Northern Area Texel Breeders Club members have enjoyed two club days recently, with the first being a visit to Charles and Rachael Ashbridge’s business, Taste Tradition.
To kick the visit off, Rachael, a vet with Castle Farm Vets, gave an informative talk on Haemonchus. The discussion and the case study slides detailing the management of Barbers Pole worm in our region.
Charles then displayed twelve sheep carcasses for visitors to see, with four each by different sire breeds. Four were Texel sired, four were by Suffolk sires ad four were by Charollais sires. Club members were given the chance to assess the carcasses and judge each breed class.
Charles then went on to explain what butchers would be looking for and explained how he would have placed the classes.
This was then followed up by a butchery demo, cutting up two of the hung carcasses and showing us the cuts that come from lambs.
Differences could be visibly seen on the two carcasses of the two different breeds.
After this everyone all headed to the local pub, The Bay Horse at Rainton, to finish the evening with a lovely meal, a few drinks, and a catch up with fellow members.
East Yorkshire flock tour
The second club event was a tour of East Yorkshire flocks, kindly hosted by Sam and Sara Beachell, Paul and Jude Byas and Geoff, Jackie, Chris and Anna Riby.
The day started at Sam and Sarah Beachell’s SAMSAR flock, with the chance to also see the Beswick Blue Texel flock and store cattle as well as the couple’s commercial flock.
Then the tour moved on to Paul and Jude Byas’ Middledale flock, with this visit kicked off by a BBQ lunch.
Then came the flock viewing, with Paul talking through his ewes, shearlings and lambs, with both his stock tups also on display.
Paul also has store cattle, which he allowed us to walk into and have a look.
After that, it was off to the Riby family’s farm at Fraisthorpe. On display here was Chris’s Stonehills flock, along with Jackie’s Beltex and some of Geoff’s Poll Dorset’s.
A lovey spread of afternoon tea was offered in the barn, before a trip to view the family’s Shorthorn herd at grass.
