Prices exceed expectations at 126th sheep show and sale
THERE was a great crowd at Enniscorthy Mart hoping to nab a bargain and maybe even some prizes as the 126th County Wexford Sheep Breeders’ Great Annual Show and Sale took place.
The atmosphere was overwhelmingly one of positivity as many farmers believe that the tide is turning as prices return to the best levels they’ve been at for years.
There was a great turnout and plenty of excitement as some of the finest sheep in the South East were put on show and bidding began.
‘We had a great turnout,’ said organiser Michael Brennan. ‘The weather probably helped us a bit. Prices were significantly up on recent years and there was almost a complete clearance of stock. I think everything went above breeders’ expectations and it was a great day.’
The top price on the day was earned by a Suffolk Ram belonging to Brendan Fitzpatrick from Ballywilliam which fetched €950.
As well as buying and selling sheep, there were also prizes on offer for the best sheep on the day. Judges were Simon Brown from Graiguenamanagh for the pedigrees and Tom Bolger from Tullow for the cross-breeds. First prize in the Charolais Shearling Section was Pat Rossiter Bannow and J Stephenson from Adamstown.
In the Charolais Ram Lamb section, the winners were W.M. Gleeson from Feathard and Patrick Rossiter from Bannow.
Top prize in the Texel Shearling Ram section was Gavin Rothwell from Adamstown. In the Suffolk section, Tom Rossiter from Bannow came out on top in the Ram Lamb Section, with Patrick Gleeson from Feathard scoring top honours in the shearling ram and Tom Rossiter from Bannow in the group.
The cross bred ewe lambs section was won by Jim Stephenson from Adamstown with Tom Kehoe from Castledockrell winning the cross bred shearling ewes section.