Pedigree Texel breeders Robert and Joyce Laird from Cambwell Farm, Biggar have won a trophy for running Scotland’s top recorded sheep flock.
Attention to recording and analysis of data over the last 30 years has led to impressive genetic improvements in the Cambwell flock and the Lairds were presented with the award at Scotsheep.
The Lairds run their 400 acre farm with the help of their two daughters, Amy and Kim, and have 60 suckler cows, 80 pedigree Texels and 240 commercial ewes. Their Texel flock is one of the oldest in the UK with Robert’s father, Tom, taking sheep from the first importation in 1973.
The Lairds have focused on positive fat and muscle EBVs.
Mr Laird said: “Growth is important too but I feel that performance recording can be too geared towards growth rates. I am mindful of keeping easy-fleshed, medium-sized sheep, which is what the commercial market wants.”
He is convinced there is a link between positive fat and longevity and has seen improvements in his flock in many areas such as growth, milk, fleshing ability and longevity.
The Cambwell wether lambs are sold through Lanark market or on the hook and are mostly U grades with some R at an average of 21kg deadweight.
The flock’s success is not confined to breeding and the sale ring. The Lairds have twice had reserve champion at the Royal Highland Show and been best performance recorded Texel seven times. They also won the Scottish Texel Club flock competition in 2015.
