£1260 high for Hampshire ewe
THE Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders Association held its annual sale at the Royal Show where the reserve overall champion from the Stoneleigh classes made the top price of £1260.
The bid came for a homebred shearling ewe that stood champion female from Ian Robinsons Ballyvesta flock at Donaghadee, Co Down. Buyer was long-standing breed supporter Charles Horrell, Peterborough.
Ram lambs reached £580 paid by Hefin Twigg, Eglwyswrw, Pembrokeshire for a lamb consigned by Jim Robinson from his Wattisfield flock at Diss, Norfolk.
Breed association secretary, Richard Davis, of Great Missenden, Bucks, acknowledged that trade was not as strong as last year, but was encouraged by the continued commitment of breeders.
"The overall averages were quite good with ram lambs levelling at £373. Under the circumstances I think most breeders were satisfied with the sale," said Mr Davis.
Scrapie monitored stock came under close scrutiny from several Dutch breeders at the show. The Dutch government gives financial assistance to sheep breeders investing in scrapie-monitored stock and it clearly encouraged one of the Dutch visitors to pay £260 for a ram lamb from Jennifer Atkinsons Kelsey flock in Lincs.
Averages: 15 ram lambs £373, six shearling rams £356, one shearling ewe £1260 and eight ewe lambs £340. (Northants Auctions) *
Share