Once of the key benchmarking tools that are used extensively to manage our flock are regular measurements of weight and carcass quality.

Our regime of data collection starts with recording the birth weight within 24 hours (measuring straight after birth is too messy!), this is applied consistently each year to ensure year on year comparisons can be made.

Then following birth the lambs are weighed each time they are handled, so the next weights are done when they receive their Ovipast vaccination around four weeks of age. As this routine is repeated we begin to build up a picture of Daily Live Weight Gain which we can review in our farm software. Whilst this is crude as it doesn’t take into account birth/rear type (single/twin/triplet), it does provide an early indication of growth rates and allow actions to be taken on any poor performers. This allows decisions to be made about removing any lambs who mothers might be struggling to rear multiples, they can then be marked for culling.

Weigh data is then submitted to The Texel Society via its iTexel platform so that it can be evaluated in a statistical model that allows an “apples and apples” comparison between sheep and also between flocks and production systems.

Additional data is added following ultrasound scanning for muscle depth and backfat and then the “best” five ram lambs are CT scanned with this data also being included within the evaluations.

Once evaluated we then have reasonably accurate information to make our breeding decisions as we know about carcass composition and growth.

Obviously technology improves all the time and we are excited about the prospect of using genomics in the next couple of years to improve accuracy even further, particularly on ram lambs.

The pictures below show some of the ram lambs on their day out to the CT scanner.

Its always pleasing to see purchasers enjoying success with our genetics and we were therefore delighted to see Kimbolton Commander lambs being awarded Supreme Champion and Reserve Champion in the Texel section of the MacKenzie A&P show.

Congratulations to Denby Lawlor.

Full details can be found on the Texel New Zealand Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02URc2JovDj2sEntBPpwbFgU4PfogBG1azTCKZJgMUVmcZ6ZLU5rjKsQo8pJ5AiK7Pl&id=100057173661107

2023 was a good lambing for us following a record scanning percentage. There are some exciting prospective lambs on the ground and we look forward to seeing how they perform in the coming months as they grow and mature.

Selecting for ease of lambing and good maternal traits is something we have done since the start of the flock and we have found now the families that are working well and removed those that don’t. Obviously we are dealing with nature and something unexpected always happens!

We have tested our colostrum for the last few years using a Brix refractometer that was bought cheaply on Amazon. This quickly shows colostrum quality and is a useful indicator of if ewe nutrition and is directly correlated to lamb survival. Also over the last three years we have taken the opportunity to tube every lamb with colostrum as soon as possible after it is born. This has significantly reduced early losses and also meant that lambs have had better early growth. Equally importantly it has provided peace of mind and meant that we can leave the lamb that was born before bed confidently knowing it has had milk.

The Texel Sheep Society was on winning form at the NSA Sheep Event at Malvern in July.

After a four year break the Kimbolton Flock was one of four flocks that provided sheep for the Texel Society tradestand.

Four gimmer ewes by 7,000gn Hilltop Cobra were provided and were much admired with some very pleasing comments received.

The trade stand was judged best trade stand and the sheep also triumphed being awarded the first prize for best pen of sheep at the event.

Speaking at the event Paul said “after such a long break from the last show, there was an excellent atmosphere and much positivity from everyone that I spoke to about what the breed and also the Kimbolton flock is trying to achieve”

The flock is pleased to announce that the list of animals for sale is now available on the For Sale page of this site.

Stock will be available from home or selected sales (unless sold in advance) on a first come first served basis. We will endeavor to keep everyone happy and provide the best choice and value possible.