The largest Pedigree Suffolk Ram sale in the west will take place on Saturday, August 6th, at Roscommon Mart. The West of Ireland Registered Pedigree Suffolk Sheep Breeders Club will hold their 51st Annual Premier Show and Sale, offering over sixty lots for sale on the day.
The success of the 2021 sale was phenomenal, achieving a 95% clearance and a new club record top price of €2500. The commercial trade was the focus of the sale and demand was huge, with over 90% of animals heading into the commercial sector at an average of €671.
The club focuses on producing top quality Suffolks from some of the best genetics available in both Ireland and the UK. There will be a large number of Euro-Starred rams put forward, including 5-Star/5-Star and 5-Star/4-Star. The club is affiliated to the Suffolk Sheep Society South of Ireland and operates under an approved Dept. of Agriculture Food & the Marine Pedigree Breeding Programme, which means all animals forward for sale carry Zootechnical Certification.
Members focus on breeding excellent quality pedigree rams with the requirements of the commercial breeder always to the fore. Introducing Suffolk genetics into a commercial flock makes perfect financial sense and can only increase farm profits. A faster-finishing lamb reduces labour, input costs and time spent on farm. Its versatility and ability to thrive in tough conditions give it an edge over other breeds when it comes to fast finishing. The Suffolk-sired lamb meets the criteria of a grass-based system perfectly.
The Suffolk cross lamb can finish from grass in twelve weeks while producing premium-quality early lamb with great muscle and marbling. This quality carcass gives the superb taste, texture and flavour demanded by today’s consumer, and drives demand for this exceptional product.
Traditionally a Terminal Sire, increasing numbers of farmers are also using Suffolks for their maternal qualities. Suffolk rams are pivotal in producing commercial females. Suffolk cross females are renowned for their many quality traits including conformation, milkiness, mothering ability, ease of lambing and prolificacy. They produce hardy, lively lambs, capable of early turnout. So whether you are producing females for the breeding sales, or as closed flock replacements, the Suffolk Ram will produce the quality required every time.
The 2022 show will be judged by renowned Northern Ireland breeder, Alaister Barkley of the Blackbrae Flock. The show will commence at 11 am, with the sale beginning immediately after the show at 1.30 pm. For enquiries, contact 087 7993682.
