1. Yes, amongst many other things
2. Yes to recommendations from farming neighbours, farming press and previous experience, no to show wins as shows are often looking for other criteria to commercial farmers and we are commercial farmers.
3. Yes, and have done
4. Yes, emphatically yes - but as others have said, only in terms of being a platform, the content of what is shown off is down to the breed soc's.
And I have to say I completely agree with Backinwellies' comments!
My answers are those of a commercial sheep farmer producing finished lambs and our own replacement ewes.