Bicester trade sets the pace
Britain’s largest and probably most important one day sale of sheep saw 23,670 head go through the ring worth £2,845,435 and achieve a “sold rate” of 96.6%.
“This year’s Thame with Bicester Sheep Fair again proved an outstanding success The trade has been set for the coming season,” commented Thame Farmers Mart auctioneer Simon Draper.
Continental shearlings were down £20 on the year to level at £126.60. There were several runs of plain sheep.
Cheviot-crosses and Half-breds were a roaring trade to average just over £150.
Suffolk-crosses were just as strong a trade with the smartest sheep selling to £205. The average of £128 was again dragged down by the poorer sheep that should have been killed as hoggs.
North of England Mules sold exceptionally well even with the sale starting at 5.00pm. Smart sheep were just as dear while running sheep were a little less. But an average of £139 was just £5 down on the year.
Best pen of continental-crosses was won by Michael Cross for his Texel Cheviot Mules at £161.
Best pen of Suffolk-crosses went to Eddy Bullman at £205 to top the sale.
Best run of 100 or more continental theaves came from Eddy Bullman while the best pen of Mules was won by J & H Tustian selling for £200
Best run of 80 or more Mule theaves came from G.E Haynes and Son.
Eddy Bullman took top honours of the day with his leading pen of homebred Suffolk-crosses making £205.
Messrs J & H Tustian showed their usual quality Mule shearlings that had produced lambs and which sold to £200, £185, £182, and £181.
Garfield Stephens sold Scotch Half-breds at £190 but John Goodman went one better for his Cheviot Mules making £195.
Eddy Bullman had two pens of Suffolk-crosses at £185 and two at £182.
The best pen of continentals came from Messrs D W Gurney and Son at £175 with Beltex-crosses while Texel-crosses from Messrs Kimber followed at £172.
Stuart McIntosh sold his Mules that had produced lambs to £170 with Messrs Collett reaching £165 and Messrs Haynes and Messrs Hunt both at £162
Conrad Lester sold his annual run of Mule double theaves to a top of £155.
Suffolk-crosses from Messrs Elliot sold at £132 while Continentals from Messrs Rawding reached £128. Mule ewes with full mouths from Messrs Pearson sold to £107.50 twice.
The ewe lamb trade was steady in places but topped at £115 for Beltex-crosses from B Blanford & Son who also sold at £106 and £105.
Suffolk-crosses sold to £96 from Humphrey Livestock. Texel-crosses from Graham Woodard were at £85 while Lleyn X Texels for Mrs Heady peaked at £84.
The store lamb trade was strong for all. Gerald Levinge topped the section at £69.50 and £68.50 for Texel-crosses with Suffolk-crosses from Messrs Roberts at £68.50 twice.
Messrs Colinswood sold at £67 along with Fred Morris.
Tegs lambs were a very strong trade reaching £66.00 for entries from Messrs Hunt with one vendor up £10 on the year on their 500 head.
A pair of
Rams – 265 Penned, 75% clearance
A larger entry than previous few years. A strong demand throughout for best quality shearlings and ram lambs – particularly Texels, Beltex, Charolais and Suffolks.
Secondary sorts met a more selective trade.
Texel shearlings topped the sale at £655 from Messrs R & B Smith while Messrs Roots sold Texel X Beltex at £650 and £630 twice.
Miss Kellet sold her best
Suffolk shearlings sold to £505 from Mr Beddie with Hampshire Down shearlings to £310 from M and L Brown.
The best of the ram lamb prices was £590 for a Charollais from Messrs Seahawes.
Bicester, Thame, theaves
(Thame Farmers Mart)