The 2017 Texel Sheep Society National Sales in England, Scotland and Wales once again offer buyers an outstanding entry of quality sheep in significant numbers all backed up by the assurance that pedigree breeding brings.
Following a strong prime lamb trade in the first five months of the new selling season where Texel sired lambs have earned significant premiums over other breeds on both a liveweight and deadweight basis, the demand for quality Texel genetics is set to be strong.
Texel Sheep Society chief executive John Yates says sheep farmers the length and breadth of the UK have seen returns significantly higher than last year, with the strong trade lasting well in the summer when prices usually dip. “Importantly, the superior fleshing and carcass balance offered by Texel cross lambs is being recognised and rewarded by buyers and processors, giving even better returns for those farmers using quality Texel sires.
And, while the headline prices at the major sales will once again come from pedigree breeders investing in the future of their flocks, Society chairman David McKerrow said all three of the Society’s mainland UK sales would see strong activity from commercial buyers too.
“Commercial buyers, particularly those with earlier lambing flocks, will be able to find top quality rams at all the Society sales, with all rams from MV Accredited flocks and having undergone a pre-sale inspection, giving added assurance of their capabilities.
“The large numbers of quality rams on offer makes these national sales the ideal opportunity for commercial buyers to source their sires for next season’s lamb crop, with many of the rams on offer from performance recorded flocks.
“As breeders our members have long recognised the need to produce commercially relevant, fit for purpose sheep suited to the commercial sector.
“Easy fleshing, quick growing lambs with consistent quality carcasses are what draws buyers back year after year and the feedback from commercial producers is that no other breed can match the Texel for these key attributes,” he added.
Mr McKerrow said that buyers attending the National Sales at Lanark, Welshpool and Worcester, could be assured of finding rams to suit them from across the UK. “The great thing about the Texel breed is the adaptability of it to a wide range of farming systems and climatic conditions.
“Wherever you go in the UK you’ll find Texel sired lambs thriving and often producing the leading prices in local markets. The strong maternal characteristics of the breed have also made it popular among commercial farmers, with more than 12.5% of the national flock now being Texel sired ewes.”
The national sales will also feature the ever successful gimmer sales which in recent years have seen new centre records set at a number of venues, including last year at the Elgnish National Sale, Worcester. “These gimmer sales have become renowned for offering the pick of the crop from many flocks, enabling both new and established breeders to source the very best genetics to build or expand flocks with.”
The continued genetic improvement in the pedigree and performance recorded Texel populations is unmatched in non-pedigree breeding and commercial buyers can come to the National Texel sales assured of buying rams of known performance and pedigree, said Mr McKerrow.
The Society’s ongoing investment in research and development, including the largest genomic research projects in the UK sheep sector underpin the breed’s commitment to the future sustainability of the UK sheep industry, he added.
“More than £3m is being invested in ground breaking genomic research in to carcass, meat quality and health traits in the breed over the next three years. This investment will help our breeders deliver sheep best suited to the ever more specific demands of the retail and food service trades at a key time for the UK sheep sector.
Once again this year’s Scottish National Texel Sale at Lanark on Wednesday 23 August and Thursday 24 August will be streamed live via the Texel Society’s website for those unable to make the sale, said Mr Yates.
“This popular service is now in its sixth year with viewers from across the globe tuning in last year to catch up on the sale as it progressed. We have a large Texel community across the UK and further afield many of whom are unable to attend the sale due to other commitments, by streaming the sale live they are able to keep up with all the action as it happens.
“Streaming services will also be available either via the relevant auctioneers or the Society’s social media profiles for the other two mainland UK sales at Welshpool and Worcester,” he added.
The Scottish National Sale takes place at Lanark on 23 and 24 August, the Welsh National Sale takes place at Welshpool on 26 August and the English National Sale takes place at Worcester on 28 and 29 August.
