Flying trade
Flying trade
sets record
for Beltex ram
A FLYING trade for Beltex sheep produced a record at the breed societys main Carlisle fixture as 5500gns was paid for a shearling ram. It was part of the regular large consignment of imported stock offered by Scottish breeder John McIlwraith who runs the Dunure flock on the familys costal farm at Ayr.
Ramsfort Charles had been placed third. Buyer was pedigree flock owner Brendan Arthurs, Co Down.
On a day that saw a strong demand from commercial lamb producers, fellow Northern Ireland breeder Fred Coulter gave 4000gns for another imported shearling.
This one was from Alan Thoms flock at Kilwinning, Ayrshire. South-west Scotland buyer J L McMillan broke the Northern Ireland dominance giving 2500gns for a Dunure import that stood champion. A 2200gns call from F Harbinson, Co Londonderry saw three of the top four most expensive rams head across the water.
His purchase was another from Mr Thom who received 2000gns for one of his shearlings bought by Mrs J Pollard, Colne, Lancs. Mr McMillan sold a shearling to R Hinchcliffe, Huddersfield for 2000gns. John Marshall, Lamberhurst, Kent secured the female champion, a ewe lamb from the Balig flock of J McIlwraith and Son, at 1500gns.
AVERAGES: eight aged rams £581; 113 shearling rams £725; 94 ram lambs £442; seven ewes £255; 62 gimmer shearlings £504 and 36 ewe lambs £300. (Harrison and Hetherington).n