Response to selection in welsh mountain sheep

Extract

In 1976, ten members of the Welsh Mountain Breed Society, established Camda Cynwyd Ltd as a co-operative society. The stated aim is to breed slightly bigger Welsh Mountain ewes that lamb easily and rear heavier lambs whilst retaining the hardiness and other beneficial traits of the breed.

A nucleus flock of 150 ewes was created in 1976 with the more productive ewes out of each member's MLC recorded flock. Camda hired facilities for keeping and recording the nucleus flock at the ABRO hill farm, Rhydglafes, North Wales for six years. Anticipating the disposal of the ABRO farm by the AFRC in 1984, a lease was obtained on a 340 acre hill farm at Cernioge Mawr, Pentrefoeias, and the flock transferred there during the summer and autumn of 1982. Each year, fifty high performance, mature ewes (immigrants) were introduced to the nucleus from members flocks, until 1984 when it was closed.