David Knowles, a well known Lleyn sheep breeder from New Hutton, Kendal has been announced as the judge for the Lleyn sheep at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate, 12th – 14th July 2011.

David farms at home which is Cragg Farm, where he grew up. He works in partnership with his father Peter. Together they have a mixed farm of 300 acres running up to 1000ft.

The established flock of 420 Lleyn ewes is run alongside a flock of Rough Fell ewes. The first Lleyn ewes were bought in 1994. at a Society sale in Gaerwen. The Lleyn was brought in to produce a better quality lamb with more growth and tighter skins. As a self contained flock the female replacements are bred in-house.

David says the Lleyn works well in the Cumbrian climate. The hardy ewe is wintered out and only brought inside a week before lambing for ease of management although she would easily lamb outside
This scentance is wrong we house ours 6 weeks before lambing for ease of management but the are easily lambed outside!!

The majority of the flock is kept pure, while the bottom third of the ewes are crossed with the Texel to produce a quality prime lamb. The white faced, tight skinned, long lamb with a 18kg-21kg carcase fits the demands of the trade.

A percentage of the registered gimmer lambs are farmed for flock replacements. The others are sold through the Society sales where David also sells his registered rams. David points out how breeding your own replacements, not only saves you money, but it also helps you keep a healthy flock.

David will travel to Yorkshire where he will be judging sheep from as far as Lancashire and the Scottish Borders. David says “it is a great honour to be asked to judge at the Great Yorkshire Show as it is now considered the premier English agricultural show.