Breeding heavyweights mark 30 years' success.

Byline: By ANDREW FORGRAVE Rural Affairs Editor

A GROUP of sheep breeding pioneers celebrated 30 years of success last weekend.

Around 300 farmers from across Britain attended an open day arranged by the Welsh Mountain Sheep Society (Hill Flock section) to mark the achievements of the North Wales-based Camda group.

Its six members have established a formidable reputation for advancing the breed's genetic merits, and its bloodlines now command hefty prices.

Other producers have since set up similar co-operatives with different breeds but Camda remains the standard bearer for the UK sheep industry.

In recent years the group has switched its emphasis from the commercial market and now focuses on producing rams for the pedigree sector.

Fruits of the strategy were borne out two years ago when an autumn sale of 40 rams produced an average of 1,290gns. And that is the source of great satisfaction for group secretar Cyril Lewis, who runs 1,000 ewes at Pen-bryn, Penmachno, Betws y Coed.

"One of the most difficult things for group breeding schemes is to be recognised by the old established breeders," said.

Last month Mr Lewis received National Sheep Association's George Hedley Memorial Award in recognition of the group's work. Camda's nucleus flock of 600 ewes is based at Cernioge Mawr, Pentrefoelas, where last weekend's open day was held.

It also retains 200 commercial ewes.

Mr Lewis said: "After all, we're still a business like any other farm venture and we have to be self-financing.

"And it's now working very well: for the last two years 30% of our turnover has been profit - I wish my own business had that kind of margin!"

The group has embraced modern breeding techniques and its has achieved its original aim of produce bigger ewes and heavier commercial lambs.

Its current goal is to improve the conformation of Welsh Mountain ewes without losing their traditional attributes.

Mr Lewis added: "We all get on but there are times, especially when selecting rams for breeding, that differences of opinion emerge. Somehow we always reach a compromise."

Society secretary Moss Jones said the open day had been a wonderful showcase for Camda's forthcoming sale of rams at Cernioge Mawr. It starts at 1pm on Wednesday, October 11.

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CAPTION(S):

Camda open day at Ceirioge Bach Farm, Pentrefoelas Picture: ROBERT PARRY JONES' Left: Cyril Lewis, of Camda, says the group runs at a 30% profit