Beltex breed catches the eye at in-lamb sale
Beltex breed catches the eye at in-lamb sale
BELTEX sheep attracted most interest at the show and sale of continental in-lamb ewes at Carlisle where bidding hit 1250gns.
It was an imported shearling from Jim McIlwraiths offering from his Dunure flock in Ayrshire that led the trade. She stood reserve champion under judge Mr Andrew Graham, Wigton, Cumbria and was bought by F and A C Robinson, Tetford, Lincs. Service sire was the top show-winning ram Shogun.
The overall breed champion was a home-bred shearling from * S Frazier and Sons Conningswick flock in Worcestershire. The ewe had been served by Ulysses, breed champion at this years Shropshire and West Midlands Show. She made 1000gns to Messrs Robinson.
Local Texel breeder Richard McCrone reduced his Thistlewood flock to a top price of 1100gns. It came for a shearling by Mainport Yankee that took the championship on the day under Mr J P Kirkbride, Gretna. She was served by Garngour Diablo and claimed by D A Thompson, Morpeth, Northumberland.
Two other shearlings from the same flock were bought by T A Duggan, Leominster, Herefordshire at 900gns and 800gns.
AVERAGES: Texel: 30 shearling gimmers £222; six ewes £157; eight ewe lambs £127. Mainport flock reduction – 15 ewes £123; four shearling gimmers £196. Thistlewood flock reduction – 15 ewes £244; 25 shearling gimmers £397. Blue du Maine – four shearling gimmers £136. Berrichon du Cher – two shearling gimmers £498. Beltex – three ewes £595; 27 shearling gimmers £574. (Harrison and Hetherington)n