Young Alex Playfair (17), Kaimknowe, Stichhill, Kelso, has enjoyed a bumper year with his Shetland sheep, and last week he branched out into buying Border Leicesters at the breed sale at Lanark, to bolster his new flock.
His parents Patrick and Denise Playfair set up a black Shetland flock for him three years ago which has gone from strength to strength to win several coloured championships at the Royal Highland Show, and numerous other show honours.
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Last autumn, Alex started to take more of an interest in other rare breeds. Hence, the flock has expanded to include Norfolk Horns one of which, a gimmer landed the supreme championship at Scottish Smallholders Festival in October 2023.
In January, he bought his first Border Leicester females at a sale at Carlisle, and at Lanark, Alex, who works for Bruce Renwick at Legars, purchased the top priced Border Leicester tup lamb at £3200 from the Tennant's Westforth flock and the equal top priced ewe lamb at £1000 from Neil Howie, Lyham.
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