During 2024 the Texel Sheep Society evolved their genetic evaluation service so that it routinely uses genomic information, a sheep industry first.

This is truly game changing as it now enables information collected from DNA to be used to inform the breeding values calculated instead of just relying on pedigree information which could potentially contain errors.

The Kimbolton flock has collected phenotypes (data) for almost 20 years on traits of key commercial value but now the powerful combination of phenotypes AND genotypes (DNA collected from a nasal swab) unlocks far greater accuracy of the breeding values produced. This effectively means that a ram lamb can now have the same accuracy as a mature ram that has had ~20 progeny. This means breeding decisions can be made more confidently enabling faster rates of genetic gain to be made.

To make the most of this opportunity the flock has collected genotypes from its entire 2025 lamb crop, the good, the bad and the ugly. These have been submitted to the Texel Society to be processed and the results will be included in the latest Blup run which will be uploaded to https://www.itexel.uk/ and published so the results are visible for anyone interested.

Paul commented “it was quite a time consuming job to collect nasal samples from all the lambs, but I am confident that the time will be repaid when we get the results. The more accurate breeding values gained will benefit my customers as it will further reduce the risk of buying a ram from Kimbolton making sure it “does what it says on the tin” “

Feel free to contact Paul to discuss how genomics can help you de-risk your ram buying decision to ensure you buy the right animal for your needs.

The Kimbolton flock is pleased to welcome the Northern Area Texel Club when they visit on 31st May.

All of the flocks sheep, good bad and ugly will be on display and visitors will get to discuss the breeding goals the flock has as well as getting to understand the commercial system they are produced in.

If you are available on 31st May you are very welcome to come along too, please just contact Paul in advance so that he knows you are coming.

Lambing 2025 is over!

Paul would like to thank everyone who has been in touch to make sure everything was ok, it is greatly appreciated.

Lasting 35 days, the first batch were an absolute dream with very little intervention, however the second batch had a few more surprises including one ewe who had triplets that each weighed 6kg!

Having analysed losses, it was refreshing to have to order more ear tags, particularly after last years schmallenberg related losses.

This year the flock tried some new tweaks including using the Clipfitter system for tailing instead of a hot iron and also Nobacz for navels instead of iodine. Results have been pleasing and they both will be used again next year.

Paul even managed to get some more hedge laying done!

All we need now is some grass and sun!

It was wonderful to welcome the reception class of Kimbolton Primary School who visited to see the lambs and inspect the farm machinery.

A good time was had by all, with many lambs stroked and lots of great questions asked, plus there was even time to sit in the tractor!

This group also previously spent time talking to Paul whilst he was hedge laying.

They left with a greater understanding of livestock production and they were buzzing which was great to see, then a few days later this wonderful card was delivered by their teacher!

Saturday night was very special and one that will be remembered for a very long time as Paul was presented with a special recognition award at the Texel 50th anniversary celebrations for leading the project to deliver iTexel and also for championing texelplus recording.

Speaking after the event Paul said “I was humbled and very proud to receive this award. iTexel has already delivered enormous benefits for the membership and is truly industry leading. Plus it was an honour to share the stage with the other winners who are industry legends – Aubrey Andrews, Jo Conington, Clive Roads and Brian Ross. I would like to thank the Board (past and present) and the countless others who supported and contributed to the project, it is greatly appreciated and shows what team work can achieve, this is for you all too.”

Pictured below is Paul receiving the award from Jeff Aiken Texel Society Chairman.

As the nights draw in most people feel like curling up in front of the fire but our minds turn to selecting tupping groups!

This is surprisingly time consuming, as we study each ewe and decide what her good and not so good points are, then we try to match them with a ram that suits her best, ensuring that the progeny improve as much as possible.

In many ways, it’s a bit like what an online dating app does but for sheep!

This involves making around 150 decisions as this dictates the best genetic matches possible and this will be what dictates the type of lambs we will have to work with in 2025 and beyond.

Rams chosen for use this year include the following (click the name to find out more about each):

Kimbolton Gladiator

Kimbolton Glorious Gigots

Kimbolton High Performer

Kimbolton Eagle

Ettrick Grey Goose

Overburns High Tide

Eden Valley Hollywood

Once mated nature takes over and the sheep carry and lamb naturally but the mating selections made hopefully will ensure that future generations improve for the commercially important traits that we select for.

We have not been able to escape the eagle eye of the Editor of our Parish Magazine and this month’s magazine features Paul and his Champion Texel from Tenbury Show on the front cover.

Additionally inside the magazine is an editorial that talks about the flock and the latest concerns over Bluetongue (a midge borne disease that is spreading throughout the UK at the moment that has devastating consequences.)

Today saw a worthwhile trip to Carlisle to purchase new bloodlines for the flock.

Overburns High Tide is sired by Ettrick Grey Goose who sold for 42,000gn at Lanark in 2023 to Cowal and Thornbury flocks, with Ettrick retaining a share. So far he has sired 1st and 2nd prize winners at RHASS & RWAS in 2024.

He is a full brother to Highland Spring who was champion at the English National Sale in 2024 and sold to Cambwell, Mitchelhill and Strawfrank flocks for 6,000gn . His Ettrick GDAM also bred Ettrick Gruffalo who sold at Kelso 24 for 35,000gn.

An exceptionally bright, correct lamb and in Paul’s opinion was the nicest of the flush he had seen. He was purchased for his top, gigot, fat depth, length, prolificacy and character and hopefully, he will click with the higher muscled ewes in the flock.

Also joining the flock is Eden Valley Hollywood who is brother to Eden Valley Hit the Diff who sold for 8,000gn to Cambwell and Caterthun.

Hollywood is sired by Knockem Grandslam (who is by 28,000gn Haymount Foremost) and is from a 2017 born dam by 30,000gn Knock Yankee who was still lambing naturally in 2024!

He is another bright, correct lamb who was purchased for his top, gigot, length, and style. Hopefully, he too will click with the ewes he will be put with.

Both lambs are ARR/ARR and G/G and from families who have successfully sold rams to commercial lamb producers and pedigree flocks.

We eagerly await lambing 2025 to see how they perform with their first crop of lambs.