Sedgemoor annual ewe and ram sale up 40% on entries

The annual ewe and ram sale at Sedgemoor Auction Centre saw the entry up 40% on last year, marking the most sheep ever seen on one single day at the centre.

Auctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt reported that although prices were down on last year, trade was very strong for better animals with averages £15/head higher than the 2010 sale.

In all a total of 4,772 sheep went under the hammer, including a massive entry of 4,153 shearling ewes – an increase in entries of nearly 80%.

A large crowd of buyers gathered for this section, with the top price on the day of £172/head paid for a pen of Beltex shearlings from Mr R Hickman.  The overall average was £119.78 a head. 

In the older ewes seciton, a reduced entry was put forward of 444.  Nonetheless strong prices were achieved, and 6T and FM Charollais sold to £145/head from Mrs B Manyweathers, who also achieved £136/head for some 4T Charollais.  The overall average was £107.65.

Meanwhile, an increased entry of 160 rams sold to a stronger trade than anticipated with a 2T Charollais from Mrs J Curtis selling for £720 (pictured above).  The overall average was £326.60 with a clearance rate of 78%.