Ringside at Bentham & District Farmers’ Auction Mart

Bentham & District Farmers’ Auction Mart, Yorkshire.

More than 470 breeding rams were forward at the annual Ram-Page on Saturday (18 August), with buyers in a selective mood. Top-quality rams commanded firm trade, but second-quality types were not as sought after, said auctioneer Stephen Dennis.

Texel shearling rams topped at £1,900 for John Kelsall, selling to the pre-sale judge John Nuttall from Dorset. However, Texel averages were down £66.82 on the year at £381.32. Beltex shearlings sold to £1,500 and averaged £557 – £99.33 more than last year. Suffolks were also dearer, up by £1.18 to average £464.42 and topping at £840.

Charollais rams proved harder to sell, dropping £88.98 on the year to average £328.57 and reaching a top of £580.