The Shropshire Sheep Breeders' Association is to hold its first-ever World Congress from 10th to 16th June 2007 to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the flock-book society. Breeders of Shropshires from around the world have been invited to attend the event, which will include visits to pedigree flocks and to places with historical connections to Britain's oldest breed of sheep. The finale of Congress will be held at the Three Counties Show, Malvern, Worcestershire, where there will be a specially extended Shropshire showing section, judged by a Shropshire breeder from Germany.
The Congress itinerary includes visits to eight flocks of Shropshires, including the Stoke Flock at Parsonage Down National Nature Reserve in Wiltshire, owned and managed by English Nature for conservation grazing. The unique ability of Shropshires to graze amongst conifers without damaging trees will also be showcased with a visit to Lincolnshire to view the Snowbird Flock, which has been used successfully to control herbage in tree plantations for the past 10 years. Other flock visits in Devon, Herefordshire, Leicestershire and Shropshire will demonstrate the easy-care characteristics of the Shropshire breed and its potential for mainstream commercial lamb production.
Commenting on the event, the breed society's World Congress Co-ordinator, Liz Bowles, said: "Overseas flock-owners have responded enthusiastically and we've already received bookings from Shropshire breeders in Canada, the USA, New Zealand, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. In the UK, interest in Shropshire sheep has been growing steadily and our breed society now has around 140 members, registering some 600 females a year. By bringing together Shropshire breeders from around the world, we will be able to celebrate the achievements of our breed and raise awareness of its great versatility and many qualities that are still relevant in modern agriculture."
For further information about the Shropshire Sheep Breeders' Association's 125th Anniversary World Congress, please visit the SSBA's website: www.shropshire-sheep.co.uk or contact the breed society's secretary, Pippa Geddes, on 01743 741689 (shropshire_sheep@hotmail.com).
