The sheep championships happen tomorrow at Smithfield, but some of the individual sheep classes have been going on at the same time as the beef today.

 

In the trimmed sheep section, for pairs of lambs born in 2011, the Beltex class was won by R J Slade with his homebred Beltex x Dutchel Texels. In second was Andrew Morton's pure bred Beltex and third another pure bred, this time from Mr A D Bishop.

 

The Blackface class, had two entries forward - both pure bred and from G and A McFadzean.

 

The Charollais section was won by M J and J A Pinny with their Charollais x. In second was J and C Maxwell and their pure bred pair.

 

The Hampshire Downs saw Jonathan Long taking the top spot with his Hampshire Down x Beltex cross and Messrs E J and P J Cresswell taking second with a pure bred pair.

 

In the Southdowns class, Messrs Harmer and Wakeham-Dawson had success with their pure bred. In second it was R O Cox, again with a pure bred. The third spot was taken by Jonathan Long with a homebred Southdown x Beltex cross.

 

Messrs Malcolm M Stewart came first in the Suffolks class with their Suffolk x Beltex and in second it was M J and J A Pinny with their Suffolk x. Third was W A and A J Windsor with a pair of Suffolk x Texel.

 

In the Texels class, Mr A D Bishop went away with the top spot with his pure bred pair. In second was D S and L E Wadland with their Texel x Texel cross and third, R J Slade with a homebred pure bred pair.

 

Eifion Hughes came first in the any other native breed longwool with his Border Leicester x Welsh Mountains. In second and third was two pure bred Romney entries from Horne and Son.

 

Any other native breed shortwool had David and Susan Eglin in first with their pure bred Polled Dorsets.

 

The any other native hill breed class had John R Taylor in first with his North bred North Country Cheviots. In second was another from Eifion Hughes, this time a pair of pure bred Cheviots. In third was a pair of pure bred Exmoor Horns from Richmond J Harding.

 

D S and L E Wadland won the any other continental breed class with their Blue Texel x Texel cross and R J Slade cam second with their pure Blue Texel. In third was Ivanhoe Livestock's Blue Texels.

Welshpool Charollais

 

By Jeremy Hunt

 

Pedigree Charollais in-lamb females met a solid trade at Buttington Cross, Welshpool achieving 90% clearance and a new Charollais female record price for this venue.  The sale included 95 Charollais females and saw leading flock owner Percy Tait collect the championship and realise the top call of 2000gns for a yearling ewe claimed by J and J Corbett, Highleadon, Gloucestershire. Mr Tait sold also took the reserve championship with a ewe that later sold for 1350gns. Ewe lambs reached 700gns for an entry from Mr and Mrs J Davies, Old Hall Manafon and bought by breed stalwart Lionel Organ for his flock at Llandovery.

 

Averages: 52 yearlings £477; five two-year-olds £325 and 25 ewe lambs £355. (Welshpool Livestock Sales)

 

ends

 

 

 

A catalogued sale of 86 Pedigree Charollais Females on behalf of the Midland area Charollais Sheep Society attracted keen interest from both pedigree and commercial buyers alike. 

 

The judge for the day was Cyril Dougherty from Malton who had some very strong line-ups to pick from especially in the ewe lamb class.  This class was won by H S Ashley from Boston with a home bred twin born lamb which went on to win the Champion of the day and sell for 1,400 gns with others from the same farm selling to 820gns and 650 gns.

 

In addition to the Pedigree Sale a small sale of accredited rams followed with a wide variety of breeds on offer.

Charollais Ram Lambs sold to £360

Charollais Shearling Rams sold to £320

Texel Shearling Rams sold to £280

Beltex Shearling Rams sold to £190

Dorset Ram Lambs sold to £150

 

Averages  Ewe lambs to 410 gns Average £410; Shearling Ewes to 680 gns Average £418; Ewe lambs to 1400 gns Average £378

 

 

(Auctioneer - Peter Oven)

 

Kenton Foster's Leyburn-based Garriston flock took the top showing honours and prices at the annual show and sale of pedigree Charollais females at Skipton Auction Mart.

 

With a call of 1,380gns, Mr Foster's second prize ewe lamb, a well-bred daughter of Coventry Judge joined local buyer Michael Hall, of Airton.

 

His ewe lamb, which was earlier chosen as the first prize ewe lamb by judge Alan Kennedy, of Parkgate, Dumfries then sold for 1,050gns.

 

 

This one is by home-bred sire Garriston Kosher, reserve male champion at the 2010 Great Yorkshire Show, who is himself a son of the noted Ballynoe House Issac. He was purchased by Ibrahim Jaeban, of Forth House Farm, Cockermouth, Cumbria.

 

 Ballynoe House Issac was also responsible for the reserve champion, the first prize shearling ewe from Charles and Valerie Marwood at Whenby, York, whose Foulrice flock, established for 30 years and currently with 500 pedigree ewes, annually consigns quality shearlings, the product of many years of selective breeding, to the Skipton fixture.

 

The runner-up also sold to Mr Jaeban at 950gns, one of a total of ten in-lamb females acquired at Skipton by the Cumbrian buyer at the outset of his quest to establish a pedigree Charollais flock.

 

He also paid 750gns for the Marwoods' third prize shearling ewe, by Edstaston Head Master. The dams of both these prizewinners were by the Foulrice senior stock sire, Ash Charolais Filibuster, who is renowned nationally and still working well at six-and-a-half years old.

 

In addition, Mr Jaeban bought the second prize ewe at 400gns from Robert Towers, of Camp House Farm, Farleton, Lancaster, at 400gns.

 

 

Averages: Ewe lambs averaged £495.08, shearling ewes £437.18 and aged ewes £387.75. (CCM Auctions)

 

 

Saturday's sale of Charollais females from the Logie Durno and Tilton flocks of the Ingram family and Alan Thomas, respectively, saw the Logie Durno offering take the pick of the trade, topping at 5200gns for a shearling ewe.

The sale leader was an ET bred sister to last year's Royal Welsh breed champion Logie Durno Jackpot and was knocked down to Angus Howie for the Millhouse flock and was carrying twins to Southam High and Mighty.

Next best at 4200gns was a shearling out of Southam Ice Maiden and by Logie Durno Jackpot. Again ET bred she is full sister to a shearling which had been shown this year and was taken by Aberdeenshire buyer Jim Innes, buying foundation stock for a new flock.

Following that at 4000gns was a Crogham Hannibal II daughter carrying triplets to Edstaston Jigsaw. She sold in a two way split to Tim Prichard and Justin Evans for the Castellau and Sant Andras flocks, respectively.

At 3500gns was a full ET sister to the 4200gns shearling, with this one sold to Mr Howie. And making 3400gns was one of a number sold to breeders across the Irish Sea. Leading the consignment heading for the ferry was a Logie Durno Jackpot daughter out of a Rutland Ensign sired ewe which sold carrying twins to Arjane Klansman. She was knocked down to David and Liz Mawhinney, Newtonards.

A 2700gns bid was enough to secure a Crogham Hannibal II sired shearling carrying twins to Logie Durno Jackpot. She sold to H and M Evans, Anglesey.

And following that one across Offahs Dyke was another Hannibal II daughter at 2400gns. This one, a full sister to this year's Worcester Premier Sale champion, Logie Durno Lincoln, went to Edward Morgan, Carmarthenshire.

Averages; 11 Logie Durno ewes £487.77, 124 Logie Durno shearling ewes £1032.20, 14 Tilton ewes £575.25, 24 Tilton ewes £523.68 (Halls with McCartneys).

Heading the prices at Saturday's Saucy Sale of Charollais females was a brace of 2100gns bids for in-lamb shearlings.The first to make this money was one from the Edstaston flock of Robert Gregory, Shropshire, with the other coming from the Geldard Family's Wraycastle Flock, Cumbria.  

The Edstaston ewe was an Arjane Jumanji daughter carrying twins which sold to David Roberts, Kenley, Shrewsbury.  

Meanwhile, the Wraycastle ewe was sired by the record breaking Banwy Immense and was the choice of Justin Evans, St Andrews Major, Glamorganshire, for his Sant Andras flock.  

At 2000gns was the best of the day from Adrian Davies. This was an ET born ewe sired by Edstaston Juno out of his top grossing ewe by Southam Aztec.  She sold to Mr Corbett, Gloucestershire. Another sister from the same flush attracted a bid of 1900 gns from Northern Irish breeder Mr Keys for his Tullybroom flock.

Drew Cowan, Northern Ireland, also achieved a top of 2000 gns for his Logie Durno Finnegan ewe, carrying twins to Knockychattaun Leprechaun.  Buyer of this Tullyear female was Edward Morgan, Carmarthenshire for the Nantybwla flock. 

Highest priced in-lamb ewe at 1800 gns came out of the Logie Durno pen from William and Carole Ingram, Aberdeenshire.  Logie Durno J-Lo is a full sister to the highly successful stock ram, Penrhos Ibanez and was carrying twins to Royal Welsh Champion 2010, Logie Durno Jackpot.  She went across the water to David and Liz Mawhinney's Rockvilla flock.

Top price ewe lamb was sold for 1250 gns which was a Drumsallagh Jaguar daughter from the Edstaston flock.  She joined the Edstaston shearling going to the Boyo flock of David Roberts.  

Averages; 14 senior ewes £710.25, 55 shearling ewes £775.27, 22 ewe lambs £454.36 (McCartneys).

Monday's NSA ram sale at Builth Wells saw a buoyant trade with buyers ready to pay good prices for good sheep saw a top price of 6800gns paid for a Bluefaced Leicester and a total of 152 more rams sold than last year, with the sale turnover rising by more than £92,000. Overall 4663 sheep sold to level at £490.96, a rise of £3.95 on 2010.

The 6800 guineas sale was achieved by Aled Jones of Meddiant Isa, Talycafn, Conwy Valley, for D1 Craig Yr Orsedd, a son of B1 Arkleby out of a dam by T29 Scrainwood.  He sold to Myrfyn Roberts, Myfyrian Isaf, Gaerwen, Anglesey. Mr Jones has chosen to retain a half share in the ram.He also had the top price yearling, which sold for 1700gns and the top priced female which sold for 580gns. "The ram lamb was the lamb of a lifetime from the start and was first in the Welsh progeny show in Welshpool in August."

Headline prices at the sale, Europe's biggest, hovered around the 5000gns mark, with 5500gns paid for a Lleyn shearling ram bred by Emrys and Dylan Jones, Lluest Wen, Commins Coch, Machynlleth, He sold to Christine Lewis of Caersws in partnership with Alun Bennett, Meifod. This one was by Bronallt Big Daddy and out of a dam by Balliney Action Man.Next best of the day was a 5000gns for a Texel Angela Nairey's Meainspriede flock, Heys Lane, Blackburn. This one sold to Russell and Gill Watkins of the Millend Flock, Craswell, Herefordshire.And at the same money was a Talybont Welsh Mountain bred by Rob and Llinos Jones, Lower Argoed, Llandeilo Grabham, Erwood. This sold to Rob Davies, Ty Canol, Talybont on Usk.At 3200gns was a Charollais ram lamb bred by Dewi Evans of Tyddyn y Ffrwd,Llangallo, Moelfre, Anglesey. This one was knocked down to Willie and Carole Ingram for their Logie Durno flock, Aberdeenshire.Ram sale chairman Gwynne Davies said that it had been a good sale with the best tups selling exceptionally well. "Both vendors and purchasers have gone home happy. People are willing to pay good money for quality sheep which in the long term will produce the best lambs.
 
Principle averages; 500 Bluefaced Leicester shearling rams £580.43, 103 Bluefaced Leicester ram lambs £531.93, 427 Suffolk shearling rams £541.25, 69 Berrichon Du Cher shearling rams £404.45, 23 Berrichon Du Cher ram lambs £472.73, 48 Beltex shearling rams £523.41, 179 Beltex cross shearlings £536.90, 744 Texel shearling rams £606.14, 300 Texel ram lambs £343.63, 217 Welsh Mountain shearling rams £482.32, 69 South Country Cheviot shearlings £332.65, 163 North Country Cheviot shearling rams £403.69, 162 Lleyn shearling rams £457.16, 298 Charollais shearling rams £614.60, 244 Charollais ram lambs £490.70.

Top call at last week's Charollais sale at Carlisle was an 800gns call for a ram lamb from James Clanachan's Maryholm flock.

This one is by Castellau Joules and out of a dam by Foulrice Falcon and sold to S G Benson, Pennington, Ulverston.

Then a pair sold at 750gns, with the first being the pre-sale champion, a shearling ram from John Geldard. This was a Gogwell Ice-Cream Man son out of a dam by Gogwell Humpty Dumpty. He was bought by Herbie Kennedy, Parkgate.

The other at this price was a tup lamb from I and E Spence's Benmore flock. Sired by Benmore Juan Sheet, he is out of a dam by Southam Erotic and was knocked down to D Garthwaite and Son, Kirtlebridge.

A pair of shearlings sold at 650gns, with the first being a Ballynoe House Isaac son from Charles Marwood. He sold to J Howatson, Newton Stewart. And the same buyer then took a Parkgate Jack son from John Geldard at the same money.

Averages; 14 shearling rams £560.25, 21 ram lambs £427.50 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Today's Early NSA ram sale at Builth Wells has seen a strong trade through most breeds, with the day's top call a 1500gns bid for a Texel shearling from  Paul and Anna Johnson, Staffordshire.

Their sale leader was Corriecrave Ringleader one of a batch of seven shearlings on offer in their first visit to the August sale.

Anna Johnson added: "We have always sold Border Leceisters at the main NSA Wales and Border sale and before that at the sale in Builth market. We have come here this time because it's the main sale for selling Texels."

The Johnsons have been selling Texels for 25 years and the ram achieved one of the best prices they have enjoyed. His sire was Cambwell Onich and he sold to S A and V L Morris who liked his back end and depth.

The top priced Suffolk was a ram lamb bred by regular vendor Roger Weaver and son Michael of Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire. He sold to Messrs Reynolds and Lawrence, Pembrokeshire, for 1200gns. A ram lamb  from John Pryce sold for 1100gns and another of the Weavers' ram lambs went at 1000gns.

In the Charollais on offer a pair sold at the day's top of 1050gns. The first was a shearling from Adrian Davies, Manordeilo, Llandeilo, which went to Claire Notley and John Rees, St Dogmaels, Cardigan, who liked his confirmation, tight skin and tight wool. The other 1050gns ram was sold by Gerald Burrough, Honiton, Devon.

The Charollais champion, a ram lamb from Wern Fawr flock of David and Paul Curran, Talgarth, Brecon, sold for 1000gns to Roy Morris, Knighton.

Other breeds saw increased top prices too and averages were generally well up on last year. A Berrichon ram sold for a top breed price of 420gns, up by 20gns on last year's trade, while top in the Hampshire Downs was 450gns, a rise of 80gns on 2010.

Best for the Poll Dorsets on offer was a 550gns bid, nearly double last year's best, while in the Beltex crosses the best was a 630gns sale.

Ram sale committee chairman Gwynne Davies said:"Everything has gone well, with a good buzz around the place and good sheep fetching good prices. There was a good crowd here and people were clearly looking for the quality tups that are available at these sales.

"There has been a good steady price across the board, as well as the headline prices. The industry is in good heart because the lambs are selling well and ewes are also fetching good prices. It looks very promising for the main sale here on 19 September."

Averages; 122 Charollais shearlings £625.31, 43 Charollais ram lambs £469.08, 136 Texel shearlings £560.15, four Texel older rams £585.38, six Texel shearling ewes £472.50, 21 Suffolk shearling rams £616.89, 31 Suffolk ram lambs £511.87, 11 Berrichon shearling rams £427.88, two Berrichon ram lambs £241.50, three Berrichon ewe lambs £227.50, eight Hampshire Down shearling rams £375.38, nine Poll Dorset shearling rams £369.83, 10 Beltex shearling rams £475.65, 18 Beltex cross rams £514.50.

In the Native upland interbreed championship, it was a Hill Radnor from the aptly named, Neil and Jean Radnor, The Marsh, Bucknell, that took home the title with a Welsh Mountain shearling ewe from Richard Wyn Lloyd, Cildaugoed, St Asaph, in reserve.

 

A Bluefaced Leicester ram was awarded the title of Native Lowland Champion. This was the first show outing for the one year old tup having been purchased at Carlisle last October for £400 by Elfyn Owen a'I Feibion, Ffrith Arw, Llanrwst. He was bred by Frank Johnson.

 

A homebred Ryeland ram from Mr and Mrs D and S Lewis, 3 Picton Close, Narbeth, secured the reserve spot. This one is by Ruslin Champion - a sire bred by the judge, Richard Wear.

 

In the Continental Championship, it was Charollais ewe, Elmwick Isobel taking the top spot. She is a Sarkley Grand Prix daughter and was put forward by Jennifer Curtis, Paddock View, Wickhamford.

 

This is the last outing for the ewe this season, having also secured the interbreed title at the Royal Bath and West Show earlier in the summer. She is one of 150 pedigree ewes owned by Ms Curtis, along with 50 commercials.

 

In reserve was a Rouge ewe from Percy Tait, Broughton Manor, Worcester, shown in the ring by Will Price.

 

However for his overall interbreed champion, Mr Wear went with his native pick, making it a first ever interbreed win for the Hill Radnor in the Royal Welsh's sheep ring.

 

 

 

This one won supreme interbreed champion at the Staffordshire Show and the breed championship win at the Royal Welsh takes his running total to 19 championship wins for the breed. He is the main stock ram to the Radnor's flock of 130 registered Hill Radnors.

 

Judge Richard Wear said: "This is a five year old, active ram that has obviously got a lot more years in his life. He is true to type with excellent conformation and walks exceptionally well for an older ram."

 

Having had a Charollais walk away with the title for four years since 2004, it was a good day for the native breeds. However, the continental breed still shined through, with Ms Curtis's ewe taking the reserve spot.

 

The Charollais breed has received top honours in the interbreed sheep pairs championship.

 

Making up the winning team was a homebred ram lamb from Tim Prichard, Castellau Fawr Farm, Llantrisant and a ewe from Charles Sercombe, Sandlands Farm, Melton Mowbray.

 

The ewe, Dalby Jessica comes from a long line of successes this season having been crowned interbreed sheep at the East of England, Newark and Nottingham and Lincolnshire Shows. She is out of Rutland Lightening and by Rockvilla Father Ted.

 

It was the ram lamb's first outing, but his dam had won female champion and reserve overall champion at the Royal welsh in 2003. He is already being used at home and has Ai'd 30 ewes.

 

 

In reserve were the Southdown pair made up of a homebred ram and ewe put forward by Wakeham-Dawson and Harmer, Mill Laine Farm, Lewes.

 

* The individual interbreed sheep championship is taking place about 4pm 

 

Fourcrosses Maximus Pineapple, a Jersey cow in milk bred and exhibited by ME & AW Wright of Tixall, Stafford, took the Dairy inter-breed Championship at last weekend's Newport Show, Shropshire amid stiff inter-county competition.

 

Praised by Lancashire-based judge James Tomlinson for its correctness and style, Pineapple comes from a herd of 200 Jerseys run by the Wright family which has enjoyed several show successes already this summer. Pineapple pipped local Holstein breeder Wilfred Maddocks' cow in milk Wyndford Mr Sam Margi 5 - that took several top national titles in 2010 and was on its first outing of 2011 - into Reserve.

In the Beef inter-breed Championship Christine Williams of Shifnal, Shropshire saw her Jan 2010-born home bred Limousin bull Wilodge Fastrac take its first overall inter-breed Championship of the 2011 show season under the scrutiny of judge Alistair Smith from Leicestershire.

 

Described as a tremendously powerful beast by Mr Smith, Fastrac made it a trio of titles from a trio of 2011 show outings having been acclaimed Breed Champion at Devon County Show and Overall Inter Breed Junior Championship at the East of England Show earlier this summer.

 Commercial Beef Champion title went to Gilbert Brooke's smart Belgian Blue cross heifer purchased at last winter's English Winter Fair, Stafford having subsequently taken the Commercial Beef title at the recent Staffs County Show. 

Sheep inter-breed Championship went to Robert Gregory's two-shear home-bred Charollais ewe Edstaston Jodie which accumulated most points from the multi-breed panel of judges. "Having only taken a fourth here last year this is tremendous," said a jubilant Mr Gregory who has 70 pedigree ewes selling surplus stock as replacements.

 

.

A top call of 10,800gns was the highlight of Saturday's Charollais Premier sale at Worcester, with a record entry allowing buyers to be discerning in their bidding.

Taking the day's top price and setting what I believe is a new centre record for the breed was a shearling ram from the Willie and Carol Ingram and family's Logie Durno flock, Aberdeenshire. This was Logie Durno Kracked-It, a Crogham Haniball II son out of a dam by Foulrice Gladiator, sire of last year's Worcester sale topper Logie Durno Judge and Jury. He carried an index of 375, placing him in the top 5% of the breed. He sold in a two way split to Tim Prichard and Justin Evans for the Castellau and St Andres flocks, respectively.

Next best at 6500gns was one from Dilwyn Davies, Highway Liberator. This ram lamb is an ET bred son of Penrhos Ibanez out of a Dalby Conorde-sired dam which was the top priced ewe at the Arjane dispersal. He is a full brother to Arjane Clansman, sold to Logie Durno at 7200gns. He was also shared, this time by Charles Sercome and David Mawhinney for the Dalby and Rockvilla flocks.Then making 6000gns was another identically bred sheep, this time from the Ingrams themselves. Again ET bred this ram lamb, Logie Durno Lord of the Ring, scanned a muscle of 42.8mm and has an index of 325, putting him in the top 25%. Buying him were Angus and Sue Howie, Dunning.A 5600gns bid then secured Kingsland Leading Light from Peter Vaughan. This ET bred lamb is by Logie Durno I'm Yer Man, interbreed champion at the Highland in 2009 and Great Yorkshire in 2010. He is out of a Southam Eros-sired dam and has an index of 279. He went to Herbie Kennedy, Dumfries.At 4800gns was Logie Durno Laird from the Ingram's. This son of 7200gns sire Arjane Klansman is out of a dam by Royal Welsh interbreed winner Rockvilla Golden Promise and has a massive index of 413, within the top 1% of the breed. He sold to N McMordie, Saintfield, Co Down.And following that at 4200gns was Foulrice Leon from Charles Marwood. Sired by Wernfawr Jim, this one is out of a dam by Foulrice Grenadier and has an index of 308 as well as being the best muscled lamb at Foulrice this year. This was shared by Arwel Owen and Aled Shenton.Just short of that money at 4000gns was Glyn Coch Knight from Adrian Davies. Sired by Glyn Coch Igniter, he is a February-born shearling out of a dam by Wray Castle Dai Hard. This was knocked down to J and P Jeffrey, Middleton, Co Cork.Also at this price was Loweyre Lucky Lad from Neil Oughton. This is a Mortimer Investment son out of a dam by Loweyre Great Guns and has an index of 384 and is a myomax carrier. He was sold to C H Rees, Llanwit Major, Glamorgan.And then selling for 3800gns was the reserve overall champion from the pre-sale show, Logie Durno Korker from the Ingrams. He is a shearling by Crogham Hannibal II and ET bred out of a dam by Rutland Ensign. A full brother to 4400gns Logie Durno Jack Daniels he has an index of 308 and his dam is a maternal sister to Highland and Great Yorkshire interbreed winner I'm Yer Man. He went to S D Tindall, Wetherby.
At the same price was Bachymbyd Kracker, a shearling from T H Roberts. This Inglis Director son is out of A Penrhos Drummer daughter and in a three way split to the Quick family, Mike and Melanie Alford and Geoff Probert.The pre-sale champion, Logie Durno Lincoln made 2400gns. This son of Crogham Hannibal II and out of a dam by Rutland Ensign and is full brother to the dam of 8200gns sire Logie Durnon Judge and Jury. He sold with an index of 326. This one headed across the water with E McCarthy, Buttevant, Co Cork.That's all I know about at the moment, I'll update the report with more prices and buyers details as soon as I have them....

Taking the sheep interbreed here at Royal Norfolk yesterday was a Charollais shearling ewe from Geoff Watson and Carol Grain. This one is Sullwood Kinky Kitten,  a daughter of homebred sire Sullwood Hawk, a Rutland Ensign grandson.This one is out of a homebred dam and was first in her class at Lincoln. She now heads on the Great Yorkshire. Interbreed judge Malcolm Stewart, Kelso, said she was an exceptionally correct ewe, well fleshed and right in her legs.

Standing reserve overall was the Suffolk champion, a ewe lamb from Liz Needham. She's a daughter of Strathisla Sea Eagle and out of a dam by Muiresk Merganser, Miss Needham's former show ewe. She was reserve champion at Rutland and champion at Lincoln.

It's been a hectic morning here at Ingliston with the sheep breed classes continuing apace and the dairy breed and interbreed being completed too.

In the Texel ring the champion was a one-crop ewe from Thomas McTaggart, with a ram lamb from Robert Laird in reserve.Then in the Hampshire Downs the winner was a shearling ewe from E, B and S A Jones, with a shearling tup from R and J McFarlane standing reserve.Swaledale champion was W Watson with a shearling tup and reserve to it was a shearling ewe from Arthur Slack.Taking the honours in the Bluefaced Leicster ring was a tup lamb from D L and S Currie and reserve was K Smith with a ewe lamb.At the top of the Charollais lines were Angus and Susan Howie with a ram lamb, while reserve was a shearling ewe from the same home.

The North of England Mule champion was a ewe lamb from Colin Dent and reserve was a hogg from R and F Wilson.

 

A ewe from the renowned flock of Dalby Charollais has taken home the supreme sheep interbreed title.

 

Dalby Jessica, put forward by Charles Sercombe, Sandlands farm, Melton Mowbray, is out of Rutland Lightening and by Rockvilla Father Ted. This was her second interbreed title this year, having secured the spot at Newark and Nottingham show. She also received breed champion at Rutland Show.

 

Jessica will now be heading to the Lincolnshire and Royal Welsh Shows.

 

 

Taking reserve was the native breed champion, Knowl Wiloby which also secured interbreed champion at last week's Suffolk Show. This homebred Oxford Down shearling ram is by Twinwood Hector and out of a homebred dam. He was shown by Harry Middleditch, Granary house, Sudbury and will be returning home to join the flock of 18 Oxford Downs and 25 Hampshires.

 

Mr Middleditch is undecided as to whether Wiloby will be retained in the flock or sold on. However he will be put forward at next month's breed sale.

 

Judge, Mr S Farmer said the champion had an outstanding carcass and had everything else right on the day.

Native breed interbreed

Mr Harry Middleditch's Oxford Down shearling ram; res, Mr R Chapman's Jacob older ram.

 

Continental breed interbreed

Mr Charles Sercombe's Charollais older ewe; res, Miss Sophie Long's Blue Texel shearling ewe

 

Charollais

Mr C R Sercombe's shearling ram; res Mr C R Sercombe's ewe

 

Hampshire Down

Mr T I Hunter's ram lamb; res, Mrs J A Atkinson's ewe lambs

 

Jacob

Mr R Chapman's ram; res, Mrs J and Mr A R Smith's ewe

 

Kerry Hill

Mrs S A Hill'shearling ewe; res, Mrs G M Ward's shearline ewe

 

Norfolk Horn

Croxton Park Partnership's shearling ewe; res, Mrs L Stephen's shearling ewe

 

Southdown

Lesley and Terry Mead's shearling ram; res, Lesley and Terry Mead's shearling ewe

 

Suffolk

M J and J A Pinny's ewe; res, Messrs G L Gent and Son's shearline ewe

 

Texel

Mr D Chambers' shearling ram; res, Mr R Kellet's shearling ewe

 

Any other continental

Miss Sophie Long's Blue Texel shearling ewe; res Mrs J Bury's Bleu Du Maine ram

 

Any other native or down

Mr H Middleditch's Oxford Down shearling ewe; res, Mr H Middleditch's Oxford Down shearling ewe

 

Beltex

Mr and Mrs R Sharp's aged ram; res, Mr and Mrs R Sharp's shearling ram.

 

Shropshire

Miss L Newman and Mr C Saffell's shearling ewe; res, Mr A L and Mrs M E Webb's older ram.

 

Longwool

Miss A Knights' Wensleydale shearling ram; Mrs S Holdich's Wensleydale shearling ewe.

 

Native Breed

Mr H Middleditch's Oxford Down shearling ram; res, Mr R Chapman's Jacob older ram.

 

Continental Breed

Mr C Sercombe's Charollais older ewe; res, Miss Sophie Long's Blue Texel shearling ewe.

 

Yesterday's Silver Anniversary sale from Charles and Helen Sercombe's Dalby flock of Charollais sheep offered breeders the chance to buy from the heart of one of the breed's leading flocks and it was one they made the most of.

A total of eight lots sold for 2000gns or more, with a new female record for the breed set at 7000gns for one of the best one lamb ewes on offer, PE9036. This daughter of the legendary Rockvilla Golden Promise is a granddaughter of the Sercombes' multi-award winning show ewe Champagne and combines the best of breeding with an index of 358. She was knocked down to the day's bulk buyers, Angus and Sue Howie, Dunning, Perthshire.

Next best at 6600gns was a two lamb ewe by homebred sire Dalby Geraboam, PE8188, Dalby Ice Baby. Out of TG3030, a ewe bred in the Edstaston flock of Robert and Jeanette Gregory. Sold with an index of 368 she was again knocked down to the Howies.

Following that at 5100gns was the best call in the shearling ewes. This money came for Dalby Kirsch, PE0001, an ET bred daughter of Golden Promise out of Dalby Champagne. Combining the breeding of two former Royal Welsh interbreed champions, this one has an index of 321 and found a new home with Messrs Howie also.

Then making 4200gns and also heading to Perthshire with the Howies was Dalby Hyacinth, PE7063. She is an ET bred daughter of Foulrice Garcia out of a Dalby Atomic daughter and sold with an index of 485, making her the highest indexed senior ewe in the breed. She is also dam of Dalby Kracked-It, the highest indexed sheep in the breed at the current time.

Another of the shearlings took the next best bid after that, with Dalby Kiki, PE0047, selling at 2600gns. Once again by Rockvilla Golden Promise, this one is out of a Dalby D'Artagnan daughter ans has an index of 391. She sold to Esmor Evans, Mold.

And taking a 2300gns call was Dalby Ingrid, PE8060 a two lamb ewe by Dalby Helix out of the legendary Dalby Champagne. This ET bred ewe has an index of 340 and was also taken home by Mr Evans.

Just shy of that price at 2200gns was another of the shearling ewes on offer, Dalby Krystal, PE 0035. Sired by Golden Promise, she is out of a Champagne daughter by Penywern Carckerjack and traded with an index of 337 to Robert and Jeanette Gregory, Shrewsbury.

The final bid above 2000gns came at 2100gns when Peter Scott, Coleford, bought shearling ewes Dalby Kate PE0111, a daughter of 4200gns Dalby Hyacinth sired by Daby Galactico. She is the breed's highest indexed shearling ewe, with an index of 497.

A trio then traded at 1900gns with the first being a one-lamb ewe, Dalby Jacqui, PE9095. This Parkgate Highlander daughter is from the same family as the last, being out of a sister to Hyacinth. She sold with an index of 361 and was taken by Esmor Evans.

Second at this money was a shearling, Dalby Kerry, PE 0019. Sired by Dalby D'Artagnan she is out of a Dalby Geraboam daughter which is dam of Dalby Galactico. Selling with an index of 397 she collected several red tickets as a ewe lambs and headed home with Mr Evans.

And the final 1900gns sale came for another shearling, this time Dably Kyra, a full sister to 2100gns Dalby Kate. With an index of 497 she J Evans, Dinas.

Averages; 52 shearling ewes £842.42, 21 one lamb ewes £999.50, 18 two lamb ewes £1232.58, 15 three lamb ewes £913.50 (McCartneys).

DAIRY

 

Interbreed

Mr WH Ley & Partners' Holstein cow Thuborough Zenith Verey Light; res, Treginegar Dairy Farm's Ayshire cow Pam Ayrs Dream Hawaii EX93.

 

Interbreed Pair

Holstein; res, Jersey.

 

Jersey

Messrs DW, RJ, JR & SM Warren's cow Glanmor Ring Medi; res, Messrs DW, RJ, JR & SM Warren's cow Cardinney Saber Ashley VG89.

 

Guernsey

Messrs DW, RJ, JR & SM Warren's cow Tredinney Jaspers Essential Essence 4; res, Mr MJ & Mrs CE Greenslade's cow Greensfield Icy Phylis.

 

Ayrshire

Treginegar Dairy Farm's cow Pam Ayrs Dream Hawaii EX93; res, Mr WRC & Mrs JE Christophers' cow Haresfoot Enigma Pamela EX91.

 

Holstein

Mr WH Ley & Partners' cow Thuborough Zenith Verey Light; res, Mr WH Ley & Partners' heifer Thuborough Shottle Leilani 2.

 

Black Welsh Mountain

E O Williams' pair of shearling ewes; res, E O Williams' ram.

 

Bluefaced Leicester

Messrs H W & H M Braddick's ewe lamb.

 

Bleu du Maine

Messrs Norman & Vile's shearling ram; res, Mrs J Bury's senior ram.

 

Charollais

Mrs Jennifer Curtis's ewe; res, Mr G F Burrough's ram.

 

Devon Closewool

Mrs H Marks' shearling ram; res, Mr P A  Dallyn's shearling ewe. 

 

Devon & Cornwall Longwool

J A Darke Ltd's ram; res, J A Darke Ltd's ewe with her lambs.

 

Dorset Down

W D Burrough & Sons Ltd's ram lamb; res, W D Burrough & Sons Ltd's shearling ram.

 

Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset

Mr Rod Dallyn's shearling ewe; res, R & R M Hole's ram lamb.

 

Exmoor Horn

Messrs T  Atkins & Sons' ram; res, Messrs T  Atkins & Sons' yearling ewe.

 

Greyface Dartmoor

Miss Christine Nugent's ewe; res, Mrs S James' yearling ram.

 

Hampshire Down

Mr C J Westlake's pair of ram lambs.

 

Jacob

Dr Jerry Strong's ram; res, J & A Milner's shearling ewe.

 

Lleyn

Mr P J & M Hendy's shearling ewe; res, Mr P J & M Hendy's shearling ewe with twin lambs at foot.

 

Oxford Down

Mrs C J Watson and G C & Grain's ewe; res, Mrs C J Watson and G C & Grain's ram lamb.

 

Ryeland

Mr R P Wear's ewe; res, Mr J (Ifan)E O Lloyd's ram lamb.

 

Scotch Blackface

W J & D M Jordan's ram; res, W J & D M Jordan's yearling ewe.

 

Suffolk

Mr R F Holmes' shearling ewe; res, Mr Phillip Brooks' ram lamb.

 

Texel

Mr C S Pontings' ram; res, Mr A J Carter's shearling ram.

 

Zwartbles

R & V  Grinnall's ram lamb; res, Mr Peter Coombs' ewe.

 

Commercial sheep

Mr Roger Lyons' ewe; res, Steve and Rachel Stamp's ewe.