THE wintry conditions did not deter Texel and Beltex breeders from attending the annual sale of in-lamb females for both breeds, at Chelford Market last Saturday.
In the Texel section the championship went to a shearling gimmer from Idris Morris' Fachell flock, Caernarfon, Gwynedd.
The prizewinner, a February 2008-born gimmer by the home-bred ram Fachell Nutter, a Watchknowe Lanark Cracker son, was sold carrying twins to Baltier Prestige. The hammer fell at 2,650gns to Messrs Warren, Gomersal, Bradford.
The reserve champion was another shearling gimmer, this time from Peter and Rose Woof, Stainton, Kendal.
This Castlecairn Never Again daughter sold carrying twins to Kelso Planet. It made 600gns knocked down to R. Fox, Elvington, York.
Another from the same flock, this time a Crockholme Moscow Flyer daughter, carrying a single to Kelso Planet, made 820gns. The buyer was Will McCaffrey, Malpas, Cheshire.
The Gray family from Ettrick, Selkirk, were rewarded for their long journey with a top price of 900gns for their leading ewe, an April 2005-born daughter of Ettrick Karate Chop, sold carrying twins to Mitchellhill Paparazzi. She returned home to Scotland with near neighbours Messrs Kenny.
Frank Rushton, Matlock, Derbyshire, put forward a strong pen of ewes, with a top price of 520gns for a February 2004 born Haltcliffe Jackpot daughter, in-lamb to Deveronvale Powerpacker. The buyer was Matt Tomlinson, Kilburn, Derbyshire.
Leading the ewe class was the best of a pen from the Greenwood flock of Messrs Barrow, Wigton, Cumbria. This February 2007-born Cambwell Krugar daughter sold carrying twins to home-bred ram Greenwood Oscar. It realised 420gns to Giles Pyman for his Thacka flock, Cumbria.
In the Beltex section at 550gns was a second prize shearling gimmer from David Williams, Denbighshire. This Headlind Genic daughter due in February sold to J. Owens, Shobdon, Herefordshire.
The reserve champion, a ewe lamb from Bernard Staveley, Clapham, Lancaster, made 420gns. This March-born twin, by Tewitt Hall Milkshake, a Headlind Ee By Gum son, sold to M. Thackray, Prion, Denbighshire.
Averages: Texels - ewes £400.75; shearling ewes £351.92. Beltex - ewes £224.70; shearling ewes £312.90; ewe lambs £237.20.
Auctioneers: Marshalls
Any word how the Lanark sale went?
I haven't heard yet, but will get a report on here as soon as possible.