All in the head...

[andybk]

And?

there doesnt look like a lot of meat , by the time you remove that heavy bone and head ,or at least poor ko% , maybe its the photo but that middle bit with the wool on, doesnt look like it belongs to the same animal

 

[jamesy]

Yeah, you’re right. Doesn’t help that he’s wet either. You’ll find many a Texel the same these days. The Suffolk’s at main breed sales are actually quite different to those of the 90’s that a lot of people relate to. Out with the society sales there are a great number of functional Suffolk ram breeders that don’t put Bonny heads & legs like shire horses at top of their most wanted list.

 

[MRT]

I’m Spartacus

Well that explains a lot

 

[Ysgythan]

And?

lollipop ?

 

[Ysgythan]

Well that explains a lot

you’re genuinely surprised? I haven’t been trying hard enough...

 

[MRT]

you’re genuinely surprised? I haven’t been trying hard enough...

The sandals are a mistake though

 

[Ysgythan]

Yeah, you’re right. Doesn’t help that he’s wet either. You’ll find many a Texel the same these days. The Suffolk’s at main breed sales are actually quite different to those of the 90’s that a lot of people relate to. Out with the society sales there are a great number of functional Suffolk ram breeders that don’t put Bonny heads & legs like shire horses at top of their most wanted list.

but what’s a bonny head? Too many lollipops ? too much all icing no cake. That doesn’t mean the head isn’t important, it is.

 

[jamesy]

but what’s a bonny head? Too many lollipops ? too much all icing no cake. That doesn’t mean the head isn’t important, it is.

Sorry, rather than Bonny I should have said “great hoor of a breeze block of a head”

 

[Wolds Beef]

@jamesy The 'Ortum' flock has for several years been breeding 'high index' Suffolk rams. My brother lost the bone in the head and legs years ago! But has got more muscle on the carcase and easier lambing because of it. When we were in partnership 'nearly 20 years' ago we were lambing 200 ewes of which 150 were ai'd each year. His rams were at the top of the tree for several years but we only occasionally did any good in the show ring because of there looks. @neilo and others know who I am talking about!
WB

 

[TheRock]

As with in any breed, there are different types.
I breed texels too, and I don’t go for course headed types or those with a stumpy necks. And I buy rams as dear as any. The types are there, if you look.

My father always said breed the kind you want yourself, and hope someone else will like it- don’t be breeding what other people want! Just don’t go changing your type, stick to your kind.

 

[Johngee]

but what’s a bonny head? Too many lollipops [emoji517] too much all icing no cake. That doesn’t mean the head isn’t important, it is.

We used to keep Beulah ewes, a breed where the head is all important, not the shape perhaps but the markings. The amount of black on the head was a huge consideration when buying or selling breeding stock - due to it’s use to breed mules I suppose. Between 2003 and 2012 (according to the National Sheep Breed Survey) the number of Beulah breeding ewes was reckoned to have fallen by two thirds. They just didn’t cut the mustard and people abandoned them in droves.

 

[MRT]

We used to keep Beulah ewes, a breed where the head is all important, not the shape perhaps but the markings. The amount of black on the head was a huge consideration when buying or selling breeding stock - due to it’s use to breed mules I suppose. Between 2003 and 2012 (according to the National Sheep Breed Survey) the number of Beulah breeding ewes was reckoned to have fallen by two thirds. They just didn’t cut the mustard and people abandoned them in droves.

I suppose its like the Peacocks tail and those that stick to them continue to value the markings and sellers are competing harder for a smaller pool of buyers and aesthetics become more not less crucial

 

[Agrivator]

I think it's fair to say, that as far as North of England and Scotch Mules are concerned, those breeders who can produce sheep with good heads and bonny markings, can also produce sheep with bodies that the discerning buyer wants.

In other words, a stocksman can produce an overall animal that meets the criteria that the market demands. And those lesser stocksmen that aren't able to do that, tend to be hyper critical.

But there is complete justification in criticising over-feeding before sale, even though it improves skins and colours. But a lot of upland farms depend on bought-in concentrates to make up for the inherent deficiencies in their own home-grown grass. And the extra premium almost always makes up for the extra feed costs.

And who can put a value on the pride of selling a well-bred and a well-brought-out pen of livestock. Farming isn't all about achieving maximum profit.

 

[neilo]

I think it's fair to say, that as far as North of England and Scotch Mules are concerned, those breeders who can produce sheep with good heads and bonny markings, can also produce sheep with bodies that the discerning buyer wants.

In other words, a stocksman can produce an overall animal that meets the criteria that the market demands. And those lesser stocksmen that aren't able to do that, tend to be hyper critical.

But there is complete justification in criticising over-feeding before sale, even though it improves skins and colours. But a lot of upland farms depend on bought-in concentrates to make up for the inherent deficiencies in their own home-grown grass. And the extra premium almost always makes up for the extra feed costs.

And who can put a value on the pride of selling a well-bred and a well-brought-out pen of livestock. Farming isn't all about achieving maximum profit.

I drove past a field of dry mule shearlings last week, all well grown, good bodied sheep with striking head colouring. They were on a lowland farm in Shropshire, most of the neighbouring farms being cereals, maize & spuds.

it must have been a deceptively hard farm though, as they were making up for the deficiencies in their pastures with several Portequip Hogg feeders in the field, presumably not empty as several were eating from them.

But as you say, who can put a value on turning out a nice pen of sheep.?

 

[MRT]

, who can put a value on turning out a nice pen of sheep.?

MrsT to the nearest £1