Archive Article: 1997/08/19
Farmers all around the country are gearing up for the NSAs big ram sale at Builth Wells next Monday (Sept 22). FW called in on one Devon family who are regulars at the event…
Home to the Quick family is the 344ha (850-acre) Loosebeare Manor, Zeal Monachorum, where they keep about 1700 ewes. This includes 250 pedigree Texels and 70 pedigree Rouge de lOuest sheep.
Feeding time for some of the nearly 50 Texels that Bill Quick and his sons – Paul, Andrew and Mark – have entered for the auction at the Royal Welsh Showground. Theyll be among a total entry of 9000, representing 36 breeds, making this the biggest-ever such sale.
No mean feat, this… The NSA auction is itself a huge logistical task. With the sheep sold under cover in giant marquees, more than 231,000sq ft of tentage and 10,000 hurdles are required. Last years event saw a turnover of more than £2.1m.
Paul Quick inspects Caliph tipped to be among the high prices. This ram was champion shearling Texel ram at the Royal Cornwall and second in his class at the Royal Show this year. But there again, he does come from a good family – his sire was once male supreme champion at the Royal.
Preparation can be pretty strenuous sometimes…
Time for a coffee break… Bill and Paul look back over the catalogue from last year, at which one of their Texels made the top-price of 950gns…
…The Quicks back-up team also take the
opportunity to cool off and fill up on reserves.