FOR the first time in the 40-year history of the Charollais Sheep Society in the UK, a Welshman has been appointed its chairman, with Arwyn Thomas, who runs the Arwyn flock, at Whitland, Carmarthenshire, now at the helm.
Mr Thomas has bred Charollais for 27 years and has bred several top show and sale winners. He is also clear on the priorities for the breed.
“We need to stabilise and increase our membership and market share for our breed against our competitors. The society must have firm foundations and this can only be worked from having a strong regional base,” he said.
“The breed has developed a far better product – in particular hardiness – since I first purchased Charollais in 1989. We clearly need to develop our message both through digital social networking and also the farming press to emphasise our strengths compared to other breeds in particular easy lambing and tremendous live weight-gain.”