Ewe with respected maternal traits
The Bradley Family, Glenshane Pass
John and Mickey are more than happy with the performance of the Lleyn ewe on their farm. This medium sized ewe has proven to possess longevity, hardiness with the ability to rear two strong lambs at 1000ft. We have increased our store lamb sale price and we can offer more for sale. Read more [HERE]
While Neville won’t be hanging up his calculator just yet, he is happy that in his early forays into Lleyn breeding, the numbers are adding up to a successful profit margin, saying “the Lleyn are definitely punching above their weight by making more profit in terms of lamb production and grazing per acre.” Read more [HERE]
James and Austin Morgan 34 Glen Road, Jerrettspass, Newry, Co Down, BT34 1SP
When asked about their experiences as a new Lleyn breeder, the Morgan’s had much praise for the breed, with James saying, “There are huge advantages compared to the breeds we used previously - the ease of lambing is a big thing and they produce plenty of milk. They prefer to be outside and the health benefits are there to see. I could go on and on but the bottom line is that they do the business by making more profit in terms of lamb production and grazing per acre.” James did express one regret in relation to the Lleyn breed however. In recalling that his neighbour and fellow breeder Aidan McConville had advised him years previously to buy Lleyns, James laughed and said, “I wished I had taken his advice sooner”. Read more [HERE]
Edward Adamson, Killroot, Carrickfergus Flock 1759
A small flock of sheep was always kept on the farm but after Stewart came home to farm the decision was made to cease dairy farming and the sheep flock was increased. Several breeds mostly maternal are kept with the Lleyn numbers constantly getting larger. As they do some farm contracting and with Edward’s role within the NSA they needed to have sheep breeds and system which was not too labour intensive. In general, they feel that the sheep of the future will need to be able to survive on lower labour requirements as the cost of labour is getting prohibitive, hard to find and unsustainable. Read more [HERE]
John McKavanagh, Loughview Farm, Co Armagh
John McKavanagh from Castor Bay Road, Lurgan in Co Armagh has returned to farming after running a successful Garden Centre Business from the farmyard for almost 30 years. Here is his account of how his flock of Lleyn sheep has developed over the last four years. Read more [HERE]
Sheep flock at CAFRE Beef and Sheep Development Centre
Ewe productivity is one of the most important factors influencing flock profitability. This is greatly affected by the number of lambs produced by a ewe and her ability to rear those lambs. To enhance flock performance, replacement females must possess superior genetic potential to the ones they are replacing. This can only be achieved by selecting females of known breeding potential. To enable animals to achieve maximum genetic potential they must have high health status, and offered appropriate nutrition. Read more [Here]
Russell Millen, Knockmult Farm, County Derry Flock 2153
Russell Millen leads a busy life with a 35 hectare farm and a partnership in an agricultural construction business.
He decided to establish a sheep flock-but which breed would best satisfy his aims of easy care and a high stocking rate? He was working on a farm where a small flock of Lleyn were being run with a terminal sire. It was on this farm that it was suggested that he should consider the Lleyn as a breed which would satisfy his aims. Read how Russell got on [Here]