Hill breeds are stop-gap possibility
Hill breeds are stop-gap possibility
By Jeremy Hunt
SWALEDALE breeders must decide whether to buy hill breeds as a "stop-gap" re-stocking measure or try alternative breeds that are selling for attractive prices.
There is a dearth of Swaledale ewes for re-stocking after the breed lost 50% to foot-and-mouth culls. Some might decide to wait until the spring when north country auctioneers hope to stage ewe and lamb sales.
This unconventional trading will be a sure-fire success but will depend on hill farmers with surplus ewes being able to carry them through the winter.
For Swaledale breeders preferring to stake a claim and secure ewes of other hill breeds now in the hope of taking delivery before spring, there are other options, such as Scottish Blackface ewes – often trading at reasonable prices. At Stirling recently correct Blackface shearling ewes were making about £35 a head.
Normally by now the bulk of Blackface ewes would have been sold, but United Auctions at Perth still has several thousand ewes on its private sales register.
Blackface
Aileen McFadzean, secretary of the Blackface Sheep Breeders Association, plans to include details of the availability of ewes on the breed societys web-site www.scottish-blackface.co.uk.
"If commercial Swaledale flock owners are needing horned sheep to act as a stop-gap I feel we could help them locate stock in Scotland," said Miss McFadzean.
Auctioneer Matt Stevenson of United Auctions said there were plenty of Blackface ewes available at £10-14 and shearlings at £30-40.
"The problem is that vendors want to move sheep off farm but north of England flocks still cant bring them onto their farms," said Mr Stevenson.
Other hill breeds are available but not in large numbers. Several large Dalesbred flocks were lost during F&M, which has meant surplus ewes are being traded between breeders re-stocking their own farms.
Dalesbred Sheep Breeders Association secretary John Whittaker said his private sales list included 700 ewes, 400 shearlings and about 300 gimmer lambs.
"The Dalesbred ewe has a slightly bigger carcass than the Swaledale and carries a bit more flesh. About 60% of the draft ewes sold each year are used to produce Mules.
"Its difficult to estimate prices because there are so many factors influencing the value of these sheep. At the moment most Dalesbred ewes are on farms still under movement restrictions, but ewes bought now could be delivered at a later date if keep arrangements can be made," said Mr Whittaker.
Clitheroe Auction Mart in Lancashire traditionally stages autumn sales of Lonk sheep and has a list of breeders that could supply ewes. John Naylor, secretary of the Derbyshire Gritstone breed society, said there were plenty of ewes about for re-stocking although movement restrictions were still affecting breeders in Lancashire. *
Swaledale ewes are in short supply for re-stocking this autumn, so breeders can wait until ewe and lamb sales being organised for next spring, or try other breeds.