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DORSET HORN & POLL DORSET

SHEEP BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION

July 2012

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NEWS FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING – PLEASE READ

TATTOOING/TAGGING As you will all know there has been a recent postal vote on whether to make tattooing optional. Approximately 66% of the membership voted for which I would like to thank you very much – 178 members were in favour and 25 against. It was proposed, seconded and passed, that tattooing will now become optional as of 1 September, 2012. If members wish to carry on tattooing nothing will change. However, if members wish to use tags instead of tattooing, your Society Flock number and the year letter MUST be on the tag. In brief, if using the tagging system all the information that you would have tattooed, must now be included on the tag. RAM NUMBERS FOR MAY FAIR Considering the numbers of rams sold during the previous three years, there has been concern about the number of rams being entered for May Fair. It was proposed, seconded and vote carried that: “All members permitted allowance of rams would be reduced by one” MAY FAIR, 2013 May Fair 2013 will be held at Exeter Livestock Centre on Tuesday, 7th and Wednesday, 8th May. Please put this date in your diary NOW. WORCESTER SALE, 2013 It was agreed the date for the 2013 Worcester Sale would be Saturday, 13th July. Please put this date in your diary NOW. It was also proposed, seconded, and vote carried that the upset price for rams at the Worcester sale should be reduced to £250.

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COUNCIL MEETING

THURSDAY, 19th July, 2012

PROMOTING THE BREED At the last Council meeting, members asked if we, as a Society, could make more use of the website, in this ever changing world. If you have any news or articles that you think would be suitable PLEASE send them in. If you go to a show, PLEASE take pictures and send them in with the show results. The question arose: “have any of our members the IT skills to help the Society freshen up our website, and would they be interested in managing the site – an opportunity wherever you live. BREED SOCIETY TIES There was a suggestion that a new Breed Society tie should be produced. THERE MUST BE SOME BUDDING DESIGNERS OUT THERE, SO ALL MEMBERS ARE

ASKED TO SEND IN A SUGGESTED DESIGN FOR A NEW TIE, PLEASE!!

(either send your design to the office or e-mail:dorsetsheep@xlnmail.com) APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP The following applications for membership were accepted: H P & S A Cory, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales Prefix: TBC Darren Gribben, County Down, Northern Ireland Prefix: Carmeen Mr & Mrs R Harvey, Lymington, Hampshire Prefix: Harvey’s Mr Neil McAllister, County Antrim, Northern Ireland Prefix: Minnis Mr D Mortimer-Jones, Conwy, Wales Prefix: Afon Conwy Jacqueline Preston, Berwickshire, Scotland Prefix: Todlaw Mr Julian Speers, Blandford, Dorset Prefix: Arminca Mr Matthew Steenson, County Armagh, Northern Ireland Prefix: Tonnogh Miss R C Turner, Coventry, Warwickshire Prefix: Westmead ASSOCIATE MEMBER Mrs Sarah Ward, Kirby, Kent JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP It was proposed, seconded and all in favour that Junior membership should be open to people 18 years of age or under, and the £10 fee should be for the first three years, before it is increased to adult membership.

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DORSETS CONTINUE TO GAIN STRENGTH AT WORCESTER The Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn Sheep Association’s Annual show & Sale at Worcester continues to gain importance and strength with an almost total clearance and a buying contingent that came from literally across the country. Topping the bill in the pricing stakes was a ram lamb from David Rossiter’s “Huish” flock. Having taken First in the class he went onto take Overall Championship, not only did he favour the show judge but with a maternal index of 276 and an index of 363 plenty of interest reigned from purchasers being eventually secured by Richard and Robert Hole for use in their “Sherborne” flock in Dorset. Richard and Robert Hole also featured strongly as vendors topping the Shearling Ewe section at 650 gns for a Gortleigh Hastings daughter carrying twins being taken by T.W. Holland & Son, Cardigan, West Wales. Messrs Holland were keen bidders at the sale taking a total of 10 females. David Rossiter’s quality consignment found a close following with a second prize Shearling Ewe scanned with twins at 520gns to T. Eden, Kempsey, Worcester. A long trip from Cornwall for Mr W L French’s “Wilsey” flock was well rewarded with a hotly contested trade keeping at 500gns twice, both for shearling ewes carrying twins secured by David Lewis, Narbeth, Pembrokeshire. Ewe lambs enjoyed a very spirited demand and were off to a good start in that section with the first sold a first prize winner, from the Huish flock, by a New Zealand bred sire taken at 370gns by Joe Larder, Sandford, Somerset for his “Byeways” flock. Jim Dufosee’s “Blackhill” flock achieved Second and Third in the Ewe Lamb class with the second prize winner making 330gns to G. Jones,Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion. “Blackhill” also hit the 260gns mark for a pen of 4 ewe lambs to David Lewis, Narbeth, Pembroke. A small number of rams were on offer, shearlings selling to 550gns for the fourth prize winner and 500gns for the first prize winner, both from W.L. French “Wilsey” and purchased by R.G. Elliott & Son, Northampton and T. Pratt, Ipswich, Suffolk respectively. Averages were as follows: 15 Senior Ewes £231.00 29 Shearling Ewes £380.53 35 Ewe Lambs £203.43 2 Shearling Rams £551.25 3 Ram Lambs £514.50

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WORCESTER SALE PRICES, 2012

AV PRICE

£

TOP PRICE

£

In Lamb Individual Shearling Ewes Jim Dufosee 2 av 451.50 504.00 MVA/SMN

Individual Shearling Ewes that have run with the ram

R & R Hole 4 av 467.25 682.50 MVA D W Rossiter 5 av 407.40 546.00 MVA/SMN W L French 15 av 372.40 525.00 MVA

Individual Shearling Ewes (not in lamb)

Edwin Pocock 273.00 273.00 MVA R M Eglin & Son Ltd. 2 av 183.75 189.00 MVA

Individual Ewe Lambs

D W Rossiter 388.50 388.50 MVA/SMN Jim Dufosee 2 av 278.25 346.50 MVA/SMN Joe Larder 3 av 168.00 199.50 MVA Mrs C M Tucker 2 av 181.12 183.75 MVA G & E Jones 2 av 173.25 178.50 MVA

Shearling Rams

W L French 2 av 551.25 577.50 MVA Jim Dufosee 262.50 262.50 MVA/SMN

Ram Lambs

D W Rossiter 735.00 735.00 MVA/SMN R & R Hole 441.00 441.00 MVA Jim Dufosee 367.50 367.50 MVA/SMN

PENS

Registered Poll Dorset Ewe Hoggets (not in lamb) R M Eglin & Son Ltd. P 105.00 – 136.50 2 pens MVA

Registered Poll Dorset Ewes that have run with the ram

R & R Hole P 294.00 1 pen MVA Edwin Pocock P 157.50 – 262.50 4 pens MVA

Registered Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Ewe Lambs

Jim Dufosee P 231.00 – 273.00 2 pens MVA/SMN R & R Hole P 199.50 – 231.00 3 pens MVA Joe Larder P 136.50 – 178.50 4 pens MVA Mrs C M Tucker P 157.50 1 pen MVA A P & L Brookin P 105.00 2 pens

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Dorset Stand the Guest of HRH Prince Charles at Scotsheep! On Wednesday 6th June 2012 the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association were represented at Scotsheep by the Association Chairman David Rossiter, Cathryn Pritt, Marianne and Martin Sheed and James Royan. This year’s event was hosted by HRH Prince Charles the Duke of Rothesay at Dumfries House, Cumnock, Ayrshire on the farm now being run by Morrison’s supermarket. Morrison’s have just spent £2 million pounds on the farm, which was obvious by the high quality buildings that housed the breed society and trade stands at the event. Despite the heavy rain throughout the day all the visitors were in high spirits and enthusiastic to learn about new innovations in sheep husbandry. Given that the Dorset breed is one of the oldest in the country, people may wonder why it can be linked to new and progressive innovations. However, when you closely examine what other breeds and composites are using as their unique selling points (or USP’s as they called them on the one episode of ‘The Apprentice’ I watched!!) Dorset’s have much to offer the sheep industry. Prolific, easy care ewes, capable of lambing at any time of the year to produce a fast growing lamb which will easily meet the consumer’s expectations were many of the USP’s I heard from the ‘innovative’ and ‘new’ composite breeds. It was with great satisfaction that I was able to explain to many sheep farmers that the Dorset breed can do all those things and has done for over a century! With over 6000 visitors at the event the Dorset breed was once again able to spread its message to the more northerly areas of the United Kingdom, where interest continues to flourish. It is anticipated that this interest will continue to convert into a strong trade at the Carlilse Sale on Friday 31st August 2012. __________________________________________________________________________________

Déjà vu at a Rain Soaked Great Yorkshire Show! The Great Yorkshire Show, scheduled to take place from Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th July 2012 was cancelled after one day due to adverse weather conditions. However, a delegation of determined sheep exhibitors persuaded the organisers to complete the inter-breed judging on the Wednesday morning to ensure all the honours were decided. Once again the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset section was well supported with seven exhibitors bringing out thirty five sheep. In addition to the GYS prizes, the newly formed Northern Dorset Breeders’ Club had a championship to be decided. Six of the exhibitors were club members bringing along thirty two sheep between them. The job of judging was undertaken by Rob Hole from the Sherborne Flock in Dorset. Rob’s experienced eye and hands on approach was greatly appreciated by all the exhibitors and spectators alike. It was quite a task given the very high quality of all the sheep on show. The male championship was judged in what can only be described as monsoon conditions with the judge, competitors and sheep all getting a real soaking! This section was won by a home-bred ram lamb from James Royan’s Bennachie flock. Bennachie Schiehallion. The female championship was won by an outstanding shearling gimmer from Roger Huxter’s South Ham flock, which had caught everyone’s eye from the outset due to its tremendous size, power and confirmation. Unsurprisingly this ewe went on to take the Breed Championship, beating the Bennachie ram lamb into the reserve spot. It would be nice to

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see a few more local exhibitors, and those from south of Warwickshire, at this prestigious show, unarguably the biggest and best livestock event in the north. As the South Ham flock are based in Devon they do not qualify for the Northern Dorset Breeder’ Club! Therefore the inaugural winner of the Northern Club’s Supreme championship, and the Hall Lane Shield was James Royan with Bennachie Schiehallion. In second place was David Eglin’s adult ewe Bramain Lucy taking the female championship. This ewe was also overall champion here two years ago. In third place was Edwin Pocock’s shearling ram Hall Lane Pontious which came second behind Karen Hodgson’s Irish born exhibit in the open adult ram class. This was the first time Karen had exhibited at Yorkshire show and this ram later went on to gain the open reserve male championship . It was good to see so many enthusiastic young competitors in the various classes. Alex Steff’s grandchildren and James and Vicki Royan’s children among those who showed off their sheep handling skills on the day. In the wool classes, Dorset fleeces from Cathryn Pritt and Brian Muncaster at Thornbank Farms were placed second and third in the Downland section. Resulting from this success Cathryn was approached to try and encourage other exhibitors of Dorset sheep to enter the wool classes. If each exhibitor entered a fleece then the Dorset breed could have its own classes in the wool tent raising the profile of the breed even further.

Roger Huxter’s Breed Champion

James Royan with Bennachie Schiehal James Royan with Bennachie Schiehallion David Eglin’s Adult Ewe

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Llandovery Annual Show & Sale of Dorset Sheep Report

Averages: Shearling Ewes (128) Ave £217.21 Two & Three Year Olds (3) Ave £168 Full Mouth (86) Ave £170.69 Broken Mouth (24) Ave £139.13 Ewe Lambs (160) Ave £135.42 Ewe & Lambs (19) Ave £182.37 Aged Ram (1) £630 Shearling Rams (6) Ave £347.38 Ram Lambs (14) Ave £353.25 Top Price: Female - £1050 by Jim Dufosee Male - £820 by David Lewis The Welsh Dorset Club would like to thank all vendors, purchasers, public, auctioneers and sponsors for their support. Also like to thank the Judge Mr Richard Currie, Hilltop Flock, Northen Ireland for doing an excellent job during the morning. Jo Dufosee with the Supreme Champion The Supreme Champion, a Yearling Ewe from the Blackhill flock.

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Judge Mr Richard Currie busy judging Caredig Jones the Welsh Dorset Club the class of ewes President, presenting the Welsh Dorset Club tie to the Judge Mr Richard Currie. __________________________________________________________________________________

Year Letter

Please remember that the new year letter for lambs born from 1st September, 2012 – 31st

August, 2013 will be “T”.

OFFICE E-MAIL ADDRESS It would appear that a number of members are still trying to use the old office e-mail address. Please make a note of the new one NOW: dorsetsheep@xlnmail.com

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Northern Dorset Breeders Club

First Annual

SHOW AND SALE At 

Chelford Market On 

Saturday August 11th Show at 10.00am Sale at 12 Noon 

All Classes and Ages of Dorset Sheep               For entry Forms or Catalogues 

Contact – Frank Marshall & Co at Chelford.  Tel: 01625 861122 Email  chelford@frankmarshall.co.uk 

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SHOW RESULTS

ARMAGH, Northern Ireland

Judge: Mr Thomas Wright Champion: Mr B Lamb Reserve Champion: Mr S Caldwell Ram, any age: 1. Mr B Lamb 2. Mr S Caldwell Ewe, any age: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. Mr S Wilson Shearling Ewe: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. Mr S Caldwell Ram Lamb: 1. Mr B Lamb Ewe Lamb: 1. Mr B Lamb 2. Mr S Wilson 3. Mr S Caldwell

ASHFORD MARKET EASTER SHOW & SALE Pen of milk Lambs: 1. E & G Lovejoy

BALLYMENA, Northern Ireland

Judge: Mr G Henderson Champion: Mr S Caldwell

Reserve Champion: T & S Knox

Samuel Caldwell and Gary Henderson (Judge) with Supreme Champion Jason & Adam Knox and Gary Henderson (Judge) James & Craig Robson with Champion with Reserve Champion Ram Lamb

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Ram, 2 years & upwards: 1. T & S Knox Ram, 1 year old: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. T & S Knox Ram Lamb: 1. J & C Robson 2. W & K Carson 3. R & M Coulter 4. Mr S Caldwell 5. R & M Coulter Ewe, 2 years & 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. J & C Robson 3. T & S Knox 4. Mr S Wilson upwards: 5. Mr J Patterson Ewe, 1 year old: 1. T & S Knox 2. T & S Knox 3. Mr S Caldwell 4. J & C Robson 5. Mr S Caldwell Ewe Lamb: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. T & S Knox 3. Mr S Caldwell 4. Mr S Wilson

5. G & M Cubitt Pair of Lambs: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. R & M Coulter 3. J & C Robson Pair of Hogget Ewes:1. T & S Knox 2. Mr S Caldwell 3. J & C Robson Group of Three: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. T & S Knox 3. J & C Robson

BALLYMONEY, Northern Ireland

Judge: Mr Richard Currie Champion: Mr S Caldwell Reserve Champion: T & S Knox

Samuel Caldwell with Champion Trevor Knox & sons, Adam and Jason Sandy Wilson with 1st prize ewe lamb with Reserve Champion and judge Richard Currie

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Ram, any age: 1. T & S Knox 2. T & S Knox 3. Mr S Caldwell 4. Miss L Fulton Ewe, any age: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. Mr S Wilson 3. Mr J Patterson 4. T & S Knox 5. J & C Robson Shearling Ewe: 1. T & S Knox 2. T & S Knox 3. Mr S Caldwell 4. Mr J Patterson 5. Mr S Caldwell Ram Lamb: 1. J & C Robson 2. Mr A Knox 3. J & C Robson 4. Mr S Caldwell 5. Mr J Patterson Ewe Lamb: 1. Mr S Wilson 2. T & S Knox 3. Mr S Caldwell 4. T & S Knox 5. J & C Robson Pair of Lambs: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. J & C Robson 3. Mr A Knox Group of Three: 1. T & S Knox 2. Mr S Caldwell

HEATHFIELD & DISTRICT (Any Other Breed, Shortwool)

Reserve Champion: E & G Lovejoy

The Lovejoy Family with the young exhibitors of the future

Shearling Ram: 1. E & G Lovejoy Ram Lamb: 2. E & G Lovejoy Shearling Ewe: 3. E & G Lovejoy Ewe Lamb: 1. E & G Lovejoy 2. E & G Lovejoy

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LONDONDERRY & LIMAVADY, Northern Ireland Champion: Mr S Caldwell Reserve Champion: Mr S Caldwell Robert Caldwell with the Champion Aged Ewe Samuel Caldwell with the Reserve Champion Aged Ram Aged Ram: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. Miss L Fulton Aged Ewe: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. Miss L Fulton Shearling Ewe: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. Mr S Caldwell Ewe Lamb: 1. Mr S Caldwell 2. Mr S Caldwell Ram Lamb: 1. Mr S Caldwell

ROYAL BATH & WEST

Judge: Mr D Rossiter Interbreed Shortwool Champion: Tucker & Jesse

Champion: Tucker & Jesse Reserve Champion: R & R Hole (& Sophie) Best Opposite Sex to Champion: R & R Hole Sherborne Flock Points Trophy: R & R Hole Nicky Jesse with Champion Ewe Robert and Sophie Hole with Reserve Champion & Best Opposite Sex and the Points Trophy Group of Three: 1. R & R Hole 2. Mr R Dallyn Ram Lamb: 1. R & R Hole 2. Mr R Dallyn 3. Mr R Dallyn

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Shearling Ewe: 1. Tucker & Jesse 2. Stanbridge Mill 3. Mr R Dallyn 4. R & R Hole 5. R & R Hole 6. Mr R Dallyn

Ewe Lamb: 1. R & R Hole 2. R & R Hole 3. Mr R Dallyn 4. Stanbridge Mill 5. Tucker & Jesse 6. Mr R Dallyn Pair of Sheep: 1. R & R Hole 2. Mr R Dallyn Wool on the Hoof: 1. Tucker & Jesse 2. Stanbridge Mill

ROYAL CORNWALL

Judge: Mr J Daw

Champion: Mr N Burrington Reserve Champion: C & T Clarke Champion Male: C & T Clarke Reserve Champion Male: C & T Clarke Champion Female: Mr N Burrington Reserve Champion Female: Mr N Burrington Ram, shearling 1. C & T Clarke 2. Mr A Palk 3. V P, M & A Care 4. A & C Kingdon or over: Reserve: W L & E Sandercock Ram Lamb: 1. C & T Clarke 2. C & T Clarke 3. Mr N Burrington 4. Mr M Hayman 5. A & C Kingdon Reserve: Mr M Hayman Aged Ewe: 1. Mr N Burrington 2. V P, M & A Care 3. Mr A Palk

Reserve: Mrs A Rogers & Sons Shearling Ewe: 1. Mr N Burrington 2. C & T Clarke 3. C & T Clarke 4. R & D Huxter Reserve: Mr N Burrington Ewe Lamb: 1. C & T Clarke 2. Mr A Palk 3. Mr N Burrington 4. Mr M Hayman Reserve: Mr N Burrington Best Group – The Polgreen Trophy (1 ram, 1 yearling ewe & 1 ewe lamb)

1. C & T Clarke Reserve: Mr N Burrington

ROYAL ISLE OF WIGHT

Champion Dorset: H P Holden & P D Whitewood

ROYAL WELSH

Judge: Mr Geraint Jones Champion: Mr N Burrington Reserve Champion: Griffiths & Davies Champion Male: Mr N Burrington Reserve Champion Male: K & D R Price Champion Female: Mr N Burrington Reserve Champion Female: Griffiths & Davies

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Ram, Shearling or 1. K & D R Price 2. B A Wernham & Son 3. Mr D Lewis 4. Griffiths & over: Davies 5. Mr N Burrington 6. Mr A Palk 7. Mr D Lewis 8. R M Eglin & Son Ltd. Ram Lamb: 1. Mr N Burrington 2. Mr D Lewis 3. R & D Huxter 4. J & S Ayers 5. Griffiths & Davies 6. Mr D Lewis 7. K & D R Price 8. H E & A V Roberts 9. R M Eglin & Son Ltd. Shearling Ewe: 1. Griffiths & Davies 2. Mr D Lewis 3. B A Wernham & Son 4. Griffiths & Davies 5. R & D Huxter 6. H E & A V Roberts Ewe Lamb: 1. Mr N Burrington 2. Griffiths & Davies 3. Mr D Lewis 4. R & D Huxter 5. J & S Ayers 6. B A Wernham & Son Ewe, any age: 1. Griffiths & Davies 2. Mr N Burrington 3. Mr A Palk 4. K & D R Price 5. Griffiths & Davies 6. R M Eglin & Son Ltd. Group of Three: 1. Mr D Lewis 2. Mr N Burrington

SOUTH OF ENGLAND

(Any Other Breed, Shortwool) Reserve Champion: E & G Lovejoy Ram: 2. Mrs S Dunsdon 5. E & G Lovejoy Ram Lamb: 1. E & G Lovejoy 4. Mrs S Dunsdon Shearling Ewe: 5. E & G Lovejoy Ewe Lamb: 1. E & G Lovejoy 3. E & G Lovejoy 5. Mrs S Dunsdon

SURREY COUNTY

(Any Other Native Breed)

Judge: Mrs Jean Blacknell Reserve Champion: Mrs S Dunsdon Ram, any age: 2. Mrs S Dunsdon Ram Lamb: 2. Mrs S Dunsdon Ewe Lamb: 2. Mrs S Dunsdon Shearling Ewe: 1. Mrs S Dunsdon 2. Mrs S Dunsdon

THREE COUNTIES

Judge: Mr Francis Fooks Interbreed Champion: Mr D Lewis

Champion: Mr D Lewis Reserve Champion: Miss L Crowther Ram, 2 shear or over:1. R M Eglin & Son Ltd. 2. Miss L Crowther 3. Mr D Lewis Shearling Ram: 1. Mr D Lewis 2. B A Wernham & Son 3. Griffiths & Davies

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Ram Lamb: 1. B A Wernham & Son 2. Miss L Crowther 3. Mr D Lewis 4. B A Wernham & Son Ewe, 2 shear or over:1. Miss L Crowther 2. Griffiths & Davies 3. G & E Jones Shearling Ewe: 1. Griffiths & Davies 2. Mr D Lewis 3. B A Wernham & Son 4. Griffiths & Davies Ewe Lamb: 1. Mr D Lewis 2. Miss L Crowther 3. G & E Jones 4. Griffiths & Davies Group of Three: 1. Miss L Crowther 2. Griffiths & Davies 3. B A Wernham & Son

Rare Breeds

Champion: B A Wernham & Son Reserve Champion: G & E Jones Ram: 1. G & E Jones Ram Lamb: 1. B A Wernham & Son 2. G & E Jones Ewe: 1. G & E Jones Ewe Lamb: 1. G & E Jones Group of Three: 1. G & E Jones

DORSET HORN & POLL DORSET SHEEP BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION

DISCLAIMER Agriculture House, Acland Road Dorchester, Dorset The Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset DT1 1EF Sheep Breeders’ Association produce Tel/Fax: 01305 262126 this newsletter in good faith and

cannot be held responsible e-mail: dorsetsheep@xlnmail.com for any inaccuracies contained website: www.dorsetsheep.org therein. Breed Secretary: Marguerite Cowley