Page 10 - Yearbook 2019

President’s report

Great enthusiasm for Ballyboe

the Suffolk breed Suffolks

Campbell Watson, 2018 president
Est. 2016 Reg. UPX

s I sit here writing this address I look The next stop was the Royal Highland where I saw a great show of sheep.
back on an excellent summer and where James Innes was champion with Champion was J Lucas at 2,000gns and
Athe exceptionally mild winter giving a shearling ewe and Gregor Hiddleston reserve went to S Browne at 2,800gns who
us plenty of grass in the fields at present. reserve with a ewe lamb. also got top price of 4,200gns.
I can’t help wondering if Brexit will be as I also had the great pleasure of With the ram sale finished it was on to
kind to us and keep the lamb prices up for judging The Great Yorkshire in pleasant the national flock view day in Shrewsbury,
SCRAPIE MONITORED FLOCK
our commercial farmers, on which a large sunshine, where I found my champion in A to the farm of Sanisbury Gold Cup winner SCRAPIE MONITORED FLOCK
percentage of our breeders depend. Hiddleston’s shearling ewe and the reserve in Philip Poole (Salopian Flock) where we saw
I firmly believe that the Suffolk/cross Pamela Lupton’s shearling ram. I thoroughly a very impressive flock of sheep.
females are the back bone of our industry enjoyed the day reacquainting with old My final journey was to the Society
and if we, the breeders keep the Suffolk friends and meeting so many new faces. Youth Championships in Carlisle, and what
ram long and fleshy with silky hair and The next stop was back home at The an impressive turnout of well informed and
good back ends they will continue to Northern Ireland Championships in Omagh knowledgeable young folk there was from
deliver what the commercial farmer needs where Gary Beacom was Champion with all over the UK and Ireland. It was a most
and is commercially appealing. his shearling ewe and reserve was William interesting day, and I came away feeling
As I started my year as President I was Tait’s ram lamb. that the future of the breed is in safe
both involved in, and attended, many shows The biggest thrill of all was to be asked hands with so many keen young breeders
and sales, I could see that the Suffolk breed to judge the National Sale. It was most participating.
is going in the right direction. The first pleasing to see the quality of rams and Having served on the council for ten
show was at Balmoral, and what a show of females on show, with good tops, length years in the 1990’s and then returning in a
Suffolks that was! These were so splendidly and back ends. I found my champion in presidency role for the last two years I must
judged by Jane Soulsby where she found her John Innes’s Ram lamb at 11,000gns and congratulate all those who have given up FLOCK ACHIEVEMENT 2018:
champion in Gary Beacom’s shearling ewe reserve in John Sinnett’s ram lamb which their time to serve on council, for their hard
and reserve in Mark Priestley’s ram lamb. made top price of 15,500gns. work and commitment and for keeping this Winner of best flock ewes South of Ireland.
Then my travels took me to Kilkenny for The Northern Area sale in Stirling was great society to the fore. I must specifically This was our first time to enter!
the Irish Championships judged by Iain where Ron Greig found his champion in mention Ron Greig for his never ending
Barbour where he found his champion in Mark Priestley’s ram lamb which had been work as chairman of the council and Robin
A O’Keeffe’s shearling ewe and reserve in reserve champion at Balmoral in May McIlrath, our CEO for his continued hard STOCK RAM
P O’Keeffe’s second prize shearling ewe. making the staggering price of 40,000gns. work, commitment and enthusiasm.
George Stewart was in reserve. There was Personally I would like to thank the Limestone Aston Martin purchased
a tremendous show of ram lambs with girls in the office, Anna, Margo, Katie and
other top prices of 30,000gns, 24,000gns, Dara for making my year so easy and for for £40,000 at sterling 2018 where
22,000gns and 20,000gns. arranging my travel and accommodation. he stood overall champion!
Back home for the premier sale in They were always prepared to go the ‘extra
Ballymena where A Gault was champion mile’ to ensure I was well looked after. We also have Aston Martin’s
reaching a price of 1,700gns and reserve D In closing, I must say that my wife mammy in our flock!!
Taylor at 1,900gns. Top price of 2,000gns Margaret and I really enjoyed my year as
went to A Patton. President, meeting old and new friends.
The following today I made the long trip May I wish all my fellow Suffolk Breeders a
to the South of Ireland sale in Roscrea successful 2019 and beyond. +353 (0)862851571
ronanmclaughlinequestrian@hotmail.com

10 Suffolk Sheep Society Yearbook 2019