Breed record for Texel ram
Breed record for Texel ram
A NEW breed record price of 50,000gns was paid for a Texel ram at Lanark where 51 tups went under the hammer by video auction for an average price of £3851.
Collecting the big pay-out was Alan Cullen with Craighead Hercules, for a February-born twin ram lamb from his flock at Carluke, Lanarkshire.
Although the crowd of predominantly Scottish bidders was sufficiently impressed by the video footage of the record breaker, those in contention had already seen the lamb on farm and had been wooed by its conformation and style.
But this son of Ettrick Glenmorangie, who sold last year for 16,000gns, had more to offer than good looks.
His ARR/ARR genotyping for scrapie is the most resistant genotype and was a big attraction.
Auctioneer Brian Ross said: "There is no doubt that a lot of rams with the highest rating for scrapie resistance achieved premium prices. Breeders know they have to go down this route.
"The Craighead lamb had the lot and that made him even more in demand."
Craighead Hercules, out of a ewe by Nethermuir Confetti, was bought by Margaret Lyon for her Milnbank flock at Turriff, Aberdeenshire. *
Mr Cullen bought another at 9000gns to join Jim Clarke (Garngour) as buyers of Ettrick High Jinks from Selkirk breeder Gordon Grays consignment. This ARR/ARR scrapie genotyped ram lamb is by the 4600gns Knock Firefly, while its dam is maternal sister to 50,000gns record breaker Glenmorangie (Lawrie and Symington).