Wiltshire Horn Today

The Wiltshire Horn has been used to create many wool shedding composite breeds such as the Nolana, Katahdin and Easycare both abroad and here in the UK. With today's poor wool prices and high welfare concerns there is a great demand for high maternal index wool shedding genetics. With this in mind the Wilshire Horn Society is encouraging breeders to performance record and provide potential buyers with the information they need to make an informed choice when buying stock.  

                                  Wiltshire Horns have been performance recorded since 1996 and there are now 18 flocks across the country participating in a Sire Reference Scheme, this is partly due to a grant from the South West Regional Enterprise Gateway Fund secured in 2006. Selection emphasis is placed on maternal traits, worm resistance and maintaining carcase quality; significant improvements have been made since the establishment of the scheme.

For information on recorded flocks or the Sire Reference Scheme please contact: Sam Boon, Signet Breeding Manager, 01908 844195 email: mailto:Samuel-boon@mlc.org.uk, Tim White, 01747 820937, email: Tim White, 01747 820937, email: livestock@pertwood.co.uk or Jean Burke, 01726 882204, email: jeannieburke@btinternet.com

Maedi Visna & Enzootic Abortion Tested Flocks. 

There is an increasing awarness of the prevalence of infectious disease within the sheep industry and the devastation that an epidemic can cause to your flock, hence livestock buyers look to high health status flocks who regularly test for disease.  These include Maedi Visna, Enzootic Abortion and Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA).

There are three society breeders know to be members of a recognised sheep health accreditation scheme.  Shoudl you wish to obtain details on the scheme available, we recommend that you speak to the breeders direct - Tim White, Pertwood Flock 01747 820499, Nick Ashwin, Winash Flock 01454 632313 or Bernadette Dowling, Viridian Flock 01488 648111.

Wiltshire Horn Sheep Exports. 

It is possible to export Wiltshire Horn Sheep, semen & embryos from the UK to many countries across the globe, and the breed has a history of animals being exported & successfully adapting to many climates from Australia & New Zealand to the Caribbean, Canada & the European Union.

Different countries have different import requirements mainly relating to health status & these requirements do change from time to time so if you wish to import sheep from the UK to your country it is worth while checking the requirements of your local agricultural authorities before buying sheep.

COST.  The main expense for an exporter is transport, most exporters prefer to arrange their own transport but there are companies in the UK, who specialise in teh export of pedigree livestock and we can put you in touch with them in need be..  Other costs to bear in mind are the veterinary inspections required and blood tests/disease screening.  Some flocks are already accredited free of some disease and we can supply a list of these.  The cost of sheep will have to be negotaited with individual breeders and we strongly suggest that you make a trip to the UK to inspect stock before committing to buy, most breeders will require a deposit before starting export procedures.