Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2010 | Page 65
COUNTRYSIDE, WILDLIFE & FARMING
February/March 2010
life
Tony Ridd on the Farm
Duxmore Barns, Newport
I’m sure we all know were lambs come from! But, there is a science to successful
breeding and it starts with the pedigree flock! I went to see Matt Legge full time
NFU Secretary on the Isle of Wight and part-time farmer with his award winning
Duxmore Flock of pedigree Suffolk Sheep…
The vast majority of sheep we see
As with everything else in life there are
His focus is on producing good strong
grazing around the island are sheep from
‘fashionable’ breeds that come and go,
ram lambs, with good conformation,
‘commercial’ farms. That is to say they
but one breed that is favoured by many
which he hopes to sell to other pedigree
are bred for consumption and as such, are
is the Suffolk. I asked Matt why? “They
breeders and farmers in the commercial
likely to be a cross between two or more
are good sires, the lambs grow quickly
sector.
breeds.
if desired, or can be kept for twelve
When breeding sheep for the commercial
months without getting over fat, they
market the farmer takes many factors
are good natured and importantly give
into consideration, cost of building up
what a lot believe is a better flavour
the flock, timing of lambing and length
than most other breeds.”
of time it takes to fatten, are just some.
Although Matt kept Suffolk sheep
The ram is very important and there are
when he was younger, he only
specialist sales where these commercial
started his pedigr