www.beltex.co.uk

• Home
• The Society
  • Council of Management
  • Schedule of Fees
  • Joining the Society
  • eMailing List
• The Breed
  • History
  • Identification & Registration
• Breeders
  • Find a Breeder
  • Members Directory
  • Members Adverts & Links
• On-line Flock Book
• News
• Dates for your Diary
• Flock Features
• Performance Recording
• Beltex and Dunbia Export Scheme
• Sales
  • Dates & Catalogues
  • Reports & Results
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
    • 2005
    • 2004
    • 2003
    • 2002
  • Judges List
• Shows
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • Judges List
• Primestock
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
• Regional Clubs
  • Central
  • Ireland
  • Northern
  • South West
  • Scotland
  • Wales & Borders
• Publications
  • Yearbook
  • Bulletin
• Merchandise
• Industry Links
• Site Search

Brown, Bessbrook

David Brown, Bessbrook, Co Down was among the first to bring Beltex to Northern Ireland. In the early 90’s he decided to try his hand at pedigree sheep breeding and with this in mind he attended a pedigree Texel sale to acquire his first pedigree sheep. After viewing the stock, and while waiting for the sale to commence, he was discussing his plans with a friend Noel Fitspatrick, a financial advisor who related his knowledge of the new and exciting breed of sheep recently introduced to England and Scotland. The claims being made for the breed at that time left David in no doubt that he ought at least to find out more, to ensure that if the breed was as good as the claims, that he did not miss this unique opportunity to lead the way with Beltex. The claims were that this breed would be a major influence in the production of commercial sheep with unrivalled potential to jump several places in the conformation of Beltex sired lambs and dominate carcass and fatstock classes across the UK. How true this has been with the benefit of hindsight.

David travelled with Jim Mulligan to one of the first Beltex In- lamb sales held in Penrith, aiming to buy a few ewes for himself. Having studied the catalogue and viewed the sheep four were chosen for confirmation and correctness. These were bought and brought back to Northern Ireland as the nucleus of the Brownville Flock. David said, “On first sight the muscularity was clearly visible to the point where I was instantly impressed. It just got better when the ewes were so docile and placid to work with - very different from all other breeds of sheep I had ever seen”.

The ewes were fetched home in late 1991 with the first lamb born on 10th January 1992 - the first Beltex born in Northern Ireland. The next requirement was naturally a sire to get the ewes back in lamb the following year - Pico Vd Hoge Tornne (3817.1018) was purchased to run with the flock and stamped his attributes in his off-spring.

David is still very active in the Beltex scene in Ireland and works closely with his grandson Mark Latimer, who following in his grandfather’s footsteps has established his own Brookvale flock. Nineteen years on it is gratifying for David to reflect on the show and sale successes they have had to date - too many to mention. Numerous offspring have reached four figure sums competing with the best producers. David said, “I am pleased to have made the right decision and be associated with this outstanding terminal sire breed as we move to our 20 year anniversary. I do not see any reason why Beltex the success story will lose any ground over the next 20 years and hope to be associated with all of it.”