THE ONLY HUNGARIAN SUFFOLK SHEEP BREEDER TO USE STOCK FROM ORIGINAL ENGLISH BLOODLINES

Our company PHARMAFAUNA Zrt (www.pharmafauna.hu) started breeding Suffolk sheep in 2004 by purchasing stock from the Hungarian lowlands. Our first breeding rams originated from Bábolna-szendrő. The offspring from these rams showed a good, average appearance, generally excepted in Hungary, although their bone structure was too thin. The Suffolk is originally an English breed, where it has been bred there since 1896. The UK shows a distinct superiority in both numbers and quality throughout the world. It therefore became obvious to us that we would improve the quality of our livestock by importing from the UK. Actually no other Suffolk sheep have been imported into Hungary from Britain for the last 30 years.

In order to demonstrate the expected performance of the Suffolk breed, shown below are statistics regarding breeding, weight gain and meat quality obtained from the home page of the Suffolk Sheep Society in Great Britain.

The first chart shows that the average number off offspring from a Shearling ewe is 1,3-1.8 and 1.5-1.9 for mature ewes.
The second chart shows that the average birth weight for a single lamb born from a shearing ewe is 5,2 kg and 5,6 kg from mature ewes. For twins born to a shearling 4,2 kg and 4,7 kg for mature ewes.
The third chart shows that the lambs born have very marked weight gain: at 8 weeks showing between 25 kg and 41.3 kg and at 21 weeks between 47 kg and 88,1 kg.
The Suffolk can be crossbred with any other meat producing breed, and is most commonly used throughout the world as a breeding ram.
In the summer of 2006, we suceeded in importing two quality pedigree ram lambs, from two superior breeders in the UK. Both these rams tested genetically scrapie resistant (R1). Compared to the usual expected Hungarian standard, these animals differ quite a lot. They show a broad, but short head, long thick, slightly hanging ears, strong neck and broad chest, long muscular body, broad hips and hindquarters and short, strong, thick legs. Their whole appearance is more robust. Their nature is placid and calm.
The first offspring from the two sires were born in February 2007 and it is obvious from their appearance that they have adopted the English Suffolk characterisitcs. We have established our current ewe breeding stock, using two original English rams. Our strict selection process depends on both appearance and weight gain. Our ram Parks H40 NOH H40 (NA), Hungarian pedigree number: 118201 649 has produced 119 mixed offspring, with an average weight gain of 462g (Hungarian sheepbreeders association 10. ram catalogue 2008, pg 79). This shows an exceptional performance amongst all other breeding rams in Hungary.

The male offspring produced by us will represent a higher gentical value if they are interbred within other flocks. Ram lambs are usually sold for breeding with a body weight of 50-60 kg or alternatively at the age of one.
Export is our speciality! We except orders from other european countries. Further information can be obtained by telephone in Hungarian on 0036-30/93-93-272, or alternatively in writing in English, German and Russian at bujaky@wdsl.hu e-mail address.