The Torwen Badger Face had joined the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watch list; the breed is currently classified as 'At Risk'. Although it is sad to see that the Torwen has reached such low breeding numbers we hope that as a society this will be a turning point within the breed and that alongside working with the RBST we hope to promote and watch their numbers grow. 
As a society we are extremely grateful to Mr B.W.EAGLES BSc B Vet Med MRCVS for all his hard work and efforts that he's put into making the Torwen have the status it deserves. 
This is what Mr Eagles had to say regarding the decision - 'I am pleased to report that the Rare Breeds Survival Trust have accepted the Societies application to have the TORWENS classed as a separate breed of Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep and as such are going to place them on their Watchlist . To achieve this I had to demonstrate that the Torwen has unique genetic characteristics particularly in relation to their colour coat pattern as well as providing information from the last 40 years of flock books.' 

Rare Breed Survival Trust Update.

I am pleased to report that Defra and the Farm Animal Genetic Resources Committee
have accepted that the Torwen Badger Face is a distinct breed of mountain sheep. This has now paved the way for the Society to approach the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) with a view to placing them on their Watchlist.  An application was submitted in September and I understand will be considered by their board in November .If we are successful I anticipate they would be placed in category 4 which is classed as AT RISK .having less than 1500 registered breeding ewes. It is of interest that this is the same category as the Balwen and the Hill Radnor.
B.W.EAGLES BSc B Vet Med MRCVS

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NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales Online Only for 2020 

It is with deep regret that the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sale Committee has made the very tough decision to cancel the sales in 2020. The sales will not be going ahead this year, in the light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and recent updates from both the UK & Welsh governments. Instead a free online register will be created to link NSA member vendors to potential buyers.  The decision was left for as long as possible, in the hope that the situation might improve by August.  However, with current social distancing regulations and restrictions on large events, the health, safety and well being of buyers and sellers and everyone involved in the sales is the main priority.  Full details of the online register will follow later this week but I wanted you to be aware of our decision as soon as possible.  Thank you for your ongoing support and we hope to be back in 2021, better than ever.

Provisional 2021 dates are as follows:
Early Sale August 2^nd 2021
Main Sale September 20^th 2021

Yours sincerely
Jane S Smith

Annwyl Aelodau / Dear Members

You are all aware of the current national situation regarding Covid-19. The Society has no option but to cancel the committee meeting that was scheduled for 19 April and the Spring meeting on 3 May.

A number of members who regularly participate in local and national shows will know that several societies have either postponed or cancelled this years shows. Our advice is that members should check with individual shows in order to get the most up to date information.

The next society newsletter is still planned for the end of March and the Society Flockbook at the beginning of May. However, I must stress, that I can give no assurance of an accurate date, due to the ever changing daily situation that may affect Society officers and/or the printers the Society uses. I appreciate that not all members are on Facebook, so can I please ask you to share this message with fellow members who are not on-line. There will also be an update in the newsletter.

Farming is well known for being an industry that can be lonely at the best of times, and this current situation that we all find ourselves in is worrying for us all due to many different reasons. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and if anyone needs a chat don’t hesitate to pick up the phone to myself, any of the officers or committee members.

The country finds itself in an unprecedented situation and therefore it is imperative that we all follow Government and medical advice. Now is the time for us all to pull together, support each other and be kind.

Diolch / Thank you

Malcolm