GREAT FROM GRASS RAM SALE RIDAY 24TH AUGUST 2018

Transcription

1 GREAT FROM GRASS RAM SALE RIDAY 24TH AUGUST 2018

2

3 RAM SALE WELCOME Over the past 18 months we have experienced everything in terms of weather, looking ahead it s not just weather that is unpredictable, Brexit will no doubt bring challenges, let s hope there are opportunities as well. Our focus at Fearn has to be on things that are within our control, I m a strong believer of not wasting time and energy on factors that we have no influence over. Grass and forage management is an area in which we are always trying to get better but the lessons learnt from last winter enforce the need to balance a forage based system with high quality supplement feeding. Our rams didn t receive any hard feed last year but we did give them some draff along with hay and turnips when the weather was really bad. Unfortunately some didn t make it through the winter, I keep asking myself if we should give them a little beet pulp or oats for extra energy or should we carry on as we are and rely on compensatory growth when the grass grows? If anyone has any strong views or thoughts please let us know. Watching the early lamb sale in Dingwall it dawned on me that some of the best lambs in the market were sired by our rams, everyone was smiling, buyer, seller and the auctioneers, whilst its satisfying selling rams at our sale it s even more satisfying for us to see them doing what they were bought to do for other people. Lucy has again been through the rams with a fine tooth comb, I think she s getting harder on the rams as we put more in front of her but we are happy with what we have available for sale and wish you all the best of luck with your purchases. Thank you again to our sponsors, this event has grown over the years and it s great to have had many of you with us over the years and to anyone that s new this year I hope you enjoy the experience. John Scott J Scott & Partners

4

5 Foreword by Jason and Victoria Ballantyne Looking back at previous forewords for this catalogue, we are feeling a little out of our depth. Those who have gone before us have a much more thorough understanding of markets, policy and technical knowledge. Perhaps a shared love of rugby is enough to get you a gig these days! We are big fans of forage reared stock and the general concept of selling rams off farm. In fact, we took great pleasure a few years back in selling some Meatlinc Rams to the Scott s when they expanded their ewe flock and had sold out of their own rams! Having dabbled in some recording ourselves, we are well aware of the time and effort required to gather and process animal data. We are also well aware of how much you can learn from this information. The monitoring of traits which are not easy to assess on first glance (FEC, mothering, feet, prolificacy) combined with the more obvious traits (growth, muscle, etc) gives us the knowledge we are looking for to improve our flock performance. We think this extra information makes a recorded ram worth investing in. We aim to maximise output without overdoing the inputs, and whilst achieving this balance can be difficult, starting with genetics that work hard and deliver lively, growthy lambs is important to achieving that balance. We have purchased a number of both Suffolk and Aberfield rams from Fearn in the last 5 years and found the lambs from both to suit our outdoor, forage based system. The Aberfield cross ewes we have kept have certainly had plenty of milk and proven to be good mothers. We prefer to buy rams off farm in a natural state. We feel this allows the rams to cover more ewes, making them better value for money. Our only question is, Is there such a thing as too much vigour? One Suffolk Ram fondly named Tokyo by the Fearn staff (Olympic show jumping potential!) has certainly put our fank to the test! It s not easy to hold a sale of this size at home, so congratulations to John, Fiona and the Fearn Farm team on pulling it all together, even if you re not buying it s a great day out. Jason and Victoria Ballantyne Clynelish Farm Brora

6

7 Texel - Number 5 To be auctioned off in aid of My Name 5 Doddie foundation - raising funds to aid research into Motor Neurone Disease As a seventeen year old getting dropped off at college in Edinburgh it would be fair to say I was petrified, over the first few weeks life changed for my year group in many ways, we met new people one of whom was Doddie Weir who at the time was in third year and starting to play some fairly serious rugby. He took us under his wing and tutored us in drinking games and bus trip etiquette amongst other things and most importantly he looked out for us and was always there as a friendly face. He s got a battle on his hands at the moment, he s tackling it in an amazing way and helping him with a little cash for My Name 5 Doddie Foundation is the least we can do. All proceeds from the donations bucket will be donated along with the proceeds of lot No5, please bid strongly! Ram Health As per usual all rams are in the Heptivac-P+ system, and have been injected with Cydection 2% LA solution and Zolvix on the day of the sale so they are ready to enter your quarantine facilities when they arrive at your farms. We have also vaccinated all rams with Bravoxin 10 bringing us in line with the rams that Innovis sell in other areas, this will give added cover against pneumonia. If you have any questions regarding our treatments please speak to a member of the team or Lucy our vet who will be at the sale.

8 TEXEL For over 20 years now our focus has been on producing a Texel ram which has strong maternal characteristics along with the requisite terminal traits. This can be a challenge but we feel the sheep we are now breeding have the correct balance and are capable of producing both breeding ewe lambs and male lambs that suit the prime or store market. PEN 1 TEXEL (UK ) 8 wk Maternal Ability Scan Muscle Fat 1 SJF SJF SJF SJF SJF PEN 2 TEXEL (UK ) 8 wk Maternal Ability Scan Muscle Fat 6 SJF SJF SJF SJF SJF PEN 3 TEXEL (UK ) 8 wk Maternal Ability Scan Muscle Fat 11 SJF SJF SJF SJF SJF

9 PEN 4 TEXEL (UK ) 8 wk Maternal Ability Scan Muscle Fat 16 SJF SJF SJF SJF SJF PEN 5 TEXEL (UK ) 8 wk Maternal Ability Scan Muscle Fat 21 SJF SJF SJF SJF SJF PEN 6 TEXEL (UK ) 8 wk Maternal Ability Scan Muscle Fat 26 SJF SJF SJF SJF SJF

10 PEN 7 TEXEL (UK ) 8 wk Maternal Ability Scan Muscle Fat 31 SJF SJF SJF SJF SJF PEN 8 TEXEL (UK ) 8 wk Maternal Ability Scan Muscle Fat 36 SJF SJF SJF SJF SJF BREED BENCHMARK FOR 2017 FOR TEXEL SHEEP Information provided by Signet Breeding Services Tel: Bottom 1% Bottom 5% Bottom 10% Bottom 25% Top 25% Top 10% Top 5% Top 1% EIGHT-WEEK WEIGHT MATURE SIZE LITTER SIZE MATERNAL ABILITY SCAN WEIGHT MUSCLE DEPTH FAT DEPTH LEAN WEIGHT FAT WEIGHT GIGOT FEC TERMINAL INDEX

11 A brief explanation... 8-week weight The breeding potential for lamb growth rates from birth to 8 weeks of age. Mature size Choosing animals with high figures for this trait will increase mature size. Litter size Selection on high s will increase the prolificacy of female replacements. Maternal ability This is the maternal component of the 8-week measurement. The higher this figure the better a ram's ewe lambs will perform as mothers (i.e. milking ability). Scan weight The breeding potential for lamb growth rates to 21 weeks (age at scanning). The selection of breeding stock with high scan weight s will result in animals with heavier carcases at a constant fat class or leaner carcases at a constant age. Muscle depth Choosing animals with high muscle depth s will increase lamb muscularity and hence the lean meat content of the carcase. Fat depth Negative values indicate animals with lower fat content which will produce leaner carcases or which can be taken to higher weights without becoming over-fat. Lean weight Breeding value predicting yield of lean meat in the carcase ( only produced for breeds involved in CT scanning). Fat weight Breeding value predicting yield of fat in the carcase ( only produced for breeds involved in CT scanning). Gigot Breeding value highlighting animals with superior breeding potential for gigot shape ( only produced for breeds involved in CT scanning). FEC Breeding potential for worm resistance, a negative number being preferable ( only produced for breeds involved in FEC sampling). Highlights superior breeding stock for a specific breeding objective. BELTEX They may not have the size of some of the other breeds we have on offer but they certainly have plenty shape and weigh extremely well when sent to the abattoir. At every store sale I go to Beltex sired lambs command a premium, being eagerly sought by buyers throughout the country who are looking for a shapely tight skinned lamb. PEN 9 BELTEX 8 wk Maternal Scan Muscle Fat (UK ) Ability

12 NZ SUFFOLK If you re looking for a terminal sire that will hit the ground running these Kiwi Suffolk s are worth a look, they are extremely active as those of you who were at previous sales have witnessed. Fearn Suff. Average 8 wk Maternal Ability Scan Muscle Fat PEN 10 NZ SUFFOLK 8 wk Maternal Scan Muscle Fat (UK ) Ability PEN 11 NZ SUFFOLK 8 wk Maternal Scan Muscle Fat (UK ) Ability PEN 12 NZ SUFFOLK 8 wk Maternal Scan Muscle Fat (UK ) Ability

13 PEN 13 NZ SUFFOLK 8 wk Maternal Scan Muscle Fat (UK ) Ability PEN 14 NZ SUFFOLK 8 wk Maternal Scan Muscle Fat (UK ) Ability PEN 15 NZ SUFFOLK 8 wk Maternal Scan Muscle Fat (UK ) Ability PEN 16 NZ SUFFOLK 8 wk Maternal Scan Muscle Fat (UK ) Ability

14 ABERFIELD Aberfield s are ideal for crossing with the Cheviot or Blackface and we have also used them on thicker crossbred ewes to add some stretch. We are now using Aberfield ram on the majority of our cross bred ewes at Fearn and Nigg, which gives us a good selection of ewe lambs to retain for breeding. In the near future we hope to be able to offer breeding females for sale and have just achieved EAE accredited status in all our flocks. PEN 17 ABERFIELD CARCASE TRAITS EWE TRAITS Muscle Fat Lambing Matern. Ewe (UK ) Born Growth depth depth Percentage ability weight FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar PEN 18 ABERFIELD CARCASE TRAITS EWE TRAITS Muscle Fat Lambing Matern. Ewe (UK ) Born Growth depth depth Percentage ability weight FF Mar FF Mar FF Apr FF Mar FF Mar PEN 19 ABERFIELD CARCASE TRAITS EWE TRAITS Muscle Fat Lambing Matern. Ewe (UK ) Born Growth depth depth Percentage ability weight FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar

15 SHEPHERDING Lamb ease Lamb vigour Grade *** 80 Elite * *** 74 Elite ** *** 74 Elite *** 73 Elite * 71 Elite SHEPHERDING Lamb ease Lamb vigour Grade *** 69 Elite *** 69 Elite 68 Elite * *** 66 Elite * 66 Elite SHEPHERDING Lamb ease Lamb vigour Grade *** 66 Elite ** 66 Elite ** *** 66 Elite ** 65 Elite 65 Elite

16 PEN 20 ABERFIELD CARCASE TRAITS EWE TRAITS Muscle Fat Lambing Matern. Ewe (UK ) Born Growth depth depth Percentage ability weight FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar PEN 21 ABERFIELD CARCASE TRAITS EWE TRAITS Muscle Fat Lambing Matern. Ewe (UK ) Born Growth depth depth Percentage ability weight FF Mar FF Mar FF Apr FF Apr FF Mar PEN 22 ABERFIELD CARCASE TRAITS EWE TRAITS Muscle Fat Lambing Matern. Ewe (UK ) Born Growth depth depth Percentage ability weight FF Mar FF Apr FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar

17 SHEPHERDING Lamb ease Lamb vigour Grade 64 Elite * *** 64 Elite ** 64 Elite *** 64 Elite *** 64 Elite SHEPHERDING Lamb ease Lamb vigour Grade ** 63 Elite ** ** 63 Elite * ** 61 Elite 61 Elite ** 61 Elite SHEPHERDING Lamb ease Lamb vigour Grade * ** 60 Elite *** 58 Select ** * 58 Select *** 57 Select ** 56 Select

18 PEN 23 ABERFIELD CARCASE TRAITS EWE TRAITS Muscle Fat Lambing Matern. Ewe (UK ) Born Growth depth depth Percentage ability weight FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar PEN 24 ABERFIELD CARCASE TRAITS EWE TRAITS Muscle Fat Lambing Matern. Ewe (UK ) Born Growth depth depth Percentage ability weight FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar FF Mar

19 SHEPHERDING Lamb ease Lamb vigour Grade 56 Select *** 55 Select ** 54 Select *** 54 Select ** 49 Select SHEPHERDING Lamb ease Lamb vigour Grade *** 48 * 47 * *** 46 *** 42

20 TYPICAL EWE GRAZING REQUIREMENTS Increase the kilos of meat produced per hectare through better utilisation of grass Ewe nursing twins requires Ewe overwintering requires 16kg/d Fresh weight 5.4kg/d Fresh weight Get involved in the new QMS Better Grazing Programme. Find out more at SEMEN FOR SALE We currently have semen available for sale from the following bulls Fearn Godfather - 30 per straw* Fearn Elmer - 25 per straw* Fearn Boomerang - 15 per straw Podehole Fenman - 25per straw* For more information or orders please admin@fearnfarm.com *Additional charges inc packing and delivery do apply

21 SHORTHORN AND LUING BULLS FOR SALE BVD accredited and vacinated. Johnes level 1. Performance Recorded. Ready for work. Please speak to John for more information

22 BLACKIE EWE WITH ABERFIELD X LAMBS The Innovis Aberfield is a superior crossing sire derived from an outdoor lambing nucleus flock that is run under commercial conditions at 1,000ft. Aberfield rams are selected for maternal traits and have s for both lambing and ewe traits, such as prolificacy and mothering ability, as well as for lamb growth, carcase traits and resistance to roundworms. Our Maternal identifies rams who produce profitable replacement ewes, rearing fast growing, quality lambs. To find out what the Aberfield can do for your flock, call us on Innovis Breeding

23 GENERAL CONDITIONS OF SALE AS PER INSTITUTE OF AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS OF SCOTLAND GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE WITHIN AUCTIONEERS OFFICE. THE SALE WILL BE CONDUCTED IN GUINEAS. NOTICE TO BUYERS - ALL PURCHASES TO BE SETTLED FOR AND CLEARED ON DAY OF SALE IF NOT PREVIOUSLY ARRANGED WITH THE AUCTIONEERS AND ANY PARTY SUCCESSFULLY BIDDING ON A LOT WILL BE DEEMED TO BE LIABLE FOR THAT ACCOUNT UNLESS PREVIOUSLY AGREED WITH THE AUCTIONEERS. THIS SALE DOES OFFER THE FACILITY FOR BUYERS TO LEAVE A RAM AT THE FARM TO BE COLLECTED AT A LATER DATE. HOWEVER THIS WILL NEED TO BE CLEARED WITH THE FARM AND IS AT THE BUYERS OWN RISK. STOCK RAMS Vendor s warranty The vendor warrants that any ram sold as a stock ram is capable of and effective at natural service. This warranty is a 16 week warranty. Purchaser s rights If the purchaser proves a breach of warranty then the purchaser may return the ram to the vendor who shall, at the purchaser s option, either replace the ram with another ram of equal value which is capable of and effective at natural service, or refund the purchaser price together with such other costs and charges as the purchaser may be entitle to under these Conditions. Notice of a claim must be supported by a veterinary surgeon s certificate confirming that: the ram s incapacity or ineffectiveness is not the result of injury, accident of illness happening after the time of the sale; and the purchaser s breeding stock are not responsible for the rams incapacity or ineffectiveness. Dingwall & Highland Marts Limited Humberston, Bailechaul Road, Dingwall, Ross-shire, IV15 9TP T: F: info@dingwallmart.co.uk

24 GREAT FROM GRASS RAM SALE FRIDAY 24TH AUGUST High performance recorded terminal and maternal sires 119 rams inc. Texel, NZ Suffolk, Aberfield and Beltex 2pm viewing with refreshments served 4pm sale conducted by Dingwall & Highland Marts John Scott Fearn Farm, Fearn, Tain, Ross-shire, IV20 1TL