Charollais tups hit 2100gns at NSA Builth

The first of this year’s main NSA September ram sales at Builth Wells was held on Monday where almost 2500 rams were sold to a top price of 2100gns paid twice – both for Charollais rams.

An 83% clearance was achieved with an average price of £378 on a day that saw Texel shearling sires hit a high note selling 89% of the tups on offer, averaging £457 and peaking at 1800gns.

Although buyers looking for Texel ram lambs, Bluefaced Leicester sires and hill-breed tups will be in action tomorrow (Saturday September 20th) the Monday sale was hailed a big success by event chairman George Hughes.

“Prices were back to the pre-2001 foot and mouth levels with some exceptional trading for the best tups and higher averages than we expected,” commented Mr Hughes.

Demand for Charollais rams this season has been strong from the start of the breed society’s fixtures in July – and at Builth the trend continued. The sale’s two highest bids of 2100gns both went home to Yorkshire in the same trailer.

Simon and Judith Hunter paid 2100gns for a Charollais shearling from Einon Probert and Son, Leominster and a Charollais ram lamb from Adrian Davies, Manordeilo, Carmarthenshire, matched the bid selling to Yorkshire farmer Edward Mackley who runs 1000 ewes as well as a pedigree Charollais flock.

Mr Davies, who is DEFRA animal health inspector in Carmarthenshire, said the tup was from the best family in his Glyn Coch flock. “The dam of the lamb stood first in the ewe lamb class at the Royal Welsh in 2004 and a full sister was reserve champion this year.”

Geoffrey Probert, who farms with his father Einon and brother John, said demand for Charollais rams had continued to be good throughout the season but acknowledged that buyers were selective. The partnership also sold 23 Texel tups to average 600gns.

The Texel champion from Devon breeder Alan Draper made 1800gns to David and Joan Orrell and Son, Montgomery with another from the same pen at 1250gns. Mr Draper’s pen averaged 898gns for 10 head.

Beltex topped at 1000gns for a shearling from Mrs B J Rodenhurst and Son, Kidderminster and taken by Richard Pilkington, Wrexham and Steve Gibbons, Hay-on-Wye. The Beltex champion from Andrew Bishop, Eldersfield, Gloucestershire made 700gns to Simon and Judith Hunter.

Suffolks reached 940gns for a tup from John Sinnett’s Stockton flock in Worcester. He sold 14 Suffolks and 18 Texels and reckoned he’d had been the best trade at an NSA sale for almost 10 years.

Pictures to follow shortly…..