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The AIRYOLLAND flock of Beltex sheep was started in 1998 when we imported 11 Gimmers from Belgium from a noted breeder called Bernard Stephany.  They were inseminated with a Dutch ram called Van Aken The Mighty.  Lambing time in the spring of 1999 was a steep learning curve for us.  Pregnant Beltex sheep should not be fed too much!!!

When we restocked in the aftermath of FMD new stock was imported from Belgium.  The nucleus forming our new flock were ewes from top Belgium breeders Gilbert Dossche, Jos Hoefkens, Willi Werbrouk and Raf Feryn.  The flock now numbers around 100 females.

The year 2004 was a good year for our Beltex flock.  At the breed's premier sale at Carlisle AIRYOLLAND GALAHAD sold for the top price of the day at 13,000 gns. (record for a shearling and second highest price ever for a Beltex)

 The eight shearling rams we sold that day averaged 2800 gns. 

At the Kelso ram sales we took 16 shearling rams to sell at the days top price of £1100 and to average £506. Although we specialise in selling shearlings we decided to put forward a ram lamb for the Inaugural sale of Beltex rams, at Lanark Market on Thursday the 16th of September 2004.  We sold AIRYOLLAND HERCULES for the day's top price of 1600 gns.  He is a February born son of Mary Dunlop's stock sire called Dirk. He was sold to Kevin and Rachel Buckle of Kirby Stephen, Cumbria. 

Just to round off a good year we won first prize gimmer and reserve champion at the sale of females at Lanark in December. 

AIRYOLLAND GOLDIE went on to sell for the days top price of 3000gns.  She went to Brian Ryder at Newton Farm, Annan Water, Moffat

 

 

Airyolland Galahad was used as a ram lamb on the flock and, the next year, one of his lambs, Airyolland Hunter, was sold for 5,000gns.

7 of Airyolland Shearlings, Carlisle '05. 12 sold Ave £1404

 Airyolland Jumpstart, a son of Hunter was sold the following year, 2006, at Carlisle for 3,200gns. 

During 2007, due to FMD, restrictions our Carlisle sale shearlings were sold privately with notable rams such as King of Clubs (pictured below) being bought by James Whiteford, Tercrosset and Airyolland Klass Act being bought by John Hall, Inglewood Edge. We retained Airyolland Kingsize, who won three breed championships at local shows that year, for our stock ram.

Airyolland King of Clubs Airyolland King of Clubs,

Another great ram out of Airyolland Hepzibah

Dam  Airyolland Hepzibah, Sire- Airyolland Jack High

 

In 2008 it was Kingsize's two sisters Looby Loo and Looby Lie turn to take the limelight. Looby Loo won four breed championships at Stranraer, Wigtown, Colmonell and Dumfries - one better than her brother! Then Looby Lie went on to sell at the 2008 Breed Society sale at Carlisle   for the record breaking price of 6000gns.                  

                         
Looby Lie at Carlisle sale 2008

        Dam Airyolland Hepzibah

        Sire Airyolland Great Scott
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Looby Loo

Looby Loo at Dumfries 2008