Lleyns on the East Coast of Yorkshire

Over 120 people attended the North and East Club Open Day at Messrs J Vickerton and Sons Grange Farm, Atwick, Driffield, East Yorkshire on Sunday 8 August.

Young supporters point the way.

The farm is situated on the East coast, and extends to 300 acres including rented in grassland. The main holding is principally on heavy low clay soils, with 50 acres situated on the chalkbased flamborough head. The family has just entered the farm into the HLS environment scheme, after 10 years in stewardship.

The Vickertons run a flock of 330 breeding Lleyns, with half bred pure and half crossed to Charolais Rams. The purebred flock supplies 100 ewe lamb which are used for replacements and the surplus sold primarily through society sales. A small number of Rams are bred for sale, though the family hope to increase these numbers over the coming years.

The Farm also runs a small flock of Charollais ewes, bred pure, to provide Rams to cross with the Lleyns. The finished lambs are sold to Dawn Meats at Carnaby, Bridlington. Visitors on the day were shown crossbred lambs which later in the week went to Dawn, with 48 out of 64 grading U, the remainder were R grades, and an average weight of 21.7kg deadweight.

The North and East breeders Club was again fortunate to be entertained and informed with a butchery demonstration by Paul Nicholson. Paul who is normally to be found at the Yorkshire showgrounds Fodder outlet, was suitably impressed with the charolais cross lambs which the family had killed at local butchers Whites of Cranswick.

attentive audience.

Paul Nicholson demonstrating the finer points of a carcase

The Family would like to thank Tithebarn, suppliers of mineral buckets, who sponsored a competition to guess the weight of a pen of lambs, which was won by new member Neil Cawthorne, whose answer was only half a kilo off the exact weight.

Estimating the weight of a pen of lambs and judging the stock rams.

With the assistance of the local WI the Vickerton's provided a delicious barbecue which enhanced an enjoyable and informative event.

Read more about the farm