United Kingdom-National Sheep award for Devonshire Farming couple.

A PAIR of pedigree sheep producers from the Holsworthy area have won a national breeding award for their flock of Hampshire Downs.

David Taylor and Rosemary Haynes, who farm at Higher

Grawley, Milton Damerel, have been presented with the most progressive flock award from the English Beef & Lamb Executive (EBLEX).

The award is presented to the performance recorded flock that has shown the most impressive improvement in genetic merit over a twelve month period within the breed.

Rosemary and David established their breed with four pedigree ewes and one ram in 2000 and started to record their performance in 2004 by joining the Sire Reference Scheme.

Rosemary said: "Our aim is to take the genetic base of our flock forward year on year.

"The only way to ensure this is by selecting the best ewe lambs to keep, and by buying the best rams we can for the key traits we want to improve.

"You can only do this if you have figures to compare individual animals."

In 2005 and 2007, the couple purchased two rams specifically to improve the conformation of the flock.

They were chosen because they had a high overall index, and particularly good Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for eye muscle depth. The strategy appears to be working as the ewes are now producing lambs with excellent conformation and improved eye muscle and back-ends.

Rosemary added: "One ram we used last year had the fourth highest index in the country — hopefully he will have a very positive influence in future. Also, because we have a small flock, there is a quick rotation of sires.

"They come here as ram lambs and are moved on after two or three seasons. This allows us to introduce fresh genetics on a regular basis."

EBLEX sheep breeding specialist, Samuel Boon, said: "I congratulate David and Rosemary for the valuable work they are doing with the Hampshire Down breed.

"By focussing on and recording production traits that really matter, they are improving their flock and making it easier for their customers, at home and abroad, to find a ram they know will have a positive impact on their enterprise."