Record breaking Ryeland breed sale tops 1,550gns

A new breed record of 1,550gns was set at the Ryeland Flock Book Society Ludlow sale, with a female clearance rate of 99.5%.

An excellent entry of 267 Ryelands and 57 Coloured Ryelands attracted a large crowd to the Ryeland Flock Book Society Sale at Ludlow. Demand was strong and vendors enjoyed a steady trade, with 99.5% of females and 67.3% of males forward sold.

The new breed record was set when a shearling ram from the Mansell flock of R and A Howell, Oxwich Green, Gower, sold for 1,550gns, breaking the previous record, also held by Mr Howell, by 150gns. Mansell Sultan, sired by Mansell Daniel, out of a home bred ewe, was sold to H Tidswell from Lothersdale, near Keighley, Yorks.

The next highest price was realised by a ram lamb from the Ruslin flock, bred by RP Wear. This ram lamb, sired by the Australian registered ram Hallylulya Muscles, was knocked down to A and S McVicar of Newtown, Powys for 640gns. Mr William Laurie, Kington, judged the Ryeland male classes and awarded the championship to the second ram lamb in the consignment from RP Wear. The Ruslin Hunter sired lamb went to R amd A Howell for 520gns.

Mr A Morgan, Eglwyswrw, chose a shearling ewe from the Whitland based Dolwen flock of J ans S Donovan as his Female Champion.
This ewe, who was also awarded the prestigious “Grist Statuette” was sired by Ruslin Kilroy and out of a Dolwen ewe. She was sold to A and C Farms, Langham, Rutland for 880gns. The same purchaser also bought another shearling ewe from the Dolwen flock and a number of quality animals from other breeders. A lovely Mansell lamb topped entry of ewe lambs at 515gns. The purchaser A Williams, Blackmill, Bridgend, also took home the second highest priced ewe lamb, from the Dolwen flock, with a price tag of 425gns.

The demand for Coloured Ryelands continues to grow with female prices being particularly consistent. Topping the bidding for females was a cracking ewe lamb from RJ and AL Webb. Coloured Ryeland judge Mrs S Donovan awarded this lamb the female and reserve breed championship in the pre-sale show. The lamb was sold to Kent based breeder L Coleman, for 460gns. A ram lamb from A Watson, Abberley, Worcestershire topped the prices for Coloured Ryelands. Sired by the Cumbrian bred ram Hawthorns Northern Star, he was sold for 500gns to Mr C Smyth, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire.

Averages: £ Top Price (£Average)
Ryeland Shearling Ewes: 924.00 (255.56)
Ryeland Breeding Ewes: 283.50 (171.34)
Ryeland Ewe Lambs: 540.00 (210.40)
Ryeland Shearling Rams: 1627.5 (329.12)
Ryeland Senior Rams: 399.00 (177.00)
Ryeland Ram Lambs: 672.00 (211.72)
Coloured Ryeland Ewes: 357.00 (194.83)
Coloured Ryeland Ewe Lambs: 483.00 (212.50)
Coloured Ryeland Rams: 315.00 (207.11)
Coloured Ryeland Ram Lambs: 525.00 (169.75)
Auctioneers – McCartneys.