The immense interest shown by Brazil in British Texels will provide new opportunities for top pedigree breeders following a high profile visit by Texel Sheep Society chief executive, Steven McLean, and chairman, Keith Campbell. They have returned from South America with a deal to supply embryos to Brazilian breeders in the Autumn of 2006 on a partnership basis.

Steven McLean says the deal depends on getting the export protocols resolved, but agreement is now expected to be reached in time. Brazilian buyers intend to visit Sheep 2006 to select the ewes from which they want to buy embryos.

"The Brazilians are immensely interested in our stock", he added. "The idea is to get them over here so that they are part and parcel of the selection process. We want a full partnership.

"The UK breeders will carry the cost of collecting the embryos and supplying them. Then the Brazilians will carry the cost of implanting them and rearing the lambs. The proceeds will be split.

"The Brazilians very much want sheep of good type. They're also very keen on performance figures. This is an exciting niche opportunity for the right sheep".

Mr McLean explained that the collapse of the wool market had generated huge interest in the Texel breed among the more forward thinking South Americans. There were relatively few Texels in Brazil and farmers were now recognising that the UK Texels ranked among the best in the world.

Historically, UK ovine genetics had been very expensive and that had limited export opportunities. It was advantageous to our breeders that pedigree Texel prices in Brazil were about ten times the British price.

Interest was just as great in Uruguay, despite the fact that there are only nineteen Texel pedigree breeders in the country. A high proportion of them exhibited at the centenary Prado Show, where Keith Campbell judged Texels and Steven McLean judged the Suffolks.

"There was very keen interest in the visit", said Steven. "And the media coverage was fantastic. Keith must have done as many as ten television interviews and even more radio".

The Texel delegation was part of a Department of Trade and Industry sponsored trade mission to promote British livestock. It was initiated following a visit by Brazilian Texel sheep producer and sheep's milk cheesemaker, Marcio Aguinsky to the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

Welsh Winter Fair Visit Prompts Overseas Texel Mission