A REQUEST by the EasyCare Sheep Society to trademark the 'EasyCare' name and logo has been successful.

Society secretary Louise explained: “As a society, we felt it was the right time to go ahead with trademarking the EasyCare name, and begin to market the breed in line with the traits for which EasyCares are best known, and do more to promote the traits that may not be so well known, such as excellent carcass grades.

"Our breed is the original ‘easy care’ breed of sheep, developed over 70 years ago on Anglesey by Iolo Owen. Our sheep are all bred with low shepherding inputs and high production levels in mind, with areas of focus including wool shedding, ease of lambing, carcass conformation, hoof health and longevity."

She stressed that the EasyCare breed prided itself on those attributes, and that its lack of pedigrees and showing circuit was seen as a benefit, enabling producers to 'focus on attractive traits rather than attractive faces'.

The news of the successful trademarking comes on top of the new breed record that was set at one of the annual sales, McCartneys in Worcester last month, with a ram bred by Richard Owen selling for 2200 guineas to JE and MS Davies Llanilar.

Mr Owen, the ram’s breeder said: “We are delighted with the record price for our ram, and were pleased with the trade in general at the sale. I’ve always been involved with the EasyCares as my father (Iolo Owen) is the breed founder. I doubt I would be farming sheep if it weren’t for the EasyCares, and I’m sure the breed has an even brighter future in these uncertain times."

To find out more about the EasyCare breed, visit www.easycaresheep.com or contact publicity@easycaresheep.com