Breed societies
Please note: Breed information has been sourced from British Sheep (ninth edition) where details have not been forwarded from Breed Secretaries.
Information is presented alphabetically: [ B ] [ C to J ] [ K to Z ]
Badger Face Welsh Mountain
Torddu (meaning black belly) have black eye stripes; black running from under the chin to belly, continuing to end of tail. Torwen (white belly) shows reverse colouring, usually with less well defined markings. The Badger Face sheep have the hardiness and mothering ability that makes all Welsh mountain sheep so economical to keep. Additionally they produce a fleece which is very popular with hand spinners and others who appreciate the naturally coloured wool.
Secretary: Peter Weale, Llanairthon,Howey, Llandrindod Wells LD1 5PP
Tel:
Email: busy.bee@howey.plus.com
Web site: www.badgerfacesheep.co.uk
Balwen Welsh Mountain
One of the original Welsh breeds of sheep the Balwen remains as one of the most striking and versatile of all the rare breed sheep. The sheep has a base colour of black, dark brown or dark grey. It has a white stripe running from the pole of the head to the top of thenose, four white feet and half a white tail.
Secretary: Mrs Anne Groucett, Swffryd Farm, Hafodrynys, Crumlin, Gwent NP11 5HY
Tel: 01495 247869
Email: swffrydfarm@aol.com
Web site: www.balwensheepsociety.com
Beltex
Beltex are a terminal sire to cross with British and Halfbred Continental sheep producing good confirmation lambs which fetch a premium when sold.
Secretary: Rachel Buckle, Shepherds View, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4ES
Tel: 01768 341124
Email: Beltexsheep@aol.com
Web site: www.Beltex.co.uk
Berrichon
A polled white faced sheep with a medium fleece of high quality. Used as a terminal sire on both upland and lowland flocks to produce quality lean lambs for the home and export market.
Secretary: Mrs Sue Powell, Tregwynt, Three Ashes, Hereford HR2 8LY
Tel: 01989 770071
Mobile: 07974 360807
Email: berrichon@tiscali.co.uk
Web site: www.berrichonsociety.com
Blackface
The most numerous of British breeds, the Blackface is found over a wide stectrum of hill and marginal ground thoughout the UK and Ireland. Outstanding qualities would be survivability, adaptability and versatility.
Secretary: Aileen McFadzean - Blackface Sheep Breeders Association
Tel: 01764 683746
Email: aileen@scottish-blackface.co.uk
Web site: www.scottish-blackface.co.uk
Blue Texel
BLUE TEXELS are similar to white Texels, but express the "blue" ( A bl ) coat pattern. This is a recessive gene in the Texel breed, and Blue Texels breed true for it. Blue sheep are found in all Texel types from the smaller Dutch Texels to the larger Texels common in Britain. There is evidence of higher fertility in Blue Texels.
Secretary:Mrs Silvia Pajak, The Bungalow, Sheepwash Lane, Steventon, Abingdon OX13 6SD
Tel: 01235 831573
Email: sylvia@sheepwashtexels.co.uk
Web site: www.bluetexel.co.uk
British Charollais
The Charollais breed is now firmly established within the UK sheep sector as a major terminal sire. They have risen in popularity due to their commercial application and Charollais rams are now used on a wide variety of UK ewe breeds giving fast growing, long, fleshy lambs resulting in the right finish and shape for the buyers. In the live market Charollais cross lambs continuously top the prices as thse excellent lambs are in great demand from export and home meat buyers.
Secretary: Mrs C Barber, British Charollais Sheep Society, Youngmans Rd, Wymondham, Norfolk NR18 ORR
Tel: 01953 60335
Fax: 01953 607626
Email: office@charollaissheep.com
Web Site: www.charollaissheep.com
British Rouge
A medium sized breed of excellent conformation without excessive bone. Strong and deep through the chest with good length in back and loin with an exceptional hind quarter. Rouge sired lambs have a high value carcase with no fat, meat of a good texture and high meat to bone ratio.
Secretary: Sue Archer, Marston Mill Farm, Priory Road, Wolston, Coventry CV8 3FX
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 541766
Fax: +44 (0) 2476 541766
Email: secretary@british-rouge.co.uk
Web site: www.rouge-society.co.uk
British Vendeen
The main purpose of the breed is for the production of high quality lean meat of an excellent flavour from both pure and cross bred sheep. The breed is easily managed and is suitable for most management systems. A high percentage of flocks within the breed are involved in the National Scrapie Plan.
Secretary: Andrew John, Darkes House, Conderton, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 7PP
Tel & Fax: 01386 725229
Email: info@vendeen.co.uk
Web site: www.vendeen.co.uk
Bleu du Maine
The Bleu du Maine is a large grassland sheep with a blue slate-grey colouring on it's head and legs. First introduced in 1980 the ewes are enthusiastic mothers with high lambing percentages. Lambs are vigorous at birth. Improved conformation in bleu cross ewes when used with top terminal sires will give the producer extra quality and weight. Lambs can also be taken to heavier weights with good results.
Secretary: Jane Smith, Long Wood Farm, Trostrey, Usk, Monmouthshire NP15 1LA
Tel: 01291 673816
Fax: 01291 673889
Email: jane@bleudumaine.co.uk
Web site: www.bleudumaine.co.uk
Bluefaced Leicester
The Bluefaced Leicester is a sire of top quality hardy and prolific croos bred ewes for commercial lamb production. The cross-bred progeny of the Bluefaced Leicester is the Mule, a ewe famous throughtout the UK as the best commercial breeding ewe on the market.
Secretary: Helen Carr, Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Association, Riverside View, Warwick Road, Carlisle CA1 2BS
Tel: 0228 598022
Email: info@blueleicester.co.uk
Web site: www.blueleicester.co.uk
Border Leicester
A large distinctive white sheep, long in body, well sprung in ribs with a well developed chest and gigot. Proud and graceful with a white densely planted wool.
Secretary: Katie Keiley, Carton Croft, Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbright DG5 4NH
Tel: 01556 660 155
Mobile: 07902855440
Email: info@borderleicesters.co.uk
Web site: www.borderleicesters.co.uk
