The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Bright Raven on July 12, 2011, 08:28:38 pm
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I just noticed that the Suffolk Sheep show is on in Shrewsbury this weekend. We have, I say we, more like Dai and Lizzy have produced some beautiful prizewinning lambs this year (in my eyes) and I would love to show them but.......
My ewes are Welsh Mountain / Suffolk X with no pedigree and Rodney the ram is a Suffolk sinner with no providence or pedigree either.
Would I be allowed to show them as Suffolks?
They look the part - not a cut and patch job, just no chassis number to speak of :D
Could I obtain a pedigree status if they won a class (unlikely - I know nothing about showing at all)
Would they be pedigree if I brought in pedigree seamen and told Rodney he was out of a job this year?
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Seems unlikely due to them being crosses... although some breed societies allow "grading up" over a couple of generations (e.g. birth notify a purebred non registered ewe, mate to a registered (?) tup, offspring could then be pedigree - that kind of idea)
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In a nutshell - no ;D
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I don't know about Suffolks specifically but they are a commercial breed, not a rare breed, and with other commercial breeds you can show non-pedigree sheep at some shows / in some classes. Up here the show details will make it clear if the class is for <breed> association registered animals only, or not.
So I'd have a look at the show schedule and see if there looks to be a class for unregistered crossbred animals. (But I suspect you'd be better off trying one of the local country shows rather than the breed show.) There's often a class for a "butcher's lamb" - a 3/4 Suffolk should do well in that!
I also don't know whether it's practical to think about AI for your sheep - I do know of Texel breeders who use AI but generally it's the guys who breed and sell 100 tups a year, or more. Maybe someone else can advise on that one.
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I am afraid the suffolk society would not register them as pedigree but if you want to show them then enter for; " any other breed or crossbred" class, most big shows have a class for these and who knows you may well win.
You can also enter the lambs for " butchers lamb class" they dont go for slaughter there at the show so you can take them home.
Showing can be addictive so give it a go and see what happens.
Good luck
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Thanks all for your good advice. Lots for me to think about. I guess Rodney can keep his job. I will have a go at the butchers lamb class at the local show. I just fancy the experience and a chance to meet other folk really.