On this page you can find details about the role of our National Field Officer as well as how to contact him, technical information and downloads.
Field Officer,
Clive Richardson,
Tel: 01229 582742 or mobile 07818396836
The Field Officer Role
The Society structure includes an elected Field officer, appointed to provide guidance to members about the breed standard, and also to continue to review the breed standard and future direction of the breed. The Field officer is a member of the Society Board and is always an experienced breeder and judge. They travel around the regions, attending shows, sales and regional events. They also give advice to members of the Society on their flocks, their breeding policy and any aspect of flock management. They are also responsible for ensuring that judges appointed by the society are undertaking their duties properly and professionally. The Field Officer also provides technical information to the Society on various aspects of breeding and keeping sheep and the current advice can be accessed using the links at the end of this page.
The Pat Bromley Trophy
Technical Information & Downloads
The following technical information is provided and updated by the Field Officer for use by members.
- The JSS guide 'An Introduction to Jacob Sheep' can be found here
- Inspection Rules for Society Shows & Sales click here
- Guide to EID Identification can be found here
- Guidance on Food Chain Information to be provided with sheep going to slaughter click here and model document for sheep keepers in Scotland click here
Flock Competitions
- Guidance for Flock Competitions and Assessments click here and click here for the assessment card
Membership Of the Jacob Sheep Society
- Membership Form click here
- Subscription Form click here
- Judges Assessment Scheme (April 2022) click here
- Gift Aid click here
Registration Form
- Revised Registration Form (From Jan 1st 2023) Click Here
Technical Information
- Important Information for sheep keepers click here
- FCI Model document for sheep keepers in Scotland click here
Shows & Competitions
- Judges Panel 2023 click here
- The Pat Bromley Trophy click here
Board Information
- Society Bye-laws click here
- Society Articles click here
- Financial Guidance click here
- Guidelines for Regional Contact Members click here
Miscellaneous Forms
- Parental Consent Form click here
Tay-Sachs in Jacob Sheep
Overview
Testing of Sheep
TAY-SACHS TESTING 2021
Following approval from the Jacob Sheep Society Board, the contract with LGC Laboratories for the continued testing of sheep for Tay-Sachs has been renewed until 2023. In addition, Board has agreed to subsidise the cost so members of the Jacob Sheep Society will only have to pay a reduced fee of £8.50 per test which includes 50 pence for Grassroots’ administration which remains unchanged as the new registration certificates (replacement certificates denoting Tay-Sachs status after sheep have been tested) will be e-mailed out thus saving printing, postage and administration costs.
LGC will undertake the tests on two set dates at the end of May and at the end of October (The May dates allows members to get their sheep tested and the results back before the sale entries close; the October date allows members to test sheep a month before the flock book closes at the end of November).
While the Jacob Sheep Society is very keen to encourage all members to test their male breeding sheep, by opening the subsidised scheme to allow members to test female sheep as well those members wishing to achieve full Tay-Sachs clear status in their flocks may do so. The subsidised rate, which will run until the end of 2021, is available to paid up members of the JSS only, and Board reserves the right to withhold the subsidy at their discretion should they feel the subsidy is being abused or inappropriately used.
Under the new contract, LGC will accept test samples from January 1st 2021 but not undertake any tests until May 2021. The subsidy will become effective from January 1st 2021, and the subsidy period will be reviewed at the November 2021 Board meeting with the possibility of being renewed for another twelve month period.
Testing Prior to Registration

Once you have Birth Notified your sheep, you will be able to go on to request the Tay Sachs DNA testing kits from the Grassroots website.
Tay Sachs Advice
Please do not contact the Lab direct. The Field Officer can provide help with interpretation of results and with breeding advice.