Concours National 2011 Moutons d'Ouessant

Click to enlarge

Paris Salon de l'Agriculture - 2011

You have to get past the Charmoise at the begining.......Every year the breed is represented at the Salon de l'Agriculture THE big agricultural show of the year. This years participants don't seem overly amused but proved a hit with the public.

GEMO National Competition Results 2010

Until the results get published on the GEMO website ( at which time I'll link to them from this page) Here are the results as published in the GEMO bulletin of Dec 2010

RESULTS

WHITES

Rams & Yearlings - Béliers  & Antenais : 9 presented 5 confirmed

Prix d'Honneur     PERSYN François                              46cm
1er Prix                MORZYNSKI Dominique                  39.5cm
2éme Prix            VAILLANT Hervé                              42cm

Ewes - Brebis : 13 presented 9 confirmed

Prix d'Honneur   MORZYNSKI Dominique                   41cm
1er Prix              MORZYNSKI Dominique                   41cm
2éme Prix           VAILLANT Hervé                              44.5cm

Antenaises : 9 presented 

Prix d'Honneur  MORZYNSKI Dominique                    42cm
1er Prix             Parc Naturel d'Armorique                     42cm
2éme Prix          ROYER Patrice                                   45.5cm

BLACKS


Rams - Béliers : 5 presented 4 confirmed


Prix d'Honneur    Not Awarded
1er Prix               DELEPOULLE André                      47.5cm
2éme Prix            HEMMING Renée                           46cm

Yearlings - Antenais 5 Presented

Prix d'Honneur   ROYER Patrice                                 42cm
1er Prix              MORZYNSKI Dominique                43cm
2éme Prix           ECOMUSEE  de Rennes                  42cm

Ewes - Brebis 18 Presented 18 Confirmed

Prix d'Honneur  ECOMUSEE de Rennes                    43.5cm
1er Prix             DELEPOULLE André                       45cm
2éme Prix         ECOMUSEE de Rennes                     45cm

Yearlings - Antenaises  16 presented

Prix d'Honneur  CARRE Patrick                                  42.5cm
1er Prix             BILLES Claude                                  41.5cm
2éme Prix          DELEPOULLE André                       43.5cm

AUTRES COULEURS

16 Presented- No details provided

Mention Spéciale BILLES Claude

Championnat Mâles

ROYER Patrice                                                        46cm

Championnat Femelles

ROYER Patrice                                                       41cm


Prix d'Ensemble

Prix d'Honneur    MORZYNSKI Dominique    
1er Prix               VAILLANT Hervé
2éme Prix            ECOMUSEE de Rennes

Prix Couple

Prix d'Honneur  ROYER Patrice
1er Prix            MORZYNSKI Dominique
2éme Prix         BILLES Claude 

Prix Spéciale du Jury

LANDERNEAU Emilie
PERCQ Gérard
PEUPLE Marcel

Getting the format right with Blogger seems an impossiblity!

Slideshow of Cormont

Snapshots from throughout the day

Cormont 2010 The Aftermath............

Given that the show was some 600 kilometres from home and that this year I was taking 8 sheep and returning with 10,  I decided the only way for the sheep to travel was in style. I rented a small horse box. I don't generally get to go away very often so this was my annual holiday and I had every intention of treating it as such. The sheep were comfortable in the back. I had loaded up the van with every conceivable item I thought I might need  and a few surplus ones  and we set off at a leisurely pace. Within twenty minutes drive of my front door  are major arterial roads which makes travel very easy. The traffic was pretty much as always, non existant and we rocked along to some thunderous tracks from U2, Queen and Robbie Williams before we knew it Cormont was in sight and it was all too easy. Unload the sheep, the obligatory measure and paperwork, check out the competition....hmm stiff!

There were quite a few members of GEMO who had made it from all parts of France and so we spent the evening eating, chatting and dancing................ OK we mainly watched others dancing, I'm not a great one for Breton dancing so Flemish dancing was well, a little too close to home. 
The following morning an early start to check on how the sheep had spent their night and then the visitors started to arrive, the mix of languages was fantastic and we all talked a common language sheep.

The girls in their pen , you may spy a stray ram in there thats Anakin, I didn't think he wanted to take his chances meeting the rams at the show. If there are any lambs in five months we know who's responsible!

As I suspected getting going was not that punctual and of course everything over ran by ages including lunch and we found that already most of the day had gone and still classes to judge. The french have no sense of urgency, its all very social and relaxed except its hard to relax when you can see the schedule slipping by hours, guess I still have some way to go to integrate!

I don't usually take so many sheep but this year there was an added incentive. The possibility of getting the sheep confirmed as meeting the breed standard. I admit this is a huge step forward and a welcome one. I entered four adult sheep ( only adults get confirmed). César who at five years old is begining to look his age he is age greying and has lost a couple of teeth. In his prime he was place deuxième prix , despite his age he was classed and awarded the same. The entry for the black adult rams was disappointing and I don't think its because of a lack in the breed just one of those things. One of my "new" girls is a veteran of the show circuit already being a champion of France so she took things in her stride but age and stiff competition was against her in the champion of champion classes and the  class went to her breeder for both the rams and the ewes but younger models. All four adults entered got their certificates of conformity to fill in. YAY! It is a very nice feeling to know that finally and after a little kicking and screaming we have entered a new era in  the breeds history.

César, Faolan and Koudou pretty laid back about the whole affair. The day and the weekend was a good one, a chance to catch up with friends, a chance to make some new ones and a chance to talk  sheep and there were some very interesting conversations, more on that another time. The two greys were both entered in the "other colours" class, I can't remember seeing such a big and good entry. Faolans breeder got special mention, no prizes were awarded for the other colours category, Faolan was next to his sire and I was pretty pleased to see the both of them out there. 

 Prize presentation time and  on se fait la bise. Before I knew it, it was all over and time to load up. I decided to make the drive back that evening despite the long route I knew the sheep would benefit from getting back as soon as possible and I longed for my own bed so, turn up the volume and drive back to Brittany. I unloaded the sheep as soon as I arrived which meant them going into the fields in the dark. The newbies were kept in as they weren't familiarised with the layout or the rest of the flock but it meant most had a chance to de-stress a little before the morning.

I'm not sure how long these links will stay viable but heres the news as seen in France with thanks to "palers" for the links
La Voix du Nord


Le Telegramme

Here is the list of winners as noted once again by Palers. Its still not the official confirmation from GEMO and I'll post a link when it gets published

Béliers blancs ( adultes et antenais ): Honneur. François Pensyn ( 62 ). 1. Dominique Morzynski ( 23 ). 2. Hervé Vaillant ( 35 ).

Brebis blanches : Honneur. Dominique Morzynski. 1. Dominique Morzynski. 2. Hervé Vaillant ( 35 ).

Antenaises blanches : Honneur. Dominique Morzynski. 1. Parc d'Armorique ( 29 ). 2. Ecomusée de Rennes ( 35 ).

Bélier noirs . Pas de prix d'honneur. 1. André Delepoule ( 59 ). 2. Renée Hemming ( 22 ).

Antenais noirs. Honneur. Patrice Royer ( 59 ). 1. Dominique Morzynski. 2. Ecomusée de Rennes.

Brebis noires : Honneur. Ecomusée de Rennes. 1. André Delepoule. 2. Ecomusée de Rennes.

Antenaises noires : Honneur. Patrick Carré ( 29 ). 1. Claude Billès ( 22 ). 2. André Delepoule.

Prix d'ensemble : Honneur. Dominique Morzynski. 1. Hervé Vaillant. 2. Ecomusée de Rennes.

Couples : Honneur. Patrice Royer. 1. Dominique Morzynski. 2. Claude Billès.

Champion des champions : Mâles. Patrice Royer. Femelles. Patrice Royer.

Mention " autres couleurs " : Claude Billès.

So thats it for another year. What fun I would do it all again in a heartbeat, must be mad!

We're Back! and Knackered

Had a great time, lots of news and views but for now a little time to catch up on sleep, and life, more later!

GEMO National Show 2010 Le Touquet Calais 05.09.10 Details

I have had a number of people asked me re the details of this years show. So for those who are interested.

Sunday the 5th of September Judging is due to start at 10.30 am ( This is earlier than in recent years to allow a reasonably early finish. )

A break for lunch is usually between 12.00-12.30  and 14.00 with the prize presentation due to start around 15.30. These are approximate times and likely to vary a bit once things get under way but its a plan.

There may be some early morning checking in and measuring on the morning of the show for local entrants but as a number of exhibitors will have travelled up the day before many will be checked on the saturday afternoon.

The Categories as usual are judged by age and colour.

1st group: Whites in three sections
Adult and Yearling Rams
Adult Ewes
Yearling Ewes

2nd group: Blacks in four sections
Adult Rams
Yearling Rams
Adult Ewes
Yearling Ewes

3rd group: Browns and Other Colours:

The Best Pair: - A new category this year.  Ewe and Ram shown together of the same colour.

The Best Group: Comprising of  a Ram, a Ewe and a Yearling Ram and Ewe.

Two Awards for the Best Champion Ram and Ewe ( all colours ) 

There are usually some special mentions for those who have contributed in some way toward this year show or who stood out for one reason or another.

The Venue is at the Parc De l'Abbé Engrand Cormont (Dept 62)

Link to Michelin map
If you would like more info then just send me a mail

22nd National GEMO Event 05 September 2010 Cormont

Yep we're going chicken! This year the national competition will be held at the Parc de L'Abbé Engrand Cormont 62  300 miles from Brittany, we're going to make a weekend of it!
The event is a poultry exhibition, I do hope I'm not too tempted to take a few home.  I understand a few other  breeds of sheep as well as around 100 ouessants currently entered.There is also a regional market.

Currently I'm looking over the sheep to see who will be good enough ( hopefully) to go. The sheep are fully vaccinated against blue tongue ( serotype one and eight) and are blood tested as free from brucellosis. I have decided to travel in comfort rather than the old van who is getting rather tired and has a lot of mileage on her so look out for the plush sheep mobile en route. I have no idea what to expect this will be new territory for me, a chance to see some of the ouessant sheep from the east of France. How much dutch influence will there be and hopefully there will also be the chance to meet up with some breeders. Calais isn't far away it would be nice to see some come over from the UK  as well as being close to the Belgian border making it far easier for breeders to come from Holland and Germany, should be good!

Electronic Identification - The Saga Continues......

As supplied by Shearwell UK

Last week I got my letter through from the EDE (Bretagne) explaining all about electronic identification    
( microchipping) of sheep and the regulations. For all lambs born after July 2010 its compulsory...... OK so here's the rub After all the information and blurb in the literature my attention was drawn to this phrase.

Attention:

La boucle électronique BOUTON + PENDENTIF est le seul modèle agréé par le Ministre jusqu'à présent.

. Il n'existe pas de modèle électronique en BARRETTE SOUPLE ou en BOUCLE QUICK ( moutons d'ouessant, chèvres naines)

Link to explanation and regulations in French

What a complete waste of time!

Having sat through several GEMO meetings each time the subject of electronic identification was raised we were assured it wasn't a problem and that ouessants would be able to be tagged without the risk of having to put in oversized tags now the best we can get is something suited for cattle and large breeds of sheep. I rang my EDE and explained "only got tiny sheep blah blah" disembodied voice replied "no choice large tags are obligatory". No point arguing with an automaton, so I ring my DDSV now renamed DDPP I'm still waiting for them to return my call.

I thought that the UK was behind, there has been lots of discussion on the lists of lambs ripping out the larger tags ( these are standard sized lambs) and some models of smaller tags appear better than others but it will take time to shake down. In the meantime.... I cannot retag any sheep who have lost tags with smaller plastic tags unless I  renumber them.

My aluminium tags are supposedly no longer valid and the only bolus currently available in the UK( nothing in France)  is not reccommended for use in ouessant lambs. Not to mention there is a history of them being found in the field having been regurgitated. What a mess.

The Warmwell blog has listed the european parliaments discussions and how they arrived at this legislation. The sharp eye amongst you may spot that those two little black ewes in the photo are infact ouessants. In the UK electronic identification is already underway for this seasons lambs I can only hope ( and pray) that by the time we get to next year something will have been done as at this rate I see my sheep going tagless...

GEMO New Website and Show Results

At last, fantastic news GEMO have revamped their website (still some work to do) and listed the winners of this years show. It beats having to wait until the bulletin is produced!

GEMO Website

Results page Bravo à tous!

GEMO National Competition Part 2

A few more photos and descriptions of the show day.

The competition was hosted by the Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique and organised by the association Bro an Are - Terres d'Aree. There were a large number of stalls, events and exhibitions going on, on the day, many of which I didn't get to see but a few close to hand that caught my eye were some of the livestock.

There are several breeds who teeter on the brink of dying out and this breed along with the ouessant has been one of them. Until recently I had found very little on them and it was the first time I had come face to face with some at the show, some essential differences and also some similarities but they are not the only local breed found in Brittany.

Familiar colours but a much larger more commercial breed of sheep altogether.

They also had some of the local rare breed goat, Chèvre des Fossés. I absolutely fell in love with these goats.

With long hair all over and a very fetching set of bushy eyebrows, I found them hugely appealing. If only I had the space................

Most of the stalls were local crafts or had an environmental aproach to their trade.
And finally at the end of a long day and with a two hour drive home ahead of me, the awarding of the prizes, the book I received curtesy of the Ecomusée Monts d'Aree was a real treasure.

A series of charming black and white photographs of people and events in the region with verses in Breton, French and English. Many of the photographs had a timeless quality to them, really lovely. The perfect end to a good day.

GEMO 2009 Slideshow

Link to the full screen slideshow for a series of pics from the day.

GEMO 2009 St Rivoal National Competition

This year I decided to take two sheep to the show. The shows are not just about competing with sheep but a chance for breeders and those with an interest in the breed to come together, spend alot of time leaning over railings, discussing sheep and the politics of the sheepy world. If at this point you are yawning then you have missed the point of the show entirely. For those of us with an interest in the breed this IS where it gets interesting!

Solaia and Koudou were not entirely thrilled with the crack of dawn start but at least they travelled comfortably. Health and transport regs mean that the flock must meet the legal requirements including brucellosis testing, vaccinations for Blue Tongue 1 and 8 as well as ensuring all the relevant treatments to prevent any transport of extra midges or other disease vectors. A little bit of an effort for the paperwork but on arrival everything is checked.
Tag numbers, next year we move to microchipping ( plenty of discussion on that topic!)


and of course for Ouessants the inevitable height measurement, care is taken to place the sheep correctly. Here one of Koudou's competitiors looking really nice.


Entrants have stalls for their sheep, the sheep are on view to the public and there are always plenty of curious people with lots of questions.

TV was there too. This ram entered by a first time competitor did very well.

The ubiquitous 2 hour french lunch. Here some members of the public enjoying some of the many stalls catering for a variety of tastes. Breeders, many of whom had travelled quite some distance were able enjoy a good meal curtesy of the Parc Regional National d'Armorique.
And so to the judges, the judges had travelled far and wide, here along with two french judges Lawrent Wynant BOV ( Vice- President Belgian breed society) and Horst Roller IGOU ( Head of the German breed club)

And then to the showing, this guy took Prix d'honneur or Champion white ram (adult) .

and this guy was champion of champions and a very worthy winner he looked stunning.

So how did we do?



Koudou des Lutins du Montana Prix d'Honneur
Yearling white ram





Solaia (Billes) Prix d'Honneur
Yearling black ewe





I had to use a previous photo of Solaia she is extremely difficult to photograph and as usual I just got a shot of her peering out from hiding behind others, shes the second one in.

I am chuffed to bits, it is with HUGE thanks to their breeders, Dominique Morzynski once again for trusting me with one of his rams. To have taken the prix d'honneur two years on the trot with one of Dominique's just goes to show the consistancy in his breeding.

And to Claude Billes I was struck with his breeding the very first time I saw his sheep and he never disappoints. Solaia beat one of Claudes own ewes for first place but it was a close thing both were very nice . I'm just pleased he was gracious enough to let me have Solaia.

More to follow.............

Annual General Meeting GEMO 2009

Ronan at Spered Breizh

The date for the next Annual General Meeting of GEMO (the French Ouessant Breed Society) will be Saturday the 18th of April.

There will as usual be a number of issues on the agenda but I think for me the highlight has to be a presentation by Prof JJ Lauvergne on the subject of the genetics of colour in wool. Later followed by a further discussion during a visit to Paul Leducs flock of prize winning ouessants. I can't wait and I look forward to meeting some new faces at the meeting and after. Should you wish to attend the meeting all members of GEMO will be notified by mail of the details and how to register their wish to attend in a letter to be sent out shortly If you are not already a member of GEMO it may be a good idea to subscribe.

How to Join GEMO

2008 GEMO 20th National Show Results

Paul Leduc with his prize winning Yearling Black Ram. Paul pretty much swept the board winning or being placed in virtually every category. Well done to him and all the other participants!


CATEGORY - WHITE OUESSANT SHEEP

Béliers Adultes et Antenais / Yearling and Adult Rams

Prix d’Honneur R HEMMING Height 45 cm
1er Prix PARC d’ARMORIQUE Height 47,5cm
2ème Prix H VAILLANT Height 44 cm

Brebis Adultes / Adult Ewes

Prix d’Honneur P LEDUC Height 43 cm
1er Prix P CARRÉ Height 41 cm
2ème Prix P ROYER Height 43 cm

Jeunes Brebis (Antenaises) / Young Ewes (yearlings)

Prix d’Honneur P LEDUC Height 42 cm
1er Prix H VAILLANT Height 41 cm
2ème Prix PARC d’ARMORIQUE Height 43 cm


CATEGORY - BLACK OUESSANT SHEEP

Béliers Adultes / Adult Rams

Prix d’Honneur P ROYER Height 45 cm
1er Prix P LEDUC Height 45 cm
2ème Prix R HEMMING Height 46 cm

Jeunes Béliers (Antenais) / Young Rams (Yearlings)

Prix d’Honneur P LEDUC Height 45 cm
1er Prix P CARRÉ Height 44 cm
2ème Prix ÉCOMUSÉE de RENNES Height 45 cm

Brebis Adultes / Adult Ewes

Prix d’Honneur P ROYER Height 41 cm
1er Prix ÉCOMUSÉE de RENNES Height 42 cm
2ème Prix P LEDUC Height 42 cm

Jeunes Brebis (Antenaises) Young Ewes (yearlings)

Prix d’Honneur P LEDUC Height 40 cm
1er Prix P ROYER Height 41 cm
2ème Prix C BILLES Height 42 cm

CATEGORY - OUESSANT SHEEP OTHER COLOURS Grey/ Noisette

Béliers / Rams

1er Prix C BILLES Height 42 cm

Brebis / Ewes

Prix d’Honneur P ROYER Height 43 cm

CATEGORY - OUESSANT SHEEP CHAMPION ALL COLOURS

Brebis / Ewe

Grand Prix d’Honneur H VAILLANT Height 41 cm

CATEGORY - OUESSANT SHEEP BEST GROUP

Prix d’Honneur P LEDUC
1er Prix P ROYER
2ème Prix H VAILLANT

CATEGORY - SPECIAL MENTION

Qualité de l’organisation B CHASTELLIER
Diversité des types H VAILLANT
Qualité de la présentation R HEMMING

How to Join GEMO

Gary*

Wether
DOB Jan 2005
Colour Noire Brunissante

This is Gary the lamb, hand reared by Patrick from the age of one week.
As a hand reared or cade lamb, hes very friendly, a little too friendly at times! Gary is our resident wether, adored by everyone, hes good with the girls and gentle with the lambs. He is also the Grandaddy of the current line. Photos of Gary as a youngster courtesy of Joe, Lesley and Patrick


Pictured here at the age of two and a half years meeting and greeting one of our visitors. Photos

Shearing your Ouessant Sheep*

Yours truly shearing one of the Ouessant girls . Now I don't get any marks for technique but shearing your sheep is important and necessary. Lambs don't need to be trimmed in their first year but come the begining of the second year May June is a good time although I have been known to start in April you should arrange for them to be sheared or look at doing them yourself not as hard as it sounds but beware if you didn't have a bad back to start with it won't be long...............

Here I am actually using an old pair of dog clippers oster A5 's to be exact and I have a number 15 blade on although a 10 would do just as nicely. Its a good time to do a routine maintenance check so as well as checking teeth and ears and getting a good look at whats going on under the fleece, you will be able to do their feet and worm if its in part of your programme.

I keep the fleece for hand spinners, so like to do a tidy job not to mention I get a certain amount of satisfaction out of it. Getting a shearer in needn't be expensive depending on the number of sheep you have but if you have just a couple you may need to take them to a friend and get a decent number done to make the cost of shearing economical.

Here is the finshed article.

Its arrived!*

I sent Dumplings fleece to the US. I heard this morning it has arrived and its new owner has fallen in love. great news! and I am so looking forward to hearing more . Next to be shorn will be Prima probably and she is also a first shear. I have ear marked her fleece ( if its as good as it looks) to a lovely lady in France who is really looking forward to spinning a Ouessant fleece. I will have one or two more to find homes for in the coming weeks. The youngsters born this year are already fascinating with what appears to be two types of fleece from the different lines. I can't wait to see how they grow. watch this space for photos of Primas fleece in the next week or so.

Baby Beau

He doesn't need a bottle his mum looks after him perfectly well but its all part of the fun of keeping sheep.

Local talent

I came across this fella today, rather handsome Ouessant ram isn't he.