Lleyn Sheep Society

Open Day at Longridge Farm, Callington
kindly hosted by Alan and Karen Stephens

Few breeds have made more of an impact on the sheep industry in recent years than the Lleyn and demand seems to be expanding all the time due to the breed’s outstanding maternal qualities and good carcases, whether bred pure or crossed with a terminal sire.

On Sunday, the West Country Lleyn Sheep Breeders Club held an Open Day at Longridge Farm, Callington. The weather, as usual this year, was not too good, but this didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 75 who attended. There were over 400 Lleyn sheep to see, along with their progeny, both pure bred and crossed with a Meatlinc ram.

Formerly dairy farmers, Alan and Karen decided to go into Lleyn sheep 4 or 5 years ago. A copy of the Farmers Guardian landed on their door mat with an advert for 200 Lleyn sheep and their (350) lambs. Thus was Flock 1458 born....

Longridge Farm extends to 50 hectares, about 400-500 feet above sea level, with thin soil over shillet. Lying, as it does, on a ‘hogsback’, the farm is relatively exposed but is very suitable for sheep. Alan houses the ewes from Christmas till they lamb at the end of February/beginning of March. Feeding rates depend on scanning results (which this year averaged 196%). Ewes and lambs are turned out when grass cover is sufficient.

The first lambs are away at the end of May or beginning of June and batches are sold as they are ready from then until the end of the year. Alan has found that carcase quality is remarkably good. Overall, in 2007, 96% of the lambs graded U and R with 95% being 2 or 3L. Average carcase weight was 19.4 kg.

In the early days, Alan sent most of the lambs to the abattoir. The balance has shifted with time, though, with more entering the breeding market: the best ewe lambs are kept as flock replacements or are sold to neighbours or at the Lleyn Sheep Society Sale at Exeter.

As well as seeing the flock at Longridge, visitors had a chance to see a set of 3 Lleyn rams with the ewe lambs they produced and to compare these with Meatlinc X Lleyn lambs. There were also various stock judging events and a ‘guess the weight’ competition.

Mole Valley Farmers kindly provided the refreshments; produce and prizes were donated by Skinners Ales, Cornish Blue Cheese, Denis Brinicombe and Cornwall Farmers.

The event was enjoyed by all. Animated discussions continued for quite some time after the meeting. Many of the Open Day visitors said that they were glad they had come because they’d heard about the breed but wanted to see them in the flesh.

A key date for the diary: Lleyn Society Sale at Exeter Livestock Centre on Wednesday 27th August at 10 am, where there will be 1220 sheep, including 56 rams.