Champion gimmer shearling pen sells for £280 a head

Quality sheep sold at premium prices at Bentham Auction Marts annual show and sale of gimmer shearlings and breeding ewes last weekend , while commercial types were generally back on the year.

A competitive show of Mule gimmer shearlings judged by Angus Dean of Threshfield and Jason Steeper of Melton Ross, saw the champion rosette awarded to Chris Hewitt of Bentham for his pen of 10 which were purchased in 2012 as ewe lambs. The champion pen sold for £280 a head to Alan and Martin Whitaker, Clapham.
Second prize sheep consigned by local vendor, Graham Jackson of Bentham sold for £230 a head to the judge, Mr Dean. He also purchased the third prize shearling from Raymond Heigh for £212 a head.

Top quality first crop Mule ewes were also in strong demand topping at £170 with pens from JV Fox, Withgill and John Nutter, Hurst Green.

Averages: Mule shearlings, £144.75 a head down £5.57 on the year.
Auctioneers: Richard Turner and Son