Blackface in-lamb sale sets new breed records

Records were broken at the Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association annual show and sale of in lamb females, at Lanark on Saturday.

A large crowd of spectators and buyers turned up and the quality forward was exceptional, resulting in the 51 sold recording an average of £1250.74, up £276.57 on the year for 18 more sold.

The top and record price of 4700gns went to Hugh Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, for an outstanding  one crop ewe by McTavish, out of a ewe by a £49,000 Glenrath. This ewe which was third prize in her class is in lamb to a £22,000 Elmscleugh and was bought by Rab McInness and Stuart Heads, Aitkenhead.

Messrs McInnes and Heads also bought Auldhouseburn’s other entry in the sale, the reserve champion for 3800gns, this gimmer is by an £8000 Crossflat, out of  a ewe by a £47,000 Dalchirla and is in lamb to Sheridan, a home bred son of a £14,000 Elmscleugh.

The overall champion of the day was an exceptional ewe from Andy Woodburn, Netherwood. This two crop ewe which had been interbreed Champion at Muirkirk show in 2010 was sold for 4200gns to the judge, John Guild from Ashmark. She is by a £47,000 Dalchirla, out of a ewe by a £5000 Midlock  sire and is in lamb to a £9000 Midlock.

Netherwood’s second ewe in the ring made 3000gns to Messrs Stevenson, Balrazzie, This ewe which is bred the same way as the champion is in lamb to a £65,000 Auldhouseburn tup and was open champion at Muirkirk show in 2009.  

Ewen MacMillan, Lurg, also had some top quality ewes forward for the sale and received 3500gns for a two crop ewe by a £450 Lurg sire, out of  a ewe by a £700 Lurg and is in lamb to an £18,000 Nunnerie tup. This one went to J Kay and Sons, Hartside, who also bought Lurg’s next ewe into the ring for 2000gns.

Allan and son, Allan, Wight, Midlock, also sold one of the top priced gimmers of the day. 3000gns saw Billy McFarlane, Drumgrange, secure a gimmer by Big Al, out of a homebred daughter of a £15,000 Connachan and in lamb to a home bred son of X factor.

David Baillie, Calla, received 2700gns for a Perth type gimmer by a £3000 Auchdregnie sire and in lamb to a £10,000 Conway tup from Messrs Presely, Northern Ireland.

Averages; 13 Ewes £1999.04, 38 Gimmers £994.74 (Lawrie and Symington).