First Hexham ewe lamb sale draws a crowd

Hexham and Northern Marts held their opening sale of the season for Mule ewe lambs with a catalogued entry of 4629 head.

This was the first sale of breeding sheep following the closure of markets due to foot and mouth. The first and second sale were amalgamated together this year for the first time and the sale was for both members and non-members of the North of England Mule sheep association.

Prior to the sale the prize show which was kindly sponsored by Robson & Cowan, Scots Gap and Yorkshire Bank was expertly judged by Richard Williams, Brampton Bryan, Bucknell, Shropshire.

The Robson & Cowan trophy was presented by Frank Cowan and the prize money was presented by Jane Gibson and David Sinden of Yorkshire Bank to David and Marion Hope, Albierigg, Canonbie for an outstanding pen which realised £85 and were purchased by Mr D Carr, Highwood, Hexham.

With a full ring of regular and new purchasers tupping and strong lambs met a very keen demand, but the smaller running lambs were harder to sell at considerably lower prices. The overall average with the corresponding two sales last year was £1.40 down on the year.

Meanwhile, a quality show of strong Suffolk cross Mule ewe lambs met a sound trade.

Prior to the sale the judge Richard Williams, Brampton Bryan, Shropshire awarded the E N Jackson Perpetual Challenge trophy for the champion pen of Suffolk cross ewe lambs to Tone Hall whose pen went on to realise £62.

Also on the same day was the show and sale of Texel x Mule ewe lambs and prior to the sale the judge Mr Richard Williams awarded the best pen of Texel lambs to High Eshells which went on to make £72.

And finally, an excellent show of Blackface ewe lambs met a very strong demand throughout with a number of consignments sharper on the year.

Prior to the sale the judges Messrs John & Colin Campbell, Rosebrough, Alnwick awarded the Gordon Swan challenge cup for the champion pen to yatesfield with an outstanding pen which went on to realise £98. The reserve champion went to Townfoot whose pen made £88.PRIZE LIST North of England Mules

1ST Messrs B D & M S Hope, Albierigg £85
2ND Messrs J Herdman, Edlingham Newtown £74
3RD W J Scott Ltd, Low Leam £78
4TH Messrs D & M Scott, Redesmouth £74

Leading prices;

£85 Albierigg, £80 Carry House, £78 Low Leam, £77 Quarry House, Great Chesters, Redesmouth & Kellah, £76 Quarry House, Yatesfield & Brownsleazes, £74 Quarry House(x2), Low Leam, Edlingham Newtown, Hole Farm, Redesmouth, Cranberry Brow, Brownsleazes & Homilton, £73 Whiteside, Carry House, Fairnley & Garretlea, £72 Quarry House & Dunns Houses, £71 Low Leam, Rusheylaw & Homilton, £70 Quarry House(x2), Low Leam, Carry House, Penpeugh, The Steel, Brownsleazes, Pitland Hills, Homilton & Roses Bower, £69 Hole Farm & Brownsleazes, £68 Carry House, Sewingshields, The Shield, The Steel, Brownsleazes & Kellah, £67 Albierigg, Hole Farm(x2), The Steel(x2) & Pitland Hills

PRIZE LIST – Suffolk cross
1ST J & D Longlands Ltd, Tone Hall
2ND Mr R W Telford, Branton East Side
3RD Messrs E Milburn & Son, Holling Hill

Leading prices;

£65 & £62 Tone Hall, £62 Carry House, £59 Sharperton Edge, £58 Branton East Side & Sharperton Edge, £56 Holling Hill & Tone Hall, £55 Holling Hill

PRIZE LIST – Texel cross
1ST Messrs J Reed & Sons, High Eshells
2ND Messrs J C Mews & Son, Huntershield
3RD Messrs W H Davison & Sons, Lough Green

Leading prices;

£72 High Eshells, £62 Middle Dukesfield, £60 Lough Green, £59 Cornhills, £56 Tone Hall & Middle Dukesfield, £55 & £54 Middle Dukesfield, £52 Cornhills & High Eshells

PRIZE LIST – North of England Blackface
1ST Messrs W S Robson & Co, Yatesfield
2ND Messrs R J & J Raine, Townfoot

PRIZE LIST – Scotch Blackface
1ST Messrs G & S Paxton, Greenleighton
2ND Messrs G & S Paxton, Greenleighton

Leading prices;

£98 Yatesfield, £88 & £76 Townfoot, £73 Cleughfoot, £61 Yatesfield, £60(x3), £59, £57 & £56 Cleughfoot, £54 Townfoot, £52 Redesmouth, High Staward & Townshields, £50 High Staward(x2), Yatesfield, Sewingshields & Cleughfoot

Store Lambs

Suffolk cross
£30.50 Glen View, £26.20 Grey Mare Hill
Mule
£25.50 Glen View
Charollais cross
£29.50, £28.80, £27.50 & £26.50 Whitridge
Blackface
£18 West End Town