Badger Face Texel, the latest breed member of the Texel family, classes drew large crowds at this year’s Balmoral Show.
It is fast attracting attention within the sheep world.
Both pedigree and commercial flock owners are confirming the suitability of the breed within Irish sheep management systems.
The Badger Face Texel, or Dassenkop, is a medium-sized, well-muscled carcass breed.
Their novelty value centres on the dark wool colouring with cream accessories, such as eyebrows, chin marking and legs. The sheep are closely related to Blue Texels.
The Balmoral 2024 breed championship was won by Russell Millen from Coleraine, with a breeding ewe.
The reserve went to A & J Carson, from Strabane with an excellent ewe lamb.
Balmoral
The second day of Balmoral saw all of the individual sheep championships judged. The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) is confirming a record entry of sheep for this year’s event.
The results follow:
Beltex Champion: Joshua Keys, Clogher
Reserve: Elizabeth McAllister, Ballymena
Berrichon Champion: Ryan McLaren, Dromore, Co. Tyrone
Reserve: Ryan McLaren, Dromore, Co. Tyrone
Bleu du Maine Champion: Glen Baird, Co. Armagh
Reserve: Andrew Wilson, Moira
Blue Texel Champion: Russell Millen, Coleraine
Reserve: Russell Millen, Coleraine
Border Leicester Champion: James Aiken, Co. Down
Reserve: Harold Dickey, Ballymena
Charollais Champion: Richard Powell, Co. Armagh
Reserve: Diane Christie, Newtownards
Dutch Spotted Champion: Samantha Allen and A Shortt, Strabane
Reserve: Limestone Pedigree Breeding, Seaforde
Greyface Champion: D & N Hamill, south Co. Antrim
Reserve: D & N Hamill, south Co. Antrim
Hampshire Down Champion: John Mercer, Dromore, Co. Down
Reserve: Stirling Manson, Castlederg
Jacob Champion: James Maybin, Ballymena
Reserve: Alex Colhoun, Omagh
Kerry Hill Champion: S & F McAllister, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim
Reserve: S & F McAllister, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim
Lleyn Champion: Andrew Kennedy, Ballyclare
Reserve: Jayne and Catherine Kennedy, Ballyclare
Mule Champion: Hugh Nenry, Broughshane, Co. Antrim
Reserve: Patrick Donnelly, Ballymena
North Country Cheviot Champion: Alfred Robinson, Downpatrick
Reserve: Castleview Flock, Kilkeel
Minority Breed Champion: Lisa Dorman, Belfast
Reserve: Lisa Dorman, Belfast
Rouge de l’Oeust Champion: James Houston, Randalstown
Reserve: Jayne Tannahill, Coleraine
Suffolk Champion: Mark Priestly, Downpatrick
Reserve: L & M Liggett, Drumquin, Co. Tyrone
Texel Champion: Mark Priestly, Downpatrick
Reserve: Sam McNeilly, Ballyclare
Valais Blacknose Champion: Hannah Morrison, Downpatrick
Reserve: Ryan and Emma Conway, Strabane
Zwartbles Champion: Arianna Bell, Comber, Co. Down
Reserve: Rachel Megarrell, Cullion, Co. Derry
All the inter-breed sheep championships will be judged on Day three of Balmoral Show. These comprise the individual, pairs and group-of-three competitions.