Quality shearlings set strong tone at Brecon NSA ram sale

The first National Sheep Association (NSA) ram sale of the season got off to a strong start at Brecon Livestock Market on Monday (3 August), with quality shearling tups attracting keen bidding across the breeds.

A Galtres Charollais shearling from Deborah Whitcher, Yorkshire, topped the trade at 3,000gns.

The ram is by Artnaguillion Armani and from a maternal line that includes Great Yorkshire Show-winning sire Foulrice Osprey and grand dam Inglis Cymro, a sire that has been a cornerstone of the flock for more than 20 years.

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“He was home-bred and the first ram through the ring for us,” said Ms Whitcher, adding “there is a lot of conformation in the breeding”.

Healthy family competition followed, with Charles and Valerie Whitcher’s Foulrice flock, now run by Charles and son Stephen, recording a top price of 2,200gns for a shearling and averaging 1,238gns.

Strong trade

Overall, 121 head went under the hammer, with a 72% clearance rate generating £122,955. That compared favourably with last year’s Brecon sale, when 70% sold to gross £118,283.

NSA chairman Geoff Probert, who bought the sale-topping Charollais ram, said the improved standard of shearling rams had driven a buoyant trade.

“There was an improved standard of shearling rams, which sold to a very good trade. We’re hoping this trade will be maintained for the whole season.”

© Ruth Rees

Sale secretary Helen Fairclough Watling said the quality of stock forward had been reflected in prices across the breeds.

The leading Texel shearling sold for 1,400gns, while a Texel-cross reached 1,500gns. Suffolk rams peaked at 1,050gns, Berrichons sold to 840gns, and Charollais crosses and other crossbreds topped at 1,575gns.

Vaccinate sheep

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said there was little to suggest ram sales would be “anything other than strong” this season, but urged vendors to consider vaccinating sheep against bluetongue before attending sales.

“From conversations we have had, buyers are likely to view sheep vaccinated against BTV favourably,” he said.

“The message is as it has been over the past few years – good quality rams and breeding females will sell well. Buyers view quality in different ways, many want to buy on figures and data, while others like stock that is pleasing to the eye.

“Vendors selling BTV-vaccinated stock, however, could find they have an edge in the ring,” added Mr Stocker.