Texel flocks exported to Switzerland

Seven Scottish flocks have exported 103 Texel sheep to Switzerland, the largest consignment of the breed to leave the UK.

The consignment included both male and female sheep, with gimmers making up the bulk of the females exported.

Sheep in the consignment came from Robert Laird’s Cambwell flock, the Clark family’s Garngour, Teiglum and Clarks flocks, Angus McColm’s Crailloch flock, Jimmy Warnock’s Watchknowe flock, David McKerrow’s Nochnary flock and Allan Campbell’s Strawfank flock.

Swiss importer and breeder Heinz Pluss said the latest consignment of Texels to leave for the country had been sourced to meet growing demand and interest in the breed in Switzerland.

“Interest in Texels is very high in Switzerland and some breeders are now undertaking performance recording too,” he added.

Texel Sheep Society chief executive John Yates said exports of this size were rare, but showed the appetite for British Texels in Switzerland.

“The high level of performance recording among the breed is another determining factor for many buyers, with importers seeking as much information about the sheep they’re buying as possible,” he continued.

“Performance recording is another layer of detail and information which helps with their decision-making process and gives reassurance about the genetic potential of the stock they are buying.”

Mr Pluss said the advances made by British Texel breeders using performance recording are immediately obvious when the sheep are compared with those from other countries.

“In the past, some breeders imported Texels from Germany and France because they were cheaper there than in the UK,” he added.

“However, sadly they discovered there was no real difference to our local breeds.

“When I first imported British Texels it was soon clear to me that they were superior to all other breeds and types.

“There are no other sheep in Switzerland with such a potential for growth and such genetic potential.

“There is a massive difference in the quality of lamb I am now producing since switching to solely British Texels.

“Many butchers say they’ve never seen carcases like those of the British Texel lambs.”