The annual show and sale of Mule and Continental Breeding Ewes and Gimmer Shearlings was met with a buoyant trade and a busy ringside with plenty of atmosphere. Our thanks go to our pre-sale judge Mr Martin Winn, who presented with a strong line up of sheep to cast his eye over. The championship rosette was awarded to the first pen Mule gimmer shearlings from P & M Crackles, Burrow who have never missed consigning Mule gimmer shearlings for over 50 years. with the reserve champion being awarded to the 1st prize Continentals from JK & BE Townley, Caton Green.

There was plenty of buyers present looking to secure good quality commercial sheep, with buyers keenest for well-grown shearlings that have lambed. This has been helped this year by plenty of grass and the cull trade remaining strong throughout the year. The sheep presented at the sale today are a credit to the vendors for all their hard work and dedication.

The sale commenced with the breeding ewes which were met with plenty of demand. The ewes topped at £118 for 2 crop Mules from TA & JA Dixon, Selside with other Mule ewes selling to £115 from Messrs Altham, Kirkby Lonsdale and N Barker, Burton-in-Kendal. There was plenty of strong Mule ewes selling around the £110 mark.

All breeding ewes forward averaged £102 which is up on the previous year.

There as a good run of Mule gimmer shearlings this year, having wintered and summered well with there being plenty of grass about. This led to top prices of £160 and £158 from JS & KM Wilson & Son, Helsington, £155 and £150 SM Taylor, Tatham, £155 and £148, twice, from P & M Crackles, Burrow with other Mules selling to £152 from N Barker and E Parker, Crag Bank. Plenty of pens of Mule shearlings selling easily in the one forties.

Cheviot Mule Gimmer Shearlings were met with strong demand selling to £145, twice, from JS & KM Wilson & Son with others selling to £142 from P Whitton & Son, Burneside. Texel shearlings sold to a top of £135 from JK & BE Townley with two further pens achieving £135 from AG Butler, Hambleton.

All gimmer shearlings forward today averaged £130 up on the previous year.