Interviews
Leading Texel breeder urges support for BWMB
08 Sep '08
2 min read
Well known Mid-Wales sheep producer Steven Smith, who has joined the Welsh Northern Region committee of the British Wool Marketing Board representing Montgomery, is calling on producers to support the board.
Mr Smith, from Penybryn, Castle Caereinion, Welshpool, Powys, runs 1250 ewes – predominantly Welsh Mules and Texel x Mules – alongside the 120 pedigree Texel ewes in his successful Penparc flock.
He believes the improved price being paid to wool producers this year heralds the start of a new era for British wool and urges producers to look to the future.
“All sheep farmers need a professionally run and efficient marketing system to handle their wool and that's why I firmly believe the British Wool Marketing Board deserves continued support.
“Maintaining the effective marketing structure of the board depends on ensuring the volume of wool handled through depots is maintained.
This is the only way that wool marketing costs can be controlled – and that means producers will benefit in the long term,” said Mr Smith.
He said the British Wool Marketing Board was the envy of every sheep producer in Europe.
“Talk to any sheep farmer in Europe about wool marketing and you'll get the same response. They know they are exploited because they have no formalised marketing organisation working on their behalf.
“It would be very foolish if sheep farmers allowed the board's role to be undermined. We all know that dairy farmers rue the day the Milk Marketing Board was wound-up. Sheep farmers don't want to look back with the same regrets.”
Mr Smith's Penparc Texel flock has enjoyed considerable success over the years - both in the show and sale rings.
As well as a string of top wins at the Royal Welsh Show the Penparc flock has bred tups that have sold to 10,000gns and even in last year's difficult trading conditions sold a tup lamb at the breed society's sale at Lanark for 8000gns.
Alongside the farm's sheep flocks, Penybryn carries 100 Limousin and Belgian Blue suckler cows and is also home to the popular Mid Wales Falconry Centre.
Mr Smith, from Penybryn, Castle Caereinion, Welshpool, Powys, runs 1250 ewes – predominantly Welsh Mules and Texel x Mules – alongside the 120 pedigree Texel ewes in his successful Penparc flock.
He believes the improved price being paid to wool producers this year heralds the start of a new era for British wool and urges producers to look to the future.
“All sheep farmers need a professionally run and efficient marketing system to handle their wool and that's why I firmly believe the British Wool Marketing Board deserves continued support.
“Maintaining the effective marketing structure of the board depends on ensuring the volume of wool handled through depots is maintained.
This is the only way that wool marketing costs can be controlled – and that means producers will benefit in the long term,” said Mr Smith.
He said the British Wool Marketing Board was the envy of every sheep producer in Europe.
“Talk to any sheep farmer in Europe about wool marketing and you'll get the same response. They know they are exploited because they have no formalised marketing organisation working on their behalf.
“It would be very foolish if sheep farmers allowed the board's role to be undermined. We all know that dairy farmers rue the day the Milk Marketing Board was wound-up. Sheep farmers don't want to look back with the same regrets.”
Mr Smith's Penparc Texel flock has enjoyed considerable success over the years - both in the show and sale rings.
As well as a string of top wins at the Royal Welsh Show the Penparc flock has bred tups that have sold to 10,000gns and even in last year's difficult trading conditions sold a tup lamb at the breed society's sale at Lanark for 8000gns.
Alongside the farm's sheep flocks, Penybryn carries 100 Limousin and Belgian Blue suckler cows and is also home to the popular Mid Wales Falconry Centre.
British Wool Marketing Board
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