Zwartbles Sheep Open Day 2013

Southern Ireland Zwartbles Sheep Breed Society had an open day this last Wednesday the 19th of June from 6 to 8.30 at the Tullamore Mart in Co. Offaly. The evening started out with 5 breeders arriving early to set up their flocks for viewing. There were quite a few Zwartbles half breeds or hybrids for people to see what the different crosses looked like.

Setting up at the Tullamore Mart

Beltex Ewe with Her Zwartbles Hybrids

Flock 00478 N.Lally

There was a sheep show trimming demonstration done by Cyril Cromie

Cyril Cromie Trimming Demo

Hand Shearing Show Trim

There was a talk given by Steven Potterton of Sheep Ireland about how to get Zwartbles Rams graded for the Euro Star Rating system and Lambplus.

Steven Potterton from Sheep Ireland

There was a judging demonstration for breeders which was then compared to notes taken afterwards by Robin Darker

Breeders ask to Judge Ram Lambs

There was a beautiful stock ram from Francis Lyon’s flock Heathview 00847 bred by Judy Maxwell flock Chark 00406 called Chark Tiger, who modeled for us in front of the new sponsors banners.

Stock Ram Chark Tiger Heathview Flock 00847 but Bred by Flock Chark 00406

Red Mills are sponsoring Zwartbles classes at four shows this year, the Galway, Clonmel, Pilltown and Bonniconlon.

Sponsors Red Mills & Chark Tiger the Ram with Francis Lyons & Breda Horgan

Francis Lyons is the Chairman for The Southern Zwartbles Sheep Breeders Society while Breda Horgan is the Society’s Secretary.

Bimeda will be sponsoring the All Southern Ireland Zwartbles Championships in Clonmel Co. Tipperary.

Sponsors Bimeda with Chark Tiger the Ram, Francis Lyons & Breda Horgan

There was loads of chat between Zwartbles sheep breeders from far and wide across Ireland; from Northern Ireland to Cork from Kilkenny to Galway.

Zwartbles Breeders from Northern Ireland, Galway & Cork

There was chat about the different Zwartble cross breeds & what qualities each cross would bring to a commercial flock.

A Commercial Ewe with Zwartbles Hybrid Lambs at Foot

Charollais Ewe with Her Zwartbles Hybrid Lamb at Foot

There was a very nice brace of Zwartbles hybrid hoggets one was out of a Texel ewe the other out of a Mule.

Texel & Mule Zwartbles Hybrids

Clearing up at the end of the evening I was amused to see this group of ram lambs not move even when their pen had been taken down and only look on as the Charollais and Beltex ewes trot by with their young. It just demonstrates what a docile and quite temperament the Zwartbles breed of sheep have.

Contented Lambs Don’t Move Even When Fencing is Removed

A Demonstration of Zwartbles Docility

It was a very enjoyable evening had by all who attended and Tullamore mart kindly had their canteen open so that we could all have a bite to eat before our long drives home.

My Ladies Loaded & Ready to Head Home