lambing - not long before we start

Baby ryeland lambsWe are due to start lambing on 17 February 2014 with one of our Greyface Dartmoors, closely followed by 2 texels and then in the beginning of March the remainder of the ewes will be lambing.  It is always very exciting waiting to see how good the lambs will be.  The weather is terrible at the moment and our fields are waterlogged, but thankfully the girls are all inside avoiding the storms.  Our lambing courses will start the 2nd week of March and we have a few people already booked in, but there are still spaces, so get in touch if interested.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Oakberrow

Sunnyside our new Greyfaced Dartmoor RamAll of us at Oakberrow would like to send our best wishes to all.  2013 has been a fantastic year with our lovely sheep and dogs achieving more than we had ever hoped for.  The handsome Foster becoming a Show Champion, the equally handsome Noble winning the Interbreed Championship at Moreton in Marsh Show and the baby, pretty Breeze, having such a great start to her showing career. 

We are having a little break from the dog shows December/January as the dogs are all busy out doing what they enjoy picking-up and beating on the local shoots.  The older ones not too happy that they cannot be included but I can assure them that OB, Foster, Remy and Beeze as well as Beamish are representing Oakberrow well.

What has 2014 got in store - anyones' guess, but Steve and I have some really good judging appointments already.  Steve is judging Shropshire Sheep and AO Native breed sheep at Stafford Show and I am judging the Coloured Ryelands, Steve is also judging Longhorns at Gillingham and Shaftesbury then then onto Pembroke where he is judging Ryelands.  Steve is also judging the Coloured Ryelands at the Royal Norfolk Show.  Me, I am judging Ryelands at Anglesey Show and also judging GSPs a WELKS in April and then Pointers at Midland Counties next October.  Oh forgot I am also judging tradestands at Surrey County Show in May.  So as you can see a very busy year for us.

Cannot wait to get out showing the Greyface Dartmoors and hope to have them at the Royal Welsh Smallholders Show this year.

The ewes have been scanned and the lambing courses commence early in March 2014, so if interested do get in touch. 

Super September

Breeze at 13 months brains as well as beautyOakberrow had an amazing time in the show ring for both the sheep and the dogs.  Our goregous little girl Breeze won Best Bitch at the HWVA Breed www.hwva.org.uk Open show held at Stoneleigh, under gundog specialist judge David Shields.

And not to be outdone by her success our handsome Ryeland ram Noble won the Sheep Inter Breed Championship at Moreton in Marsh Show, all the years I have been showing sheep I have never been fortunate enough to be awarded such an accolade. 

Noble with all his rosettes and sashes in the evening light

Foster did it!!! Show Champion Oakberrow Wotzinaname Sh.CM

Foster retrieving a duckMy boy has been and gone and done it.  At the German Shorthaired Pointer Club Championship Show in July he won 1st in Open Dog and then the Challenge Certificate giving him that sought after 3rd so he can become a Show Champion. 

I must record my grateful thanks to the judge on the day Martin Harris (Barleyarch GSPs) and also my runners - Des and Heather who did a brilliant job and also to all my friends who were there to cheer me on when I became an emotional wreck.

Foster is out doing what he loves best - that is working on the local shoots either beating or picking up, dependent on which shoot he is on.

Foster is available at stud to approved bitches only.

Ryeland success at the 2013 Royal Welsh Show

Reserve Male Champion for Noble

Dolwen Noble

Steve has just returned from the Royal Welsh Show where we had great success under judge Brenda Wear.  Dolwen Noble was 2nd in the Senior ram class and then overall Reserve Male Champion.  Our girls also did well with the Senior ewe sired by Ruslin Kanto winning the breeding ewe class and our shearling ewe sired by Juggis Laser placed 5th in a very large class.

We have a number of ewe lambs for sale at Oakberrow sired by Noble and Kanto, do get in touch if  you wish to learn more.

Also we have days available in August for Sheep Husbandry courses as well as Show preparation.