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.

and finally

The birth of Mugettes long awaited baby and a little too late for May day but whose counting. Guiness a nice ram lamb was born without any fuss on friday morning. I'll see if I can get some pics a little later on. Since all the babies have been born and no one is in danger of Dumpling presuming anyone to be on heat I have put everyone back together. Peace and tranquility is restored. Both Dumpling and Gary are good with the lambs , well they don't bother with them and the lambs are far too busy charging around and generally behaving like little hoodlums to take much notice.

We've had quite a number of visitors in the past week and everyone has ooed and aaahed over the babies and of course Gary whose charm and amiable personality wins everyone over. I really must find a pic of him too.

Another bit of good news the fleece has finally arrived in the US initial reports are GOOD! I can't wait for all the detail. Its so exciting being able to share the sheep with other people.

The Next Generation

Beau, Bella, Bubbles and Squeak

Introducing April

Here she is at just over one day old.

Dumpling as a youngster*

Bubbles and Squeak

The second set of twins this year, born to Rosie

Not everyones a winner

Tonight my young ewe, Prima, lost her first lamb. He was a big strapping ram lamb and was born still born. Very sad for all concerned, she was calling for him even though we gave her the chance to check him over. This is the first time I have lost a lamb and I am sure it won't be the last but it hits hard when there seems to be no reason and mum is understandably upset. There are still a couple more ewes to lamb so lets hope we can end things on a high note.

Breed Standard CTD

REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATIONToo big ( exceeding maximum height limit)
poor pasterns, bad hooves, legs overdeveloped
Rams, horns asymmetrical, too delicate, too tight or too open, abscence of horns.
Pie coloured
Tail too long
Ears too large
Prominant bridge in the ewe or over developed in the ram
Prescence of toggles at the throat
Admissable in young subjects, blacks lightly marked with white on the forehead, whites with rust on the neck tail or feet, these marks diminish with age.REMARKSThere appears (rarely) in some ewes, tiny horns, without any bony plate, if they are observed they cannot be considered a fault.
Outside the breed standard, it needs to be noted single births are a characteristic of the breed, twin births are rare and not sought after.
WOOL
Fleece- furnishing the forehead, and the cheeks partly. Covering all the body, descending at least to the knees and just to the hocks.
COLOURBlack, brown, chestnut, white, the pigmentation must be even throughout all the fleece.
TEXTURE
Fleece semi closed, and quite compact, locks (staple) of 8 - 10 cms for 12 months growth.
Prescence of hairs and medullated fibres at the throat - cravat (accentuated in rams) nape and britches. The hairs are similar to the rest of the fleece although, they may be a little darker.
AVERAGE THICKNESS medium 27 to 28 microns
QUALITY very soft wool to the touch, very springy
AVERAGE WEIGHT OF THE FLEECE Rams 4.5% of live weight Ewes 4%of live weight.
CAUSES OF DISQUALIFICATION Fleece outside the standard, colour uneven, marks in the fleece, fleece thin, matted , lacking texture, density, staple length.