Society delegation celebrates championship success, international collaboration and a shared vision for the future of the breed.
The British Texel Sheep Society continues to strengthen its international relationships, sharing British breeding expertise and promoting the value of Texel genetics worldwide. Collaboration with international partners remains an important part of the Society’s work.
The British Texel Sheep Society was delighted to accept an invitation to attend and participate in the 4th Texel Mercosur Congress and 9th National Texel Expo in Paraguay, joining delegates from Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina for four days of breed promotion, knowledge sharing and celebration of the Texel sheep.
The visit highlighted the strength of the long-standing relationship between the British Texel Sheep Society and its South American counterparts, with British Texel genetics once again making a significant impact in both the show ring and the sale ring.
British Texel Society Delegation along with President of Paraguayan Society Juan Pablo Romero Sardi and Vice-President Ignacio Callizo
The event began with a visit to Estancia Malalá in Caraguatay, where delegates explored the ranch’s cattle, buffalo and horse enterprises before viewing its pedigree Texel and Hampshire Down flocks. The visit offered valuable insight into how sheep breeds are being developed and adapted to tropical production conditions.
British Genetics Take Centre Stage at National Expo
Day two saw more than 120 sheep participate in the 9th National Texel Expo, with classes for grading-up and pedigree animals. British Texel genetics featured strongly, with seven of the 12 Grand Champions carrying British genetics.
Female Champion, IRC010178PY, exhibited by Paraguayan Society Vice Chairman Ignacio Callizo, was sired by Sportsmans Double Diamond, while Reserve Male Champion, JRD010032PY, from the Vittone flock of Jose Carlos Ruiz Diaz, was sired by Cambwell Godfather.
Female Champion, IRC010178PY, exhibited by Ignacio Callizo
Reserve Male Champion, JRD010032PY, from Jose Carlos Ruiz Diaz
The Cobaneras flock also enjoyed success, securing Reserve Female with 99TEX701, sired by Garngour Denilson, and third place female, with 99TEX702, by Teiglum Daredevil, both results within the TD section. In the male TD championships, Maria Noemi Cardozo de Patino took Reserve Male with PJC031115PY, sired by Hilltop Fantasy out of a Garngour Dante-sired dam. Cobaneras added third place male with lot 69, by Garngour Dunga.
The results highlighted the continued influence of British breeding programmes, with UK genetics performing successfully under Paraguayan conditions and demonstrating the value of international genetic exchange.
Sharing Knowledge and Developing the Future
The 4th Texel Mercosur Congress brought together speakers from across the region to discuss genetic progress, flock health, production efficiency and the future of the breed.
The Society was honoured to have Dianne Dunne the UK Ambassador to Paraguay attend the conference to meet with the delegation.
John Yates presented “Texel 2035 Genetics: Data, Genomics and International Collaboration”, highlighting the important factors that contribute to driving future progress, such as performance recording, genomics and technology.
Ailish Ross presented on “Showing British Texels and Developing the Next Generation”, outlining the role of showing in promoting the breed and the importance of engaging young people through the Society’s Youth Development Programme.
The congress also marked the launch of Paraguay’s Texel Certified Meat programme, which will reward qualifying Texel lambs with a premium of 15,000 Paraguayan guaraníes per kilogram, approximately £2, above the base rate. The initiative represents an important step in recognising the value of Texel genetics in meat production.
Other presentations covered Paraguay’s approach to scrapie management, the international meat trade and the use of estimated breeding values (EBVs) in Uruguay. Marcos Garcia Pintos explained how performance recording is supporting Uruguayan sheep production, with many objectives closely aligned to the British Texel model. Delegates from Brazil and Argentina also shared developments in their respective countries, including the use of electronic identification and microchipping to improve flock management.
British Genetics Lead the Auction
Saturday evening brought the grand finale, with the auction showcasing further demand for British Texel bloodlines.
The top price was achieved by lot IRC010149PY, which sold for 20,400,000 Paraguayan guaraníes (£2,696.01). Sired by Garngour Denilson, the animal was sold served by Cambwell Da Vinci.
The leading male price went to JRD010032PY from the Vittone flock of Jose Carlos Ruiz Diaz. Following his Reserve Male Championship at the show, the ram sold for 13,200,000 guaraníes (£1,744.48). Sired by Cambwell Godfather, he provided further evidence of the demand for British genetics in Paraguay.
The evening concluded with dinner, live music and dancing, giving delegates the opportunity to celebrate the week’s achievements and strengthen international friendships.
The final day included a visit to Rancho 3C, hosted by Carlos Sienra and family, where delegates viewed the Texel flock and lambing sheds, gaining further insight into local flock management.
Strengthening International Relationships
The British Texel Sheep Society and the Mercosur regions have enjoyed a close relationship for more than 20 years, sharing knowledge, expertise and genetics to support the development of the breed. With opportunities to import genetics into some regions, maintaining these relationships is increasingly important.
The visit builds on the Society’s commitment to international engagement, following the welcome extended to a Uruguayan delegation at the International Visitors Workshop during the Society’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2024.
From the show ring to the congress platform and auction, the Paraguay visit demonstrated the global influence of British Texel genetics and the benefits of working collaboratively towards shared breeding goals.
The Society thanks the Paraguayan Society and everyone involved in organising the visit for their warm welcome and hospitality, and looks forward to continuing to build relationships that benefit Texel breeders both in the UK and internationally.
