Dalebred rams sells to 320gns at annual sale

A new name will be engraved on the Dalesbred Sheep Breeders’ Association trophy presented at their annual show and sale of shearling and aged rams at Skipton Auction Mart following a debut championship success by the North Yorkshire-based Ryder family.

Husband and wife Jeff and Jayne Ryder, of Central House Farm, Haverah Park, Harrogate, lifted the title with their first prize shearling ram, though were quick to pass all the credit to their 21-year-old son Josh, who had prepared and exhibited the victor.

 The home-bred champion is by a ram from the Penyghent flock of John and Jean Bradley, of Penny Grange, Giggleswick – Jean is secretary of the Dalesbred Sheep Breeders’ Association – out of a ewe sired by a ram from association chairman David Wilson, of Crimple Head Farm, Beckwithshaw.

This one later sold for a show-topping price of 320gns to John and Karen Harrison, of Hill Top Farm, Blubberhouses, Otley.

The Ryders have for long been mainstays of the breed, with their flock first established in 1966 by Jeff’s father Hugh. At the Skipton highlight, they were also responsible for the second prize aged ram, which fell for 150gns to JC Lister Farms, of Boroughbridge.

The reserve championship was awarded to the first prize aged ram, a home-bred four-shear from John Horner, Redmire Farm, Buckden,. By a Stuart Guy Bishopdale tup, the runner-up, shown by David Lambert, sold for 260gns to Richard Close, of Starbotton.

The Horners also sold a further aged ewe at 120gns.

The second prize shearling ram from G C and PM Haygarth & Daughter, of Wigglesworth, sold for 160gns to John Fisher, of Withnell, Chorley. The Haygarths also sold further shearling rams at 160gns and 150gns.

Father and son Joe and Trevor Stoney, of Pateley Bridge, were also prominent with shearling rams at 260gns and 200gns, while association chairman David Wilson himself sold a shearling ram at 160gns, with D A and J M Robinson, of Hesleden Farm, Litton, achieving 150gns with another shearling.

Selling averages showed an improvement on the corresponding 2011 fixture. Aged rams averaged £152.25 (£133.08 last year) and shearling rams £133.88 (£117.88), with the 24-strong turnout selling to an overall average of just shy of £137 per head.