BLACKFACE SHEEP BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION (BSBA)

INAUGURAL YOUNG BREEDERS EVENT – SUNDAY 28TH JANUARY 2024

The Inaugural Blackface Sheep Breeders Association Young Breeders event was held on Sunday 28th January 2024 and has been hailed a huge success by all who attended and helped. Held at Midlock Farm, Crawford by kind permission of the Wight family, 45 breeders and like-minded members attended from Northern Ireland, Newcastleton, Central Scotland and Argyll, along with all the helpers and advisers required throughout the day.

Welcoming everyone along, was a warm cup of soup and filled rolls followed by Jen Craig’s opening speech and also Allan Wight’s description of the farm and explanation of the format for the day. From there, attendees were divided into eight teams for ‘networking’ and a get to know one another, along with discovering experienced/inexperienced type of day.

Ice-breaking activities were team building games of down a pint of cider, eat two dry crackers, sheep tag a piece of cardboard twice, 10 push ups then fill a 25kg bag of feed from the hopper and run back to the start and finally with one hit, knock the nail into a block of wood.  A fun and exciting way to meet and greet whilst going against the clock.

Before the teams were moved on to the Workshop stations, BSBA Vice-President, Derek Redpath gave a quick stocksmanship demonstration on the Breed.

This was then followed by all the hands-on workstations giving demonstrations before getting a chance themselves to have a go, whilst asking questions and engaging with the experienced helpers who were on hand to advise and demonstrate.

 Stations were:

Workstation One – Sheep Dressing

Allan gave a brief demonstration on dressing a sheep before the team members were paired up and given a go for themselves. Two helpers were on hand to help, advise and assist with any questions and tricky bits. Six dressing stands were set up with two teams working away at this station during the afternoon. Allan was ably assisted by Willie Craig and Gordon McDougall.

Workstation Two – Horn-Setting

Brian Gilchrist, one of Midlock’s shepherds, oversaw this workshop demonstrating the “how’s and why’s” of horn springs and the importance of them, also demonstrating how to shape and set the spring whilst attaching the set on to the Tup Hoggs. A few questions followed. Gavin McKinlay assisted here.

Workstation Three – OPA Scanning

Under the watchful eyes of Ben Wight and David MacArthur, who have undergone training. With Clyde Wind Farm funding, four local farms including Midlock and Nunnerie, purchased their own scanner and can now verify within their flocks, the signs of OPA. The boys used some examples of Blackface ewes with signs, and explained the advantages and disadvantages, especially when it comes to selling their stock. Team members were then able to have a go themselves with the boys explaining what the dark shadows were whilst scanning under the foreleg into the lung area.

Workstation Four – Horn Turning

Craig Thornborrow and Shaun Wallace undertook this challenging post. The boys explained the purpose of turning horns. A different method of horn setting, but Craig and Shaun explained the various tools and gadgets that can be employed and the protective equipment and methods used for protecting the sheep. This included heating the horn, turning and showing the tricky part of getting the other one to match, and cooling off the horn – all this whilst still restraining the sheep and keeping it calm.

Four Classes of Stockjudging

Our master judge was Derek Redpath, after his excellent demonstration at the start of the event. He ably judged (whilst also playing master of ceremonies throughout the afternoon), the four classes of Aged Ewes, Gimmers, and two classes of tup hoggs – one for breeding and one for prime. This was capably scored by Varrie Loggie, and scores were put together for two competitions – Overall Team and Individual Top Three.

Guess the Tup/Breeder/Purchaser(s)/Farm Photos

On this part of fun, not only had attendees to guess the tup and its price, but they also had to match up the farm photo, they had to advise who the Breeder was, and the successful Purchaser(s). No mean feet at all. This could be completed individually or as their team. A lot of mind-boggling moments were had by most.

Just for Fun – Guess the Breeder(s) Photos

The photos were kindly donated by MacGregor Photography and did give all a good giggle with as many different disguises completed by Black and Red Marker pens! From Mr Monopoly to Bugs Bunny and several other characters including a Frenchman in-between. For those who attended and struggled with photo two, we can confirm it was none other than David Morrison and Steven Renwick – very well disguised!

To round off the day, whilst the workshops wound down, a sweepstake of Guess the Value of Tups sold/purchased by the Wights was also on display. At a £1 entry, the winner took all. After several additions, we had one outright winner who knew their Blackface knowledge, and was correct on the button at £548,500 – a very expensive wall display. Well done to Thomas Muirhead on winning here.

Other results:

Team Stockjudging (kindly sponsored by Davidson Animal Feeds) – Team Three of Wull McClymont, Lewis MacKenzie, Matt Dunlop, Gordon MacLean, Sam Adams and Thomas Muirhead with a combined score of 916 points.

Individual Stockjudging (kindly sponsored by Carrs Billington) – 1st Thomas Muirhead with 185 points, 2nd Gordon Pate with 179 points and 3rd Storur Normansson with 170 points.

Combined Photo Competition Winners (Guess the Tups/Farms and Breeders) – Team Seven of Stuart Kerr, Allan MacKenzie, Hannah Dunlop, Greig Gillespie and Mac Gilchirst.

We must thank our sponsors and supporters of this event, namely, Davidson Animal Feeds, Carrs Billington, McCaskie Farm Supplies, MacGregor Photography and Blackface Sheep Breeders Association.

To our helpers, advisors, and catering team – Varrie Loggie, John Loggie, Allan Wight, Willie Craig, Gordon McDougall, Brian Gilchrist, Gavin McKinlay, Ben Wight, Aileen McFadzean, David MacArthur, Katie Wight, Mac Gilchrist, Derek Redpath, Colin McPhail, Craig Thornborrow, Shaun Wallace, Karen Wight, Aideen Meehan, and Liz Gilchrist, a huge thank you.

Finally, a massive thank you the Wight family for hosting the event at a great venue. We just about made it through before the sleet and rain arrived. The enthusiasm shown by everyone at Midlock in supporting this inaugural event was second to none and BSBA cannot thank them enough for all their ideas, input, general set-up and work towards this.

Feedback is welcome after this taster at Midlock, therefore we do ask for this to be forwarded on.

Organisers:

Jen Craig and Jenna Ballantyne

(Appointed by BSBA)