UNDER THE HAMMER
UNDER THE HAMMER
Hampshire Down rams went under the hammer at Northampton
Market last week in a pilot sale to replace the breed societys
annual event at the Royal Show that couldnt go ahead because
of movement regulations. FW went along to support
Above: Auctioneer Brian Pile (left) and judge Derek Ritchie check the stock before the sale. Only 12 entries were forward, as the event was so close to the Royal Show, but they were all cleared – a first for Mr Pile this year (inset). "When sheep classes were reinstated at the Royal, it decimated entries here. Mind you a 100% clearance rate is good going, however many are forward."
The champion and top price went to a six-month-old ram lamb from Jennifer Atkinson and David Smith of Market Rasen. The ram sold for 260gns to judge Derek Ritchie from Kettering.
Its like walking a dog, just woollier…Alan and Sue Badnell of the Tansy flock from Tarnock, near Axbridge, Somerset, lead one of their rams to the ring.
Easy does it…breed society secretary Richard Davis (right) from Great Missenden, Bucks, loads his purchase with the help of fellow breeder Charles Horrell.
Sheep breeders from Belgium normally buy a lot of stock at the Royal Show, along with other international customers. This time they could look, but not buy because of foot-and-mouth regulations. A breed society spokeswoman said that their trade was sorely missed.
William Roberts, a commercial sheep farmer from Anglesea, took six tups including the joint second highest price of 240gns.