Texel sired females in demand at spring breeding sheep sales
The versatile, adaptable nature of the Texel breed is proving an irresistible draw for farmers buying ewes with lambs at foot this spring, with Texel cross ewes topping the trade at a number of recent sales across the country.
It is the excellent mothering ability and milkiness of the breed backed up with confidence that the lambs have plenty of vigour and get up and go, which is driving farmers to seek out Texel cross ewes this spring, explains breed society chief executive John Yates. “Texel crosses have proved themselves to be excellent mothers in a whole range of systems and environments across the UK. They are hardy, versatile, milky, and prolific ewes which are long-lasting, with the added bonus over many breeds of providing a significant cull value at the end of their working lives.”
Mr Yates says this combination of factors, coupled with excellent growth rates passed on to their progeny means farmers can expect lambs from Texel cross ewes to be quickly away this summer, easing pressure on already overstretched pastures. “The slow start to spring means many farms have limited grass availability, quick growing lambs from Texel cross ewes will help reduce the burden as they will be away to slaughter quicker.”
Recent sales in the north of England have seen prices at high as £280/outfit for Texel sired ewes with twins at foot, with this price achieved last Saturday (18 May) by Rathmell-based Jonathan Frankland at Gisburn Market.
At the same sale Texel ewes with twin lambs at foot from P A Holliday, Dacre, Harrogate, then sold at £235 an outfit. And Texel sired hoggs with lambs at foot sold to £225/outfit on the same day for Skipton-based John Stapleton.
Skipton Market’s sale of hoggs with lambs at foot on Monday (20 May) saw a pen of Texel of Texel hoggs with single lambs at foot from Shaun Richards, Hapton, Burnley, lead the trade at £245/outfit.
And at Carlisle on the same day (20 May) both the ewe and hogg trades were again lead by Texel crosses, with the best price a £210/outfit call for Texel hoggs with singles from Messrs Thornborrow, Temple Sowerby. Leading the ewe prices were Texel shearlings with twins at foot from Messrs Bainbridge, Barnard Castle, at £213/outfit.
In a tough year it is telling that Texel cross ewes are the ones in demand, added Mr Yates. “The fact that they are so regularly topping these ewe and lamb sales speaks volumes for their rearing ability and the quality and quantity of the lambs they are producing, as such it is commercial producers actions that provide more evidence that the breed continues to deliver.
“Texel breeders’ extensive use of performance recording has resulted in massive improvements in growth rates in recent years and means lambs from Texel cross ewes will be quick growing, with great muscling and are well suited to the demands of the modern lamb trade,” he said.
