The Garlic Flock of Pedigree British Rouge Sheep

MV Accredited        Signet Recorded        NSPAC Genotyped

THE FLOCK was established in 2001 with just six pure Rouge ewes.  In 2003 we moved to North Devon and now farm on an exposed hillside 500 feet above sea level.  The flock has increased to 60 pedigree ewes lambing in January.  All our pedigree sheep are fully registered with the British Rouge Sheep Society.  We have a March lambing commercial flock of 150 ewes which are put to the Rouge.  This enables us to evaluate the performance of our rams in commercial conditions.  All x-bred lambs are sold at 20 kg dead weight.

OUR AIM is to maintain the excellent growth rate of the Rouge and to improve muscling.  The Signet recording system has helped us to identify superior stock and new bloodlines from France have had a significant impact on conformation.  We aim to sell well grown ram lambs from mid-August which are shorn on 1st July to improve their growth rate and fertility.  The shearlings that we sell will have wintered out on a minimal ration and allowed to grow on naturally.

OUR PEDIGREE SYSTEM 2006/2007:

• Pedigree ewes are artificially inseminated

• Ewes are scanned at 90 days and divided for feeding programme   

• Ewes housed at beginning of December, ewes with twins fed 1kg per day of 18% ewe mix and haylage.

• Lambs are fed ad-lib creep from three weeks old until weaning, then 0.5 kg concentrates daily

• Weather permitting, ewes and lambs turned out at day and in at night

• Turned out completely at the end of January

PERFORMANCE RECORDING:

We have been Signet recorded since 2003 and are selecting our breeding stock using this criteria.  The selection process includes weighing at birth, 8 weeks and again at 20 weeks when the lambs are scanned for muscle depth and fat depth.  Lambs that reach 40 kg but do not reach the specification are killed.  Breed type is the final element of our selection.

SCRAPIE GENOTYPING:

We have been members of the National Scrapie Plan since 2002, all breeding rams offered for sale are Group 1 (90%) or Group 2.

 FRENCH BLOODLINES:

In 2005, 2006 & 2008 we brought semen in from France via GE.O.DE and our best ewes were artificially inseminated.  The rams were selected for their superior figures which included excellent weight gain, exceptional muscling and good conformation.  It is essential that we can produce a lamb that reaches 40 kg in 90 days which grades E or U.

 SHOW RING SUCCESS:

The Royal Show

1st    Ewe Lamb 2004

1st    Ram Lamb 2006

Male Champion, Reserve Breed Champion and Interbreed Pairs Reserve Champion 2007

The Royal Cornwall Show

Breed Champion AOB Continental 2007

 The Devon County Show

1st    Ram Lamb and Ewe Lamb classes 2004 / 05 / 06

1st    Male Champion Devon County Show 2005 / 06

Breed Champion & Reserve Breed Champion 2007 / 08

 The North Devon Show

Breed Champion 2005

 The Mid Devon Show

1st    Breed Champion 2005 / 06

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Where can I buy your Rouge rams?

• Direct from the farm - call us on 01769 560561/560214

• Follow this link to see rams for sale now

What can your Rouge rams do for my flock?

• Vigorous, lively lambs

• Fast growing lambs

• Lean carcases with good conformation

• High value carcases

• Quality commercial females

STOCK CURRENTLY FOR SALE:

• 2 Pedigree Rouge shearling rams

• 25  21 14 3 Pedigree Rouge ram lambs

Visitors are always welcome to view our stock.  Please call us on  the number below to discuss your requirements:

We sell all our prime lambs deadweight through Cornish Quality Livestock Producers.

We are pleased to support the EBLEX   Better Returns Programme.

In 2006 we hosted a Better Breeding Open Evening and provided sheep for the EBLEX   Better Returns Programme at the Royal Agricultural Show.