Scottish Beltex breeders enjoyed a successful day of sales at Carlisle with averages up for both ram lambs and shearlings.
Leading the charge to take home the top price of 27,000gn, and also set a new breed record for a ram lamb, was February-born Kingledores Crusader.
This embryo transfer son of Glantre Armani, out of Kingledores Pearl, was put forward by Biggar-based breeder Richard Wood.
He stood reserve male champion at the Highland Show in June, and sold to W. and A. McCrabbe, Ardstewart, Co Donegal, Ireland.
The next best price, and the top price for a shearling ram, was 16,000gn for an entry from Aberdeenshire breeder Stuart Wood of Woolhillock Croft, Skene, Westhill.
This was April-2016 born Woodies Baldy – an embryo transfer son of the 4,000gn Airyolland Weapon, and out of Van’t Rozeanaken.
He sold in a two-way split to A. Neachell and Son, Shrubbery Farm, Walsall, and G. Cropper, Hud Hey Farm, Lancashire.
Mr Wood said it was the best price he had ever achieved.
“Every section had an increase in price on the year and more numbers sold. It was very busy with a lot of commercial people switching from Suffolks or Texels to Beltex,” said Mr Wood.
He also achieved 10,000gn for another Airyolland Weapon son – March-2016 born Woodies Big Yin – which sold in a three-way split to J.A. McGarva, Horseclose Farm, Annan, K. and R. Buckle, Buckles Farm, Kirkby Stephen, and the McQuistins at Airyolland, Newton Stewart.
Other leading prices included 13,000gn for North Yorkshire Show breed champion Langlands Bruiser from J. and S. Wilkinson, Langlands Farm, Richmond. This March-2016 born sire is a son of Smart Ass Alfie and out of Beautry Trudy.
He sold in a five-way split to: R. and K. Williams, Upper Tullochbeg Farm, Huntly; C.G. Mair and Partners, Muirfield, Turriff; A. and V. Coplan, Overhouse, Orkney; R.W. Flaws, Nisthouse, Orkney, and J. Young, Muirton Farm, Craigievar, Alford.
Meanwhile, an entry from the purchaser of the top priced entry – the McCrabbe family’s Ardstewart flock – sold for 12,000gn.
February-2016 born Ardstewart Barclay, which is an embryo transfer son of Woodies Aero, out of Ardstewart Tough Diva, sold to N.M. Slater, Whitely Hey Farm, Macclesfield, Cheshire.
The McCrabbes also achieved the top price for a female when the pre-sale show champion – February-2016 born gimmer Ardstewart Ballerina, also by Woodies Aero, sold for 5,000gn to D. and L.E. Gregory, Lower Hornacott Farm, Cornwall.
In total, 691 shearling rams sold to average £1,225.92 (up 74p on the year) and 198 ram lambs sold to average £1,463.13 (up £234.91 on the year).
