Gimmer prices soar at Skipton annual sale

A soar in gimmer prices was seen at Skipton’s annual show and sale of gimmer shearlings this week, with averages up £32.35 on the year.

A packed ringside saw particular interest in NEMSA-tagged consignments, with trade topping at £198 a head for a championship pen of Mule shearling gimmers forward from David Coates, Coniston Cold. Buyer of the champions was James Bracewell, Burnley.

Next in the money was a bid of £182/head for a pen of Continental shearlings from Bob Newby, Wetherby. The 697 Texel and Continental-cross shearlings on offer saw a rise of £13.15 a head on 2009 and averaged £128.17.

Texel‘s topped at £164 a piece for Nick Dalby’s second prize pen and joined Mark Thompson, Long Preston. At £158 was the first prize pen of Texel‘s from R H and M R Ireland, Whalley which headed home with long distance buyer S J Stables, Wincanton.

Masham gimmer shearlings were also in demand with bids levelling at £158 a head for a pen from Mike Allen, Saltburn and purchased by Michael and David Wilson, Beckwithshaw.  John Wright had a 38-strong consignment forward on the day which secured the first prize pen for his breed as well as a bid of £125 a head for a pen of 10. These ones joined R W and M Walker in Keighley.

Averages 2448 mules forward £137.23; 183 Mashams £122.82; 697 Texel and Continentals, £164. (Skipton Auction Mart)