National Flock Competition

Wraycastle Flock Impresses Visitors

The shear scale and shape of the Wraycastle Flock of Charollais sheep, astonished over 170 visitors at an Open Day held on Saturday at Low Foulshaw, near Levens in Cumbria. The event was to celebrate the flock’s victory in the bi-annual Charollais Sheep Society’s, National Flock Competition. Richard Geldard, who runs the flock in partnership with his brother Charles and parents John and Rachel, explained how the flock has developed, since its formation in 1982.

“Our main aim has been to produce top quality commercial rams for the prime lamb producer here in the North West. The emphasis has been on good conformation, skins and growth.” Richard paid tribute to his parents, John and Rachel who started the Wraycastle flock in 1982. The first ewes were part of a consignment imported from France and further purchases were made from Roland Harris (Watcombe Flock ‘AC’).

“When Charles and I took over the running of the flock, we had a very good basis on which to build.” Since that time the flock has remained closed and focussed on breeding its own replacements with the kind of characteristics that they felt the Charollais needed in their area. “We are in a very high rainfall area and for the sheep to be hard wearing and durable to cope with the extreme weather conditions we had to develop a type of Charollais suitable for this region. The emphasis has been to breed a Charollais ewe that has good conformational development and is naturally fleshy and does not require a high level of supplementary feeding.”

Visitors viewed the senior and shearling ewes running in dry stone wall paddocks. These were built in the centre of the new building complex which was created when the Geldard family moved from High Wray farm to Low Foulshaw in 1988. The ewes which are due to lamb in a couple of weeks time were certainly a credit to their dedication in breeding to this type. All were deep-bodied, heavily fleshed sheep with tight skins and good head cover.

As far as stock sires are concerned Richard’s viewpoint is that if you see what you want, then you should get on and purchase it. They have invested in many top priced rams over the past ten years, the majority of which have stamped their mark on the flock. Amongst the ewes many were sired by Mortimer Alfie (HH 0040); bred by the Proberts from Herefordshire and Harmby Moor Capelo (SJ 2122) from the now dispersed flock of Joan and John Ford. Some very impressive yearlings and a few two-shears were sired by Bould Flash Harry, bred by the Meyrick’s in Oxfordshire (CJ 5021). This lamb was bred through the use of imported semen from France and has sired some exceptionally heavy fleshed animals.

On show at the farm was another recent purchase, Galtres Favour (ZKT 5042) the champion at Worcester in 2006, bred by Deborah Whitcher. He was sire of the majority of the outstanding shearling ewes. Not a tall or particularly stylish ram, he is a block of meat and the perfect match to the Geldard’s next purchase the 10,500 gns Banwy Immense.

Many breeders had admired this lamb from Arwel Owen’s flock near Welshpool at the breed premier sale and were keen to see how he has turned out. After a heavy service season the ram looked impressive; he is growing into a massive ram with length, character, strong head, correct throughout but with excellent fleshing.

Lambing on the farm starts is a couple of weeks time and the majority of lambs will be by this new sire – so the proof of his capabilities will soon be judged. Awarding the trophy to Richard, was the judge Mr Drew Cowan from County Down in Northern Ireland. “I was particularly impressed with the shearling ewes in the flock; many of the flocks I visited had tremendous ewes but the Wraycastle shearlings just tipped the balance in their favour.”

Drew and his wife Maureen visited the 8 finalists in the competition, from the Orkney isles to Cornwall, a trip which added up to well over 2000 miles plus ferry trips. “We thoroughly enjoyed the trip; the hospitality of all the breeders was excellent and it was an honour to visit all these wonderful farms and see just how good Charollais flocks are across the UK.” Receiving the reserve champion award at at the event was Robert Gregory of the Edstaston Flock.

Pictures : Top row, shearling ewes and ewes from Wraycastle Flock
              Bottom row left - John (right) and Richard Geldard receive the National Flock Competition trophy from the Judge, Mr Drew Cowan.
              Bottom row right - Robert Gregory (right) receives the Reserve Away from Judge, Mr Drew Cowan.