Rough Fell

North West Auctions is proud to continue its loyal support of the Rough Fell Sheep Breeders Association with the largest entry to date. The judging was in the capable hands of Mr Stephen Dickinson. We take this opportunity to thank him for his time and expertise. A wonderful line up of sheep was put before him which we congratulate our vendors for the quality of sheep put before him. After much time and deliberation, he awarded the Champion rosette to the 1st prize Gimmer Shearling from TLB&J Knowles, High Borrowbridge with the Reserve Champion going to the 2nd prize Gimmer Shearling from JA Law, Marsh House Farm.

The Rough Diamonds shone bright today, with a new market record set for an In Lamb Rough Fell which sold for 3000gns for the champion. This much admired gimmer shearling was sired by Brownber Dambuster and in lamb to Birkhaw Emerald. The judge backed his judgement and went on to purchase the champion. The next top price was lot 24 for a Gimmer Shearling from MP&A Capstick which is sired by Catholes Action and in lamb to Longgills Fashion which sold to 1000gns. The Reserve Champion is lot 20 from JA Law which is sired by Brownber Dude and In Lamb to Longgils Chief which sold to 600gns. There was a wonderful buzz around the ring, seeing all Rough Fell In Lamb Shearling and Geld Gimmer Hoggs sell to a wonderful trade right throughout the sale.
KO Stones, Richmond sold a trio of Cheviot gimmer shearling selling to 550gns twice and 500gns.

Swaledale

The Diamond Delights show and sale of Swaledale stars saw the largest entry to date as this sale continues to grow in popularity. The sale was held on behalf of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association saw the pre sale judging in the capable hands of John Walker, Dunsop Bridge who we thank for his time and expertise. He awarded his champion rosette to the first prize gimmer shearling from Robbie Hallam, which was sired by the Ghyll House and scanned in lamb with a single to the Hundith. The reserve champion rosette was awarded to the first prize Swaledale ewe from PE&KA Sowerby, Kirkby Stephen which was sired by the Bull & Cave and scanned in lamb with twins to the Acton tup which went on to sell for the top price Swaledale of the day achieving £1200. Other leading prices for Swaledales saw £1100 from A&M Skidmore, Tebay for a gimmer shearling sired by High Birkwith Endeavour 1st scanned in lamb with a single.

Blue Faced Leicester

North West Auctions Diamond Delights sale of Blue Faced Leicesters boasted a strong entry once again with vendors traveling from far and wide to attend the sale. The pre sale show was in the capable hands of Lewis and Ridley Browell, Quarry House who we thank for their time and expertise. A wonderful entry of 26 gimmer hoggs were forward for the class oozing with quality and saw the first prize rosette awarded to J Bell with Cottage R021 which went on to win the overall Championship rosette selling for 4200gns to James Taylor of the Lunesdale flock. The reserve champion was awarded to RD Archer & Son of the Carry House flock with Carry House R055, This much admired powerful hogg when on to sell for 3000gns to WC Porter & Son of the Riddings flock. The first prize aged ewe was awarded to W&A Booth of the Smearsett flock with Smearsett N046, This powerful ewe scanned in lamb with twins to Harkerside N001 went on to sell for 1800gns to S&T Fawcett, Skipton. Winning the gimmer shearling class was PL&J Dawson of the Kentmere Hall flock with Kentmere Hall P024, scanned in lamb with triplets to Carry House R010 which went on to sell for 1200gns.
Other leading prices in the Blue Faced Leicester section saw the leading hogg from W&A Booth, Smearsett sell Smearsett R029 for 3000gns to F Robertson, The Beeches. This was followed by 2700gns for Micklemoss R012 consigned by Messers Hodgson, High Borrans purchased by TA&J Dixon, Selside. A consignment from WM Reed & Sons created plenty of interest selling West Biggin R025 to 2500gns purchased by J Bell of the Cottage flock, followed by 2200gns for West Biggin R032 purchased by C Stephenson. Twice selling to 2000gns were gimmer hoggs from N Marston of the Highberries flock with Highberries R049 and R050 purchased by Burrow & Rutter. The pen leader from W&D Lawson of the Gragareth flock sold to 2000gns purchased by RW&KH Emmett of Wythop Hall flock with Gragareth R030. Also achieving 2000gns was A Brown of Macqueston flock with R042 which went on to sell to R Loughridge. Plenty more hoggs sold between 1500 and 2000gns.
A couple of consignments of embryos forward peaked at 2000gns for a ewe carrying a pair from S Allen & Sons, Appleby with a pair of embryos sired by Riddings K001 and out of one of the best breeding ewes Greenhow M040. Other embryos sold to 1500gns from N Marston of the Highberries flock, the embryos were sired by Highberries Golden Boy and out of Smearcett K029 who is the full sister to the £24000 Smearcett K001.
All Blue Faced Leicester gimmer hoggs forward sold to £1228, in lamb gimmer shearlings averaged £828 and in lamb ewes averaged £937.

Individual Breeding Sheep

A full ringside of buyers were present attracted by the wide variety on offer. Individuals sold to £1600 for a Dutch Shopped shearling scanned carrying twins from D Dixon, Grayrigg who sold others with singles at £1200. Charollais shearlings carrying Beltex twins from R Towers, Ingleton achieved £750. Suffolk ewes from G&K Richmond, Inglewhite sold to £420. Texel shearlings from PK&R Woof, Stainton sold to £420 with others at £400 from H&B Wharton, Tebay. Zwartbles sold to £500 from S Wareing, Catterall.

Commercial Sheep
The first sale of in lamb sheep season saw a competitive trade with buyers looking to purchase replacement stock. Mule shearlings sold to £180 from N Brown, Littledale with others from A Brown, Littledale also achieving £180. One crop Mule ewes from AK Robinson, Clapham also sold to £180. Texel x flock ewes from J Wilson, Millom sold to £170 who sold others at £160. Stronger sheep were generally £145-£165. Hill sheep sold to £105 for Swaledales from S Bosworth, Burnley. Others sold at £100 from O Hodgson, Old Hutton. Herdwicks in lamb to the BFL sold to £80 with Welsh ewes to £75 and Shetlands to £65.