It was all change at the Suffolk Sheep Society annual meeting, held in Derbyshire last week.
More than 80 members heard that the Society's commercial director, Robyn Hulme, had resigned from his post of the past four years, due to farming and family commitments.
Robyn, took up the role of commercial director as the Society sought to drive through an agenda of change and set out a revised strategy for the future of the breed. He said: “I believe the SSS has made massive advances in recent years concentrating all its energies on ensuring its members are in a position to meet the needs of their commercial customers.
“The days of a breed society merely offering pedigrees and registrations are well and truly over and I believe that the Suffolks are at the forefront of a new era for breed societies where genetic improvement of members stock will become the main driver.
"The society’s championing of performance recording, gene-marker technology and commercial attributes of the sheep produced by their members will ensure that the Suffolk breed continues to have a long and successful future.”
The meeting also saw Jim Fleming step down after four years in the chair. He is to be replaced by Stephen Cobbald, from the breed’s home county, who was retiring as President of the Society.
Charles Harding, of the Bentley flock, Warwickshire takes the role of President, with Arthur O’Keeffe, of County Cork, Eire stepping in as president elect.
Three new council members were elected namely: Michael Weaver - vice chairman; (West Midlands and Monmouthshire); Ron Greig, (North Scotland) Matt Legge (South East).