North West Auctions held its annual show and sale of pedigree Beltex rams and females on behalf of the Beltex Sheep Society on Monday 16th September at J36 Rural Auction Centre where there was a catalogue entry of 40 forward. Thanks go to the pre-sale judge Mr Alasdair Prickett for giving up his time and expertise, who awarded the Supreme Champion Rosette to Lot 36, Sovereign Dianna a Gimmer Shearling sired by Dean Brow Carlos from Rebecca Braithwaite of Bentham. This went on to sell for the evening top price of 1600gns, purchased by the judge. The Reserve Supreme Champion rosette was awarded to the first-place shearling ram, Lot 2 Benndale Dizzy Rascal sired by Benndale Commander which was consigned by E Benn, Barnard Castle that went onto sell for 650gns. Also achieving this price was from M & E Jennings, Selside with their shearling ram, Hallcrake Dick Dastardly.

A cracking pen of Gimmer Shearlings from Messrs Hewson, Carlisle saw Vallum Dream Girl sell to 500gns and Vallum Don’t Miss Out, sell to 480gns. The ram lambs topped at 300gns from E Benn with lot 14 Benndale Emoji.

The ‘Boys are Back in Town’ sale of terminal sire breeding rams was met by a good crowd of people. Strong and good conformation shearling tups sold to plenty of demand with a very selective trade seen for ram lambs. Paul Slater of the Whiteley Hey flock topped the market at £750 twice with Beltex x rams. The consignment of tups from T Craddock & Son, Clitheroe sold to £620 and £580 with JW & J Collin, Barnard Castle selling to a top of £620 with their Texel ram. Josh Capstick of Ingleton sold Texel Shearling ram to £580. There were plenty more Continental Shearling rams selling around the £500 mark. Suffolks sold to a top of £400 from JH Towers & Son, Tunstall. The ram lamb section saw Texels sell to £380 and £350 from E & CA Shuttleworth, Ulverston with Charollais selling to £380 from IM Jaeban, Cockermouth with Texels from the same home selling to £350.

The female section saw pedigree Texels sell to £350 and £320, twice, from Messrs Hewson of Carlisle. Aged Beltex ewes sold to £240, twice from K Armistead, Ulverston.