As the Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary, 2024 was once again a groundbreaking year for the Texel breed.
The introduction of genomic evaluations through texelplus in the spring, put the breed and the Society once again at the forefront of genetic improvement in the sheep industry, being the only major breed to make use of routing genomic evaluations in its genetic improvement programme.
Adding to this was the Society’s participation in further research and development work through the Sustain Sheep project, with the aim of integrating genetic merit for environmental impact into national breeding schemes.
On a social front, the Society’s second Textravaganza National Show took place as part of the 50thAnniversary celebrations and was again well supported by both exhibitors and spectators who witnessed a stellar display of modern Texels at Carlisle.
Among those looking on were delegates on the Society’s International Workshop, with visitors from Europe and South America taking the opportunity to witness the high quality of Texels available in the UK during a six-day tour which took in both flock visits and trips to SRUC and AB Europe as well as both Textravaganza and The Great Yorkshire Show.
The Club Champions day, which preceded Textravaganza was also well supported and enjoyed by all who took part, with an evening barbeque and social event helping set the scene for a successful show the following day.
Society sales were once again the highlight of the year for many and trade at all venues was strong. Prices peaked at 70,000gns for Hexel High Voltage at Lanark, with clearance rates strong at all sales and a record ram lamb average recorded at Ballymena for the Northern Ireland National.
Commercial sales were also particularly strong, with averages up again at both of the major sales at Kelso and Builth Wells, with prices peaking at £35,000 and 30,000gns, respectively.
And, as members looked back on 50 successful years of Texels in the UK, the Society published ‘The History of the British Texel Sheep Society’ a 190 page book leading readers through the significant milestones of the first 50 years of Texels in the UK.
The latter part of the autumn saw more than 250 Society members and friends come together in Chester to celebrate the Society’s 50th anniversary at its social weekend, where the Ettrick flock of Gordon Gray and family was named as the winner of the 50th Anniversary flock competition.
A number of 50th Anniversary Awards were also made at the event, recognising individuals who had gone above and beyond in their service of the breed and the Society. Awards were made to Aubrey Andrews, Miserden, Jo Conington, SRUC, Paul Phillips, Kimbolton, Clive Roads, McCartneys, Brian Ross, Lawrie and Symington and Society chief executive John Yates.
In another landmark year for the Texel breed, demand has remained high, despite challenges for the sheep industry, including both disease challenges and falling commercial sheep numbers across the UK.
The Society board of directors and staff wish all members and friends of the Society a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.