A buoyant trade with record averages was seen at Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ multi-breed ram show and sale at Thainstone.

The event saw 557 pedigree and cross-bred rams sell to a top of 4800gns for a Texel ram lamb from Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank flock from North Dorlaithers, Turriff. A son of Clanfield Golden, he sold to Ron Mackay, Clyth Mains, Occumster, Lybster.

Second top price was 2600gns paid for a Texel shearling from Rodney Blackhall, The Green, Banchory, who enjoyed the best trade of the day selling nine to average £1570.

His sale leader, sired by Craig Douglas Evoke, he was knocked down to Ardhuncart Farm, Kildrummy, Alford.

Mr Blackhall also sold at 1650gns to W Barnetson and Sons, Lynegar, Watten, Wick; 1600gns to Alan J Rae, Mains of Orchardtown, Udny; and two at 1500gns, both of which were purchased by ID Ross, Coldhome, Dallas, Forres.

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Two other Texels made 1600gns to include an aged ram from Stuart Barclay, Harestone, Banchory, purchased by JA Smith, The Rowans, Brora.

Later, a shearling from Jim Innes and Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly made the same money selling to WG Macpherson, Blackford, Croy, Inverness.

Suffolks peaked at 1800gns and 1500gns for shearling sons of Frongoy Explosion from Jim Innes’ Strathbogie flock from Dunscroft, Huntly. The former sold to an undisclosed buyer, with the latter purchased by C Wright of Prony Farm, Ballater.

Ram lambs reached 1300gns from C and M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon for a son of Culsh Cracker, purchased by M Watson and Son, Gaval, Fetterangus.

Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, produced the champion and reserve Charollais, with shearling rams both of which sold for 1200gns each to J and JS Wilken, Raefin, Keith.

Top price among the Beltex was 1000gns paid on two occasions, firstly for the reserve champion, a shearling from Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie purchased by I Mackenzie, Inkstack, Barrock.

Later, a ram lamb from Stuart Wood, Broadwater, Skene, made the same money selling to R McLeod, Blackhole, Finzean.

Stuart and Wendy Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch, produced the top priced Blue Texel at 900gns with a shearling that sold to CL Slater, Lorness, Orkney. The couple also produced the champion winner which made 700gns selling to G and D Livestock, Newtack, Crossroads, Keith while the reserve from Jennifer Duncan, Inchford, Cornhill, achieved the same money when purchased by DM McCallum, Shoreton, Culbokie, Dingwall.

Border Leicesters peaked at 1600gns for the champion from Jimmy Douglas, Woodhead of Cairness, Fraserburgh, purchased by W Mather and Co, Shandford, Brechin.

Matthew Seed, Auchry, topped the Bluefaced Leicesters, selling his champion for 1000gns to C Shorten, Keith and Dutch Spotted peaked at 1200gns for a gimmer from J Marshall, Kinross selling to PD and EA Thorp, Overton of Ardo, Methlick, Ellon.

Colin Slessor, deputy head of livestock, said: “Averages across all breeds are well up on the year with sellers being handsomely rewarded for putting forward quality shearlings and ram lambs. The usual strong contingent of island buyers were in attendance with 130 head selling to the Shetland and Orkney Isles.”

Leading Flock Averages

Farm (No) Top (gns) Average (£)

Texel shearlings

The Green (9) 2600 1569.17

Dunscroft (3) 1600 1382.50

Ardhuncart (3) 1250 1066.67

Home Farm (10) 1100 840.00

Mid Haddo (7) 1000 825.00

Ram lambs

North Dorlaithers (10) 4800 1396.50

Old Town (9) 1200 956.66

Braehead (3) 1000 857.50

Birness (9) 950 794.06

Home Farm (3) 800 787.50

Suffolk shearlings

Dunscroft (3) 1800 1505

Tillyeve (4) 900 742.88

Ram lambs

Tillyeve (16) 1300 859.69

Home Farm (3) 850 805.00

Birness (30) 1200 770.70

Muirton (17) 1100 716.47

Cadgerford (15) 900 693.00

Charollais shearlings

Clackriach (5) 900 787.50

Eastside (3) 800 700.00

Ram lambs

Barnyards (8) 1000 597.19

Beltex shearlings

Broadwater (6) 950 700.00

Ram lambs

Broadwater (5) 1000 777.000

North Lurg (4) 800 564.37

Blue Texel shearlings

West Cairnhill (3) 900 647.50

Woodside of Wrae (3) 550 560.00

Ram lambs

Woodside of Wrae (3) 600 542.50

Bluefaced Leicester shearlings

Home Farm (4) 1050 892.50

Border Leicester ram lambs

Woodhead (5) 1600 672.00

Dutch Spotted ram lambs

Tardoes (3) 800 507.50

Averages: Shearling rams – 47 Texels £987.39 (+£32.30); 15 Suffolks, £920.20 (+£207.78); 16 Charollais £722.65 (+£268.47); 30 Beltex, £561.75 (+£7.87); 10 Blue Texels, £456.75 (-£12.00); five Border Leicesters, £388.50 (+£47.25); four Bluefaced Leicesters, £892.50 (+£371.00); seven Dutch Spotted, £405.

Ram lambs – 96 Texel s £728.43 (+£125.32); 185 Suffolks, £641.35 (+£49.39); 17 Charollais, £508.85 (+£65.38); 10 Beltex £644.70 (+£10.20); eight Blue Texels, £472.50 (+£49.00); seven Border Leicesters, £529.50 (-£34.87); five Bluefaced Leicesters £567; nine Dutch Spotted, £274.16.

Auctioneers: Aberdeen and Northern Marts