News release issued by the Highlands and Islands Sheep Strategy (HISS) - 20 August 2002

An innovative hill sheep breeding project which could yield £42 million over the next ten years has received a funding boost.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise has agreed a £190,000 funding package to support the Highlands and Islands Sheep Strategy over the next two years, with a further £162,000 from HIE for three years beyond this, subject to satisfactory evaluation.

The funding, with additional support from MLC and QMS, will contribute toward the cost of establishing breeding groups involving the North Country Cheviot and Blackface breeds and the dissemination of performance recorded sheep throughout the industry.

Demonstration farms established during phase one of the project will continue to be used to identify and promote best practice, with sheep producers invited along to open days and seminars.

The funding package follows the success of initial activity undertaken by HISS, which focused on a breed improvement programme introducing new technologies and aimed at improving the quality and marketability of sheep from the Highlands and Islands.

Lorna MacLennan of HIE said “Sheep production is a very important sector of the Highlands and Islands economy and one that has had its fair share of difficulties in recent years. 

“We are very keen to help farmers become more competitive.  At present only 40 per cent of the sheep produced in Scotland reach the quality requirements of the market. HISS addresses these issues.”

Tim Barnes, Rhemore, a Blackface breeder and HISS member said: “So far, HISS has focused on developing the carcase characteristics and growth rates of our lambs and the mothering ability of our ewes. 

“Phase two will help us build on this, whilst allowing us to co-operate with other farms in breeding groups, develop new ideas with the demonstration farms, and bring in the National Scrapie Plan as another facet of the breeding programme. 

“British sheep farming needs to develop fast and HISS is enabling the major hill breeds in the Highlands to take the initiative.”

North Country Cheviot breeder, John White, Invernauld, near Lairg in Sutherland said: “The setting up of breeding groups will help speed up progress and members will appreciate the assistance in obtaining the best available bloodlines that the breeds can offer. 

“I firmly believe that performance recording is the way forward for the sheep industry.  You just need to look at what is happening in the beef world. Most buyers of pedigree bulls use EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values) in their assessment of the stock on offer, and the same potential benefits are now available with recorded rams.”

Alistair Donaldson, Chairman of HISS said, “We welcome this news with enthusiasm. The support provided by HIE, MLC and QMS is pivotal to the success of the strategy and a funding package of this kind means that we can put our ideas firmly into practice, to the benefit of hill sheep producers in the Highlands and Islands and beyond.”