Entries open for Hampshire Down commercial flock of the year

The search is on for the Caltech Hampshire Downcommercial flock of the year. The award is open to all commercial sheep producers in Britain using two or more performancerecorded pedigree Hampshire Down rams over a part of their flock.

Judging will take place during the summer months byADAS sheep specialist, Kate Phillips, who will take in to account overall flockperformance, including genetics, health and technical and financial managementtogether with marketing arrangements.

Last year’s winner Simon Bainbridge, who is usingHampshire Down rams over a portion of his 1,400 ewe flock at Donkin Rigg, Cambo,Northumberland, commented: “It was fantastic to be awarded the Caltech HampshireDown Commercial Flock of the Year award. Our whole farm system, from soils,grassland management, and feeding whilst working with nature, as well as genetics,breeding  and sales policy were assessed and it was a real boost to haveit recognised that we are doing the right things that suit the farmin an organic system.”

The Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders’ Association’sRichard Davis said: “We’re delighted to be running this competition again,kindly sponsored by Caltech, to reward high performing commercial flocks usingHampshire Down rams to finish lambs quickly from low inputs.”