The Blackface sheep breed is facing its biggest ever challenge through competition from forestry, rewilding and carbon farming, as well as predation from white-tailed eagles, in its traditional home grounds. This was the message from outgoing president, Sandy Smith of Glenkindie at the Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association AGM.

He said, “It is not only sheep that are under threat, but the people who look after them in the hills of Scotland.” He warned, “Once families are gone from these areas, they will not come back, we cannot afford to lose them.”

The loss of exports, particularly to Northern Ireland due to bluetongue was another talking point at the meeting which saw 37 attendees, both in person and on zoom. Although a vaccine has been successful on cattle, it only suppresses the disease in sheep and is not effective, plus a new strain has been found in Holland. The Association and the NSA are monitoring the situation, but Peter Myles of the NSA explained, their hands are tied and it is up to the Irish government to come up with a solution.

On a brighter note, breed promotions, shows and sales have gone well in the past year and there are plenty of young, enthusiastic breeders, who are part of a group led by two young Perthshire breeders, Ben Mackinnon and Thomas Muirhead.

In 2022 the Association financially supported the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Blackface Wool Pilot project, which has resulted in a range of luxury garments being made from Blackface wool by Merrick Scottish Blackface Knitwear. This recently featured on BBC’s The One Show and the range is now available to buy.

The Association is providing 100 sheep for Maedi Visna screening in a new initiative. It is predicted that the breed will have a high level of resistance and Sandy reckoned this would have the potential to be a game-changer for female sales.

Blackface is also one of eight breeds to invest £200 in the new organisation set up by Derek Hall, Native British Lamb 365 Ltd.

The Association recorded a small deficit (£283) last year, mainly due to increased show expenses, but is generally in a healthy state with over £350,000 in investments and bank accounts.

It was agreed that the annual subscription should increase to £50 for a member over £17 from 2026. Junior membership will remain at £12 and life at £500.

At an extraordinary meeting prior to the AGM, a special resolution to change the Articles of Association was passed.

This change will streamline the Council, which will mean that the Council will effectively become a sub-committee of the Association and trustees will be cut from 28 to nine. The role of the Council will be to provide strategic guidance, expertise and knowledge sharing recommendations, and to inform the Association.

The new office holders were elected with Derek Redpath from The Yett at Hownam taking over the role of president, Alan McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow, is the new vice-president and junior vice is Billy Welsh, Beoch, Loch Doon.

The new team of trustees will be the above plus Sandy Smith as immediate past president, Archie MacGregor, John MacPherson, Ben Mackinnon, Stewie Weatherson and Alastair McArthur.

Under any other business, Ayr, Renfrew and Bute Branch sent a proposal by letter to increase income by raising the tup levy to a maximum £3000 (£90 per tup) or to charge an entry fee for tup sales.

There was much discussion, including whether to add a female levy, but it was finally decided that Council should speak to markets and find out if it is possible to add a £10 plus VAT entry fee for tups. It was felt this might deter breeders entering many more tups than they intend to take to the sales. If investigations show this is possible, it will be implemented for the 2025 sales.

The Connachan salver, which is presented annually to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the Blackface breed was presented to Ken Headley, who was shepherd for the Bell family at Plenderleith for over 50 years.