Eden-based farmer Kevin Buckle has been selected as the new chairman of the Beltex Sheep Society, the annual meeting of which was held last Thursday at the Pinegrove Hotel, Carlisle.
Kevin, of Buckles Farm, Barras, near Kirkby Stephen, has been a strong advocate of the Beltex breed for many years, with sheep from his Buckles flock having won numerous prizes at shows around the country and sold for leading prices at major sales.
His enthusiasm is shared by his sons Jack and Tom, who are keen Beltex exhibitors.Earlier this year, one of their sheep, Buckles Frisky, sold for a new female Beltex record price of 15,000gns.
This was later equalled at the Beltex Beauties sale by Neale and Janet McQuistin’s Airyolland Furina, but the Buckles reclaimed clear top spot when Buckles Ferdie sold at 20,000gns.
Other sale highlights this year for the Beltex breed have included the 30,000gns paid for BorderEsk Finders Keepers, sold by Anne Story at the Carlisle Premier Sale in August.
At the annual meeting, outgoing chairman Mark Jennings — who has also been the society’s treasurer — highlighted its strong financial standing, mainly due to a reduction in spending at shows, sales and events hit by COVID-19 regulations.
Member numbers and lamb registrations continue to grow year on year, thanks to new breeders looking to invest in the breed, which produces one of the UK’s leading terminal sires and also valuable breeding females for both pedigree and commercial markets.
