Investment pays off for Maghera breeder

This has seen him procure a selection of top breeding females from Scotland and crossing these animals with elite rams, through the use of artificial insemination.

“There are 250 pedigree ewes in the flock at the present time,” he said.

“Over recent years these have been crossed with a selection of the top rams from the Dalchirla, Crossflat and Elmscleugh flocks,” he said.

“And it’s an approach to breeding that has worked for me. My aim is to produce shearling rams with plenty of scope, which have the potential to work well in both commercial and pedigree situations.”

Last year saw Colin enter stock for the Ulster Ram Breeders Association Scottish Blackface sale in Ballymena for the first time. And he got on tremendously well. This year sees him return to the same event with eight eye catching shearlings.

“They are all home bred and are sired by a selection of top rams from Scotland. These include a 90,000 Dalchirla, a 50,000 Crossflat and a 24,000 Elmscleugh.

“Also included is a shearling bred from a 24,000 Dalchhirla, which I believe to have tremendous potential.

“I used him myself as a ram lamb. He has produced some excellent lambs this year, a number of which I will keep for future breeding myself.”

This year’s Ulster Ram Breeders Association Scottish Blackface sale takes place on Monday October 3rd in Ballymena Mart. By common consent, breeders attending should be on the look-out for Colin’s shearlings on the day.