Tried and true attracts sheep breeders north
Tried and true attracts sheep breeders north
WELL proven breeding combined with impressive performance figures drew sheep breeders to North Yorkshire last weekend to select stock from the reduction sale of Charles and Valerie Marwoods Foulrice Charollais flock at Whenby near York.
Established in 1982 and backfat scanned for 12 years, the flock is still among the largest in the UK and numbers over 400 ewes even after last Saturdays sale of 130 head.
Newcomers competed with well-known flock owners to secure females including a rare opportunity to buy daughters of the flocks influential stock tup Cairnhill Crusader.
Top price was 570gns paid by Mrs D Eagland, Otley, West Yorks for one of the flocks show winning shearling ewes. Mrs Eagland wrote a cheque for £3118 for her 13 purchases. "A good sale in these difficult times and very encouraging to see new breeders among the top bidders," commented vendor Charles Marwood.
A much fancied two-shear ewe by a Crusader son realised 520gns. This well known county show winner was in-lamb to the 2800gns top priced ram lamb bought by the Marwoods at the breed societys Lichfield sale this summer. The ewe was one of eight bought for a total of £2688 by David Wheatley, Doncaster. Another show winning two-shear made 510gns to Don Green, Ely, Cambs.
Leading the ewe lambs at 500gns was one by Crusader bought by Robert Patterson, Perth. High index figures appealed throughout the sale. Richard and Mary Tulloch took the one of the highest indexed ram lambs at 340gns for their flock at Oakham, Rutland while Dartington Farms, Stratford-on-Avon included several among their total purchases of 17 sheep valued at just over £4280.
Averages: 43 two-shear ewes £230; 52 shearling ewes £209; 24 ewe lambs £197; six ram lambs (registered) £302 and five ram lambs (birth notified ) £254. (Russell, Baldwin and Bright). *