The 2017 Southdown Sheep Society Field Day and Annual General Meeting took place on October 7th at Neuaddlwyd Uchaf, Ciliau Aeron, Lampeter, Ceridigeon, SA48 7RE, by kind invitation of Dyland and Delyth Williams and family.

Members and friends enjoyed a full day of talks and activities:

Alison Harvey, Agriculture Manager for Lamb at Dunbia, gave a butchery demonstration using a lamb carcase reared on the farm.

This was followed by a powerpoint presentation from Dr Matthew Hegarty PhD, of Aberystwyth University: “an introduction to the use of genomics in sheep”.

A traditional Welsh dish of cawl was served for lunch, followed by warm apple pie and custard.

The annual auction of sheep paraphernalia raised funds for the Society, with items as diverse as sheep bells, clothing and shears. The final item donated for sale was the most fiercely contested – a limited edition print by local artist, Southdown breeder and past President Gareth Lloyd Hughes.

An ongoing competition involved identifying the various breeds of ram that had been mated with Southdown ewes by looking carefully at the crossbred lambs.

The day concluded with the AGM and a truly Welsh afternoon tea.

DATE FOR THE DIARY

The 2018 Field Day and AGM will take place on Saturday August 18th at Mudchute Park & Farm [www.mudchute.org], Isle of Dogs, London E14 3HP. Full details will follow in 2018.