What a year! The only predictable thing about farming is its unpredictability. The mildest spring on record followed by the wettest summer and in the West of the UK lambs born in April did not have dry feet all summer. A Foot & Mouth outbreak on the 3rd of August followed by the first ever outbreak of Blue Tongue tested all our patience and pockets to the limit. However, we sheep farmers are a resilient lot and somehow are managing.

The Annual Meeting and Open Day on the 10th June at Kit & Sue Speakman’s in Essex was as expected truly a day to remember. The Farm, the sheep and the hospitality was of the highest order. At the A.G.M my suggestion of accepting good quality Geno Type 2 rams for pure breeding was narrowly voted out and so we are keeping the rule that only Type 1 rams are used.

The Semen archives are still looking for rams with A.R.H. Alles and are offering a lot more than their slaughter value so if you have any phone 0845 0060008.

The breed has continued its expansion with several new breeders from all parts and existing flocks increasing their numbers. The demand for females is still way ahead of supply.

During the summer we had stands at the three NSA regional events at Abergavenny, Bishop Auckland and Devon. All created an enormous amount of interest and I would like to thank those who helped man them. Next year the ‘Sheep 2008’ will hopefully be on at Malvern and we are negotiating with our main sponsors ‘Rumenco’ to have some ‘Easy Care’ sheep on their stand at some shows.

The 2008 Open Day will be held at Glen App Estate in Ayrshire, Scotland, by kind permission of the owner The Earl of Inchcape. This is a 14,000 acre farm with over 4,500 breeding ewes and Mr Charles Russell the Manager is keen to increase his flock of ‘Easy Care’ to what looks like being the largest flock of the breed. So put the date in your diary, Friday 13th June 2008. Details will appear in our Spring Newsletter.

The 2007 –08 list of members is enclosed, please check the details – no doubt there are some mistakes for which I apologise. Please let me know your email address if its not already on, we intend to publish the members list on our website this year. This would make it more readily available to prospective customers and save time and postage. However, I understand that some people might object to having their addresses published in which case please let me know.

On a personal note may I thank all those of you who I have got to know through our society for your sympathy and support on the death of my Wife and Partner last August.

Iolo Owen, M.B.E., F.R.Ag.S.
Secretary, Easy Care Sheep Society

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