National AGM 2012

N.I. Dorset Breeders Travel East to Heathfield, East Sussex

On Friday 2nd November a group of Northern Ireland Dorset sheep breeders set off from Belfast City airport to fly to London, Gatwick and then on to Heathfield, East Sussex. An over night stay on the Friday evening was in the very grand setting of the East Sussex National Golf resort, set in 1100 acres of beautiful rolling South Downs landscape which Sussex is famous for and was home to two PGA standard golf courses. The group were made very welcome at the resort and were accompanied on the Friday evening by fellow breeders from North of England and also the sunny Southwest.

The following morning after a very hearty breakfast it was off to the local Village hall for the AGM and National Flock competition awards which was then followed by lunch. This was local and traditional Sussex fayre from traditional beef stew, to local made bread, local made cheese and naturally pressed apple juice from Sussex orchards in the village. After lunch it was a short stroll down the road to our host farm, Chris Davis & Family's' Streefield farm and Agrifactors business.

I think it would be an understatement to say that our group was totally taken aback by the farm business, farm diversification and modern, well kept machinery and equipment.The business involved owned land, rented land and maintenance land which run Beef X Dairy suckler cow herd in a modern, 20 month old cattle court, a purebred, commercially focused and run poll Dorset flock, a wild seed harvesting outfit, wild flower seed drying, cleaning and preservation operation, Traditional and ultra modern grass seed mixing and retail operation and energy production from solar panels. Needless to say it was a full afternoon's programme of topics and something for everyone.

After an impressive overview of the way forward in production from a grazed grass system and in depth discussion on new grass breeds and contents it was off across the road for refreshments and then back en route to Gatwick to catch our return flight home to Belfast City once again.

The N.I. Dorset Club would like to say a very big thank you to Chris Davis and family and to his brother Steve for our wonderful time in the Eastern counties and how exceptionally well we were looked after on the two days that we were in Heathfield, East Sussex.