Confident video buying at Scots sheep sale

By FWi staff

COMMERCIAL buyers went head-to-head with pedigree breeders for tups at the Blue-faced Leicester Sheep Breeders Associations video sale at Lanark – a sign that confidence is returning to the sheep industry in Scotland.

An outstanding ram lamb with excellent conformation and high performance figures attracted the top price of 2600gns.

Bred in the Firth flock of Derek Hall at Penicuik, Midlothian, the lamb was sired by a Nunscleugh tup that cost 4000gns and has been leaving some impressive Blue-faced and Mule progeny.

He heads for Facombe Estate, East Lothian, which runs a small pedigree Blue-faced Leicester flock alongside Scottish Blackface ewes.

Auctioneer Brian Ross said trade was much better than expected: “We had tups to suit all pockets and commercial men were in contention throughout the sale.

Ram lambs attracted the highest prices and all but three were sold. Even the shearlings achieved 70% clearance.”

Averages: 41 ram lambs 457 and 45 shearlings 472.