Texel sales steam ahead
Texel sales steam ahead
IN-LAMB ewe sales have been in full swing for Texel breeders in Scotland and Northern Ireland since early December, where prices have often been well above expectations.
But the easing of movement rules in Scotland and Ulster was too late for early-lambing terminal sire breeds like the Suffolk and Charollais.
Apart from the traditional Suffolk female sale from Cairness and Muiresk flocks held at Perth in November, it has been a season dominated by Texel sales.
Scotland is a stronghold for Suffolk sheep and has a core of top-flight Charollais breeders, but neither camp had the chance to stage in-lamb female sales.
Suffolk Sheep Society chairman Philip Long, who owns the Wycourt flock at Cranbrook, Kent, says: "By virtue of last years lost trading there is likely to be an even larger number of Suffolk ewe sales this autumn and we expect strong interest in scrapie-resistant stock."
Sheep sales
Many sheep breeders have struggled to hold on to ewes in the hope that sales would be allowed before the autumn, but whether they will happen remains in doubt. DEFRA has stated it will review breeding sheep sales during the interim period, up to Nov 1.
However, auctioneers in the north are already pencilling in dates for autumn commercial breeding ewe sales next September. But they are reluctant to disclose details in case they are accused of wishful thinking.
In the interim, the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Association will hold its in-lamb video sale at Hawes market in North Yorks tomorrow.
Dorothy Goldie of the breed society said there had been a great deal of interest in the sale which will offer 101 sheep. "Foot-and-mouth claimed over 250 pedigree Bluefaced Leicester flocks – about 20% of all flocks. The sale includes some excellent female lines from many of the best flocks left."
And those who prefer live sales will have a chance to scoop up more Bluefaced Leicester females when 142 in-lambers go under the hammer at Castle Douglas on Feb 2.
Although only sheep from Scottish flocks have been accepted, the fixture includes a reduction from the Cassington flock (21), and the dispersal of the noted Winton Hall flock (65). Sheep can be held for 21 days for English and Welsh buyers. *