Yearling Ewes in full fleece
Shearling Ram
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| Classified Advertisements (Wool/Equipment/Trailers) |
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Membership enquiries and requests for details of the Association's Annual Show and Sale should be directed to:
Mrs. B Metcalfe (Barbara)
Oxmoor House Farm
Houghton Bank, Heighington
Co. Durham DL2
2UG Telephone:
01388 777852
Great Yorkshire Show Entries.
There are 62 Wensleydale entries for the 2008 Great Yorkshire Show (14 - 16
July), from the following 11 exhibitors:
Messrs JA & F Elliott, Mr MA Elliott, Mr BR Field, Mrs B Metcalfe, Mrs YT Mudd,
Mr JN & Mrs SM Prescott, Miss FM Rosso Baldachino, Mrs M Smith, Mr GK Verity, Mr
J Watkinson and Mr & Mrs CC Wray.
Class entries are:
| Aged Ram - 7 entries. |
| Shearling Ram - 7 entries. |
| Ram Lamb - 11 entries. |
| Yearling Ewe (in full wool) - 12 entries. |
| Shearling Ewe - 8 entries. |
| Ewe Lamb - 11 entries. |
| Group of Three - 6 entries. |
Election of Council Members
The WLSBA Articles of Association require that one third of the existing
Council members should seek re-election each year (if they so wish). If the
number seeking re-election, together with new applicants, exceeds the number of
permitted vacancies, a ballot is held. As the number of applicants did not
exceed the number of vacancies this year a ballot was not necessary. Had a
ballot been necessary the voting papers would have included candidate profiles.
These candidate profiles are in this downloadable Word document, so that members have a better
knowledge of the background of the officers of the Association and what they
have to offer: WLSBA Council
Candidate Profiles 2009.doc.
Association
Stands at 2009 NSA and Wonderwool Wales Events
The Association will be providing information stands at the following
events:
Wonderwool Wales - Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. See www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk for details of this event.
NSA Welsh Sheep 2009 - Tuesday 19th May at Cernioge Bach, Pentrefoelas, Betws y Coed.
NSA North Sheep 2009 - Wednesday 3rd June at Laund Farm, Chipping, Preston.
NSA Sheep South West - Tuesday 9th June at North Alfordon Farm, Okehampton.
NSA Northern Ireland - Monday 6th July at Ballymena Auction Mart.
2009 WLSBA Annual General Meeting
The 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders' Association will be held at 2pm on Saturday 25th April 2009 at the Tempest Arms, Elslack, near Skipton, North Yorkshire. The agenda is included in the Spring Newsletter that has been distributed to members. The following trophies will be presented:
The William Rhodes Perpetual Challenge Trophy (exhibitor of the year)
The Ruth Pedley Memorial Trophy (outstanding inter-breed success of the year)
Outstanding Wensleydale Interbreed Successes at the Great Yorkshire Show
Second Day - BR Field's Yearling Ewe in full wool beat the Bluefaced Leicester, Leicester, Lincoln and Teeswater champions to secure the Champion Longwool Female award and subsequently Reserve Supreme Champion! The Supreme Champion was a Charollais ewe. See Farmers Weekly and Farmers Guardian for more details and pictures.
Final day - JA & F Elliott's
Yearling Hogg in Wool not only won the Lustre Longwool Section of the Wool on the Hoof
Competition (beating the Leicester, Bluefaced Leicester, Teeswater and
Lincoln section winners), but was subsequently selected as
Reserve Wool on the Hoof Champion. The champion was a very fine Ryeland, which
had won the Down Breeds section.
Wensleydale Honours at the 2008 Great Yorkshire Show.
Best Male - MA & RA Elliott (Shearling Ram). Reserve - MA & RA Elliott (Aged
Ram).
Best Female - BR Field (Yearling Ewe in full wool). Reserve - JA & F Elliott
(Shearling Ewe).
Champion Wensleydale - MA & RA Elliott's Shearling Ram.
Reserve Champion - BR Field's Yearling Ewe in full wool.
Further details: www.greatyorkshireshow.com/Livestock and click on the Online Results in top right corner.
Scroll Down for Show Pictures
WLSBA Chairman, Jim Thompson, judging the Yearling Ewe in full wool
Class
Despite Blue Tongue movement restrictions there were 11
entries for this class. The image shows the judge's first sighting and
examination of the entry of Roger Field that he was to select as Female Champion, and which
subsequently progressed to being selected as the Reserve Supreme Champion of all
breeds.
Champion and Reserve Champion
Mark Elliott with his Champion Shearling Ram and Roger Field with Reserve
Champion Yearling Ewe in full wool
Her Majesty the Queen
admires Roger Field's Reserve Supreme Champion, held by Christa Liddle.
Roger Field's Reserve Supreme Champion
Supportive Spectators and Critics
from Left to Right
John Prescott, John Elliott, Frank Pedley
Barbara Metcalfe, Sandra Thompson, Stella Lambert, Peter Titley
Wensleydale Honours at the 2008 Royal Show.
Champion Wensleydale - Mrs S Holdich, Suffolk (Yearling Ewe in full wool).
Reserve Champion - Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder, Warwickshire (Ram).
Wensleydale Interbreed Success at the 2008 Royal Bath & West of England Show (Saturday Competition).
In the Saturday competition, Miss Freda Rosso-Baldacchino's Hogg in Wool took the Supreme
Wool on the Hoof award. The ewe was also selected as the Champion Longwool Ewe. This was the first
time Miss Freda Rosso-Baldacchino had exhibited a Wensleydale sheep.
The Association's stand at Wonderwool Wales 2007
Registration on the United Kingdom
Breeds at Risk Register
Resulting from EEC Directive 2003/85/EC (article 15) a UK list of
rare breeds holdings is being compiled which, on any future Foot and Mouth
Disease (FMD) outbreak, would be considered for any special measures that may
apply at the time. Breeders should scroll down to the foot of this web site and
click on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust link, then click on the Breeds at
Risk Register for details. If
eligible, breeders are advised to click on the incorporated Registration Form
and register their flock. Registration may not be accepted following an outbreak of the
disease.
The above web site is relevant to keepers of other rare breeds of sheep, cattle, goats and pigs. Further information may be obtained from the Rare Breeds Survival Trust:
Tel: 024 7669 8763/8766
Email: bar@rbst.org.uk
Members of the Association may place upto two advertisements and a link to their website each year for a single payment of £12 - two sheep category advertisements, two advertisements of the wool/equipment/4x4s/trailers category (scroll down), or one of each category. plus amendments.
Advertisements and accompanying payments should be sent to Frank Pedley at the following address, payable to WLSBA:
Old Hall, Wild Hill Lane, Hunton, Bedale, North Yorkshire DL8 1QJ
A facility to enable members of the Association to advertise and sell registered stock, including "in lamb ewes". For simplicity, descriptions are limited to the number of sheep for sale in each of the following categories:
| Rams (Aged) - born prior to 2007. |
| Rams (2Sh) - born 2007. |
| Rams (Sh) - born 2008. |
| Ewes (Aged) - born prior to 2007. |
| Ewes (2Sh) - born 2007. |
| Ewes (Sh) - born 2008. |
| Ram Lambs - born 2009. |
| Ewe Lambs
- born
2009. |
| "In Lamb Ewes" - registered ewes put to a registered ram in the Autumn of 2008. Potential buyers should enquire from vendors whether or not the ewes have been scanned in addition to being marked. |
A four figure number against a ram indicates the number allocated in the Association's Breeding Ram List. Other rams are either eligible for entry in the list, or have been entered but not yet allocated a four figure number.
Telephone (or e-mail) advertisers for details (pedigree, show successes, genetic resistance to scrapie, prices, whether "in lamb ewes" have been scanned etc.) and to arrange visits.
Advertisements are normally placed from 1st July onwards, but appropriate earlier advertisements may be accepted, on the lines of the following examples:
Section A (White) Sheep
HOPE, Mrs. I.N., Sheepwash, Devon. Tel: ..... ...... MV
Accredited.
2 x Rams (Aged) 1234 and 1235, 2 x Rams (2Sh) incl 2345, 2 x Rams (Sh), 5 x Ewes
(Aged), 4 Ram Lambs and 5 x Ewe Lambs.
OTHER, Mr A.N., Sheepy Parva, Leicestershire. Tel: ..... .......
E-mail: arthur-other@yahoo.co.uk
1 Ram (2sh) (2222), 4 x Rams (Sh) and 6 "in lamb Ewes" (all scanned by
vet and recorded as carrying 5 x twins and 1 x triplet).
Section B (Black) Sheep
SMART, Ms. I.B., Blacko, Lancashire. Tel: ..... ...... E-mail:
smart@ ..........
3 x Ram Lambs, 2 x Ewe Lambs and 6 "in lamb Ewes" (all marked by Ram
3333, but not scanned).
2009 ADVERTISEMENTS
All stock may be assumed to be ARR/ARR unless otherwise stated
Section A (White) Sheep
ROBSON, Mrs. Mo,Cowling, Keighley, West Yorkshire. Tel: 01535
633892. E-mail:
martin@robsonphotography.com
1 x Ram (Sh) and 2 x Ewes (Sh).
Dispersal Sale
MIDDLESBROUGH BOROUGH COUNCIL, Newham Grange Leisure Farm, Coulby Newham, North
Yorkshire.
Tel: 07717730094 (Mr. M. Saunders) or 07866060523 (Mr. S. Cook).
1 x Ram (2 Sh), 2 x Rams (Sh), 8 x Ewes (Aged), 4 x Ewes (Sh), 2 Ram Lambs and 8
x Ewe Lambs.
Section B (Black) Sheep
FROST, Mrs. J.A., Tan-y-Bryn, Roadside, Betws yn Rhos, Abergele.
Tel: 01745 833932. E-mail:
jenni.frost@virgin.net
1 Ram (Aged), 1x Ram (2 Sh), 5 x Rams (Sh). Non MV.
Members of the Association may place upto two advertisements and a link to their website each year for a single payment of £12 - two sheep category advertisements, two advertisements of the wool/equipment/4x4s/trailers category, or one of each category. plus amendments.
Advertisements and accompanying payments should be sent to Frank Pedley at the following address, payable to WLSBA:
Old Hall, Wild Hill Lane, Hunton, Bedale, North Yorkshire DL8 1QJ
This recently introduced Section provides a facility for members to sell small quantities of surplus wool, sheep handling equipment, 4x4s and livestock trailers.
Wool. Spun several years ago, oiled on cones:
Wensleydale 2 ply (knits as 4 ply) £3 per 100g. Wensleydale/Manx (white) £2.80 per 100g.
Tel: 01794 388057 (Sue Gotting or Judy Hardman).Wool.Black and white fleeces available for handspinning, together with 100% pure Wensleydale wool (washed and hand dyed), rovings, locks and the occasional sheepskin. See my website www.gedgrave-wensleydales.co.uk or telephone Tracy Ranger: 01394 450343 or mobile 07776 172641.
Wool. FROST, Mrs. J.A., Tan-y-Bryn, Roadside, Betws yn Rhos, Abergele. Tel: 01745 833932. E-mail: jenni.frost@virgin.net
Handspun black Wensleydale wool. Aran weight - 150 gms x £6.00 (p & p extra).
2009 AGM Presentations
Frank Pedley presents the Ruth Pedley Memorial Trophy, to Roger Field for
his outstanding interbreed success at the 2008 Great Yorkshire Show, where his
Hogg in Wool took the Reserve Supreme Champion award, the first time that a
Wensleydale has received this prestigious award. Roger Field also has the
distinction of winning the Reserve Supreme Champion award at the Royal Show, in
1995.
Dr. Agnes Winter, President of the Association, presents Junior Exhibitor of the Year awards to Dan and Jake Greenwood (aged 12 and 9 years) of Walburn Hall Farms near Richmond, North Yorkshire.
Dr. Agnes Winter presents the Exhibitor of the Year Trophy (the William Rhodes Trophy) to Mrs Yvonne Mudd of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
SCOTSHEEP 2008
John McHardy (left), WLSBA representative for Scotland, describing the
qualities of Wensleydale sheep at the Association Stand.
SCOTSHEEP 2008
Mutual Admiration!
The lustre and purl of the Wensleydale fleece is well portrayed on this champion ram of Mr & Mrs M Leech.
The breed is widespread throughout the United Kingdom, with some small flocks in Holland, France and Denmark. A "breeding up" programme is developing in the USA, using Wensleydale ram sperm in English Leicester, Lincoln and Cotswold ewes and their female progeny.
Originated in North Yorkshire early in the 19th Century from a cross between a long since extinct local longwool breed from the region of the River Tees and an outstanding Dishley Leicester ram named "Bluecap". The breed was developed to produce hardy rams for crossing onto hill ewes, together with high quality and valuable lustre fleeces.
The breed is probably unique in that its Association is able to not only identify a foundation sire, but also trace that ram's parentage, year and place of birth and breeder. "Bluecap" was born in 1839 in the hamlet of East Appleton, five miles NNW of Bedale in North Yorkshire. His unique qualities, which determined the breed type without any further infusion of Leicester blood, were his dark skin, superb quality of wool and size - 203 kgs (448 lbs) as a two shear. The breed type was not named until 1876, when a name was required for classes at the Yorkshire Show. Two rival breed Societies were formed in 1890, amalgamating in 1920.
The Wensleydale is a very large longwool sheep, described by the British Meat and Livestock Commission as "probably the heaviest of all our indigenous breeds". It is a visually striking sheep with considerable presence. It has bold and alert carriage which is accentuated by its broad, level back on wide quarters and strong thighs. It has a distinctive deep blue head and ears, which should be clean except for a well developed forelock of wool, usually referred to as the "topping". Both sexes are polled.
The Wensleydale breed has been developed to provide rams for crossing onto hill ewes, mainly Swaledale, Blackface, Rough Fell, Cheviot and Dalesbred and latterly Beulah, to produce a prolific, milky and hardy breeding ewe (the original Masham) and also a wether which can produce under natural conditions on marginal ground a quality carcass at higher weight with no excess fat. The Wensleydale ram gives that extra size and quality to its cross bred progeny, enabling any recognised terminal sire to fulfil its potential.
A Wensleydale ewe will produce two lambs with minimal lambing problems. Twin lambs average 6 kgs each at birth with a growth rate that enables ram lambs to reach 73 kgs at 21 weeks and be used with confidence on hill breed ewes in the Autumn.
Though developed as a Crossing Sire the Wensleydale is equally well known for the exceptionally high quality of its lustrous Wool, making it an outstanding dual purpose sheep. Wensleydale wool is the finest and most valuable lustre longwool in the world. Fleeces are of 20 - 30 cms staple length and 33 - 35 micron thickness, with yearling fleeces weighing from 6 to 9 kgs. Fleeces are entirely kemp free as a result of the unique characteristics of the wool-producing follicles. This special quality is genetically transmitted to cross-bred lambs, characterising the Wensleydale ram as perhaps the leading wool improver sire in the world. Wensleydale wool is used for its special effects and handle in hand knitting yarn, knitwear and cloth and sometimes in upholstery fabrics. Because of its similarity, it is regularly used to blend with mohair.
| Shearling ewes | Mature ewes |
|---|---|
| 200% | 250% |
| Lamb bodyweights at 8 weeks | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 25.8kg | 25.8kg |
| Twin | 22.0kg | 21.4kg |
| Mature ewe | Mature ram |
|---|---|
| 113kg | 136kg |
(Source: Meat and Livestock Commission recorded data)
Though Wensleydale sheep are predominately white, the Breed Society incorporates a black section within its flock book, but does not permit breeding between sheep of the two sections.
The Wensleydale has the highest genetic resistance to scrapie of all recognised sheep breeds in the United Kingdom, with PrP tests revealing a 92% codon 171 R/R genotype in the breed. The commercial significance of this is that the buyer of a Wensleydale ram has a 92% chance that the ram will be of this genotype and that on using it as a crossing sire none of the crossbred progeny will be of the genotype susceptible to scrapie.
The last MLC Ram Breed Comparison trials revealed that the Wensleydale Ram, though not a recognised terminal sire, produces the heaviest class 3L lamb out of Scotch Half-bred, Mule and Greyface ewes.
Wensleydale (and Teeswater) wool is now the most valuable British wool by far (see 2007 British Wool Marketing Board price schedule), with producers paid £1.93 per kilo by the BWMB for the 2006 clip. Non commercial farm gate sales to hand spinners attract significantly higher prices, particularly for wool from yearling ewes. Large and small quantities of both white and naturally coloured wool can be obtained through the British Wool Marketing Board, Wool House, Roydsdale Way, Euroway Trading Estate, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD4 6SE, UK, which promotes and handles wool sales on behalf of UK sheep farmers.
Tel: 01274 688666
email: mail@britishwool.org.uk
web site: www.britishwool.org.uk
The 118th Annual Show & Sale will be held at Skipton Auction Mart on Saturday 29th August 2009.
SUMMARY OF 117th ANNUAL SHOW &
SALE HELD AT SKIPTON ON 30th AUGUST 2008
50 entries,
comprising 18 rams, 8 ram lambs, 13 ewes and 11 ewe lambs. For details click on
catalogue
There was a strong demand for females, with ewes averaging 161 guineas and ewe lambs 124 guineas, but a low demand for males, enabling those seeking quality rams and ram lambs to buy at bargain prices (average 120 guineas). Sadly, the result was that many fine rams and ram lambs were later seen departing for slaughter.
The Supreme Champion was a home bred shearling ram (lot 84) from the Leyburn
flock of Mr Jack Watkinson which sold for 130 guineas - surely the bargain of
the day for an outstanding ram which stood second in a strong shearling ram
class at the Great Yorkshire Show last month. Reserve Supreme was a
shearling ewe (lot 65), bred and entered by JA & F Elliott from Knaresborough,
which sold for 500 guineas. The buyer was Mr Andrew Orkney from Carperby in
Wensleydale whose pasture was once owned by Mr Tom Willis, legendary Wensleydale
breeder of the 19th Century. Other class winners, which received high
praise from judge Frank Pedley, were Mrs Barbara Metcalfe's ram lamb (lot 99,
not sold) and a ewe lamb from the Garth flock of MA & RA Elliott (lot 80) which
was purchased by Mr Trevor Elston from North Devon for 330 guineas.
Challenge Trophies
The "Burton" Silver Teapot , re-presented by P.
Ashby Esq. for the best Shearling or Aged Ram - J Watkinson.
The "Fawell" Silver Coffee Pot re-presented by P. Ashby Esq. for the best Ram
Lamb - Mrs B Metcalfe.
The "Nettleton" Perpetual Silver Salver for the best fleshed Ram Lamb - Mrs B
Metcalfe.
The "John Percival" Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best Shearling Ram bred by
the exhibitor - J Watkinson.
The "John Percival" Trophy for the best female of any age - JA & F Elliott.
The "Smalley" Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best Ram of any age - J Watkinson.
The "Outlane" Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best Ewe Lamb - MA & RA Elliott.
The "Fawell" Perpetual Challenge Cup for the Champion Sheep - J
Watkinson.
Jack Wakinson holding his Supreme Champion
(745/07/276, sired by Leyburn Cascade 6894, out of 745/05/222)
This event is one of the two official Shows and Sales of the Association - an excellent source of quality stock that is examined by appointed WLSBA inspectors. The 2009 event is to be held at Melton Mowbray Auction Mart on 11th and 12th September, with judging on the Friday and the Sale on Saturday 12th September.
For entry forms and catalogues please contact Melton Mowbray Mart: 01664 562971 or sales@meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk
SUMMARY OF 2008 SHOW & SALE (Judge: Mrs Barbara Metcalfe).
There were few buyers at the WLSBA Show and Sale at Melton Mowbray on 12th/13th September 2008, resulting in a "buyer's market". Nevertheless, there was strong competition for the best sheep, resulting in some high prices. The champion was a shearling ram, bred and exhibited by J & S Thompson from Deytheur, Llansantffraid, which realised 300 guineas, whilst the reserve champion was a smart ewe lamb, bred and entered by Mrs Yvonne Mudd from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, which sold for 200 guineas.
Sadly, some vendors of quality rams, who had travelled long distances, had to accept prices which indicated that their rams were destined for slaughter. Excluding such "slaughter sales", buyers paid an average of 133 guineas for shearling rams. Ram lambs averaged 67 guineas, whilst shearling ewes averaged 93 guineas.
It would seem that there have been an inordinate number of private sales this year (probably the result of Blue Tongue movement restrictions) and breeders who have been unable to attend sales and still seek stock may now have some difficulty in locating stock. Those who experience such difficulty are advised to examine the Classified Advertisements Section of this web site, whilst those members who still have stock for sale should consider placing an immediate advertisement by sending details and £12 cheque to Frank Pedley (payable to WLSBA).
Challenge Trophies
The Outlane Perpetual Cup, presented by Mr PE
Titley for the champion Wensleydale sheep - J & S Thompson (shearling ram).
The Upper Mill Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best black (coloured)
Wensleydale sheep - Mrs Susan Holdich (ram lamb, 2nd in class).
Mr Jim Thompson holding the Wensleydale Champion at the National Show & Sale of
Traditional Native Breeds
at Melton Mowbray on 13th September 2008
MEMBERS' WEB SITES:
JN & SM Prescott,
Northumberland
Ms J
Morris, Ystrad, Carmarthenshire
Organic Meat (including mutton) and Wool production.
Mrs Tracy Ranger,Woodbridge, Suffolk
See Classified Advertisements section.
OTHER USEFUL WEB SITES:
British
Wool Marketing Board
Pride of Lammermuir
For
fabrics woven from Wensleydale wool.
Yorkshire Agricultural
Society
Links to the Great Yorkshire Show web pages.
Skipton Auction Mart
Location
of the Annual Show and Sale of the Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders'
Association.
Peasridge
Mail
Order Suppliers of Livestock Showing Equipment.
North American Wensleydale
Association
The home page of the North American Wensleydale Sheep
Association, founded in November 1999, to establish Wensleydale sheep in North
America.
Carlson
Farm
Wensleydale sheep near Sacramento in Northern California, USA.
National Sheep
Association
Wensleydale Longwool
Sheep Shop
Quality Knitwear, Wool and Yarns
Rare Breeds Survival Trust
English Beef and
Lamb Executive
Better Returns Programme
Wonderwool Wales 2009
25th and 26th April 2009 at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd,
Powys
The following stock items are offered for sale, inclusive of packaging and postage:
| Flockbooks (softback), for most years from 1998 £2.00 |
| Association Ties with ram's head logo (green, maroon and blue) £6.00 |
| Logo Stickers for Cars £2.00 |
| Large Logo Stickers for Trailers £7.00 |
| Silk Habotai Scarves (green, black, red, blue, grey and white) £11.00 |
| "Wensleydale World" Journal published 2008 (60 pages) £5.00 |
It may be necessary to request additional postage for overseas orders.
Silk Habotai Scarf
The above items can be ordered from Mrs SA
Leech, Stilereed Farm, Criers Lane, Five Ashes, Mayfield, East Sussex
TN206LG.
Tel: 01825 830307 mark.m.leech@btinternet.com
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust is in urgent need of ram semen from Wensleydale rams and other rams on their Watchlist. The appeal is fully supported by the WLSBA Council. Can you help? Click here for details of the appeal and here for the form that needs to be completed. For more information please contact Claire Barber or Dawn Teverson at the RBST (Tel. 024 7669 6551).
Original site design by Mark Pedley.
