Article Featuring Raymond Hill and Tommy Morton

Dorsets Divide and Conquer

By Kate Madden Dorset P.R.O.

With a steady upwards trend in the number of Dorset breeders in Northern Ireland the Dorset Club P.R.O. Kate Madden set out to investigate different breeders' perspectives on the Dorset 's popularity and success. It soon became clear that one of the breed's strong points is its appeal to both pedigree and commercial audiences. With this in mind two different sized flocks in very different management scenarios were approached to illustrate the breed's versatility.

The Pedigree Approach

Ballyboley businessman Raymond Hill, Managing Director of Carryduff and Omagh Auctions, established his flock in 2002 with the impulse purchase of three sheep during an impromptu visit to the September Show and Sale . Impressed by the eye-appeal and temperament of the stock Raymond thought that they might provide a future interest for his then new-born son Oliver.

After talking to his neighbour and long-time acquaintance George Robson, himself a veteran Dorset breeder of many years standing, Raymond was encouraged to fly over to the Dorset May Fair in Exeter in 2003, the foremost breed event in the UK . On the trip Raymond was most impressed not only with the sheep but also the warmth and welcome he received from other Northern Ireland breeders who had also made the journey. He returned home having purchased the champion ram, champion ewe and champion ewe lamb, all from the Blackhill flock, instantly doubling the numbers of his own Oliver Tree flock.

Raymond's showing career then began in earnest with a first expedition to Balmoral Show. Although no red or blue rosettes were brought home on this occasion the welcome and encouragement from other Dorset exhibitors made him see that it wasn't all about winning or rivalry. He recalls realising at that time that “Taking part and promoting the breed is every bit as important as getting the rosettes.”

The next event in the show calendar was Ballymena Show. Unable to attend due to work commitments, Raymond's sheep were exhibited by his brother David and George Robson who managed to romp home with four first prizes as well as taking the breed champion title. This left Raymond wondering if his own showing skills perhaps needed a little honing!

Raymond continues to attend the May Fair in Exeter annually and is keen to continue introducing new bloodlines. In 2004 the Trevilley bred Supreme Champion ram was purchased. A string of local show successes followed which Raymond attributes to the ram's outstanding confirmation and very strong hindquarters.

One other strong point Raymond noted about the breed was that “It is relatively easy for young people to get started as good quality sheep can be purchased for realistic prices.” The very best bloodlines are accessible to every keen breeder. U.K. breeders are also friendly and supportive, getting right behind their breed for everyone's benefit. Local breeders are enjoying a tremendous run of success, ably demonstrating that the standard of Northern Ireland Dorset's is every bit as high as that one the mainland, a point well proven by both the prizes and prices achieved at this year's May Fair.

For Raymond the Dorset flock provides a welcome escape from day-to-day business pressures. It is also a pastime that he can share with his son who is rapidly reaching an age where he can take his own place in the show ring. Raymond has never had to assist a ewe at lambing and finds them very milky and prolific mothers. For the future he plans to increase flock numbers up to 50 ewes, all scrapie-monitored group one. Keeping an eye on the bottom line is also important and Raymond has found a strong demand for his ewe lambs. After winning six out of seven championships last year the only achievement to evade him so far is Balmoral. And when asked what he thinks his chances are for next year his response is “Watch this space”.

Dorsets for Commercial Cross-breeding

The Dorset is also proving its worth as a terminal sire for commercial lamb production in Northern Ireland . As the local sheep industry responds to wider changes in the agricultural sector the introduction of cross-breeding programmes to pure-bred hill flocks is providing the Dorset with a further opportunity to prove its performance and versatility.

Thomas Morton farms sucklers and sheep high above the East Antrim coast on a mixture of hill and in-bye land extending to 1000 ft above sea level. The Southtown farm, Ballygilbert, enjoys stunning panoramic views of Ballygally head and the coastline beyond as well as an uninterrupted vista past the Maidens lighthouses to Ayr . Although the scenery is delightful in the summertime it is a different story in the winter when bracing winds sweep in from the sea and temperatures drop.

A flock of 500 Blackface ewes was run up until 3 years ago when Thomas began to look at other options to increase returns from the enterprise. In the wake of de-coupling the situation for sheep farmers changed and this allowed a range of options for moving forward to be considered.

The aims of the breeding programme on the farm were to increase the number, weights and grades of lambs so that a similar level of production might be obtained from less stock if desired. Time was an important factor as a practical balance was needed between on and off-farm work and family.

Both Texel and Dorset rams have been introduced, forming a criss-cross breeding system where Blackface/Texel cross ewes are put to a Dorset ram as the terminal sire. The system has already paid dividends and demonstrates the undeniable benefits of hybrid vigour.

A marked increase in lambing % has enabled ewe numbers to be dropped with no drop in lamb output and an increase in carcase quality. This means there is more grass available while at the same time overhead costs are reduced by having less stock to work with. The high growth rate of the Dorset gets lambs away earlier and is the reason why Dorset 's are widely used worldwide. Their natural healthy vigour and adaptability to a wide range of conditions also put them to the front of the queue for use in hill cross-breeding programmes.

The criss-cross system breeding has already proven its worth on the East Antrim hills in terms of improved physical and financial performance as well as improved ease of management. In fact this approach is mirrored in Thomas Morton's suckler herd where Beef Shorthorn and Aberdeen Angus sires are used to produce both quality carcases for beef production and ideal suckler herd replacements.