The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Suffolk breeders club bound for Forfar Mart
Sheep: Annual Prime Lamb Competition takes place on Wednesday
Tayside Suffolk Breeders Club is looking forward to its first contest of the year.
Its annual Prime Lamb Competition takes place on Wednesday at Forfar Mart, attracting entries from across Central Scotland.
Secretary Christine Croal joined the club at the end of 2013, following a summer spent around the local agricultural circuit showing her own sheep.
“Suffolks are very much a passion of mine,” said Christine, who stepped into the role of secretary in March.
She runs a flock of around 50 ewes, 25 of which are pedigree Suffolks.
“Our Hollycroft prefix was established 10 years ago,” said Christine.
“When my father passed away in 2010 I was able to keep 12 ewe lambs to maintain the bloodlines.
“I’m the third generation of our family to have the wonderful breed.”
Christine, who balances farming around full-time work as a registered veterinary nurse in Kirriemuir, has now taken Hollycroft the flock from strength to strength, steadily building on numbers and enjoying success at local shows and sales.
“Over the recent years, all the hard work has really become more than worth it,” she added.
Now, through the Tayside Suffolk Breeders Club, she hopes she can encourage more like-minded farmers to support events and join in their activities.
“The Prime Lamb Competition at Forfar is one of several the club hosts during the year,” said Christine.
“We also support classes at all the local shows and host a flock competition, farm visits, talks and meetings, giving both pure- and cross-bred breeders the opportunity to socialise throughout the year. “It’s a really great forum of people. “Membership only costs £10 and we would welcome new members from anywhere across Angus, Perthshire and Fife.”
The competition at Forfar Mart also includes an open class for nonmembers and Christine is keen to gather support from even more breeders.
Entries for this section, for a pair of cross lambs by a Suffolk sire, can be made by contacting the mart in advance of the event.
Membership can be paid on the day.