The Society’s 2024 AGM which took place during the 50th Anniversary Social Weekend saw Society chairman Jeff Aiken, Coniston, step down, being succeeded by Pete Mitchell, Avon Vale.
Mr Aiken said it had been a huge privilege to chair the Society, particularly during its 50th Anniversary year. “This year has been another hugely successful one for the Society, with members busy at shows and sales across the UK and the Society’s second Textravaganza National Show drawing a huge crowd, as did the Club Champions Day which preceded it.
“The visits by overseas breeders as part of the Society’s International Workshop proved the value placed on British Texels by breeders from across the world and reaffirmed the great strides made by British breeders over the last 50 years.”
Society chief executive John Yates thanked Mr Aiken for his support while chairing the Society and the time and effort he had put into Society activities over the last two years.
“I look forward to working with Pete and his vice chair, Dafydd Jones, Kitrob, in the coming years as we look to further support members through Society services and activities.”
Meanwhile, Mr Yates outlined key points in Society performance over the previous 12 months, including the success of the breed at major commercial sales.
“At both the Main NSA Ram Sale, Builth Wells and Kelso Ram Sales, Texels continue to dominate the trade, both in terms of prices and numbers sold. Texel breeders have seen averages rise consistently over the last 10 years at both of these venues, while clearance rates for shearling rams continually remain at more than 90%,” he said.
The Society continues to deliver for members, both in terms of breed promotion and the provision of genetic improvement tools thanks to the small, but highly skilled team of staff it employs and through its integration of digital technologies to improve member services, explained Mr Yates.
“The continued development of the Society’s iTexel database, alongside the introduction of genomic evaluations earlier this year, are just two instances where the Society continues to lead the industry. Allied to this, the Society continues its involvement in international research and development projects, furthering the interests of members by keeping the breed at the forefront of new developments.
“The breed has grown from a standing start 50 years ago to become the most popular sire breed in the UK as well as the second most popular maternal breed. All of which is set against a backdrop of a shrinking national breeding flock. That said, Society membership remains stable at more than 2000, demonstrating the value breeders place on being part of the Society and its activities,” he added.
The Society’s full financial statements and trustees report can be found here.