Lleyns hit 1,700gns at Skipton
A 1,700gns bid lead the way at last Thursday’s Lleyn Society sale at Skipton.
The third prize shearling ram from North Craven breeders H and M Dugdale and Son, of Borris Farm, Stackhouse, took the top call. Shown by John Dugdale, the ram, by a Kirkby Stephen-based Lynda Jenkinson-sire, found a new home in Nottinghamshire with P Weaver, of
E and D Jones, of Machynlleth in Powys, were next best on price at 1,250gns for a home-bred shearling ram sold to Christine Thompson, of Helmsley. The Jones’s also sold a second ram for 950gns to AF Hodsman, of Monethorpe, Malton.
While overall selling averages were down on the previous year, trade at the 2012 renewal was described as positive.
And the Fort sheep farming family from Steeton, near Keighley, was again to the fore in the pre-sale show, which was the society’s final show of 2012.
Brother and sister Terry and Beverley Fort stepped forward to secure the supreme championship with their first prize shearling ram Brightonhouse Ambassador, a home-bred son of Brightonhouse Long B, which has already produced progeny to 1,800gns. The Skipton victor sold for 900gns to A Robinson, of Wetherby.
The Forts also presented the first prize pen of five ewe lambs, all by the home-bred Brightonhouse Big T, which was responsible for their first prize and reserve champion shearling ram at last year’s corresponding fixture. In fact, they have now shown the first prize shearling ram for the past three years. This year’s red rosette-winning lambs found pastures new with M Kinnes, of Driffield, at £125 per head.
Averages: Shearling rams, £495 (£563.41 in 2011); shearling ewes, £153 (£175); ewe lambs, £89 (£113.14). (CCM Auctions)