Southdowns hit 980gns at Maidstone

Southdowns sold to a top call of 980gns at the breeds premier sale at Maidstone last weekend, with the top price paid for the pre-sale champion from Duncan and Monica Crundwell’s Ladywell flock. This one was a shearling ram by Heathgate 07/0033 out of a homebred ewe. He sold to M J Slater for his Weaver flock, Middlewich.

Next best in the males on offer was a 620gns sale for a shearling tup from Philip Whitcombe’s Southern Cross flock. This one by East Dean Guardman 05/0271 sold to Messrs Humphrey for their East Dean flock.

In the females on offer the trade was led by the female champion, Chaileybrook 09/0021 from Jonathan Long, this one, by Southern Cross 07/0013 and out of a dam by French sire TC4028 sold to Jon Aisbitt. Leading the ewe lambs at 260gns was one from the Southern Cross entry sired by East Dean Guardsman. She sold to Joe Philips, Canterbury.

Averages; 19 shearling ewes £205.80, 11 ewe lambs £190.05, 12 shearling rams £418.95, two ram lambs £210 (Lambert and Foster).