Recently in Suffolk Category

The dispersal sale of David Dickie's Knockenjig flock of unregistered Suffolk sheep attracted strong interest and buoyant prices.

The top price paid at Carlisle for Mr Dickie's, of Sanquhar, stock was 780gns for a gimmer, scanned carrying twins to a Brotherstone ram; all ewes and gimmers were scanned in lamb to Allanshaws and Brotherstone rams, due to lamb in March.

Ewes sold to 680gns for a three crop ewe also scanned carrying twins to a Brotherstone ram, while ewe hoggs sold to 600gns for a March born hogg.

The sale averaged £524.41 and the leading prices were as follows:

Ewes: 690gns, 620gns, 600gns, 520gns
Gimmers: 780gns, 580gns, 520gns (x3)
Ewe Hoggs: 600gns, 520gns, 480gns, 420gns (x2), 320gns

(Harrison and Hetherington)

The champion native pair of lambs was awarded to a purebred Southdown pair from Meesers Harmer and Wakeham-Dawson. They also received the Sir Richard Cooper Perpetual Trophy for the best pen of two native pure bred lambs. In reserve was Messers Malcolm M Stewart with a pair of Suffolk x Beltex.

 

The title of champion continental went to D S and L E Wadland's pair of Blue Texel x Texel cross who were also named best pair of lambs bred by the exhibitor.

 

In reserve was Mr A D Bishop's pure bred Texels. These also won the Royal Smithfield Club Perpetual Trophy for the best pen of two continental pure bred lambs.

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.

There was a strong demand for Suffolk females with prices soaring to a top of 5,200 Euros at the 14th annual production sale from the noted Baileys flock.

Buyers travelled from throughout Ireland and the UK to the County Meath farm of Tom Bailey.

The sale leader was a January 2010 born gimmer by the flock's jointly owned stock ram Cairness Kanine, and bred from a ewe by the 26,000gns Glenisla Syndey - reserve champion at Edinburgh in 2000. This much sought-after gimmer attracted a tussle of bids from the packed salering, with the successful bidder being David Duncan from Crumlin in County Antrim. This outstanding gimmer is in-lamb to the breed's 2010 Sire of the Year Cairness Liam, which has produced sons to a top of 90,000gns.

Next best at 3,500 Euros was a Cairness New Approach daughter bred from a ewe by the 70,000gns Rhaeadr Rossi. This gimmer is bred from the same dam as the noted 8,000gns Baileys BMW - supreme champion at the Royal Highland and Royal Welsh shows last year. Carrying in-lamb to Cairness Kanine, she was snapped up by Patrick Grant from Kilcoo near Newry, County Down.

Cairness New Approach was also behind the breeding of a gimmer which caught the eye of Francis Mangan, Cappoquinn, County Waterford, at 3,000 Euros. This one was bred from a ewe by the 45,000gns Boreland Buddah. She is in-lamb to Rhaeadr Rossi - the 2006 Edinburgh and Royal Highland Show champion.

Also selling at 3,000 Euros was a Cairness Kanine daughter bred from a Perrinpit ewe by Davishill Dambuster. She was AI'd to Cairness Liam and sold to Geoffrey Douglas from Limavady, County Londonderry.

Ewes from the Baileys consignment sold to a top of 1,800 Euros, realised by a January 2009 born Cairness Almighty the Second daughter. She was bred from a Strathisla ewe by Strathisla Kingsway, and is in-lamb to the 70,000gns Rhaeadr Rossi. Buyer was English breeder C J Holmes from Rookery Farm, Broadway, Worcestershire.

Next best at 1,600 Euros was a January 2006 born Boreland Buddah ewe which goes back to the noted 10,000gns Kinmundy T1 ewe. She is in-lamb to the Baileys Bacchus son, Cairness Crean.

A packed ringside saw a flying trade for pedigree Suffolk females at Ballymena Mart with an 84% clearance rate for the 68 inlamb gimmers and ewes put up for sale.

 

The top price of 4,400gns went to a Strathisla Speedson daughter out of a Strathisla Schumacher ewe.  This one was put forward by AJ & NAJ Robinson who hold the Benrafton Flock; it goes to a new home with Michael O'Neill from Wexford.

 

Mr O'Neill also paid 2,400gns for a Benrafton Stoner's Chip sired ewe out of a Strathisla Speed dam.  Both ewes, bought by Mr O'Neill were inlamb to Benrafton Right Said Fred, a homebred son of Jubilee Jethro.

 

The overall champion of the sale was a Cairness New Approach gimmer, out of a Boreland Buddah dam.  This one was put forward by AR Gault, who has the Forkins Flock.  She is inlamb to Forkins Fantastic and sold for 3,100gns to new breeders, the Suffern family, from Maghera.

 

Reserve champion on the day was awarded to John McKay's (Kirkview Flock) Conveth Master Piece gimmer inlamb to Malinhead Powerhouse.  She also sold to the Suffern family for 1,600gns.

 

Continuing with the high prices on the day, the Robinsons also achieved 2,400gns for another Speedson daughter out of a Strathisla Schumacher ewe.  This one was snapped up by Irish breeder, Oliver Deane.

 

All in all, the Robinsons were the largest vendors on the night selling 13 lots to an average of £1,193.  While Alistair Gault received the highest overall average of £1,344.

A packed ringside and telephone bids from Holland and Belgium guaranteed a 95% clearance rate at the 32^nd Annual Show & Sale of Suffolk inlamb ewes at Abergavenny Market.

 

Taking the top price on the day, and the title of show champion, was a shearling ewe from Mr & Mrs John Pryce, Meifod.  This one is sired by Stockton Trojan, and sold for 1,200gns to D Morgan, Aberystwyth.

 

 

 

The first prize ewe lamb, and reserve champion on the day, selected by judge Andrew Evans, Caersws, was put forward by Mike Davies & Sons, Brecon.  This one  is from the Davies' Safaddan Flock and was sired by Strathisla Stoner.  It sold for 500gns to M Legge, Isle of Wight.

 

 

 

Other top prices on the day included a shearling ewe by Glenhead Golden Wonder and inlamb to Stockton Cruz.  This one was put forward by G Biddulph, Pexhill, and sold for 700gns to P Margham, Isle of Wight.

 

Meanwhile, a pen of sheep from local breeders R B & G M Morgan, Usk, sold to 610gns for a three-year-old ewe by Conveth Rock On.  This one goes to a new home with F B & B G Goodell, Llandovery.  And  a shearling ewe from Allison Tyrrell, Gower, Swansea, sold for 570gns to P Margham, Isle of Wight.

 

Averages

                                                Max                 Av.

38 Flock Ewes                         640gns             £448.71          

33 Shearling Ewes                    1200gns           £493.50          

18 Ewe Lambs                         525gns             £405.70

 

(Auctioneers: J. Straker, Chadwick & Sons)

A Cairness Achievement daughter secured the top price of 8,500gns at the annual production sale of the Cairness Flock of D G Douglas, Fraserburgh, at Carlisle on Saturday.

 

Selling to an undisclosed buyer, the gimmer was one of the best on offer from the flock and had been served to Whitestone Footprint. This ones dam was by Solwaybank Salute.

 

The next best bids came from a sample put forward by the Strathisla flock of Robert H Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Aberdeenshire.

 

At 5,000gns she was a daughter of Strathisla Speedson, the 25,000gns 2008 Edinburgh Champion. This ones dam, by Strathisla Kingsway sold for 12,000gns. She found a home with A J ad N A J Robinson, Summerhill House, Downpatrick.

 

Then at 4,000gns was a January 2010 born Glenhead Golden Phoenix daughter out of Strathisla Kingsway. This one went to S Govin, Flass Farm Cottages, Berwickshire.

 

Another from the Cairness flock also sold for 4,000gns. This one went to D J Duncan, Cherryvalley road, Crumlin. By Muiresk King of Diamonds, this one had been served to Whitestone Footprint, a Cairness Liam son.

 

Again at 4,000gns was an entry from W G Troup's Whitestone Flock of Shaggart Farm, Sauchen. She is out of a Glenho Cowboy daughter and by Whitestone Warrior. She sold served to Cairness Cyclone, which sold to Gary Beacom for his Lakeview Flock for 26,000gns. This one went to J G Douglas, Woodhead of Cairness, Aberdeenshire.

 

Averages:

Cairness Flock:    8 ewes, £2,021.25; 34 gimmers, £1,561.10

STRATHISLA Flock: 10 ewes, £1,118.25, 42 gimmers £1,347.50

WHITESTONE Flock: 16 Gimmers            £790.78

STOCKTON Flock: 17 ewes, £ 718.32, 16 ewe lambs         £   764.53

HAZELTREE Flock: 9 gimmers, £493.50, 3 gimmers         £682.50

(Joint Auctioneers Harrison & Hetherington Ltd and United Auctions)

Suffolk breeders had a good day on Saturday at the annual sale of females at Carlisle with some really classy sheep up for grabs from ace flockmaster Jimmy Douglas (Cairness) as well as strong consignments from John Sinnett (Stockton), Robbie Wilson (Strathisla), W Troup (Whitestone) and County Turf (Hazeltree). Cairness Achievement's record as the breed's top sire for the last two years was maintained when an ET-bred daughter sold for the top price of 8500gns to an un-named buyer. Topping the ewe lambs was one from John Sinnett at 2000gns. Full report later. (Harrison and Hetherington and United Auctions).

Suffolk sheep supporters were out in force at the dispersal of the Brightonhouse flock for Keighley, west Yorkshire breeders, G & A Fort. The auction mart car park at Skipton was filling up with trailers several hours before the sale which drew buyers from Morayshire in northern Scotland to Devon.

 

This flock impressed for its outlook and "meaty" conformation and it was the stock ram Tomcroft Titan - a son of Meikleson Impression - that realised the top price of 1,100gns. Bred by Tom Cox and bought as a lamb at the breed society's 2009 National Show and Sale, he stays in Yorkshire with Harrogate buyer R Earnshaw.

 

Females were a good trade selling to 1,050gns for a January-born ewe lamb by Titan and bought by Mrs Caroline Nelson for her Rosepark flock at Kelso.

 

Gimmers sold to 900gns for a January 2010 daughter of Deveronside Dalesman that had been scanned for twins by the homebred Brightonhouse Seventy Seven. Buyer was Ian Kirk of Southwell, Nottinghamshire. Another gimmer by Sitlow Noble, also scanned for twins by Seventy Seven, made 870gns to D Harvey, Builth Wells who runs the Hawkesridge flock.

 

Ewes sold to 850gns twice. A three crop ewe by Glenhead Morangie carrying twins by Tomcroft Titan sold to Roger Harrison, Spilsby, Lincs while a one-crop daughter of Sitlow Noble, also carrying twins to Titan, goes to Emma Robinson of Forest in Teesdale, County Durham.

 

Averages; 41 flock ewes £557.52; 20 gimmers £647.33; 32 ewe lambs £488.25 and two stock rams £971.25. (Wright Manley with CCM Auctions.)

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.

A total of 4457 rams changed hands at Kelso on Friday for an average price of £649.71, with just shy of 85% of those forward finding new homes, with many taking the strong average as another sign of the optimism pervading in the sheep trade following a strong lamb selling year and bumper replacement ewe prices.

And, while commercial buyers were the mainstay of the strong trade, it was the top end pedigree breeders who paid the day's highest prices.

Taking the top call of the day  at £15,000 was Maurice Hardy-Bishop, Grey Peel, with his Texel shearling ram by Drinkstone Oh So Smart. This one was in the top 1% of the breed for performance recording and was sold in a three-way split to Bruce Goldie, Goldies, Ted Fox, College, and Jonathan Watson, Brijon.

Next best call of the sale was a £7600 bid which saw Mr Watson recoup his outlay when he sold a Texel shearling by College O2 to John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains.

Another pair of Texels took the sale's next highest bid of £7000, with both of these coming from the Gray family's Langside flock. Both of their pen leaders were sons of Rascarrel Panther and sold to Douglas Fleming, Burnhead, and Paul Slater, Whiteley Hey.

Then at £6500 was the best Bluefaced Leicester of the day from Messrs Hall, Lilyburn Firth. This was a son of Tanhouse B4 and sold to Crowhall farms, Hexham

At £4500 was another Texel shearling from the Grays, this was a son Springwell Opinion which was bought by Neil Crighton, Loanend.

And at the same money was another Bluefaced Leicester from Messrs Hall which sold to W Lockhart, Laggan, Monaive.

Messrs Bell, Teviot, then sold their best Texel shearling of the day at £3800. This was a Mitchelhill Paparazzis son which also sold to Mr Crighton.

The largest consignment of the sale once again came from Malcolm and Alistair Stewart's Sandyknowe flock of Suffolks, with their top call a £2000 bid and their 100 strong run levelling the day at £664.40, while the strongest average of the sale was achieved by the Halls with their 18 Bluefaced Leicester shearlings selling to average £1912.22 for 18 sold.

Ram lambs

Best of the day in the ram lambs was a £5000 sale for a Suffolk tup lamb from Iain Barbour, Solwaybank. This one sold to a brace of Southern Irish buyers in the form of Gerry Killelea and James Rooney.

And second top of £2700 came in the Bluefaced Leicesters, when Messrs A G and D Bisset, Middle Dukesfield, sold a son of X6 Clennell.

At the same money was a Texel tup lamb from Robbie Wilson's Milnbank flock, while at £2600 was a Suffolk ram lamb from R Gray's Langside flock.

A £2400 sale saw the Wight family sell the best of their Bluefaced Leicester ram lamb from their Midlock flock, with this one by the same B4 Tanhouse sire as the top priced Bluefaced shearling of the sale.

Averages; Registered rams; 101 Beltex shearlings £462.08, nine Beltex ram lambs £346.67, nine Berrichon Du Cher shearlings £572.22, 14 Berrichon Du Cher ram lambs £405.71, three Blue Texel shearlings £850, 482 Bluefaced Leicester shearlings £879.25, 25 Bluefaced Leicester ram lambs £1012.80, 64 Border Leicester shearlings £545.16. 256 Charollais shearlings £533.75, 58 Charollais ram lambs £376.59, four Easycare shearlings £562.50, 11 Hampshire Down shearlings £460, 108 Lleyn shearlings £375.74, two Millenium Bleu shearlings £300, 74 North Country Cheviot shearlings £383.38, 10 Oxford Down shearlings £219, two Poll Dorset shearlings £415, three Poll Dorset ram lambs £233.33, 455 Suffolk shearlings £712.99, 280 Suffolk ram lambs £587.57, 1144 Texel shearlings £717.11,  89 Texel ram lambs £415.84, eight Vendeen shearlings £487.50. Unregistered rams; 10 Beltex shearlings £219, 465 crossbred rams £509.68, 16 crossbred ram lambs £436.25, 486 Suffolk shearlings £718.19, 269 Texel shearlings £592.97.

Suffolk trade here at Carlisle today has been strong, with commercial buyers driving the bidding from start to finish.

Best of the day was a 2400gns call for an aged ram from Hazel Martindale. This was a Rhaeadr ram by Baileys Blockbuster and out of a Whitestone Washington-sired dam. He sold to S Higgninson, Gelston, Castle Douglas.

Then selling at 1700gns was a Cairness See the Stars son from Darren Jones' Thurston flock. This one is out of a dam by Glenhead Grandmaster and sold to Merrick and Julie Pinny for the Alloaks flock, Northampton.At 1600gns was a tup lamb from Pat Machray's Middlemuir flock. This was a Baileys Bacchus son out of a dam by Cairness Cold Play. He had been reserve champion in the pre-sale show and sold to N and J M Kennedy, Long Marton, Appleby.Selling for 1500gns was one from the Junbilee flock of Mark Evans. This was a Strahisla Seville son out of a dam by Strathials Shirocco and is maternal brother to a 1500gns ewe lamb. Buying this one were F E Vickers and Son, Alnwick.

Following that at 1400gns was a shearling tup from R F Repath's Westmuir flock. This Rhaeadr The Read Deal son is out of a dam by Plasllewelyn Playboy and sold to S Higginson, Castle Douglas.

And then a trio of ram lambs sold at the same price, with the first being a top 1% lamb from the Garner family's Ortum flock. This Bentley Royal Standard son is out of a Bentley Wilko daughter and has an index of 5.14. He went home with Kevin Stewart, Kelso

A pair from Mark Evans made the same money, with the first being a Strathisla Seaville son out of a dam by Strathisla Shirocco. He was bought by J and A Nelson, Parton, Castle Douglas.

The other from this home was also a Seaville son and out of a similarly bred dam, this one caught the eye of P Grenfell, Acklington, Morpeth.

Averages; 10 shearling rams £801.15, 86 ram lambs £716.60, two aged rams £1522.50, three shearling ewes £465.50, six ewe lambs £533.75 (Harrison and Hetherington)

As expected the first major breeding sheep sale of the season saw a big jump on the trade of a year ago, with last Friday's Thame with Bicester Sheep Fair  recording a rise in the Mule average of about £30/head.

According to auctioneer Rob Lea of Thame Farmers Mart, the trade was above expectations for the Mules with the entire Mule shearling entry levelling the day at £145.86. "We had some great runs of sheep forward and the buyers were prepared to pay a bit more for the quality sheep.

"With prime lamb and cull trade being so strong this year there has been a desire to reinvest in young sheep and this did impact a little on the older ewe trade which wouldn't have been as sharp as perhaps we thought it might be."

Strongest price of the sale was a £232 bid for a pen of pure Texels from R J and B E Kimber, Christian Malford, with the Texel sired shearlings averaging £146.22 for 1731 sold. In the Beltex sired shearlings the best price of £226 for a pen from Gore Farms, with 360 head averaging £148.08, up some £18 on last year.

And in the Charollais sired shearlings the best price was £180/head for ewes from G Forsyth, Leighton Buzzard, with these levelling at £140.

The biggest entry of the day was the North Country Mules, with 6686 shearling ewes sold to a top of £190 for G E Haynes, Winslow, these sold to Bramdon Richardson, Penshurst. This section saw the biggest rise in average, jumping by £31 on the 2010 sale.

In the Suffolk x Mule shearlings the best of the 6051 sold was a pen from Eddie Bulman, Thornborough, which made £202, with another pen from the same vendor making £200, this section averaged £146.14, a rise of £5 on 2010. "These could well look the best value on the year."

One lamb ewes were also in demand, with the Texel sired entry topping at £142 and averaging £139 for 86 forward, explains Mr Lea. "The Suffolk crosses sold to a top of £158 and averaged £135.43, with Mules selling to £151 and levelling at £142.83."

The strong trade continued in the ewe lambs and store lambs too, with an exceptional average of £93.53 achieved for the 560 sold. "Top here was a pen of Beltex x Texel crosses from B Blandford and Sons, Eastnor, which sold for £140, with another pen of the same making £126. The average would be up a good £20 on last year."

In the 1564 store lambs on offer a top of £75/head was backed up by an average of £63, up £12-13 on 2010.
 
Ram trade was strong too and the best call here was £865 for a Charollais shearling from Messrs Seahawes.com, Little Chesterton, with the shearling rams averaging £420. "Suffolk ram lambs sold to £555 for Merrick and Julie Pinny, with the ram lambs forward averaging £366. Older tups were a good trade too, selling to £650."

The sale also hosted the inaugural sale of Beltex for the Central Beltex Club and top call here in the females was a £472.50 bid for a ewe from Messrs Walker and Taylor, Witney, adds Mr Lea.

Mr Lea expects a much larger store lamb entry for the second sale in a month's time. "But I'd expect our shearling trade to be back a bit then as we get in to the second and third draw sheep. There are already several thousand sheep entered for next time and we hope for the near 100% clearance we saw this time, with only eight-10 pens unsold this time round." (Thame Farmers Mart).



 

Topping Saturday's Suffolk sale at Roscrea was a Strathisla Stoner-sired ram lamb from Wm J and R Wilson's Shannagh flock. This one is out of a dam by Cragroe Craftsman and goes back to Muiresk King of Diamonds on his dam's side. He sold to Northern Ireland to join Willie Tait's Burnview flock.Second best at E10,000gns was a twin brother to the new 90,000gns breed record holder from Dan Tynan. This Cairness Liam son is out of a dam by Cairness Golddust and sold to join Jimmy Douglas and Charles Procter in AberdeenshireMaking E5000gns was another heading to the same joint buyers. This was the overall champion from the pre-sale show from Martin Butler's Castlewood flock. Sired by Cairness New Approach this one is out of a dam by Rhaeadr Rossi goes back to Glenisla Sydney.The at E3400gns was another lamb heading to Scotland, this time to join Gordon Mackie. Heading back with Mr Mackie was the best from Andrew Wilson's Castleisle flock, a Strathisla Dylan Thomas son out of a Castlewellan Nutcracker daughter.

And making E3200gns was a Cairness Ciaus son from Tom and Jeff Bailey. He had been in the first prize group of three and is out of a dam by Davishill Dambuster.

Selling for E2900gns was another by the same sire from the same home. This one is out of a dam by Cairness Kanine dam. and another Baileys lamb then sold at E2800gns, having also been in the first prize group. He is by former breed record holder Stockton Almighty and out of a dam by Lagside Looks the Part.

Suffolks met an exceptional demand at Ballymena on Tuesday evening, with a 95% clearance rate achieved alongside a top price of 2300gns.

The reserve champion from Alistair Gault's Forkins flock received the highest call of 2300gns. This was a Cairness New Approach son out of a Conveth Calaceman ewe.  He sold to T Cavanagh, Donegal.  Mr Gault went on to sell four lambs and have the highest sale average on the night of £1383.  

Second top price went to the champion from the pre-sale show from Norman Robinson. This one was a Jubilee Jethro son out of a Glenho Gurkha daughter.  The final bidder was Michael O'Neill, Enniscorthy. P D W Taylor then sold at 1350gns for a Carragh Viagra-sired lamb out of a Lakeview Lord daughter.

The Burnview flock of Willie Tait also had a good sale selling six rams to average £704.  Burnviews top price of 1150gns was paid for a Forkins Ferrari Second son out of a Burnview Beamer ewe.  This ram also heads South to Lifford for use in the flock of R Tait.  

At 1000gns was a shearling ram from L&D Aiken. This one was by Rhaeadr Rossi and out of a Boreland Buddah ewe

Averages; 100 ram lambs £632.10, six shearlings £714.

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.

Stirling must have a buzz in the air now as a new breed record has just been set by Dan Tynan, Ardlea flock, Co Laois, who has just sold a lamb by Cairness Liam out of a ewe by Cairness Goldust for 90,000gns, with the buyer being Myfyr Evans for his Rhaeadr flock. A full brother to this lamb will be offered for sale in Roscrea. Underbidder here was believed to be Jimmy Douglas. Also in the Ardlea pen was one by Pexhill Real Lucky out of a daughter of Cairness Cold Play, this one went at 7000gns.
Just prior to that, Myfyr's run topped at 14,000gns for a son of Baileys BMW out of a Thurston Calzaghe ewe who was breed champion at the RWAS and second prize gimmer at RHAS in 2009. Selling at 8000gns for Myfyr was a triplet lambb Baileys Brigadier The Second out of a ewe by Cairness New Approach whose twin brother sold in Edinburgh for 4000gns and goes back to the 70,000gns Rhaeadr Rossi.At the samemoney was another by Baileys BMW this time out of a Baileys Blockbuster ewe. Also in his pen was the 6000gns son of Limestone To-Tal out of a Strathisla Speed daughter which was purchased at the innfield dispersal last year.

Topping the offering from the Whitestone flock of WG Troup, Aberdeenshire was a lamb by Cairness Liam out of a Baileys Harvey daughter. This one sold at 10,000gns.   

The championship in the judging at the Northern Area Suffolk Sale has gone to the newly established Ardlea flock of Dan Tynan, Co Laois, under the management of Pat Greaney.

I've not got the lot number for the champion, so will have to bring you full details in the morning when I have them.

Reserve overall was a ram lamb from George Stuart's Birness flock, again I don't know the exact lamb at the moment.

In the Signet class the winner was Jim Fleming of the Halhill flock, with Willie Tait, Burnview second. And the Ardlea flock also won the group of three, with the trio from the Rhaeadr flock of Myfyr Evans in second.

Full details to follow tomorrow morning.....

Monday's dispersal of the Northtyne flock of Suffolks for Don Robertson saw prices peak at 3800gns for the flock's stock ram Glenhead Infusion.This 2008-born tup bred by Angus Wilson is by Cairness Warlord and out of a dam by Cairness Enchantment. He sold to the Campbell family for their Thrunton flock.

Next best of 2900gns was paid twice, with the first bid at this level coming from Iain Barbour for a 2007-born ewe by Glenhead Purely The Best, FFH: J35. This one is out of a Glenisla Grimaldi sired ewe and goes back to Glenhead Gladiator.Also making this price was a ram lamb, FFH: 11:022, by Glenhead Infusion and out of a Stockton Sakhee daughter. He sold to A Neale, Broughton Moor, Cumbria.

And the same buyer paid the next best of 2300gns to secure a son of the best priced ewe. This one, FFH:11: 020 was also a Glenhead Infusion son.

Following that at 1750gns was the first of the ram lambs through the ring, FFH: 11:001. This one is by 26,000gns sire Glenhead Gold and is out of a dam by Glenhead Infusion and was knocked down to Northern Agriculture, Yokefleet, East Yorkshire.

Then making 1400gns was a one-lamb ewe by Glenhead Infusion, FFH: L18. This one is out of a Solwaybank Insignia-sired dam and was dam of the 1750gns ram lamb. She sold to an undisclosed buyer.

A quartet then sold at 1300gns, with the first two being shearling ewes going to undisclosed buyers. First to go was FFH:N10 a Glenhead Infusion daughter out of a Glenhead Purely the Best dam out of the 2900gns ewe. Second at this price was another Infusion daughter out of a dam by Northtyne Drifter.

Also paying this money was S Higginson, Gelston, when buying another of the shearling ewes, another by Infusion daughter out of a Northtyne Drifter, sired dam.

And the final 1300gns sale came for another of the ram lambs, FFH:11:0011. Again sired by Infusion this one is out of a Glenhead Purely the Best dam and goes back to Glenisla Grimaldi.

Averages; 33 ewes £717.82, 15 shearling ewes £1042.30, 20 ewe lambs £647.33, one stock ram £3,990, 12 ram lambs £1172.50 (Harrison and Hetherington).

Apologies for not getting any more Suffolk prices from Shrewsbury to you yesterday, I'll not bore you with the reasons why not.

Aside from the 23,000gns and 9000gns sales already reported the other major sales were a brace of 7000gns bids, one at 4500gns and another at 3000gns.

Frist to go at 7000gns was the sole entry from Messrs Troup's Whitestone flock. This one (lot 114), is by Cairness Liam and out of a dam by Laurelbank Dexter. He sold to Anthony Patton, Northern Ireland.Second at this price was one from Myfyr Evans, Rhaeadr (lot 144). This was a Baileys BMW son out of a Cairness First Flight-sired dam and is from the same family as Rhaeadr Rossi. He also headed across the water to join Messrs L and M Liggett, Northern Ireland.At 4500gns was another from the same home, this time the reserve champion from the pre-sale show (lot 139). Sired by Baileys Brigadier The Second, he is out of a Thurston Calzaghe dam and goes back to a 6500gns Baileys ewe. He sold to Eire to Michael and Aylmer Power, Co Limerick.

The 3000gns bid was made for an early lot in the sale from Stuart Davies, Beaufort flock. This was the winner of the best gigot class (lot 12) and is by Glenhead Golden Phoenix and out of  a Strathisla Massa-sired dam. He was bought by Thomas Hodges, Aylesbury.

A total of 72 sheep sold at 1000gns or more, up from 42 at last year's sale, with a clearance of 82% achieved.

Averages; two shearling rams £1155, 170 ram lambs £1239.74 (Halls with J Straker Chadwick and Sons).