A new centre record for Texels was set at the annual show and sale of rams and ram lambs at Thainstone.
Auctioneers Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM) set a new record for the highest-priced Texel sold at its base in the north-east when a lot from Jim Innes’s Strathbogie flock went through the ring.
Mr Innes, who hails from Dunscroft, Huntly, achieved the top price of the day of 5,000gn for a home-bred ram lamb named Strathbogie Yes Big Boy.
By Millar’s Windbrook, this one is out of a home-bred dam which is a full sister to Strathbogie Terminator, which Mr Innes sold a half share in for 30,000gn. He sold to Robbie Wilson, who runs the Milnbank flock at North Dorlaithers Farm, Turriff.
Mr Innes also achieved three of the six other four-figure bids selling shearlings for 1,150gn, 1,100gn and 1,000gn.
Another lot to achieve a four-figure sum selling for 1,000gn was the pre-sale show champion from Jemma Green, of Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers.
Miss Green’s home-bred shearling, Corskie Wise Guy, by Aman Vyrnwy and out of a Strathbogie ewe, sold to Blair Castle, Balanloan Home Farm, Atholl Estate, Blair Atholl. The reserve champion – a shearling from Michael Mennie of Westside, Forglen, Turriff – sold for 900gn to P. Jamieson, Midhouse, Tagon, Voe, Shetland.
The other four-figure sales were 1,200gn for a ram lamb from Angus Mackay Sutherland’s Carran flock selling to W. and M. Miller, Aimster, Thurso, Caithness, and 1,000gn for a ram lamb from Albert Howie’s Knock flock selling to J. and R. Stanger, South Seatter, Sandwick, Stromness, Orkney.
Meanwhile, Beltex rams sold to a top of 1,300gn.
Leading the sale for the breed was the pre-sale show champion from Stuart Wood, of Woolhillock Croft, Skene, Westhill.
Mr Wood’s home-bred shearling, Woodies Ace of Hearts, is by imported ram 9464, which is a son of Hercules, and out of imported dam 111 which Mr Wood describes as “one of the best ewes in the flock”. He sold to S. McCormack, Wester Deans Farm, Lamancha, West Linton.
Mr Wood also achieved the second best price of 800gn when another home-bred shearling sold to M. Langton, Derby.
The reserve champion – a shearling from Colin G. Mair and Partners of Muirfield, Cuminestown, Turriff – sold for 500gn to W. J. Fraser and Son, Auchnarrow Farm, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch.
ANM sheep sales manager Colin Slessor said: “Suffolk shearling and ram lambs met a sound trade throughout the day. Texel shearlings also met a very strong demand and Texel ram lams were selective, but created a new centre record for the breed.”
SHOW CHAMPIONS
Beltex: Stuart Wood, of Woolhillock Croft, Skene, Westhill, with a home-bred shearling called Woodies Ace of Hearts. He is by imported ram 9464, which is a son of Hercules, and out of imported dam 111 which Mr Wood describes as “one of the best ewes in the flock”. Reserve – Colin G. Mair and Partners, Muirfield, Cuminestown, Turriff, with a shearling by the 6,000gn Corstane Whistler and out of a dam by Ballydown Magnus.
Bluefaced Leicester: Matthew Seed and Son, of Home Farm of Auchry, Cuminestown, Turriff, with a home-bred ram lamb by the 1,800gn Craigyrorsedd G2. He was male champion at Turriff and reserve male champion at the Black Isle shows. Reserve – William G. Low, of West Mains, Nethermuir, Maud, with a ram lamb by Aucharnie Impulse.
Border Leicester: Keith Hourston, of Skelbister, Orphir, Stromness, Orkney, with a shearling by Ditton Grand Prix and out of a dam by Clola Glint. Reserve – Jimmy Douglas, of Woodhead of Cairness, Fraserburgh, with a March-born ram lamb by Clola Sparkle and out of a Lammermuir King daughter.
Charollais: Eilidh and Erin Duncan, of Braemuir, Auchnagatt, Ellon, with a shearling by Dalby Mount Aloe and out of a dam by CWM Dunrig Edward. Reserve – Eilidh and Erin Duncan with a December-2015 born ram lamb by Logie Durno Outlander and out of a dam by Maryholm Loch Lomond.
Suffolk: George and Melvin Stuart, of Milltown of Birness, Ellon, with a home-bred January-born ram lamb by the 7,000gn Ballynacanon Commander and out of a dam by Rhaeadr Flash Harry. Commander has sold sons to 20,000gn and his first seven sons sold to average 4,500gn. Reserve – Judith Lorimer, of Cadgerford, Kingswells, with a home-bred January-born ram lamb by the 800gn Lakeview Laidlaw and out of a dam by Strathisla Fencer.
Texel: Jemma Green, of Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers, with home-bred shearling Corskie Wise Guy, by Aman Vyrnwy and out of a Strathbogie ewe. He was Texel champion and part of the overall interbreed group of three at Grantown Show last month. Reserve – Michael Mennie, Westside, Forglen, Turriff, with a home-bred shearling by Deveronvale Van Helsing and out of a dam by Kelso Samson.
AVERAGES
Suffolk – 28 shearling rams £459.75 (+£60.75), 212 ram lambs £378.59 (-£0.05); Charollais – 11 shearling rams £425.72 (+£61.02), 23 ram lambs £401.30 (+£65.30); Border Leicester – eight shearling rams £265.12 (+£20.12), 18 ram lambs £196 (-£72.58); Beltex – 24 shearling rams £402.50 (-£98.38), seven ram lambs £193.97 (-£369.47); Bluefaced Leicester – four shearling rams £409.50 (+£53.60), four ram lambs £420 (n/a); Texel – 94 shearling rams £544.48 (+£50.44), 142 ram lambs £400.54 (-£45.75).