Worcester Southdowns sell to 550gns

The Southdown Sheep Society's second annual sale at Worcester saw a steady trade with females in strong demand, while tups were harder to place.

But, despite this, it was the male champion from the pre-sale show which led the day's trade at 550gns. This one was a January-born ram lamb from the Glaves family's Brompton flock, Scarborough. By Chaileybrook 07/0019, sire of this year's Royal Show reserve male champion and sale topper at the breed's Maidstone fixture, Brompton 09/0026 is out of a homebred ewe. With a muscle depth scanned at 37mm at 21 weeks, this one headed back to Kent to join the Chaileybrook flock of his sire.

Next best call was a 275gns bid for the day's female and overall champion from Stephen and Paul Humphrey's East Dean flock. This shearling ewe, by East Dean A136 and out of East Dean A1 sold to Martin Smale, Tavistock.

Then at 230gns was another shearling ewe, this time from Bob Backshall's Caesars flock. She is by Caesars 04/001 and out of Caesars 04/0012 and sold with a second prize ticket from the show to Messrs Glaves.

Selling for 220gns was the best shearling ewe of the day from Howard Wood's Prescoed flock. This one, by Southern Cross 06/0010 and out of Prescoed 06/009 sold to Drew Coulter, Lanark.

Best among the shearling rams on offer was a 240gns call for Brompton 08/0040 from Messrs Glaves. This one is a son of Brompton 04/0003 and out of Brompton 04/0046. He sold to Mr Westwood.

Another of Mr Backshall's strong pen then made 200gns. This one, also by Caesars 04/001 and out of Caesars 03/0039 sold to local buyers Messrs Burroughs. (McCartneys).