• EID might not be so bad!! - With many of the tag manufacturers offering to include management information on their tags, and the need for on farm electronic readers being optional, it seems all is not so bad.  We will be putting in our first electronic tags soon and will consider the management benefits of buying a reader as the flock continues to expand.
• Lambs win at the Gilten Market - Our Suffolk cross Llyn lambs picked up the Championship trophy for the Best Pair of Butchers Lambs at the Isle of Wight Fatstock Show and Sale, going on to break the sale record price the same day.
• Our Stud Ram wins the Flock Competition Championship - Having been part of our successful show group in the ring, Greencross Jackpot ended the year as the Champion Stud Ram for the South East Branch.
• Duxmore do it again at the Hampshire and New Forest Show - Having picked up the honours 10 days earlier, at the Isle of Wight show, success was seen again in great style.  The Shearling ewe and senior ram both won their class and were two thirds of the suffolk group of three winners.  The group then went on to win the reserve championship inb the interbreed.  The shearling ewe picked up the Breed Championship and then went on to pick up the Interbreed Championship and best in show!
• Duxmore Suffolks sweep the board at the Royal Isle of Wight County Show.  Having won the Ram lamb, shearling ram, senior ram, ewe lamb, shearling ewe, pen of four and group of three, our shearling ewe (NKH K7) went on to take the interbreed championship and a wheelbarrow full of cups.
• The South of England and Three Counties Shows come up in quick succession and our pick of the prizes would have to be our second place prize for the senior ram at the later of the two shows. 
• June sees the lambs pick up as the grass seems to come on on our farm.  All of the fat lambs have been sent on and a selection of tup and ewe lambs have been retained for our own flock and for sales.
• May has seen the start of the show season, with a visit to Surrey County.  We picked up a couple of placings but the lambs need a little more growth about them for the time of year.
• April sees the first of our fat lambs sold at 12 weeks of age and we are pleased with both the gradings and the price.  We achieved the top price for new seasons lambs in Salisbury Market.
• January is a busy month for lambing and already we have a great looking crop of lambs 
• A shortlist has been made for the 2009 show shearlings  
• Commercial ewes start lambing in late March
• The Duxmore flock win the South East Flock Competition for 2008

Having shared the top spot in the 2008 Ewe lamb section of the competition, along with the award for the best new flock, we are delighted that the judge, Steven Cobbald also chose our flock as the overall champion for the year.

 Pictured right is Matt with the flock competition awards.  Also pictured is Dianna Lindon who picked up the prize for the best flock ewes, together with the overall reserve championship.