Hawes Bluefaced Leicesters hit £15,000

Bluefaced tups hit a top note of £15,000 at Hawes last week when the money earned by Mule breeders this autumn was rapidly re-invested in sires for the coming tupping season.

Taking this lead call was James Porter with a shearling from his Riddings flock. His sale topper is by a homebred sire which is in turn by W20 Keer and out of a dam bred by Gordon Rawsthorne and by T48 Lunesdale. Buying this one in a two way split were Messrs Allison, Sealhouses and Messrs Bell, Gillgate.

Second best of the day was a £12,000 sale and a personal best for Welsh breeders J Thomas and Son, Tan House Farm, Powys. This tup lamb is by A3 Old Hemley and out of a ewe by N1 Tanhouse. He was taken home by Messrs Wight for their Midlock flock.

Then at 9000gns was a lamb from Andrew and Mark Brown, Asby Hall. This one is by a £5500 Lunesdale sire and out of a dam by W13 Lunesdale and sold to James Porter, Riddings, and Jack Lawson, Hundith. And at £8500 was one from Jack Lawson himself. This was a lamb by Y1 Midlock which sold to Keith Harryman, Keskadale and P Dawson, Kentmere.

Making £8000 was a lamb from Messrs Lord, Hewgill, while £7000 was given for one from Geoff Taylor and £6200 was paid for the best from R A Busby, Harland. At £6000 was one from Neil Marston which sold in a three way split to Gordon Rawsthorne, Lunesdale, David Heron, Star Green and Geoff Taylor, Swathburn.

Averages; shearling rams £1139, ram lambs £1070 (Hawes Farmers Mart).