2009 was a quietly successful year with rams going to both commercial and breeder flocks. Again a number of smaller flocks have been started, or grown in size, through the purchase of our quality ewe lambs. Clients value the genetic and pedigree information available, the stock health status and the “after sales” service. A good number of these “lambs” have allowed us to continue with our rigorous culling as genetic improvement is just so rapid. The autumn lambing to date was pretty uneventful, and the ewe lambs have now rejoined the flock pending sorting out into tupping groups in March. Some December born ram lambs are trying to grow on – but on little grass and in the cold!

Semen from two of our rams was exported to the USA in 2007. Their progeny are now to be seen in flocks across America and Canada. Blackdown Luther L7 is now providing semen for the USA, and he has already put lambs onto the ground at home. (See the “KBarK” link at Our Friends for more detail.)

Indeed Luther now sits proudly at the top of the Signet UK Poll Dorset Recorded Stock Sire list, some 30 points clear of the next, and is the only multiple birth ram in the top 5. We have three of his sons (all multiples) for sale at home! and they are in the Signet UK top 10 Poll Dorset Ram Lambs list.

Maintenance continues with traditional hedge laying and coppicing, re-ditching and stock fencing. We have aerated all our fields this year with a Canadian roller/slitter and it does look as if surface drainage has improved. Plans are in hand for a small wind turbine to power the farm, with some electricity left over for the nation – depending upon planning approval overcoming local “NIMBYism”. Trough and yard water is now fully provided from our well through a pumped water storage system. Not self sufficient yet – but moving in that direction.