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Edition 27

Mule News 2015

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Mule News 2015 l Edition 27 1

President ....................................... Mr R Raine ......................... 01768 898291

Retiring Chairman ...................... Mr John Mason ............... 01756 792636

Chairman ...................................... Mr Martyn Archer ............. 01434 230210

Vice Chairman ............................. Mr James Raine .................07952560480

Secretary ........................................ Mrs Marion Hope .............. 013873 71777

Association TiesPolyester ties available from the Secretary in the following

colours: Brown, Green, Maroon and Navy£10.00 inclusive of postage and packing

Hawes ............................................ Mr Brian Horner .............. 01539 620629

Kendal ........................................... Mr Jonathon Hodgson ..... 015394 43313

Kirkby Stephen ............................ Mr Geoff Taylor .................. 017683 51349

Lazonby ........................................ Mr Paul Staley ................... 01434 381375

Northumberland ......................... Mr John English ............... 01434 681233

Skipton ......................................... Mr Neil Heseltine ............... 07703 210218

Teesdale ...................................... Mr Malcolm Dent .............. 07975943480

Weardale ....................................... Mr John Reed .................... 01388 517210

West Cumbria .............................. Mr Richard Marrs ...............01946 814378

2015 Officers of the Association

Branch Chairmen

Mule News 2015 l Edition 272

Farmstock Auctioneers, Brokers & ValuersHARRISON & HETHERINGTON

Seasonal Sales of Mule sheep at Lazonby, Carlisle, Kirkby Stephen and Middleton-in-Teesdale

Pedigree & Commercial Livestock

Official Society Sales of Beef, Dairy & Sheep

Tractors, Machinery & Commercial Vehicles

Specialist Livestock Sales, Equine & Events

Professional Valuations

Online Internet Bidding

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01228 406200 harrisonandhetherington.co.uk

Borderway, Carlisle CA1 2RS

Organiser: Helen Davies The Meadows, Arddleen, Llanymynech, Powys SY22 6RXTel/Fax: 01938 590535 · Mobile: 07976 803066 · Email: [email protected]

A company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England. Registration No 37818. Registered charity in England and Wales (249255) and in Scotland (SC042853).

your business your futureNational Sheep Association is an organisation which represents the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK.NSA is funded by its membership of sheep farmers and its activities involve it in every aspect of the sheep industry.


With New Year over and scanning in full swing, lots of people’s

thoughts turn to lambing time and the Mule lamb cycle

starting again. We’re all full of hope that the new tup we

bought proves to be a bargain and sets us up for a successful

year but it’s also time to reflect on the past 12 months and

what we can do better….too many prolapses ?....should have

weaned those better lambs a week earlier ?....dip colour could

have been darker ?

It’s the same with NEMSA really. Compared to some of our competitors we have a very limited

budget but we try to spend it wisely promoting and publicising the North of England Mule –

that’s what we’re here for after all.

It doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels however and we’re constantly striving to do the best

job we can for you, the members. We try to target sales adverts in the right papers at the right

time, improve the look of the stand with new pens and pictures and a huge amount of work

goes on behind the scenes trying to find top quality sheep to take to events. If any of you have

ideas of what you’d like to see us do then come along to your branch meetings and give them

an airing.

A big thank you is due to all who helped last year in sourcing and lending sheep – your help is

much appreciated as there is no better advert for us than quality stock for potential buyers to

see. Thanks also to those who took time to attend, set up and man the stand at the various

events we attended.

Another big thank you goes to our Secretary, Marion, whose organisational skill and level-

headed common sense keeps us on the right track. She has tried to modernise us by raising

NEMSA’s profile hugely via our website/Facebook/Twitter and is a big asset to our Association.

Considering the real seasonal slump in fat lamb prices at the worst possible time, most

breeders were happy with the ewe lamb trade being similar or slightly down on 2013…..helped

by a much better shearling trade. I’m sure NEMSA’s promotional work helped in this and the

drip, drip message that the North of England Mule is still the most prolific, milky, profitable and

easily managed lowland ewe is effective.

Have a good lambing – and good luck with that tup !

Martyn Archer

Chairman's Report


Who’s the Daddy?

The Blue’s the Daddy

www.blueleicester.co.uk www.ukmules.co.uk

Contact Secretary: Helen Carr, Riverside View, Warwick Road, Carslisle CA1 2BS Tel: 01228 598 022 •Email: [email protected]

THE BLUEFACED LEICESTER SHEEP BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION

BFL_90x125mm WhosDaddy Ad_125x90 20/10/2009 12:45 Page 1

Annual Sale of 6000 Mule Ewe LambsWednesday 16th September 2015

Contacts: Bruce Walton 07711 299677 David Porter 07704 282373 David Bowman 07721 616786 Head Office 016973 42202

Hopes Auction Co Ltd,

Syke Road, Wigton,

Cumbria CA7 9NS

www.hopesauction.co.uk


Hello all,

Where is this time going ? Here we are at the end of beginning of spring

again, looking forward to our lamb crops hitting the ground.

Summarizing our year at NEMSA, we have continued to see a rise in

membership, and having had a very successful show season touring the

country, an encouraging interest in North of England Mules. NSA

Malvern is usually a good indicator for us as to the level of interest, this is the one NSA event

that we can guarantee a genuine commercial interest in Mules, we see and speak to the big

estates and also to the commercial farmer. As all us breeders know, the days of the shepherd

on many farms has been and gone and the time of the farmer is very limited and precious

having to be spread around many obstacles, therefore having the North of England Mule

present, brings forward an easy lambing, prolific ewe with a superb mothering ability who is

capable of raising 2 fat lambs.

We have a calendar full of events for this year, with NSA North Sheep as many of you know being

held at Millstone Moor, which will no doubt be the ultimate shop window for our NEMSA sheep.

Last year we purchased a new stand alone pen to compliment our show stand and this year have

ordered another two to run alongside, so we are very much looking forward to our shows to

exhibit these. Please do come along and see us. A list of all the shows we will be attending are

available on our website along with order forms for tags and our very popular merchandise.

It is great to see so many of you at sales, I try to go to support a different branch at their sales

every year, and likewise with Branch AGM's and as we all know it is either a feast or a famine !

We have some exciting valued customers that we will be visiting this year for articles, this is the

best publicity that we can possible gain and are grateful to those that allow us to visit.

I'm signing off by thanking our Sponsors, Shearwell Data and Animax. The assistance and

support that these two companies give to NEMSA goes above and beyond the call of duty at

times, and I hope that you all as members can take advantage of their products and discounts

that they make available to NEMSA. My most sincere thanks finally go to all Branch Chairmen,

Jeff Burrows treasurer, James Raine Vice Chairman, John Mason retiring Chairman and lastly

to Martyn Archer who guides me in the right direction and is Captain of the NEMSA Ship at the

moment - thanks fellas.

Please do not hesitate to call me if I can be of any assistance to you, thanks for your attention

and Happy Lambing !!

Marion Hope

Secretary's Report


Leaching trace element boluses for sheep

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Animax Rep Tom Raynor presenting NEMSA Chairman Roly Hayton with a cheque value £2500, grateful thanks to Animax for their continued sponsorship.

For this year’s sale dates please visit our website or contact the offices Full Fixtures List are available by request

Sponsorship Cheque


Covering all parts of The North East and the BordersSpecialists in the Sale of All Classes of Livestock

Annual Sales of over 11,000 NEMSA Mule Ewe Lambs bred from both North of England Blackface and Swaledale Ewes.

Lambs sold throughout the season at our modern Hexham Auction Mart complex on behalf of members of the Northumberland & Weardale NEMSA Branches, including those traditionally sold at Bellingham, Hexham & Tow Law sales.

Seasonal sales of Mule Gimmer Shearlings & Weekly Sales of Mule Store Lambs.Also agents for direct farm to farm sales of all classes of breeding and store sheep.

Contact our Auctioneers to discuss your requirements. The Mart Offices, Tyne Green, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3SG.

Tel; 01434 605444, Fax; 01434 604651, website; www.hexhammart.co.uk

Hardy & milky with great mothering ability, she can produce strong ewe lambs which can be bred from in their first year and powerful wether

lambs which weigh and kill out well.

Visit our website atwww.hexham-blackface.co.uk

Secretary - Jenny Walton - 07503 [email protected]

NORTH OF ENGLANDBLACKFACE SHEEP

“THE HEXHAM TYPE BLACKFACE”For Carcase, Colours and Coats

The three most important traits for the breeding of the North of England Mule.

Which makes the Blackface the UK’s most popular hill breed.


Well, how time flies when you’re having fun. What a great spring and lovely summer we had. I am sure we could all cope with a few more of them. On the 4th June, Northumberland branch along with Weardale and Kendal attended Scot Sheep at Quixwood Farm Berwickshire. Travelling up the day before, we thought, what a lovely part of the world and the way in to the farm looked so well kept and a lot of good stock on show. On the day – my god- it rained non stop, my 5 year old son and his mam were one of the few to go on the farm tour. He thought it was great, mam was not so sure returning half drowned.

On show we had a cracking pair of mule hoggs and Suffolk lambs from Joe Vickers Renington South which were in the all singing and dancing new centre pen and they looked a right picture, and a Northumberland blackface and pair of mule ewe lambs from R English and son Brownsleazes.

Sales on 5th September 1st sale was won by R.D Archer and son2nd J Browell and son Quarry House3rd M.W and C.M Ridley Shitlington HallSale average down 60p on the year but sellers and buyers were both happy.

Second sale 19th September1st R English and son Brownsleazes2nd A Carruthers and son Peela Hill3rd M.W and C.M Ridley Shitlington Hall

Sale average was considerably up on the year, mule gimmers at Hexham had been on fire 2 days prior so trade followed on from then. Vendors and purchasers both happy and a good year for Northumberland branch.

J English

R.D Archer and son

Members please note that ONLY Mule Gimmer Lambs must be tagged with NEMSA Logo tags

Northumberland Branch Report


Swaledale Ewes are supreme for breeding Mule Lambs

Swaledale Rams are ideal for crossing with other Hill Breeds for increased lamb

productiuon on Hill Land

SECRETARY : J. STEPHENSONBarnley View, Town Head, Eggleston, Barnard Castle, Co Durham DL12 0DE

Tel: (01833) 650516www.swaledale-sheep.com

Macintosh HD:Users:Paul:Library:Caches:TemporaryItems:Outlook Temp:NEMSA Advert.doc

BENTHAM AUCTION MART

‘For All Things Mule’ Buy or Sell at Bentham Auction

Mule Shearlings Blue Faced Leicesters The best selection of top pen Mule Gimmer Shearlings available anywhere.

2014 Top Price £340

The popular Bentham Leicester Sale providing a superb selection of crossing Rams for buyers from all parts of the UK. 2014 Top Price £5,000

Mule Gimmer Lambs Swaledales A Sale with a growing reputation for quality Lambs to satisfy both buyer and seller. 2014 Top Price £285

Excellent stocks of Swaledale Draft Ewes, Shearlings & Gimmer Lambs available.

2014 Top Price £245 Prime & Store Mule Lambs

Every Wednesday – Prime Lambs Fortnightly Tuesday – Store Lambs Contact: Stephen Dennis 07713 075 661

Main Street, Bentham, Lancaster, LA2 7HF Tel:- 015242 61444 www.benthamauction.co.uk


With Sheep scanning in progress and the last of the mule wether lambs loaded onto the wagon, our thoughts are of the forthcoming lamb crop, so I better get our Branch report completed.

For the first time in a number of years, Weardale Branch took sheep away on a demonstration to Scotsheep, unfortunately the weather completely drowned the entire event, leaving a lot of hard work in vain. I was not there personally but I heard a lot of positive comments especially about the new pen on the stand. Thanks to M W Skidmore Ltd for the loan of the sheep and to Ian Craig and Robbie Collingwood for seeing to them, and also to John English from the Northumberland Branch for transporting them for us.

Moving on to the sales, our main sale the Tow Law Sale, at Hexham Auction Mart there was an increase in entry with a pleasing trade to average £109.57, a rise of £3.20 on the year. The pre-sale show was judged by Phillip Elliott, with a level show of quality lambs and much thought, the results were:-

1st Ian Potts, Redburn.2nd TA Collingwood and Sons, Ambling Gate3rd R Collingwood, Starwardshield Meadows.4th GW Lee and Sons, Stockley Burn.

The following day at St Johns Chapel again an increased entry mainly of running lambs which were £3.89 up taking the average to £96.68, which exceeded the record average from 2 years prior. For the judging we welcomed one of Weardale’s most regular buyers, Chris Hunt and his daughter Alice Cook who awarded the following results :-

1st M and B Coulthard. Bridge End.2nd W M Reed and Sons, Lands Farm.3rd J Robinson, Ling Riggs4th T A Collingwood and Sons, Ambling Gate.

For the best run of lambs, the English cricket captain Alistair Cook got in on the action and helped his father in law award the Lee Jameson Memorial Trophy to M and B Coulthard, however when it got down to the serious business of buying sheep – he was left holding the baby !!!

I would like to thank our auction marts especially auctioneer Trevor Simpson at Hexham and Northern and Libby Bell from Barnard Castle for their hard work that they put in organising these sales and sourcing buyers, and finally I wish our Branch Secretary Beth Collingwood a safe and successful trip on her forthcoming 6 month visit to New Zealand.

John Reed

Ian Potts, Redburn.

Weardale Branch Report


In this part of the country, we can have few complaints about the weather in 2014. We missed the flooding which caused great hardship for farmers in parts of the south, our winter was mild and spring came early. After a good lambing time and an abundance of grass, the terrible weather of 2013 was soon forgotten.

In June, along with members of the Kirkby Stephen Branch we made our annual trip to the Royal Cornwall Show. As in previous years, I would like to thank Bill and Claire Pedlar for providing us with top quality sheep for our stand. Farmers were in an optimistic mood after a fantastic spring with lambs thriving. One producer told me he’d sold 200 Mule x Suffolk lambs straight off their mothers in the first week in June for £106 (19.5 Kg dw @ £5.45/Kg) and they were mainly twins! Like other sheep farmers in that area, he was keen to carry on running a flock of North of England Mules.

Breeding sheep sales started well in August. There was strong demand for shearlings providing optimism for the lamb sales. We weren’t disappointed, buyers turned up in large numbers with prices up on the year.

Penrith & District Farmers Mart LLP - Tuesday 23rd September 2014

Penrith Mart had 10,000 lambs at their sale. The average was up £2 @£98.50 Judging was carried out by Mr. P. Elliot Bank House and Mr. N Barker Dalton Old Hall Lancaster with Mr M Allen Borrow by Grange acting as referee.

Results:

1st and winning the Eden Hall Farm Supplies Trophy and NEMSA rosette – Mssrs Lord, Low Dowgill2nd Mssrs W M Hutchinson & Sons, Redgate3rd Mssrs G A and DE Thompson, Howburn4th Mr J H Little, Bankend Mill5th Messrs Lowis, Waterside House

P Dawson, Kentmere - Champions Lazonby

Lazonby Branch Report


Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Lazonby Mart - Thursday 11th September 2014

Will Halford of Worcester kindly judged the lambs after he’d fulfilled his responsibilities as shearling judge. He made the following awards:

1st and The Joe Armstrong memorial Cup P M Smith Parson Shields2nd R J Bell Scarrowmanwick3rd J Nattrass Shield Hill Top4th J G Thirlwall Quarry Farm

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Lazonby Mart - Alston Moor Sale - 1st October 2014

The 17,597 lambs averaged a pleasing £101.84 up £6.21 on the year leaving everyone happy with the day’s trade. The sale ring was buzzing from start to finish with buyers from near and far keen to take home the quality stock presented. The Tuesday evening show was once again a great success with 21 top quality pens put before the judges; Brian Ridsdale, Yew Tree Farm Penrith and Richard Evans, Whittlebury Towcester. The referee was Alan Walton, Haltwhistle.

1st and The William Armstrong Memorial Cup Messrs P L and J Dawson, Kentmere Hall.

2nd P M Smith, Parson Shields3rd J Lee and son, Morley Hill4th Mssrs P L and J Dawson, Kentmere Hall5th Mssrs Raine, Outhwaite6th R H and E M Lord, The Bog Farm

The show was kindly sponsored by L A Smith Livestock Scanning, Shearwell Data, Aspatria Farmers, Carrs Billingoton, Harbro, A W Jenkinson, H & H Insurance and Dodd &Co.

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd. Lazonby Mart - Wednesday 15th October 2014

An entry of 9056 North Of England Mules met an average of £91.87 up £7.17 on the year. A notable feature of the sale was the tremendous demand for running lambs. The pre sale show was kindly sponsored by Armstrong Watson, Barclays Bank and D W Toppin Ltd. Judge Mr Richard Harper of Kendal made the following awards:

1st and The Mounsey Kidd Memorial Trophy P M Smith, Parson Shields2nd P M Smith, Parson Shields3rd Kilnstown Farms Ltd., Kilnstown4th R J Bell, Scarrowmanwick

I’d like to thank Harrison & Hetherington LTD and Penrith and District Farmers Mart LLP and all their staff for the hard work and support throughout the year and in particular during the autumn sales. Also a special thanks to all committee members for their support and advice during my first year as chairman and particularly, Kaylene Lord, our secretary who keeps me right. All the best for 2015.

Paul Staley


SKIPTON AUCTION MART NORTH YORKSHIRE

Major seasonal sales in 2015 at Skipton of:-MULE GIMMER LAMBS

5 fortnightly sales during the autumn of 5,000 to 10,000 headTuesday 8th September – 7,000 lambs all from NEMSA Members

Tuesday 22nd September – 10,000 lambs all from NEMSA Members Tuesday 6th October (fortnightly thereafter) 5,000 lambs (Open Sale)

Autumn sales of Gimmer Shearlings & Ewes. Spring Sales of Hoggs with LambsRegular Autumn sales of 5,000-12,000 Store Lambs (July-February)

Fortnightly sales of 500-1,000 Young Feeding Bulls, Bullocks & Heifers

Pedigree & Commercial AuctioneersCraven Cattle Marts Ltd, Gargrave Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1UD

Telephone 01756 792375 – www.ccmauctions.comAuctioneers: Jeremy Eaton 07740 780481 Ted Ogden 07855 95821 Sam Bradley 07538 539077

Mule Sheep SaleS 20152,000 Mule Gimmer Shearlings together with 500 Continental shearlings

& other breeding sheep on Friday 4th September. ----------------------------

3,500 Mule Gimmer (ewe) lambs on Friday 18th September.----------------------------------

every Friday - sales of 80/180 Rearing calves & stirks.Monthly Dairy Sales.

50 / 500 store & breeding cattle fortnightly on Friday’s.all classes of breeding sheep & store lambs.

---------------------------primestock sales every Wednesday.

----------------------------------- For full details of all the above contact Mart office:

01969 623167 or Stephen Walker 07866 358 130. www.leyburnauctions.com

leYBuRN lIVeSTOCK auCTION MaRTRichmond Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire. DL8 5DP


Kendal Branch travelled to Scots Sheep at Duns, Berwickshire on a very wet day. Both inside and outside suffered the same soggy conditions, sheds with ventilation obviously work like colanders! A good display with the new NEMSA stand attracted a lot of interest. The Kendal Branch supplied a Ewe with Twin Lambs, kindly supplied by Messrs Little, Helm Croft.Our Thanks to Mr Little and also Brian of Toadpool, Kendal for his kind offer of Ewe and Lambs.

Our next trip was to the opposite end of the country to the Okehampton show, Devon. A great day out, thoroughly recommended, whether we encouraged any more new clients to venture up north or not.

Now to the business end - On Friday 12th September 27 pens of excellent show lambs were put before the two judges, Mrs Linda Woodhouse of Pilling and Mr Michael Barker of Halton, with Alan Edmondson as referee. After much deliberation both the pens of 10 and 20 were won by Messrs Inman, Strickland Hill. Quite an achievement. Congratulations and well done.

Pens of 20 Gimmer Lambs1st Strickland Hill Farming, Strickland Hill2nd A & H Watson, Middleton Hall3rd J A & C A Gibson, Longwell4th J Capstick & Sons, Whicham Hall5th P & A Fell, Castle Hill6th J & J A Burrow, Thursgill

Pens of 10 Gimmer Lambs1st Strickland Hill Farming, Strickland Hill2nd R H & C Ayrton Ltd., Ouzelthorn Farm3rd A & H Watson, Middleton Hall4th P & A Fell, Castle Hill5th J R & L A Capstick, Beckside6th T Ayrton & Sons, Yates Farm

Sale day arrived with a wonderful show of lambs after the excellent spring and summer. Trade was good from start to finish resulting in an overall average of £96.27. Many of the vendors at this sale sell a complete run of lambs, from high lying hill farms.

The Bruce Willison Memorial Trophy for the best run of lambs was won by JR & LA Capstick, Beckside. A popular winner, this was his last sale, as he is going out of Swaledales – he will be sorely missed.

NWA Lancaster held its annual show and sale of Mule gimmer lambs on Wednesday 17th September 2014 including many consignments of NEMSA lambs attracting many southern buyers as well as a good following of loyal local farmer buyers.

Buyers were keen to buy powerful tupping lambs with plenty of demand for best sorts of running lambs. An overall market average of £97.46 was achieved.

My Thanks go to the Judges, Referee, Sponsors, North West Auctions and Richard Gardiner, Kendal Branch Secretary. Lastly a Big Thank You to all of the customers, old and new, who made the sale a success, I hope that you are pleased with your purchases and have a bountiful lambing time. We look forward to welcoming you back to J36 Kendal in September.

Jonathan Hodgson.

Strickland Hill Farming, Strickland Hill

Kendal Branch Report


I don't know where the last three years have gone but the time has come for me to write my final report as branch Chairman.

Every year the weather is different, starting with an open winter, a good lambing time and grass throughout the summer and a dry September for getting our Gimmer lambs ready for sale. Throughout the year we have had 5 well attended branch meetings.

The first event that the Skipton Branch represented NEMSA at was South Sheep on the 28th June at Lewes, East Sussex near Brighton, John and Claire Mason went on the long journey south. The sheep for the stand , a Mule Ewe with twins and a Mule Shearing with a single loaned by Tom Gribble of Beddingham, this was a well attended event with around 1200 visitors.

Then in conjunction with the Hawes Branch the next event for us was Malvern held on 30th July, I think this is the main sheep promoting by annual event for sheep breeds. We selected a mule ewe with twin lambs from AL Dean & Son, Threshfeild and 2 mule hoggs with single lambs from John Wilson & Janet Dunning, Settle. A good stand with the new raised Hexagon Pen which created a lot of interest, and showed the sheep off to great advantage, it was a busy day and thanks to all the people who came to help on the stand.

Before the sales at Skipton, Sam Bradley, CCM Auctioneer, visited local breeders, on our behalf, to make our 2nd Mule Gimmer Sale Promotional film to go on Utube, which has been well received by it’s many viewers.

First Sale 9th September 8,194 entered, 23 pens of 10 presented for judging and 12 pens of 20 presented, realizing an average of £99.88 [down £2.12 on the year].

WA & A Booth, Feizor

Skipton Branch Report


10’s 20’s1 WA & A Booth, Feizor 1 WA & A Booth, Feizor 2 S & T Fawcett,Drebley 2 A Caton, Otterburn3 JK Wilson, Blubberhouses 3 JK Wilson, Blubberhouses4 A Caton, Otterburn 4 Ellis Bros, Addingham Moor5 Ellis Bros, Addingham Moor 5 A Caton, Otterburn6 KA & HL Fawcett, Barden 6 S & T Fawcett, Drebley

Ellis Brothers won the prize for the best run of lambs judged by the inspectors from West Cumbria.

Second sale 23rd September 8,201 were presented and sold to an average of £92.11 [£3.44 up on the year], and thanks to the inspectors who came from Weardale.

10’s 20’s1 WA & A Booth, Feizor 1 Ellis Bros, Addingham Moor2 JK Wilson, Blubberhouses 2 A Lodge, Malham3 Ellis Bros, Addingham Moor 3 CD & RF Kitching, Threshfield4 KA & HL Fawcett, Barden 4 A Lodge, Malham5 FA Caton, Weston 5 WP & B Walker, Appletreewick6 JC & N Throup, Draughton 6 KM & L Throup, Silsden

On the 11th November at the NEMSA meeting the Shearwell Prize Draw of the Stick Reader was made and the Skipton branch winner was Miles Greenwood from Stanbury.

Thanks must go to our sponsors Chris Pearson, Armstrong Watson and Barclays Bank for their sponsorship over the past year, the Auctioneers and Staff at Craven Cattle Mart for their continued support.

I would like to thank all the Committee members for their support and help over the past 3 years and Claire Mason our secretary for her dedication and hard work.

Kevin Wilson

HAWES, NORTH YORKSHIRE DL8 3NPTel: 01969 667207 Fax: 667220

THE LEADING CENTRE FORNORTH OF ENGLAND MULE GIMMER LAMBS

WEEKLY SALES EVERY TUESDAY:PRIME LAMBS/HOGGETTS 10am

(WEIGHED) LIGHTWEIGHT LAMBS 11amSTORE LAMBS/ EWES

REARING CALVES 10.30.amMONTHLY SALES OF STORE CATTLE & BEEF BREEDING CATTLE

SPECIAL AUTUMN SALES OF BREEDING EWES & RAMS

FARM & RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES UNDERTAKEN

For further information contact Auctioneers: Raymond Lund 015396 20895 or 07974 126397 . Maurice Scott 01833 622240

www.hawesmart.co.uk . e-mail: [email protected]


As a branch we have done similar too previous years. We started at Thame. We need to thank Graham and Brian Whitfield for providing the sheep for the stand. A two day sale seemed to help the north of England mule trade. Nemsa shearlings where selling for a stronger trade, than none nemsa shearlings.

Our area sale’s results are; firstly Longtown with an entry of 8663 of low land sheep. Judged by Mr Bowe of Calvo.

Ex swale Champion – T. Davidson, BellmountSecond – W. M and C. Wallace, GapshieldsThird – Messrs Telford, High Park Foot

Ex Blackface First – W & B. Nichol, LawstonSecond – R & C. Leach, Third – Craig Farm, Craigs

The sale averaged £90.69, down 20p on the year.

The next day was Hopes with 4550 lambs. Judged by Julie Brough and Julie Sedgewick.First – Messrs. Lee, Morley HillSecond – Messrs, W Ridley, WoodhallThird – Messrs, Emmott, Wythop Hall

The sale averaged £98.14, down £3.65

The next sale was Carlisle with 5350 lambs. Judged by Andrew Geary and Julie Brough.First – J. T James, MidtodhillsSecond & Third – J.W. Smithjackson, HightownSale Average £102.97, with nemsa lambs averaging £108.96 up 22p and none nemsa lambs averaging £98.10 down £1.28

Finally Mitchells with 8865 lambs. Judged by Mr, A Burgess and Mr D Mattinson.Champion – N. Marston, Millstone MoorSecond – A.G and K.F Nicholson, SwinsideThird – J. Ireland and Son, Stockhow Hall

Sale Avarage £98.02 up £3.02 on the year.

Finally I would like to thank Judith Emmott for all her continual hard work as secretary

Richard Marrs

Champion Lambs - Hopes Auction CompanyMessrs. Lee, Morley Hill

West Cumbria Branch Report


Major Seasonal Sale of

MuLE GiMMER LAMBS

Tuesday 22nd September 2015 10,000

Mule Gimmer lambs off noted flocks from Alston Moor, The North Pennines and the Lakeland Fells.

Penrith & District Farmers Mart

01768 864700www.penrithauction.com

lONGTOWN MaRT

eVeRY TueSDaY - STORe & BReeDING Sheep alTeRNaTe TueSDaYS - STORe & BReeDING CaTTle

pRIMe STOCK – eVeRY ThuRSDaY

ANNUAL SALE OF MULE EWE LAMBS, SHEARLINGS & EWESDETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE

longtown Mart, Townfoot, longtown, Cumbria, Ca6 5lY.Tel (01228) 791215-791300 Fax (01228) 792138

e-mail: [email protected] website: www.longtownmart.co.ukor find us on Facebook

1/4 page for Middleton in Teesdale Auction Co

BARNARD CASTLE AUCTION MART VERE ROAD, BARNARD CASTLE,

CO DURHAM, DL12 8AD01833 638152

Libby Bell - 07818435728

Special sales of breeding sheep held throughout the autumn.

iNC 2 Mule Gimmer Lamb Sales

ST JOHNS CHAPEL AUCTION MARTWEARDALE, CO DURHAM, DL13 1QF

Special sales of breeding sheep held in September & October.

inc a N.E.M.S.A. Sale


As I write my last report I reflect on the year and find it hard to believe where the year has gone, we did finally have had a great spring, summer and autumn. The grass has grown well and stock on the whole has done very well, a lot better than the last previous two years one might say. Spring sales of mule shearlings with lambs at foot, especially gimmer hogs with lambs at foot set off on a high which followed through to the back end of the sales.

Teesdale branch members were invited to be inspectors at the Kirby Stephen NEMSA sale; Malcolm Dent, Martin Walton and Philip Dixon attended. Branch members also attended Malvern and the Highland show.

The Teesdale branch prize of a Shearwell Data stick reader was won by Mr Bill Metcalf and daughter Joanne of Barningham; congratulations to both. Thanks also to Mr Richard Webber for donating the prize.

Middleton in TeesdaleThen on to the gimmer lamb sales starting with Middleton-in-Teesdale on Tuesday 16th September 3,320 gimmer lambs averaged £89.36. Sponsers were Shearwell Data, Carrs Billington and Tithebarn. Judges Mr David Lee of Thirsk, Mr Nigel Baker of Carnforth and Mr Anthony Spencer of Stratford Upon Avon. They awarded the G.M Teward and sons, silver cup and the NEMSA rosette to:

1st J & K Metcalfe, Park House2nd J & SE Bainbridge, Dousgill3rd W.M & E Dent, Wythes Hill4th J & JC White, Rigg Farm

Barnard CastleBarnard Castle’s sale was on Thursday 18th September 3,600 gimmer lambs averaged £104.33. Judges were Mr David Lee of Staindrop, Mr Richard Hanson of York and Mr Stuart Richardson of Barnard Castle. They awarded the NEMSA rosette to:

1st J & SE Bainbridge, Dousgill2nd J & MJ Walton, West Shotton3rd JW Dent & Sons, Naby View4th J & K Metcalfe, Park House

All members need to be congratulated again and again for the quality of gimmer lambs put forward at both sales; a 100% clearance.

Lastly thanks to Rebecca, Marion and the committee members for all their help over the years, to both auction marts companies for their outstanding marketing and purchasers who attended our sales, and to the whole NEMSA association continued success. Finally good luck to Malcolm Dent on taking on the famous ‘hot seat’ as Teesdale branch chairman.

M.R Wallace

J and K Metcalf, Park House

Teesdale Branch Report


Addingham & District Sheep Breeders’ Association staged its eighth annual charity sheep show and sale of predominantly Mule wether lambs at Skipton Auction Mart, raising a resounding £3,337 at the ringside for Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, Keighley. (Wed, Dec 10)

In total, the annual charity event has now realised well over £30,000 for Manorlands.

The 2014 show champion from father-and-son Joe and George Throup, of Berwick Intake Farm, Chelker, itself raised a heady £440 after being bought by show sponsor Chris Pearson, who runs Pearson Farm Supplies in West Marton and has a retail outlet on the auction mart site.

The victor and three further lambs bought by Craven Cattle Marts’ chairman Anthony Hewetson, of Bank Newton, will be now be wintered by regular buyer Stephen Dorey, who farms in Newark, before returning to the Skipton sale ring at next year’s February primestock show, where they will go under the hammer again to raise further funds for Manorlands.

Show judges James Hall, of Darnbrook, and Settle’s John Wilson, chose a Mule from the Walker family in Dunsop Bridge as their reserve champion, with Ken and Lynne Throup, of Silsden Moor, in third place and Ellis Bros, of Addingham Moorside, finishing fourth.

A total of 29 lambs lined up for the show and were later sold with a number of other donated lambs, along with further generous gifts from big-hearted supporters, including walking sticks from Ken Horner and Royston Baxter, by auctioneer Ted Ogden. Craven Cattle Marts again waived their commission on the sale

“It was another fantastic result and we remain indebted to all who donated lambs for sale, and to all buyers and supporters. The regional farming community once again demonstrated its generosity in support of an extremely deserving cause,” said show victor and joint organiser Mr Throup.

Addingham Sheepbreeders net more money for Manorlands

The main prizewinners at Addingham & District Sheep Breeders’ 2014 charity Mule sale, with victor George Throup pictured right. They are joined by sponsor Chris Pearson, left,

and co-judge John Wilson.


The charity fund-raiser formed part of the fortnightly sale of store lambs, the final one this year, when the 3,050-strong entry sold to an enthusiastic audience, with all types and sizes meeting an improved trade following the recent rise in the primestock prices.

Mule lambs, in particular, saw a marked improvement, with the breed average up £4 per head on the fortnight and horned lambs showing an increase of £7 per head, this reflecting a stronger showing. The day’s overall selling average was £60.41, compared to £54.57 at last year’s corresponding fixture.

George Throup with the family’s 2014 charity Mule champion.

SHEARWELL PRIZE DRAW WINNERSMany thanks go to Shearwell Data for their generosity in providing

9 stick readers to each of the Branches as a prize draw. The winners are as follows:-

Northumberland – Messrs Ridley, Shitlington Hall.

Teesdale – Messrs Bill and Joanne Metcalf, Barningham

Hawes – Messrs Banks, Cross Farm

Skipton – Messrs Greenwood, Milking Hill Farm

Lazonby – Graeme Carrick, Hole House

Kendal – Messrs Gibson, Burneside Hall

Weardale – Messrs Lonsdale, Smailes Burn, Rookhope

West Cumbria – Geoff Walker, Beech Croft

Kirkby Stephen – Messrs Proctor, Villa Farm, Great Musgrave

Members purchasing tags from Shearwell will be entered into a Prize Draw at the F and GP Meeting in November for a £500 voucher redeemable

against any Shearwell Products. Please check out their website to see what prizes are on offer www.shearwell.co.uk


This is my first year as chairman for the Hawes Branch of NEMSA.

The excellent spring weather set off lambing time well, with plenty of grass making everything a lot easier. The good weather continued over the summer and even over the sale days.

Shows

Firstly I would like to congratulate all our members on a successful show season this summer, with lots of entries and plenty people looking on.

Malvern NSA

Skipton and Hawes branches shared the stand at Malvern NSA event, we had the responsibility to find the mule lambs and geld hogs for the stand.

Will and I visited several farms and saw some excellent stock on the way, we decided on Gavin White’s 6 lambs and a Swaledale yow with a set of mule twins at foot, and also 3 geld mule hogs from Chris Hewitt.

Skipton branch provided the mule yowes with lambs at foot, and these proved to be very popular with the potential buyers down at Malvern.

The stand was well attended by both branch members and NEMSA members. We had an excellent day with a lot of interest from buyers old and new.

Open dayThen came the Hawes branch open day at Woodend Farm, Redmire courtesy of the Willoughby family, the day was a huge success with a large attendance seeing people from all over the country.

I have a few thank you’s: firstly to the all the sponsors which helped make the day happen, the committee members for their hard work to make the day run successfully, Gillian Sedgley and Carol Moffat for scoring the stock judging cards. And an especially big thank you to the Willoughby family.

Sales Kicking off with Hawes shearlings on the 19th of August 1st JW Hall Darnbrook 2nd JW Hall Darnbrook

3rd N & RJ Sunter Healaugh

Average £132.16

Bentham on the 30th of August 1st GE Jackson2nd Ron & Fran Wilson3rd F Brennand

4th C Hewitt5th Ron & Fran Wilson

Average £147.84

Messrs Lord W A & A Booth

Hawes Branch Report


Leyburn on the 5th September 1st Hannah Brown 2nd John Bell

3rd Stephen Hutchinson4th Hannah Brown

Average £153 up £17 on the year.

On to the Gimmer Lambs

Bentham on the 13th of SeptemberWith a very good show of well presented lambs, show results were:1st KA Brown & Son2nd NJ & L Allan3rd WA & GR Sedgley

4th JD Whitfield5th C & JE Willoughby

Nemsa lambs averaging £100.35 - up £2.23 on the year. With 10,229 brought forward.

Hawes on the 15th and 16th of SeptemberMondayThere was an excellent show with 24 pens out and the results were: 1st WA & A Booth2nd WA & A Booth3rd S Allan

4th JT Millman5th WA & GR Sedgley

Averaging £99.83 on 14,090 brought forward.

TuesdayWith 14 pens of quality lambs out to show and the results were:1st Messers Lord2nd G & HR Shields3rd Messers Fairburn

4th Messers Lord5th NJ & L Allan

Averaging £99.62 on 12,394 brought forwardWith the overall average down £3 on the year.

Leyburn on the 19th SeptemberThe show results were:1st J Allison & Sons2nd David and Tim Brown

3rd Robert and David Wallis4th Wallburn Hall Farms

The Average was £105.14 up £4.92 on the year.

Hawes second sale on the 29th September Show results were:1st Alan Lodge2nd J & SE Bainbridge

3rd J Allison and Sons

The average was £90.27 up £14.64 on the year.

As a branch we must thank the expertise of the auction marts for marketing our lambs.

A big thank you to all our members for presenting their lambs so well and the quality just seems’ to get better and better.

I would like to thank all the committee members for their continued support. And a special thank you goes to Michael Barker a past chairman of the Hawes branch and treasurer for the main society who has retired from the committee, we appreciate all the hard work he has done for the Hawes branch.

On behalf of the Hawes branch I would like to thank Val Brown who has retired from her role as secretary, we all appreciate Val’s hard work to keep the branch running smoothly. And I would like to welcome our new secretary Carol Moffat, who is my youngest daughter so I am sure we will get along fine.

Finally Shearwell Data donated stick readers in a raffle for each of the NEMSA branches and the Hawes Branch winner was Messer Banks, Walden.

Brian Horner


A Tribute to those Great Men of Mules

I sold my first pen of mule lambs at Appleby Auction Mart when I was twelve years old. They were a pen of seven: two were brown faced, two yellow, two orange, and one was passable. The late Bert Higgs of Leicester bought them. Unfortunately, I missed him for luck, and so got his address from the office to send him some. He sent me a letter back, saying I was the first man that had sent him luck and thanked me very much. My father was a masham man, but he said if I was going to breed mules I should grade my tup and try again.

So I got a lift to Hexham tup sale, a day I’ll never forget. I got my eye on a tup lamb that I just couldn’t leave, he was late on but I felled him for £28. He belonged to the late Jack Shield, Chapel-House, Gillsland. Jack thanked me for buying his tup, and said he would have liked to treat me in the pub, but as I was too young he gave me half a crown and four mint imperials. The tup got very well, and so the following year I went back to Hexham for a female. There was a lot of females to sell that day and they were a bad trade. The majority were selling between £12 and £16, with odd ones reaching £20-£22. I eventually came across Jack, who had none to sell. However, he was very helpful, and said that there was only one sheep in the auction to buy and he had bred it. She was a tremendous ewe, and had won first prize and champion. I bought her for the record price of 70gns. When I went out from buying her I overheard someone comment; “that young lad won’t be around much longer”. Indeed, she bred well, very much the type I liked which was the ‘Raughton’ type.

In 1966, at Appleby gimmer lamb sale Northampton men George Smith and his father bought several pens of lambs. George along with two Nigels, alias Haines and Hollick, to this day have never missed buying our lambs we are very grateful for both their custom and moreover their feedback on performance. Also that day I was very grateful to local buyer Denis Dent whom said if I sorted them properly he would buy my tops, which he did the following year, and for most of the next 40 years.

Father became a mule enthusiast. He and mother whilst on holiday in Devon called in on Newton Abbot Auction and met Robert Partridge. Robert came north, and still does, to buy mule gimmer lambs. Father also met the late Ron Tucker who liked what he was hearing about the mule. Ron came north and visited us, we spent two days and nights visiting mule farms and William Youngers pubs sampling tartan bitter and playing dominoes. Ron liked what he saw and said he would buy a few wethers that back-end, he said he would try sixty or seventy. However, local hauler Alderson and Huddart said he would take 160. The late auctioneer Norman Little, bought the lambs from three farms off Alston Moor, through Lazonby Mart. They went to Ron’s farm who then persuaded his neighbours and mates to try these mule wethers.

On the first Monday in January father sent me to Devon to see the first wethers sold. It was 369 miles, and he said I could stay for two days then get back home to work. Ron instructed me that he would introduce me to two butchers, and I would persuade them the mule was the best thing since sliced bread. I’ll never forget that day at Totnes Auction Mart. Two pens of ten mule wether lambs were sold, one each to local butchers who were very pleased with them, and they went on to buy several others. The only grumble the farmers that wintered them had was that they got caught up in the bramble bushes in winter. The following year they bought gimmers and clipped them on arrival. Since then thousands of mule gimmer lambs have gone all over Great Britain and we as breeders, whom all have similar tales to tell, are very grateful to those Great Men of Mules.

Kirkby Stephen Branch Report


Results of the 2014 sale: There were 10,630 sold, which averaged £106.88, £1.82 upon the previous year, for an additional 1,309 sold.

The results of the show, with thanks to the judges Mr Paul Tucker, Mr Mike Allen and referee judge Mr Thomas Binns, were as follows:

Class 1 – Confined to vendors of 200 or less & members of Kirkby Stephen NEMSA Branch:1st and winning the William Dent perpetual trophy – Messrs Jenkinson, Whingill 2nd Messrs I & P Brown, Oak House 3rd GR Birkbeck, Castle Hill4th A & R Birkbeck, Pennine View5th D & JH Richardson, Croft House

Class 2 – 10 lambs open to all vendors:1st and Overall Champion, winning the PF&K Perpetual Trophy and the late C Jackson Trophy - K.A Brown and Sons, Asby Hall2nd and reserve Champion pen winning the H and H Perpetual Trophy - HR Hayton & Son, Asby Grange 3rd WM Hutchinson & Sons, Redgate 4th J & G Shields, Lythside5th W & CW Dent, Greenriggs

Winner of the Shearwell stick reader was Messrs Proctor, Villa Farm. Thank you to all vendors for such a good show and sale of lambs, and a special thanks once again to all customers, near and far, for coming to Kirkby Stephen. A thank you to Mark and Jimmy for selling them and to all H&H staff. Also thank you to our sponsors, inspectors and all members. Finally a big thank you to our secretary Christine. As this is my final report I will leave you in the safe hands of our vice-chairman Colin Dent, and wish him well.

Thank you

Geoff Taylor

HR Hayton, Asby Grange

KA Brown and Sons, Asby Hall

Small Breeders Champions, Matthew and Mark Jenkinson


It never fails for quality, the

largest show of NEMSA Gimmer

lambs so far at last years Agri

Expo, expertly judged by Ken

James of Todhills,

Champions for 2014 were

John Wilson and Janet

Dunning of Settle

A new venue at Lanark Auction Mart for the Scottish Winter Fair proved successful for J P Lee, Morley Hill as they took the Championship and 3rd place honours with their NEMSA wethers, Jeff Carrick of Crossgill took 2nd place.

SCoTTISH WINTER FAIR

The Lakeland Livestock Centre, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0QQ Web: www.mitchellslivestock.co.uk Email [email protected]

FRIDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER Annual show & sale of 5,000 Mule gimmer shearlings & ewes. Annual show & sale of

350 breeding rams.

FRIDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER Great Annual Lakeland show & sale of 10,000 Mule gimmer lambs.

competing for the Johnny Matterson Memorial Cup.

Monday 21st SEPTEMBER Annual Show & Sale of 150 Bluefaced Leicester rams & females including the Annual

production sale of Neil Marston’s (Highberries Flock).

John Wharton 07912 946549 or Andrew Wright 07920 460004


With endless sunshine beaming onto us, NEMSA had their biggest classes of sheep yet to be shown at the RHS 2014, with entries at the best they have been to date. Many thanks to all those that exhibited and congratulations to all, a show that was worthy of a packed ring side again.

Results were :-

103 - MuLE EWE LAMB1st Marston, Mr N C, Cockermouth, CA13 0QA 2nd Mason, Mr A J, Skipton, BD23 6PP 3rd Marston, Mr N C, Cockermouth, CA13 0QA 4th Taylor & Sons, G P, Cumbria, CA16 6HF 5th Dawson, Mr P L, Kendal 6th Marston, Mr N C, Cockermouth, CA13 0QA

104 - GELD MuLE HOGG 1st Wilson, R & F Carlisle, CA49QY 2nd Skelton, Mr W, Cockermouth 3rd Wilson, R & F, Carlisle, CA49QY 4th Elliot, Mr Phillip, Penrith, CA11 9SS 5th Elliot, Mr Phillip, Penrith, CA11 9SS 6th Skelton, Mr W, Cockermouth

105 - GiMMER SHEARLiNG/EWE sucking a pair of lambs 1st Hedley, Mr Charles, Bishop Auckland, DL15 0HZ 2nd Bowe, Mr N, Silloth, CA7 4PJ 3rd Elliot, Mr Phillip, Penrith, CA11 9SS 4th Hewitson, B W, Cockermouth. CA13 9TJ

106 - MuLE EWE WiTH LAMB 1st Mattinson, Mr David, Cockermouth, CA13 2nd Mattinson, Mr David, Cockermouth, CA13 3rd Skelton, Mr W, Cockermouth 4th Elliot, Mr Phillip, Penrith, CA11 9SS 5th Hewitson, B W, Cockermouth, CA13 9TJ 6th Elliot, Mr Phillip, Penrith, CA11 9SS

Champion to R and F Wilson, Reserve Champion Neil Marston.

Champion to R and F Wilson, Reserve Champion Neil Marston.

Champion

Royal Highland Show


For specialist sheep producer Stuart Howard optimum output is the key to profitability from his 1000-ewe flock at Brede, East Sussex.

“Historically we were a mixed sheep and arable unit, but I packed up arable farming eight years ago to concentrate on sheep production. We could grow good crops of wheat here, but producing a decent break crop was increasingly frustrating and we have decent grass growing ground so it made sense to increase the sheep numbers and prioritise them,” explains Stuart.

“On top of that I’m more of a stockman than a tractor driver and since the switch the farm is in better heart and I’m happier with the system we have.”

Central to the sheep enterprise at Hare Farm are the 770 Mule ewes for which replacements are bought every autumn as ewe lambs from a NEMSA breeder at the Alston Moor sale at Lazonby.

“We’ve been working with Mules since my father first bought some in 1977 and have stuck with them ever since. The only change we’ve made to the stocking policy since then is to retain about 60 of our homebred Suffolk x Mule ewe lambs every year, with 250 of these ewes run alongside the Mule flock to produce earlier finishing prime lambs when put to Charollais sires.

“It would in some ways be easier to run a flock of just Mules, but having bred the Suffolk crosses I like to keep some back to follow them through to ewes.”

With all the Mule ewes put to Suffolk tups Stuart offers Suffolk x Mule ewe lambs every year as breeding lambs at Ashford Market, with the 2013 crop averaging £81 for the 400 sold at the first sale.

“This is a valuable source of income for us and it’s pleasing to see the same buyers regularly buying out of our run,” he adds.

But Stuart is certain the reason he can achieve a reasonable return for his ewe lambs is the quality of the Mules he buys every year. “It all comes down to buying the right lamb in the first place. I prefer to buy from one sale and ideally to buy all my lambs from one farm, having bought from Philip Dawson, Kentmere Hall, for several years now.

“Buying from one vendor eases a lot of the worry about health issues and means I know every lamb has been treated the same from day one. On top of that they’re all of a type and without a doubt that consistency of breeding shows through in the ewes later in life and in their progeny.

“All the ewes perform in the same manner and leave a consistent crop of lambs. When it comes to selling our Suffolk x Mule ewe lambs I’m often complimented on the evenness of the lambs. I’m certain that’s a result of buying good Mules in the first place and being willing to pay a little more for good quality lambs.”

Over the last few years Stuart says his NEMSA lambs have averaged anywhere from £95-£121 apiece when bought at Lazonby. “I could buy cheaper lambs, but you soon see the difference in the sheep even when you only pay just a little bit less. Lambs costing just £3-£4 less a head just don’t have the quality to them. As these lambs are with me for their lifetime the extra cost is soon written off.”

And Stuart says taking the time to go and buy the lambs himself makes a difference too. “It’s a fair drag up to Lazonby and it could be easier to let someone else do the buying for us, but if I buy them I know I’ve had the pick of the lambs and I’m not left wondering if I’ve got the sheep I should have.

Stuart Howard


We used to let an agent buy for us, but I’d rather buy my own. And of course it’s a good couple of days away too!”

Once the ewe lambs have been bought and delivered home Stuart implements a careful quarantine strategy, vaccinating every lamb against footrot and drenching them to ensure no worm problems are bought on to the farm. “Additionally all the ewe lambs are trained to an electric fence and are sent away for the winter to graze green cover crops on my cousin’s farm about 30 miles away. It does them a lot of good and they come back in great form.

“For the last few years I’ve drawn off the biggest of the lambs to be tupped and this has worked well. It helps defray the costs of them a bit more and I’ve found the hoggs to be great mothers. This year the weather was so good that I lambed them outside and they were no bother at all,” he says.

Lambing of the main flock starts in mid-March with ewes housed from early January onwards to give the grass a break before ewes go back on to it after lambing. “We’ve got some fairly wet ground and a significant part of the river valley floods during the winter, so I have to get the sheep off the ground. Housing them may seem expensive, but it’s either that or send them away to keep and overall I think housing them at home makes sense, particularly as I have the buildings to cope with the number of sheep.

With the flock scanning at about 200% every year Stuart says the Suffolk x Mules serve another good purpose too, providing a reasonable supply of singles to foster triplet lambs on to from the Mule flock. “That said I have left about 30 sets of triplets this year and they have managed well, again due to the Mule’s great milkiness and ability to thrive off grass alone.”

Once housed ewes are fed hay and concentrate with 1lb/head a day offered up until about four weeks from lambing when feed rates go up to 1.5lb/head a day for singles, 2lb/head a day for twins and 2.5lb/head a day for triplets.

“But once we’ve lambed the ewes are turned out as soon as possible and then we don’t feed them at all. I’m keen to make best use of grass and regularly reseed to ensure we have some good new leys for the ewes and lambs each spring.”

Lambs generally aren’t creep fed either, apart from the Charollais crosses on the Suffolk x Mule ewes. “Creep feeding these makes sense as they can be away quickly and helps cash flow early in the summer before we start drawing the Suffolk cross whethers.

I maintain a flexible approach when it comes to marketing the Suffolk cross wethers, dependent on the store and prime trade and the year. “I generally pull off better fleshed lambs and put them on to better grass and creep too. I then tend to sell the rest as stores. It all depends on the trade and if the investment in feed for the lambs looks like being returned by a better price,” he explains.

And he may be in the heartland of the Romney, but Stuart says he sees the Mule as the future of his sheep enterprise. “With the Mules I can sell just shy of two lambs a ewe a year and no doubt if I worked with the Romneys it would be less and we wouldn’t be able to earn the premium from our ewe lambs that we do now.

“Mules work for me on every level and I’m a firm believer in not fixing what isn’t broken!”


www.nemsa.co.uk

@mulesheep

North of England Mule Sheep Association

As I come to end of my three years as president which has been a great honour for me, I have enjoyed travelling to the shows and sales and meeting so many young and enthusiastic exhibitors and helpers on the show stands.

Many thanks to the past Chairman John Mason and the present Chairman Martyn Archer for all their hard work for the Association not forgetting the most efficient and helpful Secretary Marion Hope.

Wishing the Association every success in the future.

Roly Hayton

Retiring President


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Name ............................................................................................................................

Membership Number ..................................................................................................

Address ........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................

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I enclose herewith a cheque value £ ............. being the levy monies due to NEMSA

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Win £500 towards the cost of EID Equipment!

The nine NEMSA Member Areas are: Northumberland, Lazonby, Weardale,Teesdale, Hawes, Kirkby Stephen, Kendal, Skipton and West Cumbria. The Prize Draws will take place at the Finance & General Purpose meeting, October 2015

When ordering NEMSA Sheep tags through Shearwell Data, NEMSA members will automatically be entered for the draw


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We are giving this prize to each of the nine NEMSA areas again this year

Working to help the livestock farmer

All prices exclude VAT & Delivery.

Shearwell Data

• Shearwell EID Stick Reader• Rugged Quad Core Android Tablet• StockMove Express app with lifetime subscription to premium features of NLMD-LT• Ability to send movement data to ARAMS, BCMS and ScotEID

NEW Livestock Management Package

Includes

AmazingValue£844

Introductory Price

StockMove Express for

iPhones - available early 2015

Shearwell EIDStick Reader

Individual price

(not in package)

£450 for NEMSA

members

Usual price £550

Call or browse our full range online

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