Based in Murrintown, Co Weford, John Neville’s Thornville flock now runs between 55 and 60 ewes a year along with some crossbred ewes as recipients for ET work. While the flock is only run on a part-time basis, John has the help of his mother while he is working outside the farm.

John explained the farm used to keep a small few commercials before getting into Texels, and since then has tried other breeds, but he always kept going back for the Texels. “The first three Texel ewes were purchased in 2001 when I was 14 – these came from the late Patience Bennett of the Barnacoyle flock. Talk about luck starting out, as one of these ewe lived till the ripe old age of 12. The first ram was purchased in at the Texel premier under the guidance of Willie Ryan. Over the years I have got guidance off many Texel breeders and one in particular I would have mention is Frank Harrington, who brought me on my first trip to the UK to the renowned Annan flock. I have tried to introduce many other breeds and none have survived other than the Texel.”

Female lines

Speaking about some of the lines running through the flock, John identifies one standout: “Without a doubt the best female line is GGH1000093, nicknamed The Ettrick Ewe, which was flushed to Strathbogie Python. This has been the most successful flush to date. Three ewe lambs were placed first second and third in the 2013 all-Ireland junior ewe class while the following year this cross produced the top-price shearling ram at the Texel Premier. In their first year of breeding the first- (UVI13043) and third-placed ewe lambs at the all-Irelands then bred the winning group of three in the premier, first place lamb plus (top price at the premier) and first prize young breeders class.

“The UVI 13044 third prize ewe was flushed twice and the second flush resulted in this year’s premier sale female champion and overall champion. She also bred the 2013 reserve female champion sold to Oberstown, who sold her first son for €2,200. Another line which proved fruitful in the past was PFI13019, who was the dam of this year’s premier sale male champion and reserve overall.”

Purchases

Identifying and purchasing ewes and rams to breed from that will go on to breed well is the hardest part of any pedigree sheep flock. While John has purchased a number of sheep in the UK, he tends to aim for the premier sales here in Ireland as his main destination and identifies exactly what he looks for: “I try to get length in the sheep I buy. I think this is a must for the commercial farmer as length weighs. Good mobility and easy fleshing with good breed character are also some other key traits.”

This year John clinched both the overall and reserve titles at the premier show in sale early August, and winning both set a record for the Texel breed.

“This would have to be my best year to date, winning the premier sale female championship, male championship before being made overall with the ewe and reserve overall with the ram. It was extra special to be the first person to win the double on the same day of the society’s 40th anniversary, as well as winning the group of three and the lamb plus class. Our overall champion ewe lamb then went on to achieve the record price for a female sold at auction.”

This merely touches the surface of the success the flock has enjoyed. Other notable wins include top spots at numerous shows such as Tullamore and the All-Irelands on numerous occasions.

Lambing and sales

The Thornville flock lamb in or around the second week of February, with all AI done on the main flock and the top seven ewes put aside for flushing, which has resulted in some of the flock’s best sheep throughout the last four years. “I have a strict culling which is not on percentage basis – if they are not good enough they get culled as lambs and if it so happens to be high, they are still are culled. We sell in the region of 25 rams a year and 10-15 females a year. The females would be to breeders at home and rams would vary year-on-year. The last few years I had six to seven entering pedigree flocks each year. After the premier sale the majority of the lambs are sold at home to both pedigree breeders and commercial.”

Future

“I believe the Texels’ future is bright with an excellent 40 years under their belt. One thing that makes the Texels’ future strong is their commitment to breed improvement which can be seen by being the biggest breed in lamb plus. I think one thing that’s evident when you look back at pictures commemorating the 40 years is you see how much the Texel breed have changed to meet the needs of the commercial farmer and I have no doubt they will continue to meet their needs.”