The British Texel Sheep Society has unveiled a forward-thinking, data-driven membership structure, putting genetic progress firmly in the hands of its members.
In a first for the UK livestock sector, Texel breeders will no longer pay to record or access performance data. Instead, the Society is reinvesting in its membership, making cutting-edge genetic tools fully accessible within the standard membership fee.
At the core of this approach is a clear message: better data delivers better sheep and a stronger, more profitable future for Society members and their commercial customers.
Under the new structure, flocks are recognised through a tiered membership structure. With members allocated to one of five membership categories; Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond.
These tiers are based on the quantity and quality of data submitted via the Society’s iTexel platform. Crucially, all tiers are open to all flock sizes, ensuring inclusivity while rewarding ambition and commitment.
Breeders can progress through the tiers by recording commercially relevant traits such as lambing ease, birth weight, eight-week weight, scan weight and shearling ewe weight.
Additional recognition is given for flocks embracing advanced technologies, including ultrasound and CT scanning and genotyping.
Top-tier flocks will gain access to exclusive opportunities, including eligibility for performance classes at major shows and pre-sale shows at the Society’s National sales and regional Club sales, linking data credibility directly with marketplace visibility.
Texel Sheep Society chief executive John Yates said the initiative reflected the Society’s long-standing commitment to innovation and member value.
“This is about investing in the Society’s members and the future of the Texel breed. By removing financial barriers and embedding data at the heart of what the Society does, every breeder, regardless of size, is able to benefit from the most advanced genetic tools available.
“Accurate, high-quality data underpins everything, from genomic evaluations to sire and dam verification and ultimately helps Society members breed sheep that meet the needs of the commercial sector.”
The move builds on a series of strategic investments by the Society, including bringing performance recording in-house in 2019, launching the iTexel database in 2020, and adopting routine genomic evaluations in 2024. Together, these developments have strengthened pedigree integrity, improved breeding accuracy and enhanced the value of Texel genetics across the supply chain, with the Society leading on all fronts.
Importantly, the removal of recording and data access fees marks a decisive shift, placing performance information at the centre of Society services, not behind a paywall. It also delivers greater transparency between flocks, helping breeders benchmark progress and make more informed decisions.
For commercial producers, the benefits are clear: a breed backed by robust data, proven performance and continuous genetic gain. For members, it’s a tangible demonstration of a Society investing in their success, simplifying and integrating the entire process of pedigree registration and genetic improvement.
By aligning innovation with accessibility, the Texel Sheep Society is not just supporting its breeders, it is securing the long-term competitiveness of the breed.
Find out more here.