Rams top 1,500gns at Builth
BY JEREMY HUNT
The recent improvement in the prime lamb market seemed to have bolstered some much needed confidence into the mid-summer ram trade when bidding reached a top price of 1500gns at the National Sheep Association’s Wales and Border Ram Sale at Builth Wells this week.
Never an easy sale for predicting what ram buyers are prepare to spend at this time of year, the organiser’s of Monday’s fixture declared buyers were in “cheerful and optimistic mood.”
And it was a surge of optimism around the Charollais ring late in the day that produced the event’s top call of 1500gns. The bid came for Arwel and Mary Owen’s impressive ram lamb from their Banwy flock at Garthbeibio Foel, Welshpool. The lamb stood champion and the Owens also accounted for the champion Charollais pen which achieved an averaged of 690gns.
“We were really pleased to have such a good day but the trade was mixed and buyers were choosey,” said Mr Owen who runs a flock of 75 pedigree ewes. He has been selling at this event for five years and this was his best day so far.
After some competitive bidding the Banwy ram was claimed by Wetherby, Yorkshire buyer Robert Tindall. “I had him marked up from the beginning of the sale,” commented Mr Tindall whose single purchase is a son of Skelton King. “This lamb is a real block of meat.”
The day saw 312 rams go under the hammer as many buyers sought sires for early tupping work. While remaining selective there was a good trade for well-shaped rams – a demand that helped lift the Charollais breed average to £443. That’s £70 up on the year.
Gwynne Davies, NSA Wales and Border Ram Sale chairman commented: “The best sheep sold well with no shortage of cash for sires clearly able to produce quality prime lambs. This trade certainly augurs well for the main sale in September.”
The breed rings were kept busy throughout the day and prices certainly held up well considering the recent dip in the slaughter trade. Top prices across the breeds included a 900gns call for a non-accredited yearling Suffolk ram bred by Brian Jones of East Pilton Farm, Rhossilli, Gower. He goes to Criccieth, North Wales with buyer Will Owen.
Cross-bred rams continue to have their supporters and it was a Beltex-cross shearling from the partnership of Gwynne Davies and Linda Western that realised 650gns. Three more Beltex-cross rams made 600gns apiece.
Heading up the sales list for Poll Dorset rams was one at 300gns while two bids of 260gns accounted for a pure-bred Berrichon ram and Berrichon and a Berrichon-cross. Hampshire Down tups reached 240gns while bidding for Charmoise – an under-rated terminal sire breed that maintains a hardcore of supporters – reached 140 guineas for a ewe.
Plenty of interest around the Texel ring produced a top price of 1050gns for David Corfield with his shearling tup Fordwell Tokyo. This son of Connachan Rob Roy was secured by Janet Davies of Heyope, Knighton, Powys.
“He has nice length and shape and a good skin. I’ve been looking for something with a bit of stretch and nice legs for the ewe lambs,” commented Mrs Davies.
Averages: Charollais shearling rams £516; accredited Texel shearling rams £472; Texel non-accredited £505; accredited Suffolk rams £588; non-accredited Suffolk rams £611.