Recently in Texel Category

St Boswells reported a good trade for sheep on Monday with trade topping at £105 for Texels from Mrs P Anderson, Lauder and 228.4p/kg for a pen of Texels from the Firm of Nixon and Co, Selkirk. The 2238 prime hoggs on offer averaged 192.4p/kg (up 3.7p/kg on the week).

Another large show of ewes and rams were forward with trade for heavier sorts topping at £157 for seven Suffolks from JS Dun and Partners, Heriot. The 803 ewes forward averaged £67.85.

Of the prime cattle on offer, 59 steers averaged 166.2p/kg and sold to a top of 200p/kg (back by 1.5p/kg on last week) to gross £1309. The 73 heifers averaged 170.1p/kg and sold to a top of 194p/kg to gross £1126.

Last Saturday's sale of in-lamb Texel females at Lanark saw a top call of 2300gns given for the champion from the pre-sale show, a Glenside King II daughter from Mrs L Suart's Denty flock. This one, out of a dam by Alticane Glory  goes back to Annan Double Trigger and sold in lamb to Humeston Outback, a Milnbank Lyon King Son. He was bought by Messrs Smith, Greenloaning, Perth.

Second best on the day at 1600gns was the reserve champion, a Tamnamoney Navvy daughter from Robert Cockburn's Connachan flock. This one with lines back to Cloughbane Hans and sold in lamb to Garngour Onyx, a Tamnamoney Lynbrook son, is out of a dam which was bought in partnership with the Ettrick flock for 4800gns.

And selling for 1000gns was an ET sister to the champion from Mrs Stuart. This one sold to Alistair Beaton, Wester Crosshill, Falkirk.

Then at 800gns was one from Gordon Graham's Kypeview flock and sold in aid of the Help For Heroes charity. This ewe by Durisdeer Nimrod and out of a dam by Carran Jackie Chan, sold in lamb to Procters's Playboy carrying a single. Having stood first as a lamb at Stonehouse show in 2008 she sold to J Rorison, Patna.

Also at this money was one from Kerr Jarvie's Tapanui flock. This was a Hull House Nijinsky daughter out of a dam by Baltier King and going back to Clougher Dynamite. She was sold having been AI'd to Garngour Onyx and was taken by I Graham, Kilmacolm.

Selling for 700gns was another from the Connachan entry, this time a Hull House Nijinsky daughter out of a dam by Crookholm Impressario. She was again in lamb to Garngour Onyx and her dam cost 1500gns when bought from Ettrick. She sold to Mr Graham again.

And another at 700gns was the best of the day from the Grougfoot flock. This Craighead Masterpiece daughter is out of a dam by homebred sire Grougfoot Jocks Favourite and was sold carrying pregnancies to Millar's Outsmart. Buying this one was J Boyd, Camuslang.

Texel and Beltex in-lamb ewes were in demand at Chelford on Saturday, despite the weather conditions which made travelling to the sale tricky for some.

TEXEL

Taking the day's top call of 2650gns was the day's Texel champion, an in-lamb shearling from Idris Morris' Fachell flock. This was aa Fachell Nutter daughter in-lamb to Baltier Prestige, a Kelso Ozone son. She sold to Messrs Warren, Bradford.

Next best at 900gns was one from David, Islay and Lisa Gray, an Ettrick Karate Chop daughter out of a dam by Ettrick High Jinks and sold in-lamb to Mitchelhill Paparazzi. This one sold back to Scotland, joining Messrs Kenny.

Because I'm busy at Smithfield I'm afraid I can't be in Carlisle today for the in-lamb Texel sale, but word has reached of what I beleive could be a new record, a 20,000gns bid for the first ewe in the ring from Jimmy Douglas.

This one was DJV 08129, a Clola Marksman daughter out of a 19,000gns dam from Glenside by Turin Fantastic. This one, in lamb to world record price holder Deveronvale Perfection sold to Malcolm Reid,

For the stattos among you I reckon that makes it 84,000gns Malcolm has spent on pedigree stock in the space of three weeks, some going!

Texel females sold to a highest bid of 3000gns at Dungannon on Friday night with this figure paid for the best of the day from Brian Hanthorn's Mullan flock.

This one is a daughter or Cowal Maverick and out of the same dam as 6000gns sire Mullan Moneyspinner sold in 2006. She sold in lamb to 5200gns tup Livery Predator and was bought by Rob Ellis.

Selling at 2000gns was one from Jim Wilson's Blackstown flock, a ewe lamb by Mullan Odds On. This sold to Steven McCollam for his Carmavy flock with another lamb by same sire making 1100gns to the same buyer.

At 1400gns was a ewe from Jim Wilson which is by Millcomb Monarch and sold to Gareth Fyffe, while at 1000gns was another Blackstown shearling which sold to Jonny Kerr, Comber.

And Mullan sold another shearling at 1000gns, this was a Tamnamoney Navvy daughter and sold to Cahir McAuley, Larkhill. This ewe's sister sold for 3000gns at the breed's premier sale in August.

Claybury breeding dominated Saturday's sale of Texel females for the Gloucester and Border Counties Texel Club.

Leading the prices was a 1220gns call for the a Clynnog Joe Tex daughter from Claybury carrying twins to Cambwell President Obama. She sold to A and M Bruce, Wem, Shropshire.

Next best at 1200gns was another from Claybruy,a Castlecairn Keltic Star daughter in lamb to Millars Olympian. This also sold to Messrs Bruce.

And two sold at the next top price of 860gns, the first being another from Claybury. This one was a Garngour Maestro daughter which sold to B D Lowe, Nantwich. The other at this level was from Colin Ponting's Penstones flock. This was a Kirrin Nijinski daughter due with twins to Millend Piece of Gold. She sold to J Champman, Whitchurch.

Averages; 47 in-lamb shearlings £427.82 (McCartneys).

After the hustle and bustle of last week  - Builth Wells and Carlisle in the space of three days - once again this week there is plenty going to to keep Taking Stock busy, but as always it all happens together.

The end of this week sees the first AgriLIVE Smithfield event at Stoneleigh. The new format for the Royal Smithfield Show holds much promise, so long as enough visitors fill the halls it should be a good event. There is the usual top drawer entry of stock and a healthy number of trade stands too, so if you've got the time it will be well worth a visit.

Also at the end of the week the run of in-lamb ewe sales continues with Texel, Beltex and Zwartbles offerings in Taking Stock's second home of Carlisle.

Texels are being offered in two sales, the first being the Solway and Tyne breeders club sale and the second being the Christmas Crackers sale. And it is this second sale which is likely to draw the money, entries for this sale include runs from Cairness, Rascarrel, Glenside, Tophill, Knock, Haddo, Midlock and Deveronvale.

And in the Cairness entry Jimmy Douglas look's to be selling the family silver with all the shearlings offered in lamb to 220,000gns sire and world record holder Deveronvale Perfection. In this his first season I'm a little surprised to see such an offering - wouldn't you want to have lambs on the ground by him first before letting the rest of the breed have some too?

The Deveronvale offering also includes an implanted embryo which is full sibling to Perfection, something else the big money flocks may be after.

Coverage of these Carlisle sales will be tricky as I'll be at Stoneleigh from Thursday onwards, but rest assured we'll bring you all the news just as soon as we're able to and of course there will be running updates from AgriLIVE Smithfield throughout the show.

Messrs Innes Strathbogie flock made a top call of 3400gns at Carlisle when selling a Strathbogie Nixon II daughter. This was out of a Tophill Joe daughter and sold in lamb to Mossknowe Pudsey. Buying this one was Procters Farm.

At 2300gns was a Douganhill Navaro daughter out of a dam by Craighead Hercules. She was also in lamb to Pudsey and sold to Messrs Pyman. And 1950 gns secured another Strathbogie Nixon daughter from the same home. She is out of a Castlecairn Kung Foo Fighter daughter and sold in lamb to Knock Party Time to Messrs Howie.

Making 1500gns was another Navaro daughter out of a Craighead Hercules sired dam. She is in lamb to Pudsey and sold to Mr Bennett.

Keith Jamieson's Annan flock has had possibly the most consistent trade of the day here at Carlisle with a top call of 6500gns given for an Annan Freebie daughter out of a dam by Garngour Lightning. She sold in lamb to Castlecairn Nile God to Stephen Cobbold, Suffolk.

And 4200gns was paid for a Lindstar Nic Nak daughter. This one is out of a dam by Clynnog Joe Tex and sold in lamb to Castlecairn Nile God to Messrs Ellis.

Then at 3500gns Annan sold an Annan Limmy daughter out of a dam by Knock Impulse. She is in lamb to Annan Prelude, a Teiglum Outlaw son.

And making 2900gns was another Lindstar Nic Nak daughter. This one, embry sister to the 4200gns sale is also in lamb to Prelude and sold to Messrs Joseph. Selling at 2200gns was an embryo bred daughter of Annan Limmy out of a Knock Impulse sired dam. She sold in lamb to Castlecairn Nile God.

A brace sold at 1500gns, both of the them embryo bred sisters to the 2200gns ewe. Both were also in lamb to Annan Prelude.

And 1100gns saw a Lindstar Nic Nak daughter sell.She's out of a dam by Clynnog Joe Tex and in lamb to Annan Prelude.

EDITED: Apologies, the top call was actually a 5500gns sale for  a Dougnahill Navahoe daughter, Milnbank 08569. She's out of a dam by Durisdeer Instructor and sold in lamb to Mossknowe Pudsey to Procters Farm.

Next best was a 4800gns call for a Douganhill Navahoe daughter out of a dam by Carighead Hercules. This one sold in lamb to Castlecairn Provost.

At 3000gns was another from the same home by Baltier Nijinsky. This one, out of a dam by Hercules again, sold in lamb to Mossknowe Pudsey to Stephen Cobbold, Suffolk.

Top call so far in the Texels is a 13,000gns for a Cowal shearling from the Campbell family. This one is by Muiresk Northern Dancer and is out of a dam by Cambwell Jacobite. She was the only one offered in lamb to Kelso Pavarotti, a 40,000gns buy from Lanark this year and she sold to Pavarotti's breeder Malcolm Reid, Kelso. At 1000gns was the best from Sandy Lee's Fordafourie flock. This is a Garngour Nobleman daughter out of a dam by Durisdeer Instructorsired dam. She sold in lamb to Fordafourie Pure Gold.

As you may have gathered from the two previous posts I'm up in Carlisle today and is set to be a busy day for both Texel and Holstein breeders, with the annual Borderway Black and White sale taking place and also the Christmas Stars sale of Texel females.

Both sales offer some of the top bloodlines in their respective breeds and with yesterday's Texel sale hitting a high spot of 12,000gns there should be some good prices today too.

On the Black and White front its safe to say there are plenty of sore heads around Borderway Mart this morning after many salegoers and H and H staff hit the nightspots of Carlisle last night!

So, check back here later from 11am to get updates from both sale rings.....

Trade for tonight's Twilight Texel sale of in-lamb females at Carlisle was resoundingly strong throughout, with most ewes sold at fair prices.

Leading the sale was the first lot in the ring from Malcolm Reid's Kelso flock at 12,000gns. This one was Kelso 08040, a Garngour Nirvana daughter out of a dam by Castlecairn Celtic Star. In lamb to Douganhill McFly and due in March, this one has had five emryos taken from her and sold to the breed's biggest spenders of the year Trinidad Investments, Sussex.

Next best at 5000gns was one from Robert Forsyth's Baltier flock. This one, by Garngour Numan is out of a dam by Craighead Hercules and saw Mr Reid reinvest some of his earlier earnings, taking this one back to Kelso. She is in lamb to Baltier Panther and due in February.

Then at 4500gns was one from the Pen Parc flock of Steve Smith. This one, Pen Parc 08011 is by Annan Jewel and stood first prize ewe lamb at the Royal Welsh in 2008. She is out of a dam by Glenside His Nibs and sold in lamb to Skiddaw Magic to Graham Morrison, Aberdeenshire.

And at 4000gns was another from Baltier, which again sold to Malcolm Reid. This was Baltier 08902, a Baltier Nimrod daughter out of a dam by Kirrin Kroner. She is in lamb to Baltier Panther and due in February.

Making 2800gns was the best of the night from the Ridley family's Haltcliffe flock. This one, Haltcliffe 081524, is by Hexel Lexus and out of a dam by Annan Jewel which was bought as a lamb for 5000gns. She sold in lamb to Drumpark President to Mr Atkinson.

Then at 2600gns was one from Arkle.This was Arkle 082198, a Brague Jethro daughter out of a dam by Haddo Kingpin. She is in lamb to Curley Orlando, a Mellor Vale Masterpiece son and sold to Mr Ellis.

Those are the highlights for now, full report to follow in due course....

In lamb Texel females reached a high spot of 2400gns at Carlisle on Saturday in the 1st Choice collective female sale.

Heading up the sale was the best of the day from Messrs Scott's Drumpark flock, Banff. Their sale leader was a March 2008-born daughter of Cowal Maverick ouf of a dam by Tamnamoney Gladiator which has Courthill Dombinator and Rascarrel Wade in her back pedigree. Sold in lamb to Kelso Oxygen she was bought by John Howard, Potto, Northallerton.

Then at the next highest price of 1200gns was one from Idris Morris' Fachel flock. This was a Fachell Nutter daughter out of a dam by Haltcliffe Knight and with Turin Fantastic in her back lines. She was sold in lamb to Baltier Prestige and was taken home by S Richardson, Barnsley.

A trio then took the next top call of 1000gns. The first two of these both came from the Nesbitt family's Alwent flock. First up was an Alwent Noble daughter out of a dam by Haddo Kingpin and going back to Arkle Jaguar. This one sold with an index of 231 and in lamb to Drumpark President, a Kelso Oxygen son. She was snapped up by the Drayton Farm Partnership, East Meon.

The other from Alwent was an Alwent Major Force daughter out of a dam by Haltcliffe Jackpot. With female lines back to Grougfoot Coisty and Courthill Valais, she was also in lamb to Drumpark President and sodl with an index of 232 to G and B Hunt, Sowerby, Thirsk.

Making 850gns was one from the Woolney flock of Terry and Jenny Prentice, Suffolk. This Castlecairn Nemesus daughter is out of a Talcoed Insole sired dam and sold in lamb to homebred sire Woolney Nifty, a Cambwell Mountain son. She was taken by G V Hardwick and Son, Llandidrod Wells.

Two also sold at 800gns, the first of which was another from Drumpark, this time an Anglezarke Nickleby daughter out of a Milnbank Hercules Lymo daughter. This one, in lamb to Kelso Oxygen, sold to Brian Joseph, Church Stretton, Shropshire. The other at this money was another from the Prentices. Again by Nemesus, this is from a dam by Stonebridge Kes and sold in lamb to Knock Nitro, a Glenside Loneranger son. She was bought by John Howard, Northallerton. (Harrison and Hetherington).

This weekend is set to be another busy one for pedigree sheep fans with two major sales happening either side of the Irish Sea.

Across the water in Eire Tom Bailey will hold the 12th annual production sale from his Baileys flock of pedigree Suffolks, with 65 shearling ewes and 31 flock age ewes on offer in lamb to some of the breed's noted sires.

Most of the shearlings are by 70,000gns sire Rhaeadr Rossie, with others by 20,000gns Cairness Charles and 7000gns Langside Lightening. Service sires, meanwhile, include 32,000gns Solwaybank Special One, Cairness New Approach, Cairness Kanine, Baileys Bacchus and Rossi. Additionally, several lots have been AI'd to Stockton Almighty, 1998 Edinburgh sale champion and 75,000gns purchase.

Among the sires of the ewes are Birness the Body, Glenisla Sydney, Solwaybank Ranger and 45,000gns Boreland Buddah. It promises to offer something for everyone.

Back this side of the water at Carlisle is the first of this season's in-lamb Texel sales, the 1st Choice sale of females from the Far Hey, Fimber, Stainton, Callerton, Woolney, Drinkstone, Peacehay, Gyrhos, Drumpark, Alwent, Fachell, Grey Peel and Greenwood flocks.

Details of sires and service sires are too long to list here, but they include Cowal Maverick, Knock Oyster, Hexus Lexus, Lumbylaw Kenya, Lyonshall King of Clubs and Kelso Oxygen. So once again there's plenty for everryone in this line up

Texel trade peaked at 840gns at the Derbyshire Texel Club's sale this week when the first prize ram lamb from A and B Weston sold to D Thorp, Baslow.

Next best was a 700gns bid for the pre-sale show champion from the Mellor Vale flock of Messrs Boden and Davies. This was bought by Richard Hobday, Tissington.

The reserve champion, a shearling ram from N A and J A Stone sold for 600gns to D Kirkham, Chesterfield.

Averages; shearling rams £487, ram lambs £311, aged rams £504, shearling ewes £315, ewe lambs £300 (Bagshaws).

There was a buoyant trade at most of the 19 rings operating at the NSA's annual Builth Wells sale.

This produced a 92% clearance of the 5115 rams and ewes entered at the event, which included 23 society sales, and a gross income fractionally under £2million.

Peter Morris, NSA chief executive, said there were very welcome clear signs of growing confidence among sheep producers.

"The sale is one of many that have benefited from the way improved prime lamb prices are encouraging people to invest in breeding stock," Mr Morris claimed.

Year on year average prices improved across all breeds, though direct comparisons cannot be made with 2008 when the sale was spilt in two.

Trading was topped by a shearling Texel from builder Cefin Pryce's 40 ewe Caereinion flock, based at Llanfair Caereinion in north Powys.

The February born home bred tup, out of Caereinion Main Man and a home bred ewe, was sold EL Evans, Green Farm, Pant y Dwr for 3500gns.

Just over 800 Texel shearling ram lambs were sold for an average of £334.96/head compared with £210 last year. The total of 1085 registered Texels sold this time averaged £508.35.

There was a particularly large crowed around the Lleyn ring and it turned out to be a good day for North Yorkshire breeder Charles Sackville Hamilton. All seven rams entered by the former DEFRA consultant from his Thrussendale flock at Malton sold well, but there was particularly keen bidding on one outstanding 2008 born tup, which was eventually knocked down for 2900gns.

He took the breed championship and was bought jointly by Simon Kavanagh from Bingley in West Yorkshire and John Geldard and Sons, Gilpin Bridge, Levens.

As usual there was strong demand for Charollais sires with a top price of 2600gns paid for one from the Probert family's flock based at Leominster. This one sold in a two way split to Neil Oughton and Robert Hopper. A total of 505 changed hands for an average of £494.

Welsh Mule breeders were keen to bid on the 555 Bluefaced Leicester tups forward. Entries averaged almost £500/head, with the breed champion entered by Myrfyn and Jane Roberts from Gaerwen on Anglesey selling for 1500gns.

Robert Graham made the long trip from Stirling with seven Berrichon du Cher ram lambs and picked up the breed championship and the section's top price when one changed hands for 1250gns. Overall the breed averaged £419 compared with £246 in 2008.

A total entry of 237 MV accredited Suffolk sires produced a top price of 1020gns and averaged £432/head. 

A strong entry of 97 Border Leicester tups peaked at 650gns and averaged £310/head compared with £211/ head in 2008.

The Dorper breed appeared for the first time at the event and the 5 head forward produced a top price of 470gn and averaged £373.

Sale secretary Jane Smith said vendors and buyers seemed to approve of the decision to revert to a single large sale and to use a congestion easing "tup taxi" system to move sheep from pens to purchasers' vehicles.

Yesterday's sale of Texels at Lanark hit a top price of 4800gns for Febraruy-born tup lamb Duncryne Pioneer from D Kerr Jarvie. This is a Tapanui Orgasmic son out of a dam by Wartle Goliath and previously stood first at Braco and Perth shows.

At 4000gns was Milnbank Pyramid from Margaret Lyon, this is a Millar's Outstanding son out of a dam by Tophill Joe.

Selling for 2600gns was Parkhouse Pure Genniius (spelling as per catalogue), he's by Deveronvale Oddie and out of a dam by Pennan Maradonna and was forward from A Barr.

And at 2500gns was another from the same pen, Parkhouse Prolific. Again by Oddie, this one is out a dam by Parkhouse Jock.

That's all I've got for now, but I'll endeavour to get more details in due course...

Texels sold to a top call of 1600gns at last week's Welsh National sale, Builth Wells. Taking the top call was the reserve champion from the pre-sale show, a tup lamb from Steve and Helen Smith's Penparc flock.

This one is by leading sire Mellor Vale Masterpiece and out of a homebred ewe by Penparc King Pin. He sold to David Corfield, Oxford.

At 1350gns was a ram lamb from Messrs Watkins Millend flock. This one is by Meinspridde Northlight and sold to T E Duggan for the Hengrave flock, Leominster.

Top call in the shearling rams was a 1500gns bid for one from A E Williams and Son. This one is by a Muiresk sire and out of a dam be Castlecairn Investment. He sold to D Orrells and C L Watkins, Oswestry.

And in the females the top call was a 1500gns bid for one from the Kingsland flock of Vaughan Farms. This one is by Garngour Nijinsky and sold to Llion Jones, Gwynedd.

Averages; 36 females £512.89, 34 shearling rams £624.44, 43 ram lambs £451.74 (Clee, Tomkinson and Francis).