Texels top the record breaking 2014 Kelso ram sale

Texels took the top spots as the Kelso 2014 ram sales saw three records broken.

In contrast to the 2013 sales, this year saw a new record price of £35,000, a new record average of £684.17 and a new record turnover of £2,922,105.

By the end of the day 4,271 rams had changed hands at an increase of £48.84 on the year, with a clearance rate of 86%.

Sale topper at £35,000 was Peter and Lynn Gray’s Texel shearling, from Galston, Ayrshire. By Foyleview Superstar he is out of a Cambwell Regal ewe.

Top price Texel shearling ram, Scrogtonhead Ustoater , made £35,000

Smashing the previous sale record of £23,000, Scrogtonhead Ustoater was bought by Proctor Farms to use in their 300 head flock, near Slaidburn, Lancashire.

Next at £9,000 was another Texel shearling from the Brijon flock of Brian Redhead and Jonathan Watson, Bowsden Moor, Berwick-upon-Tweed. By Beeford Pimpernel and out of a Langside Opinion ewe, he sold to Paul Slater, Adlington, Cheshire.

Knocked down to £7,200 was a third Texel shearling from E J and A M Fox, Wooler, Northumberland. Buyer was A Hunter, also of Wooler.

A Bluefaced Leicester consigned by C and D Hall, Lilyburn, Firth, was the first of two shearling ram lots sold for £6,000.  He was sold to Hartside, Lammemuir. The second at the same money was I F Murray’s Texel from East Horton, Glenway. Buyer was Angela Nairey, Menspride.

The top priced Suffolk shearling ram was knocked down to £4,500, also from Redhead and Watson, Bowsden Moor. He went home with Alan and Caroline Roots, Dumfries.

Leading the lamb trade was a Bluefaced Leicester ram lamb consigned by Messrs J Wight and Sons’ Midlock flock. Son of Midlock Mustang and out of a ewe by E1 Hewgill, he sold for £8,500 to judge, Philip Teasdale, Hexham.

Bluefaced Leicester lamb reaches £8,500

Texels clinched 15 of the top 20 prices, averaging £6,880. Also in the top 20 were four Bluefaced Leicesters averaging £4,500 and one Suffolk at £4,500.

Suffolks were not to be outdone in the lamb section taking 10 of the top 20 prices, averaging £2,070. Also in the top 20 were five Bluefaced Leicesters averaging £4,000 and five Texels levelling at £1,670.