The much-anticipated show and sale of breeding sheep saw buyers from the local counties attracted by the quality catalogue, all keen to secure additional and replacement breeding stock.
Judging this year was in the capable hands of William Garnett, Milnthorpe who found his show champion in the North of England Mule shearling class, this eye catching pen of ten were presented by M&YS Barker, Halton which later sold for £310. The reserve rosette was awarded to first rime vendor G Hamlet, Chipping who presented a strong pen of Cheviot Mule shearlings which achieved a final bid of £330. A buoyant trade was experienced throughout the sale with all vendors leaving well suited with prices achieved.
10 Mule Shearlings
1st M&YS Barker, Halton Park Farm- £310
2nd N Barker, Dalton Old Hall- £270
3rd P & M Crackles, Mill Farm- £255
10 Any Other Breed Shearlings
1st G Hamlett, Little Daub Hall- £330
2nd M&YS Barker, Halton Park Farm- £255
Champion – M&YS Barker, Halton Park Farm- £310
Reserve – G Hamlett, Little Daub Hall- £330
The sale commenced with flock ewes which saw buyers keen to secure proven stock. A ring full of eye catching one crop Texel cross Charollais ewes from S Rossall, Over Wyresdale sold to £280, with other Texel cross two crop ewes £250 from KA Purtill, Wigan. Other continental ewes were generally £220 to £240, with flock aged Mules to £210 from A Brown, Littledale.
Shearlings sold to £330 for the first prize Cheviot Mules from G Hamlett, Chipping who saw this nice run of sheep also achieve £305 and £295. A fabulous show of North of England Mules were forward this morning and trade did not disappoint, selling to £310 for the show champions from M&YS Barker, Halton. Other quality runs of Mules saw the annual consignment from N Barker, Burton sell to £270. JR Gorst, Dolphinholme sold to £260, with the well followed run from P&M Crackles also selling to £260. Scoth Mules old to £240 from N Brown, Littledale. Whilst continental shearlings were keenly bid for, selling to £280 for a pen from S Rossall, Over Wyredale with JA Chapman, Kendal next at £270. The overall shearling average was £237.40.
“Lancaster Lads fly away to £1350, for this year’s pre-sale show champion.”
Thanks go to this year’s judge William Garnett, Milnthorpe for his time and expertise and also to our days sponsor W.E Jameson.
Native Shearling Ram
1st RA & L Hodgson, Patton Hall (Suffolk)
2nd Calderside Farm, Oakenclough (Suffolk) £480
Continental Shearling Ram
1st S & G Mellor, Windicott Farm (Texel)- £1350
2nd JW Sanderson, Low Highfield Farm (Texel)- £900
3rd CJ Metcalfe, Yarlsber Farm (Texel x)- £800
Champion: S & G Mellor, Windicott Farm (Texel)- £1350
Reserve Champion: JW Sanderson, Low Highfield Farm (Texel)- £900
The sale topped at £1350 for the show champion consigned by S&G Mellor, Stoke on Trent, this being purchased by local sheep enthusiast John Bargh. The well followed run of Texels from Harry Carter, Ellel saw a fierce bidding from returning customers, ensuring a good trade selling to £1020 and £1000 x2. Other notable prices saw RF Towers sell Beltex cross to £980, John Bargh sell Texels to £920 and the pen of Texels from James Sanderson reached £900.