Show and sale of Beltex hoggets impresses judge

Caledonian Marts Ltd, Stirling, sold 2,681 prime hoggets, ewes and tups in conjunction with the show and sale of Beltex hoggets which was kindly sponsored by Beltex Scotland Club. The judge for the day was Jimmy Stark, Milton of Campsie, and the following were his awards: Champion and 1st prize (42.1-46kg): DS and RC Taylor, Easter Ochtermuthill, 45kg @ £140 or 311ppkg purchased by the judge, MJ Stark, Bluebell, Milton of Campsie. Reserve champion and 1st prize (up to 42kg): M McDonald, Newbigging, 41kg @ £120 or 293ppkg, again purchased by MJ Stark. 42.1-46kg – 2nd Murray Bell, Craigend, 42kg @ £104; 3rd Murray Bell, Craigend, 45kg @ £104. Up to 42kg – 2nd M McDonald, Newbigging, 38kg @ £92; 3rd M McDonald, Newbigging, 41kg @ £97. 46kg+ – 1st Murray Bell, Craigend, 49kg @ £109; 2nd J Guthrie, Cuiltburn, 55kg @ £126; 3rd J Guthrie, Cuiltburn, 51kg @ £109. The overall sale average for 2,018 hoggets sold was 206.94ppkg (-1.1p on the week). Leading prices per head: Beltex £120 Gartfinnan; Beltex X £116 West Lundie; Texel £116 Broadslap; Texel X £116 Bankhead; Suff £106 Easter Ochtermuthill Suff X £104 Ballabeg; Mules £102 Coulshill; Cross £98 Mid Auchencarroch; BF (Tups) £96 Remony; BF £95.50 Burnshot. Leading prices per kg: Beltex 257p Meikle Seggie; Beltex X 248p and 239p Craigend; Tex X 242p and 237p Newbigging; Texel 240p Gartfinnan; Suff 225p Easter Ochtermuthill; Mule 212p Meikle Seggie; Cross 211p Coulshill; BF 212p Burnshot. Also forward were 657 cast ewes and tups. A total of 122 heavy ewes averaged £82.62 selling to £126 for a Texel X from R McNee, Woodend. A total of 513 export ewes averaged £49.52. All ewes sold well to keep up with the demand. Other leading prices: Texel – £122 Nochnary, £113 and £106 Easter Dullatur, £106 Wester Ochtermuthill, £103 Craighead, £100 Letter, Drumlochy and Buskin. BF – £62 Woodend, £60.50 Coulshill, £59 Rockfoot, £57 Allanfauld and Mid Auchencarroch, £56 Easter Dullatur. Cross – £110 Pirnhall, £101 Nochnary, £96 Pirnhall, £88 Easter Craigduckie, £80 Letter. Suff – £83 Wester Ochtermuthill, £80 Wallaceton. Chev – £86 Buskin. Char – £100 Wallaceton. Beltex – £95 Leadmachany. Mules – £85 Woodend, £84 Nochnary, Buskin and Bankhead, £83 Wester Ochtermuthill, £81 Wester Newburn and Easter Craigduckie, £80 Leadmachany. Tups sold to £114 for a Texel from AM Duncan, Easter Dullatur. Other leading tup prices: BF £82 Remony; Texel £100 Letter; BFL £108 Knock O Ronald; Hampshire Down £84 Auchyle.

Show champion from Jimmy Taylor, pictured alongside judge Jimmy Stark.