About the group

 

The Cotswold Sheep Group was established in 1983 and is run by farmers for farmers. We are a group of farmers who are all farming within the Cotswold Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB). We run a variety of different systems and utilise different breeds with the express aim of producing prime lamb of the highest quality.

The group provides up to date technical information for members. As part of the membership package, the group has ties with the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) and members have access to first class information and members have access to first class information and consultancy with the added benefit of visits from John Vipond and other SAC specialists. John is a regular on many of the farm walks held by the group and usually sparks debate and discussion. Continual flock improvement information and benchmarking tools provides member with the information they need to remain competitive within the industry.

The group is particularly active and in addition to regular meetings organises farm walks both within the group and externally. This stimulates debate and
an exchange of ideas challenges management practices and ensures that members remain competitive within the industry. Members utilise the latest technology and have organised demonstrations from industry specialists of new products on members' farms

The group is large enough to provide members with competitive prices for livestock supplies including feedstuffs and veterinary medicine products. In recent years the group have negotiated on both price and ration with feed merchants, allowing members to benefit from highest quality feed to produce quality prime lambs.

The marketing of member produced prime lambs is possibly one of the biggest attributes of the group. The group employs a marketing co-ordinator who negotiates the best possible price for members in addition to organising the transport and logistics of moving tens of thousands of lambs and sheep throughout the year. With different systems and lambing dates the group is able to provide quality prime lambs all year round.

The Cotswold Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (ANOB).