A record breaking trade at the NSA Wales and Border Main Sale at Builth Wells not only saw a 10% increase in turnover at £2,251,540, but also a new high of 30,000gns paid for a Texel shearling.
Such was the demand for good pedigree and commercial rams at the Royal Welsh Showground, that the overall average increased by £191.11 on the year to level at £885.74 for 2248, and with an extra 424 sold. The clearance was 92%.
And, despite the health concerns, there was a positive vibe around the rings when rams from across the UK were inspected before entering the sale ring, with all inspectors fully briefed about blue tongue.
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Their best, Empire Gladiator which was pre-sale champion, is a shearling son of Caron Express out of a ewe by Canllefaes Big Boy. He sold jointly to the Ingram family, Logie Durno, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, with a share taken by Michael James of the Duhonw flock, Builth Wells.
The Weavers also took 9000gns and 8000gns for Texel shearlings. Dearest was Empire God Father, a Strathbogie Eagle Eye son out of a dam by Hornacott Commander which also sold in a two-way split to Peter and James Vaughan, Kings Park, Leominster, and Esmor Evans of the Maerdy flock, Mold.
Selling at 8000gns was Empire Greatest Showman, a Whitehart Eye Catcher son, bred from a Canllefaes Big Boy-sired dam. He was the pick of Christopher Cornthwaite, Stumpscross, Clitheroe.
Second top price was 24,000gns paid for Caereinion Goliath from Cefin Pryce, Welshpool. Sired by Clun Enhancer and out of a dam by Caereinion Celtic Star, he was knocked down to Andrew Reed for the family’s Scolton flock, Pembrokeshire.
Bluefaced Leicesters peaked at 20,000gns for the pre-sale champion from Alan McClymont and sons Sam and Oli, Kirkstead, Yarrow. Their lamb, purchased by David Jones, Ddole, Llanbadarn Fynydd, is sired by a £2200 Blythbank bought at Carlisle last October from Kitty Campbell and out of a gimmer by a 4000gns Blacket House. Kirkstead shearlings were topped at 2400gns and averaged £1830 for five.
Next best among the Blues at 6800gns was a Hope lamb from DW and SL Harries, Llandeilo, Dyfed. Their No 3 lamb, by a Woodcroft R5 is out of a home-bred ewe by North Burndale F3.
Leading the Suffolks at 4200gns was a shearling from Worcs-based Nicki Hartwright, purchased by LE Lloyd and Sons, Sarnsfield, Herefordshire.
Tom Cockburn, Kingside, Leadburn, topped the North Country Cheviots with a shearling selling for 2000gns to A Jones, Llangollen and South Country Cheviots peaked at 2800gns.
Charollais sold to 3500gns from RG and RA Jones and Son's Robleston to JAD and PM Owens, Shobdon and D Roberts, Shrewsbury.
A record breaking trade at the NSA Wales and Border Main Sale at Builth Wells on Monday not only saw a 10% increased turnover at £2,251,540 with a 92% clearance, but also a new high of 30,000gns paid for a Texel shearling.
Such was the demand for good pedigree and commercial rams at the events staged at the Royal Welsh Showground, that several sold at five-figure prices with the overall average rising ??? for ???
And, despite the health concerns, there was a positive vibe around the rings when the 3000 rams from across the UK were inspected before entering the sale ring, with all inspectors fully briefed about Blue Tongue.
Newark-based Texel breeders, Philip and Helen Weaver of the Empire flock enjoyed the best trade of the day, selling three of the top four highest priced rams including the sale leader at 30,000gns.
Their best, Empire Gladiator which was pre-sale champion, is a shearling son of Caron Express out of a ewe by Canllefaes Big Boy. He sold jointly to the Ingram family, Logie Durno, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, with a share taken by Michael James of the Duhonw flock, Builth Wells.
The Weavers also took 9000gns and 8000gns for Texel shearlings. Dearest was Empire God Father, a Strathbogie Eagle Eye son out of a dam by Hornacott Commander which also sold in a two-way split to Peter and James Vaughan, Kings Park, Leominster, and Esmor Evans of the Maerdy flock, Mold.
Selling at 8000gns was Empire Greatest Showman, a Whitehart Eye Catcher son, bred from a Canllefaes Big Boy-sired day. He was the pick of Christopher Cornthwaite, Stumpscross, Clitheroe.
Second top price was 24,000gns paid for Caereinion Goliath from Cefin Pryce and family, Welshpool. Sired by Clun Enhancer and out of a dam by Caereinion Celtic Star, he stood second in his class to pre-sale champion and was knocked down to Andrew Reed for the family’s Scolton flock, Pembrokeshire.
Bluefaced Leicesters peaked at 20,000gns for the pre-sale champion from Alan McClymont and sons Sam and Oli, Kirkstead, Yarrow. Their lamb, purchased by David Jones, the Ddole, Llanbadarn Fynydd, is sired by a £2200 Blythbank bought at Carlisle last October from Kitty Campbell and out of a gimmer by a 4000gns Blacket House. Kirkstead shearlings were topped at 2400gns and averaged £1830 for five.
Next best amongst the Blues at 6800gns was a Hope lamb from DW and SL Harries, Llandeilo, Dyfed. Their No 3 lamb, by a Woodcroft R5 is out of a home-bred ewe by North Burndale F3.
Leading the Suffolk trade at 4200gns was a shearling from Worcestershire-based Nicki Hartwright purchased by LE Lloyd and Sons, Sarnsfield, Herefordshire. Suffolk ram lambs peaked at 1900gns from Glyn Lewis, Pontardawe.
Tom Cockburn, Kingside, Leadburn, topped the North Country Cheviots with a shearling ram selling for 2000gns to A Jones, Llangollen.
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