The Sherborne Flock

Sherborne Poll Dorsets 'Genetics in Clover'
 

Ewe Lambs Show Weight Gain

In July 2011 we decided to go back to tupping a proportion of our September/October 2010 born ewe lambs, something not done here for five years. An average body weight of 55 kgs was always used as a yardstick to determine which sheep would be run with the ram. This current group averaged between 60-65 kgs, showing an increase of nearly 10kgs! This is particularly pleasing because they do not receive any concentrates, once weaned in late December.

‘Ewe lambs running with Manorcroft Panther’

At the time of writing this, all of the group had either lambed to Panther or were in lamb to Poorton Netherbury for February 2012.

Rams Travel The Channel

We were recently delighted to export four rams to a large commercial flock in France, where they will be used for crossing onto 1,000 Ile De France ewes. The resulting females will be more docile and better at forage conversion whilst maintaining an out of season breeding ability.

Flock Competition Results

At the Breed’s AGM in November in Kingsbridge in Devon, the Sherborne Flock picked up several awards in the National Flock Competition.

Our rams picked up the trophy for Best Group of Stud Rams. The ewes lambs finished runners up, with the overall flock also finishing second in the Large Flock section, going on to be eventual Reserve Champions overall.

Worcester Show 2011

Sherborne Nato won the Shearling Ram class. Having also been successful at this year's Bath & West, this Poorton Kingcombe son was the day's top price at 490 gns.

Sherborne Nelly was the day's overall Champion after winning the Shearling Ewe class. Bred from our show ewe Florida, Nelly was sired by Poorton Jeppy - the same sire as our May Fair Female Champion, Nadia

Bath & West Show 2011

Sherborne Prince Regent was Reserve Breed Champion and followed this up by becoming Champion Performance Recorded Ram, beating a class consisting of various other breeds.

May Fair 2011

Sherborne Nadia (N133) - Female Champion May Fair 2011

Sherborne Nadia (N133) was awarded Best Shearling Ewe and Overall Female Champion at this year's May Fair. The Poorton Jeppy daughter later sold for 480gns to Mr Rod Dallyn of Wimborne for his Pilford Flock.

Other highlights at the Fair for our Flock was Sherborne Pretender finishing second in the Signet class before joining Sian Downes at Sian-D.  Sherborne Platinum and Preference were third in the pairs, before both going to Northern Ireland, where they will join Raymond Hill's Olive Tree Flock and Angus Fleming's Drumlin Flock respectively.

Purchases

• Manor Croft Panther - this triplet lamb by Trevilley Forcer was bred by Tom Clarke. Panther was in the winning pen of rams.

• Blackhill Parker - a Blackhill Kraker son from Jim Dufosee's Blackhill flock. Parker is a Gortleigh Corker grandson.

The Sherborne Flock would like to thank all purchasers of ram lambs and females at the sale and wish them every success with their sheep.

Centurion Ram of the Year 2011

Sherborne Pretender (P114) was recently voted Ram of the Year by the Centurion Poll Dorset Breeders, beating 20 other rams (lambs and shearlings). This Gortleigh Hastings son will be offered for sale at this year’s May Fair sale. Out of a Sherborne Ferrari sired ewe, Pretender has an index of 340 and will probably represent the flock in the Signet Performance and Single Poll class at the Fair.

Waitrose Award

The Sherborne Flock was awarded the Waitrose Dorset Lamb Producer of the Year 2010. The award combines the quality of the lamb produced with accuracy of numbers delivered on commitment. 2011 has got off to a good start as well, with 96% of lambs achieving specified grades, averaging over 19kgs DWT.

High Maternal Index Rams

Lewisham sons, Sherborne PO211 and PO212 were impressive in the Signet March breeding run and were also selected in the Centurion Ram Selection top 5. These twins are out of our impressive H33 – a Federal daughter having produced 8 lambs in 4 crops every September and lambed as a ewe lamb in 2006. PO212 (Sherborne Pires) has been sold to the Blackhill flock, whilst PO211 will be retained here at Sherborne. Both rams have terminal and maternal figures over 300!

New Sires for 2011

Downkillbegs Napoleon – purchased at May Fair 2010, by Drumlin Kojack, the sire of the 2009 May Fair Champion. Early lambs look very promising.

Poorton Nethercombe – purchased privately in 2010, by Downkillbegs Captain. We hope this ram will pass on his quality and style to his offspring!

Sherborne Panache – this ram lamb combines the best of Downkillybegs Jazz Dancer (sire) and Gortleigh Hastings (sire of dam). At the moment he possesses a lot of strength and breed type with a fantastic head. Also has good figures!

Genetic Gains

Over the last few years we have slowly improved the performance of the flock which can be clearly seen by the Signet figures shown. However, we have not done this at the expense of type and management.

For Sale

From March onwards!!

Ram Lambs

• There is a good selection of well grown September/October 2011 born ram lambs.
• All with figures and genotyped.
• They are sired by a selection of sires, including new lines from Poorton, Downkillybegs and Sherborne.

Ewe Lambs

There will be a good selection of September/October and November/December born ewe lambs available. We hope to have over 100 to choose from, but contact us soon as buyers are already making enquiries.

All enquiries welcome

Please contact us  immediately if you have any interest or further queries!

Complete our on-line request form

or

Enquiries to the following please

Richard & Robert Hole

The Sherborne Flock

Hillstreet Farm

Holwell

Sherborne

Dorset

DT9 5LJ

Visitors are always welcome, but an appointment would be appreciated.

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