Dutch Spotted sheep continue to tick all the boxes for Alan and Gillian Robb from Chalmerston, Stair near Mauchline, who believe the breed is ideal for commercial and pedigree flockmasters and for producing top show winners.
Their summer holiday was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid which allowed the couple to reinvest that money into establishing the Stair Star Dutch Spotted flock. Aiming to build up a flock of 12 breeding ewes with 30 recipient ewes, quality is foremost.
“I always wanted to have my own flock of sheep, having been brought up on a small holding helping my dad with sheep,” said Gillian.
“It started as a hobby, but it has turned into more of a passion and is becoming an expensive one!
“Dutch Spotted sheep are easy on the eye and we wanted something with a good temperament so that our daughter, Molly, could work with them.
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“They are easy lambed, the lambs are vigorous and get up and sook straight away,” she added.
Initially, they bought foundation females from Andrew and Pam Parker of the Lochlad flock from Lochmaben, privately. That purchase comprised of a gimmer and two ewe lambs, with a further two ewe lambs purchased at Harrison and Hetherington’s online sale from Derek and Cindy Steen of the Coxhill flock.
Since then, other females have been added to the flock to include the Irish-bred Diamond Faith, purchased for 12,000gns from Emma and Allan Shortt’s reduction sale at Carlisle, last year.
Whatmore Goose, Westbroad Gianna and Lochlad Gina were also purchased last year. Goose has been part of the show team and was champion at three local shows.
This year’s stock tup, Hazelberry Hercules, was purchased privately in June from Callum Dodd’s Lockerbie-based flock.
“I am keen to explore new bloodlines and figure out what works well for us. We are culling hard on our flock as the quality needs to be there,” said Gillian.
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“I’ve always wanted to focus on quality, and for all I didn’t really know what it was I liked to start with, I have learnt and found my type: tight skins, good conformation and a big gigot is compulsory.
“I am getting to where I want to be and just need to keep working at it,” added Gillian, who is an art teacher to trade, and also enjoys painting in any spare time that she does have.
To keep that quality high, the Robbs flushed their team for the first-time last year and are doing the same again this year.
“It is a good way to get new genetics into the flock and for us to figure out what works for us. By flushing we can still keep our numbers low but have more lambs on the ground,” said Alan, who added that lambing kicks off early February.
Any lambs not fit for breeding are sold prime through Ayr Auction Mart, which last year saw 40 average £160.
Lambs are introduced to creep feeding at a young age, and mid April it’s decision time as to which lambs are sold through the fat ring and which are retained for breeding.
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“I wouldn’t sell any I wouldn’t use myself, and I think that is important,” said Gillian, who is aiming to build numbers up a little to ensure she has a couple of tups and females each year to sell.
Gillian sold her top priced tup lamb, Stair Star Hennessy, for £2200 this month at the Summer Selection Sale at Carlisle.
There are also two ewe lambs destined for the Lanark sale later in the month, with a handful of tup lambs sold privately.
The Robbs also enjoy exhibiting their sheep at local shows as well as venturing further to the Royal Highland Show.
“It is a great showcase not only for our flock but also for the breed. It is great to see Molly get involved with the showing and she enjoys competing in the young handler’s competition,” said Gillian.
Alan also has his own interest, as he runs a small herd of ten pedigree Charolais cows plus followers. He established the herd 15 years ago and aims to build the numbers up further to produce a few commercial bulls for sale.
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Again, the team focus on quality, and are able to sell most bulls privately off farm although they do take the occasional one to the Stirling Bull Sales.
The main business at Chalmerston is 48,000 laying hens, which Alan manages with his father, Billy, across 140 acres.
“The egg laying business started 70 plus years ago by my grandfather and it went from there,” said Alan who now sells 3500 dozen a day, with the majority sold through Noble foods. They also retail locally to butchers and restaurants.
With the whole family keen on the farm and enthusiastic about breeding quality livestock, there is always going to be a strong future at Chalmerston.
“The Dutch Spotted breed has a strong future too, but breeders need to focus on quality and promoting the breed’s attributes for the commercial market. There are commercial farmers looking to the breed as a terminal sire and for producing commercial breeding females,” concluded Gillian.
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Farm Facts
Involvement: Alan Robb farms in partnership with his parents, Billy and Irene and brother, Brian, however it is his wife, Gillian, and daughter, Molly (6), who are the sheep lovers.
History: Family have owned Chalmerston Farm since the late 1800s, with Molly being the fifth generation now.
Livestock: There are 12 Dutch Spotted breeding ewes, with 30 recipient ewes which are Suffolk cross Mules. 48,000 laying hens, 80 suckler Limousin cross cows, 10 pedigree Charolais cows plus followers.
Acres: 140 acres.
On The Spot
Biggest investment: Sheep!
Favourite show: It has got to be the Royal Highland Show.
Best advice: Do your best, be resilient, work hard and aim high.
One thing you wish you had done differently: Found the breed earlier
Next ambition: Continue to improve my flock and promote the breed.
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