Sheep event is fit for a King

More than 4000 people hit the fields of a South Ayrshire farm as it hosted Scotland’s national sheep event.

Ballantrae’s Kings Arms Farm, owned by Robert and Caroline Dalrymple, staged the countryside spectacle.

And almost 500 primary school children from across the region also played their part.

Farmer and Ayr MSP, John Scott, performed the official opening ceremony of the NFA Scotland event.

The 2255 lambs sold for an average of £89.20, after deducting marketing and transport costs, and a further 3320 Texel ewe lambs retained as replacements.

“Attention to detail and good management is what characterises this unit,”said Mr Scott.

Speaking on the uncertainty of Brexit, Mr Scott called for a national debate in Scotland to form a vision for farming and livestock production.

“We need an end to the uncertainty about whether Scotland will remain part of the UK post-Brexit and I would urge the SNP Government to recognise that there is no appetite for another divisive referendum on independence,”he added.

“When we all work together, whether in farming or politics, the total is greater than the sum of the parts.”

Mr Dalrymple added:“We had the worst autumn last year we have ever had, and a wet, cold spring right through lambing until early May.

“If this event had been held three weeks ago, it would have been impossible to get a tractor and trailer on the land.”