The dispersal sale of the Strathisla Suffolk flock at Harrison and Hetherington’s Borderway Mart on 29^th November will be a major event for both the Suffolk Sheep Society and the 2013 sheep farming calendar.Commencing at 1pm, the entire Strathisla flock, consisting of 182 MV accredited registered Suffolks, (47 ewes, 64 gimmers, 67 ewe lambs, 4 stock rams and a quantity of semen)

This internationally renowned flock founded in 1991, by Robbie Wilson and his family, at North Dorlaithers in Aberdeenshire has been a major source of Suffolk genetics since 2002. On no fewer than five occasions, the Bristol Gold Cup awarded to the best flock within the UK, has been won by Strathisla. They have won national sales on five occasions (Scottish four times and English once), four Royal Highland Show Championships and four Royal Highland Show Reserve Championships. They have also won the ram lamb class at the Highland Show for the past 7 years in a row.

The catalogue of the sale, which details each animal and its genetics, can be viewed at the H&H website at http://www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk/general/sale-catalogues/.Visitors are also welcome to view the flock at North Dorlaithers on the viewing day , Saturday 23^rd November from 12 noon to 4pm.

Scott Donaldson, Sales Director for Harrison and Hetherington, believes the sale will be a landmark in the industry. He says: “This has to be the most widely anticipated full flock dispersal in the Suffolk breed for many, many years. The Strathisla flock has had numerous headline prices and successes at national shows and sales, and the prefix ‘Strathisla’ had a place in Suffolk breed history long before the Wilson family decided to disperse their flock.”

After the flock was founded in 1991, further Glenisla females were added in 2002. In more recent years only a few very select purchases have been added, including a 7000gn Wells gimmer, a 7,200gn Lakeview gimmer and a 5000gn Jubilee gimmer. As part of the flock’s development, stud rams have been carefully selected, often including the top-priced animal of that specific generation. In addition, the flock has also relied heavily on ET work, so increasing the genetic input of its fop females. Regular drafts of females have been sold annually, so that the flock on sale is largely devoid of aged ewes and retains a fresh youthful aspect.

Giving further background to his decision Robbie said: “I have absolutely loved my involvement with Suffolk Sheep and the Suffolk Sheep Society. This has been a very difficult decision and one which I have been thinking about for a while. However I realise that I am no longer able to put in the commitment that is needed to maintain what is now a sizeable pedigree flock, so I have decided to have a complete dispersal sale.”

”I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers and friends for making the past 22 years so successful and memorable.”

The flock has commanded impressive sales results at the principal ram sales at Edinburgh (now Stirling), Shrewsbury and also Kelso, with Strathisla regularly featuring amongst the top prices and leading flock averages. High priced rams have gone up to 48,000gn, and at the annual female draft sales, a top price of 12,000gns was achieved. Following their sale, many Strathisla animals have gone on to breed well and gain further show success for their new owners. These include three ‘Sires of the Year’, and two females went on to win the prestigious Balmoral Interbreed Championship.

Awards, honours and high prices have followed the flock, and will continue to benefit the subsequent owners after the sale. As Scott Donaldson says: “The Strathisla Dispersal will undoubtedly provide a unique opportunity for both established and new breeders to obtain top quality Suffolk genetics.”

Anyone wishing to attend the viewing day they should contact – Robbie Wilson 07971 206748.