Dorsets Through the Decades in the Glens of Antrim

Kate Madden looks over a group of Ballyvaddy ewes on the hills of Glencloy

Dorsets Through the Decades in the Glens of Antrim

The Ballyvaddy Dorset flock was established in 1976 with the acquisition of a small number of Dorset ewes by Thomas Madden. Further purchases were made at McClellands Mart, Ballyclare in the following year and the flock has continued to develop since then. Currently the flock comprises 75 pedigree poll ewes and 25 pedigree horned ewes run commercially within a frequent lambing system by Thomas and Kate Madden. The aim is to move towards having 50 poll ewes and 50 horned ewes over the next few years. The flock is founded on a willingness to evolve and develop that is key to sustainability in the modern marketplace.

With the ability to lamb naturally three times in two years Thomas and Kate aim to achieve 4 + lambs per ewes in 2 years. As the Dorset Calendar starts on September 1st rams typically go out in April for September lambing. In the Ballyvaddy flock the preferred time for lambing is Oct/Nov as the ewes are more likely to have a higher lambing percentage. Using a teaser ram for a fortnight beforehand helps achieve this. The aim is to then continue to lamb ewes every eight months. The Dorset also passes on the trait of lambing naturally out of season to the first cross.

Many of the foundation ewes in the Ballyvaddy flock went back to the horned Parkview flock of J.P. McBride in Toomebridge. One of the first rams purchased came from the Cascum flock of McKnight Brothers in Banbridge and introduced the first of the Poorton bloodlines which have made a significant contribution to the flock. Rigorous selection has been applied to leave hardy ewes who are milky and prolific as well as capable of thriving within an easy care system. The natural docility of the Dorset is a further advantage.

In the mid 1980’s a horned Coombesrock ram was purchased from Mrs Woods in Cheshire at the May Fair in Dorchester Livestock Market as Thomas is convinced that putting horned blood back into the flock every few generations maintains and builds vigour. Keeping in touch with the development of the breed throughout the rest of the UK to incorporate valuable bloodlines for continuous improvement has been a cornerstone of the progressive breeding strategy in the Ballyvaddy flock.

Another noteworthy ram purchased around this time was a Southwin shearling ram purchased from D.J. Thomas and sons in Cornwall. Both local and imported rams have made significant contributions to the flock’s development over the years.

The Ballyvaddy flock had always included some horned ewes alongside a majority of polls but a recent decline in the total number of horned Dorsets to a level which places them on the Rare Breeds Register prompted Thomas and Kate to increase their numbers to support the breed and help ensure valuable genetic resources are secured for future generations of Dorset breeders. Eighteen horned hoggets were imported from the well known Poorton flock of Fooks Brothers in Dorset in 2007 and have settled well into their new environment. While having a personal preference for the horned Dorsets Thomas acknowledges that the horns can leave the odd bruise on the shins of the stockman.

Ram bloodlines currently being used include Trevilley bred by Sandercock in Cornwall and Gortleigh bred by Gill Trace in Devon. The Gortleigh ram was chosen on the basis of high performance figures, acknowledging their increasing importance in modern breeding strategies. The Ballyvaddy flock has been using Signet recording for several years and the figures are regarded as an essential aid to breeding stock selection.

Today’s Dorset has come a long way since the very first ewes were acquired to found the Ballyvaddy flock. High eating quality lamb and natural out of season breeding ability make the Dorset suited to a wide range of different production systems with the added assurance of a top quality product at the end of the day. Anyone considering early lambing should be including Dorset or Dorset cross females.