew !! Chairman & show liaison It was a great Show & Sale with record prices once again but unfortunately quite a few officer Made to order shows were cancelled due to bad weather. Andy McVicar 01686 610615 Our final Newsletter of the year is a packed one with more Show Results, Ifan's Vet Choice of colours and sizes Article and at long last good news about the Genetic Testing Project. There are lots of Secretary interesting articles to read so when you've finished your Christmas lunch you will have Marian Thornett 01597 823013 something to relax in front of the fire with ! Also So enjoy, have a Merry Christmas and a Good New Year. Committee members SHEEP HALTERS Ruth Mills 01584 711489 David Parsons Various styles and colours Editor. Jana Peach 01686440636 Contact NOTE The Editor's email address changed during the Summer and he can now be Chris Smyth 01671 830359 contacted on [email protected] DI GRENYER Tony Moore 01925730530 THE TACK ROOM Correction GET WELL SOON LLUGWY FARM The second highest priced female at the Paula Wills 01736 786173 To Carole Shaw who is home from hospital Show & Sale , Ludlow, was 1020gns LLANBISTER ROAD following a ten hour operation. Carole is and was sold to David Evans, Valerie Howells 01268 741658 POWYS LD1 5UT chatty and bright although not exactly on top Pontarddulais Garden Centre and not of the world but she is progressing well. She to Dalesford Organics as previously Carol Bateman 01874 636549 TELE 01547550641 really appreciates the support and concern of stated. www.llugwy-farm.co.uk the ' Ryeland Family ' and we wish her a Selwyn Evans 01267 275666 speedy recovery.

2 Coloured Ryeland News WS 2d2t uy ar oel Res Laura Howell Res St Res Ca 22nd-25th July Res Doreen Res Andy Selwyn Evans RWAS to announced be Royal Norfolk 26th-27th June Res Pen Reed John Three Bob Webb Counties RBST 16th June Doreen Smillie 29th/30th May Three Counties (Main) 15th June Stafford 18th/19th May Smallholders igo 4hSp Jh ooa Res Pam Bateman Res Laura Res Laura How Donovan John Jeannie Scott A McVicar Res Reed John Res Selwyn Evans Other Shows that need supporting Carys Jones Fair 14th Sept Res Carys Jones Randal Lewis Findon Sheep Pennie Mee Carlisle Show And Sale Paul Harter Kington 14th Sept Res Suzanne Donovan Sennybridge 7th Sept 17th Aug Ludlow show sale and 24th aug 3rd Aug Llyswen Tenbury 1st Aug Burwarton Marian Thornett reviewedbe next autumn when selections for 2014 ar The reserve judges have agreed to judge in 2014 but Great Yorkshire Emley Masham, Halifax Coloured section Tockwith Coloured Classes Ripley Coloured classes Scottish Smallholders colouredfull Section (poss) Wigtown 2 Coloured classes Singleton Rare Breed Show AOB Cranleigh AOB Tendring Hundred AOB Melpash AOB Gillingham and Shaftesbury AOB full coloured Section Honiton Devon 2013 Judging List

one or one two may have to e announced.e Steve Bradbury Suzanne Donovan Suzanne eve Gray rys Jones nie Mee McVicar Howell Smillie ells ells

4 – David Cross 4 - Mr Stephens - Mr 4 Quigley – Susan 2 Whittall – John 3 1 – Brenda McCaull Flock Ewe Cross – David Ryeland 4 McCaull – Brenda 3 Leake – RE 2 Wiggin – Bill 1 Ram Ryeland the popularity. entries and on depending added be into up may classes more divided time in - sections following was competition The food! much so providing for and home your to invite the for Steve and Doreen to Also return. in them support please so advice, and sheep farming supplies and are able to give help stock companies these of All support. generous financial very their for Farmers, Brecon and to Hintons of Leominster, thanks Wynnstay Farmers, Hay grateful Our Group. Herefordshire the and breed the promote help to wishers well and people business companies, Herefordshire local by given generously very been had prizes ably most at barbeque, cooked by Roy Preece and fantastic Keith Jones. Various Gray’s a and Steve giving and prize results, the Smillie for Ledbury near Coddington, Doreen to invited kindly were all we September, 23rd On entered the flocks. all and inspecting the home county the from around miles judge 250 about from travelling to judges the breeders with day fine a was It competition. consented stock noted Warwickshire Brigg, the and John Joshua Messrs August, all 19th Sunday On to entries 14 schedules had returned. and show members Herefordshire the round group, the the “show” of was on members the road. few Queenie a sent from help little a With Jones. Keith and Quennie and and Rollings Trevor Irene namely 2011, in members few a The idea for a flock competition was hatched by Hereford Group Flock Competition2012 3 John Donovan John Elect President Smillie Doreen President (Chair) McVicar Andy Representative CRC Mee Pennie McVicar Sue Lewis David Wales: Scotland: Wear Margaret Wear Richard Chair) (V. Shaw Carole Pinches Jane Parsons David Moore Tony Mills Ruth Chair) V. (Deputy Laurie William President) (V. Jones Anne England Southern & Central Wilkinson Patrick (co-opted) Burton Nic (co-opted) Davison Sandie AlisonRobinson(co-opted) Englandof North Members Council

Coloured Ram Coloured Ewe Flock Kington Show Judge Laura Howell 1 – Judith Mackie 1 – David Duggan 2 - David Duggan 2 – Judith Mackie. The judges were very complimentary Ram 1st R and A Webb 2nd S and A McVicar 3rd M Tho rnett about the standard of all the sheep in the Ram Lamb 1st R and D Williams 2nd R and D Williams 3rd A Swankie show and wished the group all the best for Ewe 1st J Mackie 2nd S and A McVicar 3rd J Mackie the future of the competition. Nest year’s competition will hopefully take place at a Ewe Lamb 1st S and A McVicar 2nd L Whittal 3rd R and A Webb similar time of year and will be run by Group of Three S and A McVicar 2nd Mrs R Hawnt Doreen and Steve. For all of you who have taken part, a BIG THANK YOU. All those Overall Champion R and A Webb Ram handled by Nicky Webb who didn’t, then please sign up for next Res Champion S and A McVicars ewe lamb. year as it is good fun – you don’t have to be a showman shepherd to take part in this one. It’s also a great social occasion to Judges Joshua (centre) and John Brigg (right) meet other local people who keep sheep, visiting the flock of John Whittall (left). to chat and swop ideas and to find out Photo: D Duggan. more information etc. COLOURED SALE AT LLANDOVERY MARKET Lastly, but not least, to Queenie and Keith Jones. If it was not for your ever present th enthusiasm and helpful nature this event would never have got off the ground. THANK The 8 Annual Sale of over 1000 coloured ewes and rams wa s held at th YOU. Llandovery market on Sunday 30 September 2012 and Coloured Ryelands were featured for the first time! David Duggan From the NSA There were fifteen different coloured breeds in the sale and although it is a little late in the season I believe that there is the pote ntial to further develop the Supporting the future of the sheep industry through young people. - NSA furthered Coloured Ryeland presence as this was a popular eve nt. its commitment to the future of the sheep industry recently with a steering group meeting to take forward the project launched at NSA Sheep 2012 to support young people across the sheep industry. A challenging and exciting programme of activities is Eight Coloured Ryeland breeders entered their stock and the female trade was planned, commencing in 2013, which will form the basis of a long term commitment to satisfactory with a top price of 270 guineas each f or a pair of Rochford ewe the next generation of individuals involved in all areas of the sheep industry. The steering lambs. group and project partners bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the initiative, which promises to be an exciting area work for NSA. 5 ewe lambs from the Mansel flock averaged over 200 guineas with four young lambs from the Welsh flock averaging 180 guineas. Sheep Health and Welfare Conference - The Sheep Health and Welfare Conference, which was organised in collaboration with NSA, attracted more than 200 people on This Llandovery Sheep Festival deserves support fro m Coloured Ryeland Wednesday 21 st November – a range of farmers, vets and other industry representatives. A discussion on sheep scab resulted in SHAWG agreeing that an industry-led control breeders in 2013. programme for scab would be its priority going forward. There was a range of excellent speakers, with Gloucestershire farmer Hilary Mann making a very positive impression Selwyn Evans. when she accompanied Lesley Stubbings on stage to explain how she was putting Sustainable Control Of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) principles into practice. She had reduced by 50% the number of times she was worming ewes and lambs but was still achieving excellent performance – scanning at 200%, lambing in late March, rearing

4 Coloured Ryeland News Barony Flock Barony Smyth Ricky and Chris supporting. worth well mo feel to made be they will and humans responsible Festival 2013 to along come should sheep interested a Forfar between alternate to intended is event The whynot! then , and with crossed were they if But moor! heather on Ryelan whether asked been ever have I think don’t I grea was which people, ’right’ the to speaking were w promoters, seasoned as and experience pleasurable da all go the on kept were we classes show assorted displ info Barony our and females 3 and lambs Tup 2 p and wool coloured of lots CRplus stand, Northern for ryelands Coloured 5 forward put Personally, we tai show a have to delighted were people where show efforts. their for congratulated be should they and to somebody took still it but wells, Builth in held proven format, tested and tried a is this course Of cr as aswell animals, breed ofrare keepers scale, inte an with those at aimed was event the Champion, ofsmallhold group a by Organised Market. Forfar at Scottish first the saw September in Sunday last The Photo C Smyth C Photo stand display The Right SCOTTISH SMALLHOLDER SCOTTISH FESTIVAL GROWER AND Best Coloured Ryeland C Smyth C Smyth CSmyth Res C SmythSmyth C 2nd Ryeland Coloured Best Pair Best Smyth C 1st Lamb Ewe Smyth C 1st Ewe Smyth C 2nd CSmyth 1st Lamb Ram Harris Alex 2nd Champion Rosemary 1st Ram The Show Results Show The start the ball rolling up in Scotland Scotland in up rolling ball the start aft and small scale energy fraternity. energy scale small and aft by the Welsh Smallholder festival festival Smallholder Welsh the by There was a definite buzz around the the around buzz definite a was There nd Lanark markets, so any any so markets, Lanark nd Smallholder Festival take place place take Festival Smallholder t! showing and took along the the along took and showing appropriate hill or primitive breed breed primitive or hill appropriate keeping for suitable be would ds y! However it was a really areally was it y!However , preferably accompanied by accompanied preferably , With sale. and display for roducts ers fronted by Rosemary Rosemary by fronted ers rest in producing on a small small a on producing in rest st welcome, it certainly is a show show a is certainly it welcome, st e felt that more than ever, than we more that felt e ay in the sheep pens, plus plus pens, sheep the in ay lored to their needs and interests . interests and needs their to lored Res Champ:Res Champion: Parry - J 2 -Smillie D 1 3 of Group Morgan - R 3 Swankie - S 2 Parry - J 1 Lamb Ewe Morgan - R 3 Swankie - S 2 Harris- L 1 Ewe Shearling Swankie - S 3 Swankie - S 2 Morgan - R 1 Ewe Adult Parry - J 2 -Smillie D 1 Lamb Ram Parry - J 2 -Smillie D 1 Ram Show Monmouth Results: Champ:Res Champion: Wheeler - C 2 Wheeler - C 1 Lamb Ewe Stanger - J 3 Son & -Hodges A 2 Stanger - J 1 Ewe Wheeler - C 3 Wheeler - C 2 Shaw G & - C 1 Lamb Ram Pinches - EJ 3 Pinches - EJ 2 Shaw G & - C 1 Ram Hipps.S Judge: Mowbray Melton RBST Results: D Smillie D Shaw G C & J Parry JParry JStanger for Wool is proving vital in inspiring inspiring in vital time. economic difficult proving is a during consumers and retailers manufacturers, Wool to comparison for in falling 2011/early 2012, but BWMB says the Campaign prices prevent to of lot wool still a in stock. There is little has that can be do result a as and clearances, sale on auction slashing reserve resisted prices, as it would not have had any effect BWMB overseas, in and demand the UK despite low But auctions. slowing sales and lower clearance rates at BWMB last year and in the first quarter of this year led ‘a been prices wool had strong as success’, own its of victim market the said (BWMB) Board Marketing Wool British the conference, annual - again rise the on prices Wool Wales. and England in market lantern sky the of value the at looking as well as problem, the address to doing are countries other what at look also will and 2013 early in begin will study pose an to livestock, crops and the environment. launched The has independent study to Government assess the risks sky lanterns the that news weddings, at welcomed used have celebrations, other and bonfires often are sky which lanterns, into - investigation lanterns ideal announces Defra than burden, parasite less fluke.liver particularly internal is high ewes a and some through nutrition of health the compromised that weather clear to is the it jump with to and early experienced over this the spring, summer and autumn too on is conclusions it With However two. ewes. or week coming the in press the in empty appear well of is easy to relate the two – and reports of this may levels it minds people’s on high (SBV) Schmallenberg high of regions (definitely not all scanners in all regions some in scanners some from reports of - hearing results scanning poor Investigate of at September an average of 19.25kg deadweight. end the by lambs of 90% selling and 175% 5 The NSA and other critics of sky sky of critics other and NSA The Reporting at at its Reporting NSA is is NSA to ne ne ) )

14% rise in lamb consumption in late summer 2012 - In the 12 weeks to 2 nd September, Tenbury Show Judge J Donovan Lyswen Show Judge Selwyn Evans 14% more lamb was sold compared to the same period in 2011, according to the latest Ram (2 entries) Ram figures from Kantar Worldpanel and AHDB. The rise takes the volume sold to 15,656 1st S McVicar Montgomery Noble 1st S and A Mc Vicar tonnes, with £131 million being spent on the product, up 6%. The 12-week year-on-year 2nd Nicky Webb increase has come amid a fall in the average retail price of lamb for the same period of Ram lamb (6 entries) 2nd C Bateman Maltkiln Preston 7%, to £8.35/kg. 1st S Mc Vicar Montgomery Senator 3rd M Thornett Derwen Plover What can be done about falling lamb prices - Finished lamb prices have dipped well 2nd Rand D Williams 3rd R and D Williams Ram Lamb below last year’s values, with store lambs also lower than they should be. The biggest 4th Ann Swankie 5th R Webb 6th J Mackie 1st S and A McVicar reason seems to be connected with the weather, ground conditions, the lack of keep and BEST MALE Montgomery Senator the expected costs of concentrates – these factors are forcing some farmers to sell large Ewe (3 Entries) 2nd S and A McVicar 3rd J Mackie numbers of under-finished lambs and at the same time undermining the confidence of 1st J Mackie 2nd S McVicar 3rd J Mackie Ewe store buyers. The effect is dragging all prices down, ironically at a time when food inflation is on the rise. Ewe Lamb (9 entries ) 1st S and A McVicar 2nd J Mackie 1st S McVicar 2nd A Swankie 3rd J Mackie What can be done? To an extent the problem should resolve itself once some of the 3rd Nicky Webb 4th John Whittal farms who are forced to clear out stock have done so, but stronger incentives through Ewe Lamb 5th Hughes/gray/smillie 6th M Thornett grid pricing for well-finished lambs would help and would put more sense into the market, 1st S and A McVicar 2nd C Bateman and with store prices very reasonable there must be potential for post-Christmas lamb BEST FEMALE J Mackies EWE margins even if feed costs are higher. With the rain still falling onto saturated ground Wool on the Hoof (9 Entries) 3rd M Thornett there will be decisions that farmers are forced to take rather than choosing to take – it’s Somerford Trophy GROUP OF THREE going to be a challenging autumn and winter for many. 1st S McVicar ram lamb 2nd A Swankie 3rd 1st S and A McVicar J Mackie 4th R and D Williams 2nd C Bateman RFBS Fleece and Yarn Group Report. 5th Hughes/Gray/Smillie 6th M Thornett. CHAMPION Sand A McVicar Ram The main focus of the Group’s activity recently has been attendance at this year’s OVERALL CHAMPION Woolfest at Cockermouth Livestock Market on Friday & Saturday, 21st & 22nd June. Montgomery Senator RES CH Sand A McVicar Ram lamb We had three pens booked for the event, one for Coloured Ryelands, one for Ryelands, RESERVE CHAMPION and one for the display board stands and goods. Chris and Ricki Smyth brought the J Mackies Ewe Receiving C and E Bateman trophy and Coloured Ryeland sheep from Dumfries &Galloway on the Friday morning, with the Probationary Judge Karen Page Coloured Ryeland Trophy for Best Coloured Ryeland Group display boards, and stayed the 2 days to help man the stand. Tony & Gill Moore brought two Ryeland ram lambs from Cheshire, as there was no local Group stock available this year. The 3rd pen had the Northern Ryeland Group display board as well as the Coloured Ryeland Group display board. There was space in front of the two Right boards for tables which we covered with knitted and crocheted goods, small bags of washed fleece and some skeins of wool, all from Ryeland and Coloured Ryeland sheep Tony Anslow’s Grand- of course. daughter Ellie (aged 7 Coloured fleeces were provided by Chris and Ricki, and by Sue Trimmings, who came to help on Friday. Kath Rowlands also came to help on the Friday, bringing her spinning years) after handling ram wheel to show how fleece is turned into yarn. A record amount was paid for a coloured lamb Chase Shadow to 1st Ryeland fleece, £25! Coloured fleeces are proving to be very popular at this event, place at Ashbourne Show contrary to the Wool Marketing Board trend! In fact most of the (hundred or so ?) fleeces on the main Fleece Sales stand had gone by the end of the event. The stand was well stocked with a full range of wool related items. Much interest was shown by the visiting public in both sheep and wool, and all available RFBS and Northern Group leaflets had been dispensed by the end of day 2.

6 Coloured Ryeland News 3rd J Burrows Shadowland Panther 4th V Howells Mont Howells V 4th Panther Shadowland Burrows J 3rd Howells V 2nd Nero Shadowland Kelsey Karen 1st Ram Ewe lamb 1st V Howells 2nd Linda Coleman 3rd Bethan 3rd Coleman Linda 2nd Howells V 1st lamb Ewe 3 Howells Val 2nd Coleman Linda 1st entries) (9 Ewe Cleaver Dawn 3rd Ho V 2nd Sherlock Shadowland Howells V 1st lamb Ram Photo Mark Dolden Mark Photo Findon Hoof. the on Wool Ch and ResCh Swift Shadowland with Howells Val Right Cleaver Paul Photo Entries! 9 Findon at Class Ewe The Above FINDON RESULTSFINDON rd Linda Coleman Coleman Linda rd gomery Noah gomery Shadowland Pegasus Pegasus Shadowland wells Shadowland Sonic Shadowland wells Jones. Tony Moore & Chris Smyth.&Chris Moore Tony begratefully will orders) (and ideas Any members. distri as well as possible, are Ravelry and Ebay as who anyone to and Woolfest, AGM, RFBS the at sale batch the get to and members, from fleeces Coloured budget. year’s next from come will balance the that committee fac have agreed to allocate to some money from t required be will funding initial some so kg, go a be to mentioned in this before, column the main proved processor has there as yarn, into processed to it get a decided was Woolfest, from on Following 2 Woolfest at out in helping interested anyone from aspec wool the promoting of idea the on feedback or wo and event, year’s next to forward arelooking We visitors. the and us for success a event the make Colo & Ryeland the all to and pens, the funding for pro it wool beautiful the and breed, our show to us fo Clip, Wool The organisers, the to go must Thanks comportment. m were and represented, breeds Downland / Shortwool and Ryelands, Coloured The technical. too getting inform to enough minutes, 5 about for terms general the demonstration shearing at Woolfest. They spoke Con a Cassie, Cathy by taken was place His Charles. summo been having Friday, the on unavailable was he carried Peter by is out President normally Titley, One of the highlights of the event is the daily com running. year the second area for available in be getting more popular every year. Every stallhold disappear park car (camping) lower the of part with The visitor attendance was extremely good, despite champion to Cagedale champion tup a Pride, shearling from Ro al flock) (Mansell Howell Russell Hyslop. D to sold this time sired by Mansell Limelight. She went over c female reserve the took also Parrys The £550. for purchased by J Spraggon, a relatively new RFBS memb and Jack Caffo Bryn by sired was lamb The Gaerwen. an bred lamb, ewe a was Champion Female Ryeland The was solid but the market for males was very poor wi I Catalogue. the in listed Ryelands Coloured 43 and 22nd September 2012. Entries were 50% higher than o Borderw at place took Sale Northern RFBS second The Carlisle Show& Sale Report 7 mentary mentary in the main auction ring . This of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, but ofbut Trust, Breeds the Survival Rare er space was taken, despite an increase the the appalling rain over the two days, 013 (28th & 29th June). & 29th (28th 013 the border to Lanarkshire for £580, th a large proportion of tups unsold. received. duces, to advantage; to the Society Society the to advantage; to duces, bution via Fleece and Yarn Group Group Yarn and Fleece via bution hampion with their shearling ewe, ewe, shearling their with hampion ing into a lake. The event seems to to seems event The lake. a into ing ilitate this. The Coloured Ryeland Ryeland Coloured The this. ilitate fleeces Ryeland Coloured of batch on each of the sheep breeds in very ured Ryeland breeders who helped helped who breeders Ryeland ured Ryeland Ram lambs were the only only the were lambs Ram Ryeland s need a batch minimum of 25 – 30 uld welcome any comments, ideas ideas comments, any welcome uld bert Morgan bert & Mence. Morgan Robin The and interest the audience without without audience the interest and processed in the spring, ready for for ready spring, the in processed n general terms, trade on females females on trade terms, general n r providing the facilities to enable enable to facilities the providing r t of the breed, and also to hearing hearing to also and breed, the of t heir heir budget this year, and we hope n n 2011 with a total of 77 Ryelands servation Breeder, and who does does who and Breeder, servation The plan is to collect about 10 10 about collect to is plan The so judged the males, giving the the giving males, the judged so od demand for it. As has been been has As it. for demand od er from Lanchester, Co. Durham is interested. Other outlets, such such outlets, Other isinterested. out of a home bred ewe. She She ewe. bred home a of out ned to a meeting with Prince Prince with meeting a to ned ay Mart, Carlisle on Saturday Saturday on Carlisle Mart, ay odels of good behaviour and and behaviour good of odels d exhibited by A & E Parry, Parry, E & A by exhibited d Results Three Counties Rare FINDON SHEEP FAIR Breeds Judge : M wear Ram After a summer of floods and cancelled shows Saturday 8th September 1 - A Robinson 2012 dawned bright and sunny, the day of the Findon Sheep Fair in 2 - C & G Shaw Sussex. This was the first year for separate classes for Coloured 3 - A Robinson Ryelands and I was very excited at the prospect. A good number of new J & S Donovan breeders/exhibitors had entered and it had all the ingredients of being a Ram Lamb 1 - A Robinson great day! Our Judge was Vivienne Miles a well respected all round 2 - A Wright sheep judge and this was her first time judging a Coloured Ryeland 3 - C & G Shaw class. 4 - A Davies The show management team had done a great job with a large ring for Ewe us and sheep pens almost all together! Complimentary bacon rolls for 1 - J & S Donovan Female Champion - Ewe lamb bred and exhibited 2 - A Davies all the exhibitors as well! and A & E Parry, seen here with Eleanor Parry. 3 - C & G Shaw Judging started promptly at 10 am with a terrific entry of 27 sheep Photo. Patrick Wilkinson. 4 - A Robinson between 6 exhibitors. Vivienne Miles did a thorough job and explained Ewe Lamb reserve went to the same flock, the ram lamb her placing to all of us which was very helpful to all of us especially Cagedale Shepherd, sired by Hawthorns Libra. He 1 - A Robinson new exhibitors. Best Of Breed went to Jim and Karen Kelsey was purchased by J & PA Warren, Bakewell, 2 - A Wright 3 - A Davies with their ram Shadowland Nero who were over the moon as this was Derbyshire, for £300. their first time in the show ring! Res Best of Breed went to my own ewe A good entry of Coloured Ryelands was judged by 4 - D Smillie Group Sandie Davison (Hambleton Mawe Flock). The lamb Shadowland Swift, who then to my amazement went on to win Female Champion prize was claimed by another 1 - A Davies Champion Wool on the Hoof! Wales based flock. A ewe lamb from D Evans, 2 - A Robinson The weather was kind to us all day and after the judging we all enjoyed Carmathen sired by Drumson Northstar, was the 3 - J & S Donovan a picnic and a chat sitting in the sun! My thanks go to all the exhibitors judge’s choice and she was sold to WR Holloway, 4 - A Wright Champion: who supported this show and to Judge Vivienne Miles for a great job. I Skirpenbeck, York for £400. The top priced coloured J & S Donovan Res Champ: hope to see you all (and more!) next year when our judge will ewe, also from D Evans, and placed second in the A Robinson ewe lamb class, went to the same purchaser for £520. be Andy McVicar. The Evans’ completed a good day out by taking the Reserve Female Val Howells Championship with their home bred shearling ewe which sold for Right £300 to Cuddington Manor Farms, Jim and Karen Kelsey Nantwich. The Champion with Shadowland Nero Coloured Ryleland male was awarded to T Glover’s Night Star Sooty. Sired by Sproxton Panda Ch Coloured Ryeland and out of a Lightwater ewe, he Coloured Shearling Ewe line up. Photo Mark Dolden Left to Right:: D Evans, R McCornick, C Broughton. Photo: P Wilkinson.

8 Coloured Ryeland News sheep! wit time this visit next our to forward look are We seating. ample was there rings showing the around inc went you everywhere public, the for arrangement thes were us most impressed that things the of One class.large very i fourth placed was Ryeland Coloured Stone’s Jordan and present sheep of breeds all from sheep trimmed be the for class a Sponsored and Judged Taylor John ram. his with Stone by won was which champion, breed a pick to out cut hi had Andy and excellent was sheep of standard The bree local other by supported were they compliment, a good brought Stone Jordan and Howells Val both Sheep Ryeland Coloured of turnout good a was There committee. show agend the on high was welfare exhibitor’s and sheep bo clearly them, between aisles wide good with pens wo traditional in penned were sheep the exhibitors, sheep all for room of plenty was there canvas under sheep, the for thefacilities by impressed were We t event an seen is many by show the clearly dressed equally were public the of members many that amazed also. hats and dresses in dressed beautifully were lady the and hats bowler and suits black in dressed formal were many) were there which (Of stewards the a detail for eye an have committee show the Clearly event. organised well and spectacular what of part feel to made were we and of care taken arrangement our all itsbest at hospitality Norfolk experie we arrived we that the moment from and show at Ryelands theColoured judging was Andy year This it. worth well was journey the showgrou the to Wales Mid from get to driving hours ha We calendar. showing the in gem hidden wonderful i show this to been never have who you of those For 2012 June 28th & 27th on Norwich at held was Norfolk Royal the to visit first our was year This What a Wonderful Show Wonderful a What Sue McVicar Sue s were s Show that that Show We were were We h our hour although although stewards stewards oden oden eating eating attend. o and and is a a is nd all of of all nd the the t is a is t a of the the of a st st th th ders. ders. luding luding Jordan Jordan n a a n work s nd, but but nd, ly ly the the and and nced nced well well d five five d 2 - C Smyth - C 2 Trimmings - S 1 Hoof the on Wool Champ Male Res Champion: Male Chaffey - P 2 Glover- T 1 Lamb Ram -Evans D 2 Stone - J 1 Ram Shearling ChampFem Res Champion: Female -Evans D 2 -Evans D 1 Lamb Ewe McCmornick - R 2 -Evans D 1 Ewe Shearling DavisonS Judge Ryelands: C. Parry E -& A 2 Glover- T 1 Hoof the on Wool Champ: Male Res Champion: Male Parry E -& A 2 Morgan - R 1 Lamb Ram Morgan - R 2 Morgan - R 1 Ram Shearling -Lawson D 2 -Lawson D 1 RamSenior Champ: Fem Res Champion: Female Blair Hunter D -& A 2 Parry E -& A 1 Lamb Ewe -Robinson A 2 Parry E -& A 1 Ewe Shearling Howell R Judge Ryelands: Results Show Carlisle : D Evans D : T Glover T RMorgan : JStone: A & E Parry E & A RMorgan D Evans D Parry E & A Richard Wear Richard poultry. and pigs and cattle 1500 sheep, 4000 with full up is Market the Saturday Unfortunately this sale is on a Thursday because face. leg and body and without too much wool on their of length have they provided West South the in Rams Crossing Ryeland for demand a is There Mills. John from old year 4 a for The older Rams all sold for crossing for 135gns. from purchaser R.P.Wearof flock the from both Wales, South same the 300gns.to for sold ) unrelated ( Lamb Ram a and 360gns at Lamb Ewe a for was price top the and sold all were sale for offered Ryelands 5 section the sheep In poultry. and pigs cattle, sheep, of entry large a attracted Sedgemoor at Sale RBST The (98)200.00 Auctioneers:HarrisonHetherington. & Coloured Ram lambs (310) 231.67 Coloured Shearlingrams (135) 233.33 (500) 234.44 Coloured Lambsewe Coloured ShearlingEwes (247) 165.00 Ram Lambs (185) 180.00 ShearlingRams (262) 110.00 (289) 185.88 Aged Ram Lambs Ewe ShearlingEwes 227.31 (261) Averages (2011 £ averages) Lucifer and out of a Teilio ewe, he sold to N N to sold £320. for he Stewart Newton Scott, ewe, Teilio a of Meidrim out by and Sired Lucifer Stone. Jordan by bred ram at Selkirk. The reserve Champion was a shearling made £350 in the ring, going north to John Wilson SEDGEMOOR MARKET 9 SEPTEMBER13TH. RBST SALE Notes from Council. their help and support. Over the last twelve months we have travelled so many miles, Edinburgh, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Carlisle to name just a few.

•Council approved the co-option of three more members to Council to represent the We have had so much pleasure showing our sheep and been fortunate in having many North of England region. The new members of Council are Alison Robinson, Nic successes which include the Downs Champion with our Coloured Ryeland Ram at the Burton, and Sandie Davison. They will serve on Council for the remainder of current Three Counties Show and over the years have won a number of championships with our term ie until April 2015. Coloured Ryelands. • Three letters from members were received and discussed. The issues raised related to With our Ryeland sheep one of the highlights for us will always be having won the Male upset prices at the Ludlow Show & Sale and the inspection of sheep at both Ludlow Champion and Reserve Group of Three at the Royal Welsh Show in 2008 and Carlisle. Council will discuss both these issues in more detail at future meetings. I could waffle on for ages about Ryeland and Coloured Ryeland Sheep and the wonderful • Andy McVicar reported that the Coloured Ryeland Committee intended to introduce people that we have met and the friends that we have made because of them. a points trophy for coloured ryelands in 2013. • There was a lengthy discussion on whether or not the National Show should remain at Although our sheep take up a huge amount of my time, I also work full time for Age Three Counties or if entries could be boosted by moving to another venue, possibly a Cymru Powys, an older people’s charity where I am the Chief Executive, so life is busy one day event. There was a general feeling that the number of sheep entered in 2012 and I find that our sheep are a great stress relief. was disappointing and the difficulty of committing to attend a three day show was I will always be grateful that we bought those first few lawn mowers, never realising thought to be a contributing factor. It was agreed that if it went to a one day show there how they would change my life. would need to be provision for exhibitors to bring sheep in the night before. John Donovan and Doreen Smillie agreed to investigate the options. Andy McVicar •De-brief from the Ludlow Sale – the general feeling was that the day ran smoothly although a few minor points were highlighted for “tweaking” before next year. •Carlisle Sale – it was agreed that there were serious issues with the distribution of Hereford Group News catalogues for this sale – this was supposed to be the auctioneer’s responsibility. It was agreed that the RFBS will probably have to take the production of the catalogue in The Hereford Group has had a busy summer, with a strawberry tea, and a trip to Holme house next year. Lacy College Farm followed by a pub supper. On July 11th Hereford Council organized •The 2013 AGM would be held on the North of England region – venue to be confirmed a Diamond day event on the George V playing fields as part of the Queen’s Jubilee tour. in due course. Brenda McCaull’s Ryelands featured in the Leominster display, and John and Lin Whittal kindly brought along three sheep which were much admired by the local children. Other NOTE: The next meeting of Council takes place in the middle of January. If you have events included a flock competition kindly organized by Queenie Jones. This was judged any issues you would like Council to discuss, please contact the Secretary by Saturday on August 12th by John and Joshua Briggs. The results were announced at the barbeque 5th January. and prize giving hosted by Doreen Smillie and Steve Grey on September 23 rd .

OBITUARY This was followed by our annual show which took place as part of the Wormside KENNETH STEWART - THE LAST LAIRD OF COLL th Kenneth Stewart, a staunch supporter of the Ryeland Society, died on August 18th. aged Agricultural Show and Ploughing Match on October 6 . The weather was fine and there 87. He inherited the Island of Coll, (an island 4 miles west of Mull) approximately 20,000 was a reasonable turnout of sheep, judged by Mrs Ann Davies from Brecon. acres from his Grandfather in 1942 when he was 18 years old, not knowing that his Father had died 6 months previously of dysentry in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp Unfortunately as postal costs have increased so much we have regretfully decided to In the 1970's he became one of the first members of the RBST and was reputed to have notify members by email only unless specifically requested. Please let Dorothy one of the largest collections of rare breeds in Scotland, boasting 55 of the 72 listed. ([email protected] ) know your email address so that she can keep you abreast The collection comprised cattle, sheep and poultry. He was a regular buyer at the RBST of our activities. Show and Sale at Stoneleigh where he started his flock of Ryeland Sheep, always buying the best on offer. Mary Walter Unfortunately he had a severe stroke in 1989 which meant selling the Isle of Coll. He moved to Selkirk where he continued with his Ryelands and many of his rare breeds.

10 23 under ten acres to keep our horses. We quickly realised that our horses were unable to Last year a book on his life was published - ' The Last Laird of Coll ' which I am told keep pace with the quick growing Welsh grass, so we purchased a few Coloured makes very interesting reading. Ryelands. He judged Ryelands at the Royal Highland Show. We never intended to breed sheep we just wanted to have a few lawnmowers to keep the Our sympathies are with his wife Janet and their 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren. grass down. Within twelve months we were well smitten and we purchased a ram and Richard Wear a few breeding ewes and that was the start of it.h ow life has changed since then! IVOR GWATKIN After a few years we got the showing Ivor Gwatkin died on August 10th only 2 days after feeding his sheep and poultry. He bug. Our first show was the was the owner of the third oldest flock ( no.357 ) which he founded in the late 40's. Smallholders at Builth Wells -to say that Ivor was a true farmer and exhibited his sheep at a few minor shows along with his we were unprepared is an poultry. In recent years he started producing cider, along with his 2 sons and you will understatement. When we arrived on the now see their stand at the Three Counties Show and other events in the Hereford area. Friday night there were only a few sheep Its is most gratifying to know that Ivor's 2 sons are looking forward to keeping the in the shed. However when we arrived Ryelands and in fact they purchased a Shearling Ram at Ludlow this year. back at the show ground at 7am the next A true gentlemen working farmer whose life was spent enjoying working his farm and day we were confronted with a shed full livestock of immaculately trimmed sheep. We Our sympathies are with his wife and 2 sons. both looked at each other and thought what are we doing here. The friendship Richard Wear help and advice at that first show got us hooked. From the Vets

After a few years we had both a Ryeland As we draw toward the end of another year our thoughts shift to the new lambing season. and Coloured Ryeland Flock and we 2012 will long be remembered as a sporting year with the London Olympics and now have about sixty in total. We have Paralympics being the pinnacle when we enjoyed so much British success. The had to increase from ten acres to nearly performances of Bradley Wiggins , Mo Farah (mobot), Jessica Ennis, David Weir and thirty to accommodate all of the sheep. Ellie Symmonds will remain in our memories for a very long time. We will relish those What pleasure we have had over the last golden moments and can be justifiably proud that Great Britain and London in particular Andy, his niece and wife Sue (right) with their ten years since buying our first sheep. put on such a great show. prizewiining group of Three at the Royal Welsh. We have met and made many good Unfortunately, we cannot be so proud of the weather. It’s been a particularly challenging Photo: Carole Bateman friends from all walks of life and we year for farmers when a wet spring was followed by a wet summer and then a wet autumn. Crops have been severely affected with very few windows of fine weather to gather the have learnt so much about the wonderful Ryeland breed and it’s heritage. harvest. Forage quality will no doubt be affected and, ultimately, this will make for a How we got involved with committee work with the Ryeland Flock Book Society is still challenging winter for our Ryeland flocks. a bit of a mystery - whether we were in the right or wrong place at the time I don’t really know. Sue was elected onto council and I became a committee member of the Coloured As if this wasn’t enough, flock owners are entering the unknown with the spectre of Ryeland Group of which I am now Chairman. Schmallenberg virus and it’s potential impact on the lamb crop. The most recent data I was elected as President of the society in 2010 which for me was a real honour. It gave released by AHVLA (Animal Health Veterinary Laboratory Agency) at the end of us the chance to travel the country and meet so many wonderful people. The highlight November indicates that the virus has spread to most areas and counties within Great for me as Society President was my Open Day at Ledbury with nearly 100 members both Britain. We remain in a state of enhanced surveillance with AHVLA urging farmers and old and new attending. stock keepers to remain vigilant and continue to report suspect cases to their private vet. Schmallenberg is not a notifiable disease but it is important to monitor it’s spread and I was elected Chairman of the Society in April, 2012 and I have to say the task is not confirm it’s presence where suspicion exists. easy. It is difficult to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors, many of whom have a You may want to refer to an article on Schmallenberg that appeared in the March 2012 greater knowledge of Ryelandsheep than I will ever have. I will always be grateful for newsletter. Here is a reminder of the main clinical symptoms in sheep. The main feature

22 11 of the disease in the UK is abortion or the Results: Liskeard Show 01792 - Kay Livesey, Bank Farm, Calwich, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE6 2EB birth of calves/lambs/kids with physical Judge: S Lake. 01793 - John Bolton, Greenhead, Norland, Sowerby Bridge, W Yorks HX6 3QZ defects. These include: Adult Ram 01794 - Richard Smith, New Farm, Daylesford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos GL56 0YG Abnormally bent joints 1 - Lt Col & Mrs CW Charlton 01795 - N Fox, Oak Bank Farm, Barrows Lane, Sway, Lymington, Hants, SO41 6DE (sometimes bent backwards) 2 - SJ Ramsden 01796 - Jessica Crang, Trees Cottage, Hedge Lane, Pylle, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6SU “Frozen” joints, bent spines 3 - Lt Col & Mrs CW Charlton 01797 - Wayne Handley, 7 Hamlet Road, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 2NR Enlarged/swollen head. Ram Lamb 01798 - Clive Jones, Sunnybank Farm, Stoke Prior, Leominster, HR6 0NF Some may appear normal at birth 1 - SJ Ramsden 01799 - Adam Freeman, 12 Elphinstone Cresecent, Airth, Falkirk, Scotland, FK2 8JX but exhibit nervous signs such as 2 - RN Gardner 1800 - Delyth Dunn, Masegarnedd, Lllanelltyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TA blindness, poor balance, poor/no 3 - Lt Col & Mrs CW Charlton 01801 - Mrs Jenny Driver, Lodge Cottage, Barton le Willows, York, YO60 7PD suck reflex and fits. Breeding Ewe 01802 - John Morgan, Hen Felin, Groes, Denbigh, Denbighshire, LL16 5DE 1 - Lt Col & Mrs CW Charlton 01803 - Sian Pugh, Bodtalog, Cwmystwyth, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 4AQ WARNING: Please be aware that 2 - Lt Col & Mrs CW Charlton infected foetuses will cause lambing 3 - RM Gardner Coloured Ryelands. difficulties and potential welfare issues Shearling Ewe 405C - Brodie Summerfield, Ashley Moor Hall, Orielton, Ludlow,SY8 4JJ due to the abnormal shape and joint 1 - Lt Col & Mrs CW Charlton 406C - Helen J.G. Edwards, Manor Farm, Doulting, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4QG. abnormalities. Many of the ewes will 2 - RN Gardenr 407C - Martin Connors, The Rowans, Nawton Road, Wombleton, N Yorks, YO62 7RT require assistance at lambing, which 3 - SJ Ramsden 408C - Helen Griffith, Glôg Farm, Llangain, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA33 5AY could include a caesarean section. Ewe Lamb 409C - Gwen Nevill, Meadowgreen Farm, Hopshill Lane, Saundersfoot, SA69 9ED. These foetal deformities are associated with 1 - SJ Ramsden 410C - John Bolton, Greenhead, Norland, Sowerby Bridge, W Yorks HX6 3QZ infection of the ewe during the second 2 - P Wills 411C - Mike Corwood, Cuddington Manor Farm, Grange Lane, Northwich, CW8 2SR month of pregnancy. Infection doesn’t 3 - RN Gardener cause observable illness in sheep. Infection Group of Three Member Profile - Andy McVicar 1 - Lt Col & Mrs CW Charlton of the ewe during the second month of I am a 50s child so I will leave it up to you to guess my actual age! pregnancy will spread to the foetus and 2 - SJ Ramsden cause the deformities present at birth. 3 - RN Gardener I was born in Usk, Monmouthshire and I therefore regard myself as Welsh. My parents Infection of sheep outside pregnancy will Champion: Lt Col & Mrs CW Charlton farmed a mixed farm consisting of sheep, dairy and store cattle and cereals. trigger a strong immune response that will Res Champ: Lt Col & Mrs CW My father was an excellent farmer and realised in the early sixties that being a farmer protect the sheep against subsequent Charlton with limited acreage was not likely to be sustainable in the long term. Therefore he infection. decided to sell up and move into farm management which he had trained for at Harper Midges carry the virus. The bite of an affected midge will introduce the infection into Adams and as a result the family moved to Shropshire where he took over the sheep. It is not spread from sheep to sheep. It is spread midge to sheep or sheep to midge management of a 650 acre farm. He later took up the position as Farms Manager of to sheep. Therefore, infection only occurs during the midge season. Blenheim Estate in Oxfordshire farming some 6,500 acres. There have been reports of reduced pregnancy rates and poor scanning results in many As a youngster I always enjoyed the mechanical side of farming, however at the tender areas during the last few months. There is no evidence to support Schmallenberg virus age of eleven to eighteen I was sent away to boarding school, although involved with as the causative agent in these instances. However, in the last few weeks, there have been the local Young Farmers Club I lost my spark for farming. reports of very early lambing flocks experiencing the birth of deformed lambs. Some of these have subsequently been confirmed as Schmallenberg. These ewes would’ve been I had not got a clue what I really wanted to do with my life, but a friend of mine had tupped in early July and infected during the month of August. recently joined the Police Force so I decided to join up, which took up over thirty years It’s not possible to predict how the impact of this disease will develop when we enter of my life. It was for me a good decision, I spent a few years pounding the beat, a short the busier lambing season from January onwards. There is very little that flock keepers spell on CID then 20 years on the Fraud Squad investigating serious fraud and corruption can do at this stage to influence the outcome. Vigilance and good observation will be offences, which took me to many overseas counties. essential during the lambing period in your flock in order to pick up on difficult births In later years of our police service Sue and I started to hanker for our agricultural routes caused by the deformities. so we bought a Horse Livery Yard in Worcestershire having over twenty horses at Livery. In 2001 we decided to move back to Wales and bought a smallholding which was just

12 21 sold before Lady Day with almost as much loose fat within them as they were pounds Liver fluke. per quarter (Agricultural Magazine July 1890). This last feature is characteristics of The wet weather we’ve experienced in 2012 has resulted in a significant increase in the Ryeland sheep everywhere. It quickly fattens, but the superabundant fat is not made to incidence of liver fluke. Sheep can suffer from acute or chronic disease. Acute disease load the muscles externally as in come other breeds; it is accumulated within and the typically occurs in the autumn in sheep infected by large numbers of fluke. The sheer flesh is, on that account, more generally acceptable. number of fluke in the liver will quickly lead to liver failure and death. Liver fluke is What Youatt says of their hardihood and general good qualities has been found to be associated with wet ground, muddy areas and pools/puddles in fields (sounds like most perfectly correct. By careful selection, and in some instances by a slight introduction of places in 2012!). These areas provide the ideal environment for the water snail, which other blood, the Ryeland has been enlarged in size and generally improved without is the intermediary host of liver fluke. There have been many reports in 2012 of sudden affecting either its hardihood or the quality of the mutton. In a well kept flock at the death in sheep caused by liver fluke and there’s been an increase in the number of liver present time the wethers attain the weight of 18 – 20 pounds per quarter when twelve condemnations at abattoirs due to fluke. Be aware that liver fluke can be the cause of months old and the ewes from 20 – 25lb per quarter at two or three years old. These sudden death, illness, weight loss and a condition termed “bottle jaw”. Always consider weights are often exceeded, but are fair weights for a well managed flock. Of course, the liver fluke if any of these occur or are present in your flock. A simple post mortem carried Ryelands, like other breeds, thrive best on good sheep land; but there are tracts of land out on in cases of sudden death will reveal if there is an association with liver fluke . on which other breeds will not do so well, especially on cold, damp soils producing Contact your vet for advice regarding investigation and advice on a treatment and inferior herbage. O such lands the Ryeland shows its superiority by thriving where other preventative programme. A more in depth article on liver fluke is planned for a future breeds starve. newsletter. The wool producing properties of the Ryeland are also much increased. Youatt speaks of them as averaging 2lb per fleece in 1800, and as having increased to 4lb in 1828. A This is the last article for 2012. Both Dick Thomson and myself hope you’ve enjoyed moderately well kept flock will now average 5 – 6lb per sheep and a well managed flock, these articles and that you find them of some value. We always welcome any feedback where the young sheep are not shorn as lambs, 8lb each. One great feature in favour of or queries. We both wish all readers and breeders a Merry Christmas and a Happy New the Ryeland sheep is that they are not so susceptible to foot rot as most other breeds. Year! This may be in a great measure due to their feet being protected by a good strong thick hoof. Anyone accustomed to paring sheep’s feet to keep them in proper order will know Ifan Lloyd MRCVS (if they are acquainted with Ryelands) that with them they can cut away freely without fetching blood; but with most of the down breeds the hoof is so thin that directly you Ryeland Flock Visit touch it with the knife the blood spurts out. A hoof so thin is but poor protection to the foot. Visit Date: 25 Jul 2012 Flock: Springwater The locality in which the Ryelands are now bred is chiefly in Breconshire, with its cold Flock No .: 1481 Owner: Philip Tyler climate and often inferior herbage, on which they are found to thrive better than any of My visit to the Springwater flock was both fascinating and different. It is relatively little the down breeds. There are some flocks in Herefordshire and other counties. A known, because Philip Tyler and his wife Nicola have never had the time to show their considerable number have been exported to New Zealand, Argentina, the United States Ryelands due to the demands of their equine nutrition business, TopSpec, and an equal and Canada. It will be found that the Ryeland, for hardihood and ability to thrive on passion for breeding and showing Dartmoor ponies, so they have escaped the attention moderate herbage, and its practical exemption from foot rot, cannot be excelled. Amongst of many in the Ryeland world. But, behind the scenes, there is some seriously expert other advantages possessed by the breed , its value for crossing purposes should be flock development being carried out here. Both Philip and Nicola hold degrees in Animal mentioned. It is now in many places a favourite cross with the hill ewes for the production Physiology and Biochemistry and have many years of experience in animal breeding of fat lambs. and genetics. Philip worked for the Milk Marketing Board for thirty years working on cattle breed development, before they started TopSpec in 2000. Middle Park Farm is New Members - 14th July - 20th October their home and the hub of the business, with offices and research and development Ryelands. facilities for their animal nutrition products, primarily equine, that is manufactured at 01787 - Andrew Wilson, Glenisla, 14 Church Road, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 1AE four plants around the UK and distributed worldwide. Such professional expertise is 01788 - Debbie Jones, Grange Cottage, Old Weston, Huntingdon, PE28 5LT also being applied to their Ryelands and the flock has been carefully developed over the 01081 - Rachel Hood, Castallack Farm, Castallack, Lamorna, Penzance, TR19 6NL last seven years. Having first achieved consistency in their ewes, a new, top quality ram 01789 - Robert Cole, Pasture’s Farm, Farm Town, Coleorton, Leics LE67 8HF. was needed. They spotted Ruslin No Colour as a ram lamb at the Bath and West show, 01790 - Grant Kennedy, 1 Bathbank Cottage, Dalry, Ayrshire, KA24 4EW and he was eventually purchased as a shearling for a record breed price at Ludlow Show 01791 - Richard Ferguson, 40 Landsowne Close, Ramsbottam, Bury, Lancs, BL0 9WE and Sale in 2011. Purchasing the best was part of the quest to build a sound commercial

20 13 flock and produce quality rams for sale that have been tested to try and identify those various times been not carrying the coloured gene. Now satisfied that they are producing high quality sheep benefited by the to a consistent type, this year will see them testing tup lambs on Shetland ewes; the same introduction of other method as used by Richard Wear. blood, such as the The home of the Cotswold and the New Springwater flock is at Location : Leicester, the last Middle Park Farm at named having, soon Pickhill, a small village after its formation as a located north west of Thirsk breed, been used to in North Yorkshire. The improve the fattening farm comprises 56 acres, properties of nearly divided into 12 fields. It is every other breed of low lying land at an sheep in Great Britain. elevation of 90 feet between In Youatt’s book upon the Howardian Hills of the sheep, published in Yorkshire Dales National 1837, the Ryeland is Park to the west and the North York Moors National mentioned as being one of the most valuable of out English breeds. Writing about the Park to the east. It is sheep kept in various counties, he never makes mention of several breeds that now stand relatively exposed and the high in public estimation and possess the advantage of having well complied flock books. Ryeland Tup running with coloured Shetland ewes. open landscape is quite These breeds have since been formed in each instance from surrounding materials by Photo: Phillip Tyler windy. A heavy clay soil the unremitting energy and attention of a few masterminds, who having an ideal sheep in their mind’s eye, worked on assiduously selecting and drafting their several flocks brings the usual problems of too wet in winter and too dry in summer, but with good until they formed a new breed. fertility in the extensive pastures of the farm. Hardly any fertiliser is used and when the Respecting the origin and early history of the Ryelands, Youatt, writing of the sheep Tylers arrived in 2005, they began improving the grassland, slot seeding with Perennial bred in Herefordshire, says that “its distinguishing breed is the Ryeland so called from Ryegrass, fescues and white clover. a district in the southern part of that county on which a great quantity of rye used to be How did you get into Ryelands? We lived near Margaret and Stephen Hipps in the grown, and where many of these sheep were bred. It is a small breed, seldom exceeding 1970’s. We were breeding pedigree Suffolks at the time and then the Hipps acquired 14 or 16lb per quarter in the wether and from 10 to 13lb in the ewe. They have white their Ryelands. They were good friends and we shared a passion for our sheep, but we faces and are polled, the wool growing close to and sometimes covering the eyes. The had no more to do with the Ryeland breed until we moved to Pickhill in 2005. Even legs are small and clean, the bone altogether light; the carcass round and compact and with the forty horses and ponies we keep for the horse feed research and development, peculiarly developing itself on the loins and haunches. The Ryeland has the form which we needed sheep to manage the grazing. We wanted a rare breed as we felt the market at once bespeaks it to be patient of hunger and capable of thriving on very scanty fare. potential for breeding good stock was greater. We could have gone into Suffolks or It scarcely admits of dispute that the old Ryeland would endure privation of food better Texels but wanted something a bit more enjoyable and easier to handle. We walked the than any other breed. Sir Joseph Banks, who was well acquainted with their constitution sheep lines at the Royal Show to choose which breed and we knew it had to be a very and habits, used to say that the Ryeland deserved “ a niche in the temple of fame”. The careful decision because we were probably going to spend the rest of our lives with it. weight of the fleece rarely exceeds 2lb, but it possesses a degree of fineness unequalled The easy to manage Ryeland ended up as our first choice and shortly afterwards we by any other British breed. The diameter of the fibre is 1/750 th part of an inch: that of the bought a flock of eight Ryelands from Shirley Hindle who was giving up her sheep. We th bought in a few females later, but the vast majority of our ewes are home bred. Southdown is 1/609 of an inch. The number of serrations are 2420; those of the Southdown are but 2080. When the wool of the Cornish sheep was spoken of (Youatt Do you keep any other sheep breeds? We keep twenty Shetlands for testing the p245), it would appear that the Hereford breed of sheep was known as early as the year Ryeland rams for the coloured gene. 1343. What is the size of your flock? When the meat lambs have gone, the flock is forty A curious account is given of the settlement of a flock of Ryelands in the vale of Taunton. Ryelands. Breeding ewes: twenty five - all but four of these are home bred. Breeding The ewes were de-pastured on the highlands west of the vale during the summer and rams: two. Gimmer lambs: ten, being kept to shearlings. Ram lambs: eighteen produced came back to the vale in good store state. One lot was put on turnips, and they were all

14 19 project should provide useful reference points to assist the main MRes research project. this year, with three over the winter being tested on the Shetland ewes. We need to test We would like to thank the two breeders who very kindly agreed to provide samples. each of the three tup lambs on six or seven Shetlands for a reliable result. We were fairly Camilla Ryan is carrying out this work. slow to grow the flock at the start and tended to keep the ewes until they were a bit older It’s all pretty exciting stuff! It’s a massive relief that we’re finally getting down to some than we do today. Now we cull out lines more firmly with characteristics we don’t want real research. to keep and we’ve grown the flock organically, rather than buying in females, which has Regular updates will appear in the newsletter. produced good consistency. Ifan Lloyd MRCVS Do you keep any wethers? No. Chairman Genetics Sub-Committee How would you describe a sheep as typical of your flock? Ashbourne Show Probably of a size and scope that is a bit bigger than the average – what many would regard as a more commercial build. It should have a good structure and be very sound We now have a new Trophy for this event from Results: Ashbourne Show physically, but without the disadvantages of, for example, a heavy front end that can lead the Ryeland Flock Book Society, as well as a Judge: S Gray to lambing difficulties. We select ewes for ease of lambing and try and produce sheep trophy from the Ashbourne Show, and unless Senior Ram with a fat covering that is probably less than most. A Ryeland should not be ‘heavy someone has any other suggestion, the Ryeland 1 - J Whittall boned’ – you see some with very coarse bone and too wide a front end. Rams should Flock Book trophy will be awarded to the best 2 - S Briggs be square, heavy, and not too big on the shoulders. But, most importantly, for the best in show, and the Ashbourne trophy will go to Shearling Ram saleable stock, the pedigree has to be right first! the reserve champion. Ashbourne Show, have 1 - S Briggs As a White flock, what is your attitude to producing coloured lambs? put on Ryeland classes for us, for the last two 2 - C & G Shaw years, and looked after us very well. Hope you Ram Lamb We feel there is a significant market for those who want very high quality stock that is proven to be unlikely to produce coloured lambs. It’s that market we intend to focus on can come and join us at this truly delightful 1 - T Anslow and develop a good reputation for our breed lines. The Ryeland is an attractive breed to show next year, give it a go!! We do now have 2 - T Anslow look at and it would be preferable for coloured sheep to be bred in a solid pure colour. lots of new members in the midlands, and you Breeding Ewe will be assured of a warm welcome, and a good 1 - J Whittall When do you usually plan to lamb? We plan to lamb in February, with tupping in late day out. I will not list the coloured entries, they Shearling Ewe August. were entered in the ‘any other pure british 1 - C & G Shaw Do you scan your ewes? Yes. breed’, and Val has already given the results in 2 - C & G Shaw the September newsletter. Ewe Lamb Do you know your lambing percentage? This year it was 150% and we had two sets The show champion was Greg Shaw, winning 1 - J Whittall of triplets this year. the new Ryeland Trophy and reserve was Steve 2 - T Anslow Your facilities? We have a large open fronted barn for lambing inside and the ewes Briggs, winning the Ashbourne Trophy. Many Group of Three move inside at Christmas. We lamb in individual pens. After forty eight hours the ewe thanks to our judge, Steve Gray, who came all 1 - C & G Shaw and lambs are moved out of the lambing pen and then, as soon as we can, the ewes and the way from Ledbury to judge the Ryeland 2 - J Whittall lambs then go back outside. This may be as short as a week or as long as a month, classes. Champion: C & G Shaw depending upon the weather. We regard hygiene as paramount to avoid problems during Res Champ : S Briggs lambing. Carole Shaw Do you have any help at lambing? I (Philip) do all the lambing with the help of my son-in-law Martyn. We need ewes that lamb easily! Have you ever used sponging or A.I.? No, we haven’t used it on the Ryelands. Ryelands - “The Life of the Farm” 1913. What proportion do you usually send for meat? Nearly all the rams lambs are sent Extract for meat – we would only keep the very best and in recent years have bought in ram Sent in by Roger Pipe - Written by J.T. Pinches. lambs for adding specific breed lines to our flock. Ryeland Sheep. Do you eat your own meat? Yes. Ryelands are certainly one of the oldest – if not the very oldest- breeds of English sheep Shearing: when do you shear your sheep? In June, but the date depends upon the of which we have any record. Like most other English breeds of sheep they have at weather.

18 15 What do you do with your wool? It goes to the Wool Marketing Board. Genetics Sub-Committee Report. Do you feed hay, haylage or silage? We feed hay ad-lib to the whole flock through the Most members will be aware that the Society has set up a partnership with Professor winter once the grass has lost its nutritional quality. We don’t like feeding haylage – Mike Bruford, School of Bio-Sciences, Cardiff University to undertake genetic research it’s too rich for Ryelands - they need a higher fibre forage. on the Ryeland breed as part of a three year PhD project. Do you make any? Yes, we make all our own hay. This has been ongoing since 2009. The PhD project was to be mainly funded by a central What concentrates do you feed? We feed a 16% protein ewe nut. After scanning, the research grant with the Society contributing a smaller percentage. This was due to ewes are divided into two groups – not just by those bearing singles or twins, but also commence in autumn 2011. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to select a suitable candidate by condition. The group with twins would get around 500g several weeks before lambing. at the end of the application process. All breeding ewes get Rumevite feed blocks in November when the grass is fading. The Society therefore decided to make a further application the following year. Sadly, Above all, we are careful not to feed too much. by this time, the central funding amount was substantially reduced due to Government cutbacks. It therefore required more substantial funding from the society. Do you use any mineral supplements? From tupping until May we provide a full This motion was put forward at the AGM in 2012. The members voted to support the vitamin and mineral supplement that also contains Copper. motion and to increase the society contribution up to £6500 annually for three years and Health products and routines? task the subgroup to raise a further £3500 per annum. The whole flock gets a 7 in 1 vaccine and we worm on a regular basis, lambs starting at The timeline was too tight for the 2012-13 academic year which led to the proposal to six to eight weeks. Ewes are wormed pre-tupping and post-lambing. Our stocking rates apply for funding to undertake a smaller one year research project which formed part are fairly low and it’s an advantage for any worm burden that the sheep often share their of a one year MRes postgraduate qualification. grazing with the horses. We have never had any problems with Coccidiosis or Fluke. The application process started in October, and we are pleased to announce that a suitable Feet are trimmed as necessary and ewes are done post-lambing. Ryelands have good candidate came forward and has now been officially accepted to carry out the research. feet and if rarely we have had any problems we have culled out any with poor feet. Her name is Charlotte Kelham. She originates from Somerset an holds an honours degree in Zoology. She has experience of working on farms and dealing with farm animals and What equipment do you have? Turning crate? Yes. Weigher? No. Handling is looking forward to working with the society and the members. system? Lots of hurdles! Creep feeder? Yes. Field shelters? No. Field Hayracks? The research project, by definition, will be on a much smaller scale than the original PhD Yes. proposal and it is limited to a less comprehensive analysis of the genetic traits in sheep. What breeding records do you keep? We have many spreadsheets for all the flock The study aims to identify the genetic basis of coat colour and explore genetic variation records and also keep individual records for each ewe. We particularly keep records on in the breed. The cost of the studentship is fully funded except for collection of each ewe’s ease of lambing and select for this. appropriate blood samples. Any Ryeland highlights? There is nothing more satisfying than a nice pair of gimmer John Donovan and Ifan Lloyd who are both members of the Genetics Sub-Group met lambs out of a ewe on a cold February night! with Professor Bruford and the research student in Cardiff on 7 th December. The purpose of the meeting was to agree objectives and decide how to set about the task. The research Why Ryelands? I like to think of pedigree breeding as like weaving a tapestry – it is a will start at the end of January and carry on through to September. The initial phase will long, continuous piece of work that needs a successive number of people, each of which be an analysis of the different bloodlines and lineages within the breed. This will allow picks up on the efforts of others and adds to the previous work. We don’t ‘own’ the identification of representative breeding lines which would be suitable for sampling. sheep, we are just another of those weavers, passing on our small contribution to the This will be the point when we’ll know how many sheep need to be blood sampled. It’s future. We enjoy having the Ryelands, and the feeling you are contributing something important that we attempt to capture a comprehensive representation of the genetic long lasting, but not for purely commercial reasons – they are a wonderful antidote to diversity that exists in the breed. the pressures of running a business. We’ve not found any negatives, other than the threat It may be necessary to apply for some funding from the Society to support the collection of flystrike to all that fleece! of blood samples but it’s not possible to predict this until analysis of the breeding lines The Springwater flock is probably the Ryeland world’s best kept secret. No longer, due is completed. to this article, of course, but one I’m sure will play a key part in the Ryeland breed’s In addition to this MRes project, the Professor approached the sub-group for assistance development in the near future. The formidable combination of the professional expertise with a small final year degree research project. This was agreed and 10 blood samples of Philip and Nichola in animal breeding, genetics and nutrition being applied to our were subsequently submitted to the researcher with 5 from Ryeland ewes with a high breed will be an exciting one to watch. probability of being pure white and 5 from Coloured Ryelands. The samples were collected in early November and analysis is already taking place. This final year degree Patrick Wilkinson 16 17