Page 8 - Commercial Suffolks 2019

100 Years of

Farming in Devon

The Derryman family have been farming
at Yarcombe in East Devon for over 100
years with a traditional mixed system
including 120 British Friesians, follow-
ers and homebred beef cattle for stores
and finishing.

The sheep enterprise consist of over 500 ewes
lambing from December to March. The Hampshire
Down flock of 100 December lambing ewes was
established over 50 years ago by Peter's father
Henry. The 350 Romneys lamb in March to both
pure Romney for replacements and a larger percentage put to either a Hampshire Down
or Suffolk. The 120 ewe Suffolk flock was established in the early 80's with the aim to
produce breeding rams specifically to fit the requirements of the South West commer-
cial sheep farmer be it for use on Mules to breed replacements or any form of commer-
cial ewe for prime lamb production. The flock has been performance recorded from the
outset with emphasis on growth, scan weight, muscle depth and maternal EBVs, we
feel performance recording has been of great benefit to us and our customers who have
bought into the steady genetic improvement we have achieved using this aid, however
when selecting stock rams for use the basics include a clean smooth head, tight wool,
good flat shoulder and width front and back and has to excel in the gigot as it seems to
be the first thing to catch the commercial man's eye.

Also perhaps unique to the SW a relatively small head and moderate bone and short
ears are required as there is a perception they will be hardier and lamb easier, particu-
lary for customers who farm on the fringes of either Dartmoor or Exmoor. Each year a
homebred lamb with a good index from a better performing ewe that has stood the test

6 Commercial SUFFOLKS – AUTUMN 2019