Buyers spend freely at Hawes
1 February 2002
Buyers spend freely at Hawes
NORTH country sheepmen were in spending mood last Saturday when they packed into Hawes Auction Mart in North Yorks for the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Associations video sale.
Although there was keen competition between breeders, many of them restocking, trade was selective with just over half the entry of 94 females finding new homes and reaching a peak of £3100.
Appleby, Cumbria-breeder David Ewin made the top bid for a two-shear ewe from Ellis Bros who run the Ilkley Moor flock at Ilkley, West Yorks. The ewe was in-lamb to a tup from the noted Lunesdale flock of Lancs-breeder Gordon Rawsthorne.
Cumbria flockmasters Messrs Lord, who run the Hewgill flock at Kirkby Stephen, enjoyed a strong trade for their gimmer hoggs. They sold two at £3000 to W A and A Booth, Clapham, North Yorks and to Geoff Taylor, Appleby. They also struck other deals at £2200 and £1800.
Mr Taylor, who was re-establishing his flock, was one of the sales major buyers. He also gave £2400 for a gimmer shearling and £2000 for a gimmer hogg.
The shearling was from G Marwoods Long Green flock and was in-lamb to a Harland tup from Tony Busbys flock at Marske, Richmond, North Yorks.
The hogg was among the first females to be offered from WM and C Wallaces Gapshield flock at Brampton, Cumbria.
Several leading breeders were in contention for a two-shear ewe from Mr Marwood, but it was a £2800 call from Colin Dent of Kirkby Stephen that won the day. The ewe, joining his Greenriggs flock, is by a Riddings tup and in-lamb to a Harland sire.
Lancs breeders R and PE Hargreaves and Sons paid £2300 for a four-shear Riddings-bred ewe consigned by Mr Marwood.
Maurice Hall of Hawes Auction Mart said the sale was a big success: "It was great to see such a lively crowd. Everyone wants to get back to normal and the outcome of this sale proves that.
"The noted bloodlines sold very well. Those less well-known were harder to shift."
Averages Ewes £1055, gimmer shearlings £1055, and gimmer hoggs £956. Overall 54 head £1007 (Hawes Farmers Auction Mart). *
A lively crowd gathered at Hawes Auction Market for the Bluefaced Leicesters sale last weekend. Top price was £3100.