A key part of this year’s Texel Sheep Society 50th anniversary celebrations will be the Textravaganza National Texel Show at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Saturday 6th July. Preceded by the Society’s Club Champions Day and the Summer Sizzler barbeque, this will be only the second staging of a Texel national show in the Society’s history, with the first having taken place in 2021. Featuring 10 classes as well as young handlers’ competitions the show will see two experienced and high-profile judges take on the job of placing the main classes. Splitting the duties will be Crieff, Perthshire-based ..read more

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations the Texel Sheep Society will raise funds for the Farm Safety Foundation, better known as Yellow Wellies. Now in its 10th year, The Farm Safety Foundation encourages those in the farming community to think more carefully about both physical and mental health as well as how they undertake tasks on the daily basis. Society chief executive John Yates said the charity does important work, to help everyone in the farming community tackle the challenges they face on a daily basis, with a strong focus on educating the younger generation. “The Society is del ..read more

Members wishing to genotype animals in preparation for this year’s sales or in readiness for the breeding season should order DNA sampling kits ASAP to ensure samples are submitted in time for results to be available. Society data and technical services manager Ed Smith says members should consider DNA testing to increase the amount of information available for sale animals, improving sale opportunities. “In addition, genotyping provides valuable information to inform breeding plans and decisions ahead of the autumn breeding season, advising, with the high investments made by many breeders usi ..read more

This year sees the British Texel Society celebrate its 50th anniversary, with the Society having first been incorporated in 1974. Society chief executive John Yates says 2024 is set to be a special year for Texel breeders with a wide range of celebratory activities planned for the year. “A series of events and other activities have been planned to give breeders across the UK the opportunity to come together and celebrate this important milestone for the Society,” he explains. The major focus of the Society’s celebrations during the summer months will be the Textravaganza weekend at Carlisle on ..read more

Throughout its history, the Texel Society has embraced new technologies to support breeders and increase genetic gain in the breed. Building on the Society’s track record of successfully integrating science and technology into its business, the adoption of genomic evaluations through texelplus is another logical step in the Society’s and breed’s development. The use of genomics and genomic technologies has been central to recent research and development projects; the knowledge and experience gained from this work over the last decade means the Society is well-placed to use the technology for t ..read more

Solway and Tyne Club member Ewan MacTaggart, Castle Douglas, has been named as the winner of the 2024 Texel Sheep Society Spotlight Award. Announcing Ewan as the winner Society chief executive John Yates said he shone out from a high calibre of finalists due to his in-depth knowledge of the breed and the Society and his overall passion for all things Texel. “Ewan is a fantastic ambassador for the breed and his commitment to Texel is second to none. I have no doubt that, in time, Ewan will fulfil all his ambitions within the breed. “The spotlight award provides an opportunity for Clubs and the ..read more

The Society is saddened to share that Bill Quick of the Loosebeare flock passed away peacefully in January. A lifelong farmer and stockman of repute, Bill founded the Loosebeare flock of Texels in 1979 and over his involvement with the breed produced numerous show and sale toppers, including the first and only six figure shearling tup, Loosebeare Imp which sold for 120,000gns. A judge in demand across the UK, he judged Texels, Limousins and many other breeds at numerous county and national shows and sales. Bill is survived by his wife Marian, sons Paul, Andrew and Mark, and daughter, Emma. A s ..read more

James Herdman’s Templepark flock took the top price at the Ballymena Babes sale when selling a Milnbank Ed Shearing son at 1600gns. Sale leader was HKP2202244, a gimmer out of a dam by Kilcurley Volleyman and in-lamb to Strathbogie Gaffer. She was the pick of Stewart Ferris, Bellefield. Second best were five lots at 1000gns, with the first of these being from Nigel Ross, Glenross. This was RVG2201130, a Forkins Email daughter out of a dam by Alderview Bookmaker and in-lamb with twins to Gorkins Gangsta. She sold to J J Robinson, Glenarm, Ballymena. Next at this price was another from Templepar ..read more

Lighting up the trade at the Lanark Ladies sale at 5800gns was the father and son duo, Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, with a daughter of the 100,000gns Auldhouseburn Expression out of a Deveronvale dam by Mullan Armani. She sold carrying twins to the 130,000gns Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi and headed home with Angus Howie, for the Milhouse flock. Following her at 2500gns was champion from the pre-sale show from Alan Clark and family, Garngour. A daughter of Ettrick Earthquake with a Procters Chumba Wumba sired dam, she sold due a single by the 20,000gns Sportsmans Grand Slam, finding a new ..read more

Four of the top five prices at the January Gems sale, Ballymena, were claimed by ewe hoggs, with the sale lead at 3600gns by a Curley ewe lamb from John Trimble. His topper, TYC2301294, is by Auldhouseburn Fandabidozi and out of a dam by Teiglum Braveheart and was bought by James Murphy. Next up at 3000gns was one from Donald and Sarah MacPherson, Hexel, with this being MZH2301039. She’s a Coniston Echo daughter out of a dam by Procters Chumba Wumba which is full sister to the 65,000gns Hexel Django and sold to join the McCollam family’s Carmavy flock. At the same money was another ewe hogg, t ..read more