A 1900gns bid secures Zwartbles ram lamb at Carlisle

The annual show and sale of Zwartbles sheep at Carlisle saw prices top at 1900gns for a ram lamb forward from Rob and Vicky Grinnall, Worcester. Beech Hay Stardom by Woodston Pedrog and out of Beech Hay was first prize ram lamb and reserve male champion at the Royal Welsh Show this year. He was snapped up by John Pirie, Inverness.

Next in the money at 1700gns was a senior ram also forward from the Grinnall’s. Woodston Pedrog who was bred by Philippa Bell was first prize ram lamb at the Three Counties Show and is out of the champion ewe Bobet Gwen. This one sold to R J Heigh, Bentham, Lancaster.

The next highest price for ram lambs came in the way of a 1000gns bid for Broomfield, a shearling ram forward from A and T Baillie and Jackson, Lanarkshire. This one sold to L and J Strawhorn, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire.

At 850gns was Beech Hay Sir Black Star, a full brother to Beech Hay Pied Piper, the top priced ram at ZSA sales in 2008. Black Star is by Kiln Fields Black Label and sold to K Watson, Aberdeenshire.

Just 50gns less at 800gns was a lot forward from J Mackie, Strathhaven. This senior ram sold to O-Hughes-Owen, Anglesey.

Next in the money was the ram lamb Llepan Rowlands, a lot forward from Mathew A Simpson, Ayrshire. Bred by John Rowlands this one sold to Messrs Webster Smith, Angus for 750gns. The same buyers also purchased the ram lamb, Cynefin Sam, forward by Olwen Hughes-Owen, Anglesey for the same money.

Female trade was also steady with prices topping at 1200gns for a ewe lamb forward from N Porter and A Evans, Raglan, Usk. Brace Serena won second prize at the Royal Welsh Show this year and is by Brace and out of Talyfan. She sold to L Crum, Ayrshire.

At 1000gns was Scottfair, a shearling ewe by Somerwood Fionn and out of Wolfclyde. Consigned by Josella Scott, Carlisle this one sold to J Mackie, Lanarkshire.

Also at the same money was Bobet, a shearling ewe forward from the Bobet flock of E Williams, Aberystwyth. This one was snapped up by K and S Cowin, Lanark.

Then came another lot forward from Rob and Vicky Grinnall, a ewe lamb-Beech Hay Symphony. This one who was reserve interbreed ewe lamb at the Three Counties Show and is by Woodston Pedrog and out of Beech Hay sold to Rachel Elder, Londonderry for 800gns.

One of the last money makers was a 700gns bid for a ewe lamb forward from the Balchurn flock of K Watson, Aberdeenshire. Balchurn Shakira sold to R J Heigh, Bentham, Lancaster.

Averages 6 aged rams £588; 26 shearling rams £346.50; 40 ram lambs £345.98; 10 ewes £261.24; 73 shearling gimmers £275.88; 95 ewe lambs £243.60 (Harrison and Hetherington).