Demand for Lleyn goes against a gloomy trend
Demand for Lleyn goes against a gloomy trend
By Jeremy Hunt
SPIRITED bidding for Lleyn sheep at the Societys show and sale at Carlisle confirmed the growing demand for this versatile Welsh breed among northern flockmasters – though prices were down on the year.
Cumbria stockbreeder John Geldard, farmers weekly Farmer Focus contributor and the driving force behind the Lleyns popularity in the north, described the sale as "a bright spot in an otherwise very difficult season".
"Its extremely encouraging when sheep producers show so much interest in a breed during a time of crisis. Taking the industrys problems into account I would say this sale was even more successful than last year," said Mr Geldard.
Although female prices eased by around £30 a head there was enough competition among buyers to level 560 shearlings at £74, 119 ewes at £60 and 1248 ewe lambs at £56.
Overall top price was 1600gns for the Williams familys male champion ram from their closed flock of 200 ewes at Pwllheli. They have been breeding Lleyns for 15 years and were showing at Carlisle for the first time.
"We produce only pure-bred Lleyns and lamb outside in February aiming to have wether lambs away at 38-40kg by late spring. The system fits in well with our dairy herd," said William Williams.
The champion was bought by long-established Aberdeenshire breeder Norman Lawrence who also paid the top female price of £115 for a pen of five strong ewe lambs from John Morton, Penrith.
Demand for older females was strong with a pen of 10 five-year-old ewes from John Geldard making £56 apiece and five four-year-olds from John Morton at £85 each. Three-year ewes from Mr Geldard peaked at £76.
Highest call for shearlings was £96 paid for a pen of 10 by S Jackson and Son, Millom, Cumbria for entries from A Wynne Davies, Bronallt, Pwhelli while Co Antrim bidder R J Johnston paid £95 for 10 shearlings from Debbie Hutchinson, Castle Douglas.
Other leading ram prices included 880gns for a twin-born shearling from Mr Geldard taken by Peter Knowles, Kendal and 840gns paid for a shearling from D G Lewis and Son, Aberystwyth by Driffield, East Yorks buyers P W and M L Nettleton. The 57 shearling rams averaged £364. (Harrison and Hetherington) *