01/05/07
Jennifer Atkinson and David Smith, of South Kelsey, Market Rasen
have been awarded the Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders’ Association’s
supreme flock championship after their 60 ewe Kelsey flock was
judged on breed type and overall conformation. In addition, they
headed the section for large flocks and for both breeding and
older ewes.
John Davies, centre, presents the Hampshire Down flock awards to Jennifer Atkinson and David Smith
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Narrowly pipped into overall reserve position were Henry and
Hilary Derryman of Honiton, with their 110 ewe Yarcombe flock
which was also received the award for both the best stock rams
and ewe lambs.
“The Kelsey flock demonstrated excellent size and conformation
throughout and reflected today’s modern Hampshire Down, while
Yarcombe with its volume of very uniform sheep and great conformation
was just beaten in to reserve,” according to John Davies,
of the Welsh based Rhydmoelddu flock who judged the 23 entries. “Overall,
I found a consistent trend among the flocks: breeders are selecting
for growth, conformation and breed type, and that was particularly
apparent among the Signet Sire Reference Scheme (SRS) recorded
flocks which were producing rams that are ideally suited to today’s
commercial market place.”
He adds: “That commercial demand for the Hampshire Down is
actually being reflected in the breed’s massive resurgence.
During the last five years, the Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders’ Association’s
ram registrations have increased by 55%, female registrations by
33%, and membership by 30%. These commercial producers are now
recognizing the breed as a modern terminal sire which also retains
the breed’s original native characteristics of hardiness
and longevity, and leaves cross bred lambs that outperform most
other popular terminal sires in grass based production systems.”
Awards:
Overall champion: Atkinson & Smith;
reserve: Henry Derryman.
Large flocks: 1, Atkinson and Smith; 2, H and H Derrryman;
3, C and K Westlake.
Medium flocks: 1, G and J Boyles; 2, M Adams;
3, P Watson.
Small flocks: 1, M and G Harris; 2, T and
J Hunter; 3, Haynes and Taylor.
Best stock rams: H and H Derryman;
breeding ewes: Atkinson and Smith; older ewes: Atkinson and Smith;
shearling ewes: H and H Derryman; ewe lambs: G and J Boyles;
novice: J Birkwood.
Show points competition: Symtag trophy: E
B and S Jones; Redesdale Cup: D Evans.
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