Getting ready for Dorset show and sale

The Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association will be holding its annual May Fair on Tuesday, 6th May and Wednesday, 7th May at Exeter Livestock Centre, Devon.

The first day will see the show classes judged by three judges selected from the breed’s national panel. This will include male and female entries from all over the UK, both at lamb and shearling levels. At the end of the day an overall Champion for each section will have been decided. The male champion at last years event was a ram lamb from Mr J Dufosee’s Blackhill Flock.

The second day is sale day and along with the individual 170 – 200 sheep there will also be 4000 – 4500 females sold. These consist of registered, purebred and first cross Dorsets – all sold in pens. The highlight of 2007 was a ram lamb, again from Mr J Dufosee, selling for 5000gns to Mr R Currie and Mr G Henderson from Northern Ireland.

The May Fair is always viewed with great interest by the sheep industry because it is the first major sheep sale of the year and has been in the past a “yardstick” for the seasons trade. Obviously this year with movement restrictions in place, interest will be intensified, but the breed will continue with its planning of event in the normal way.