Livestock

STIRLING – United Auctions sold 9,848 breeding sheep at their annual show and sale of Scotch Mule and Blackface ewe lambs, sponsored by J Cooper & Co. Haulage Contractors, Gartocharn, and ably judged by Bill Cameron, Burnside of Edengight.

The championship was won by WA Gray, Drumnessie, and realised the top price of £270 to EM Smith & Sons, Towiemore.

The Blackface section was topped by a pen of five from ME McCall Smith, Connachan, selling at £280 to J Caldwell & Son, East Mitchelton. Included in the sale were 20 Mule ewe lambs, donated by various consigners within the Scotch Mule Association, raising a total of £4,580 for rural charity RSABI and Strathcarron Hospice. Prize list: 1 - WA Gray, Drumnessie, £270; 2 - DY Henderson, Auchenrivoch, £180; 3 - Hartside Farms, £185; 4 - Messrs Stewart, Crookboat, £160; 5 - J&M Hamilton, Crosswoodhill, £152; 6 - M Smyth, Shields, £155.

Overall averages: Scotch Mule ewe lambs £134 (+£22.02 on the year). Blackface ewe lambs - £83.89 (-£0.99).

Section averages:

Acc Scotch Mule ewe lambs £136.44 (+£21.49).

Non Acc Scotch Mule ewe lambs - £134.54 (+£23.47). Acc Blackface ewe lambs £88.70 (-£3.53).

Non Acc Blackface ewe lambs - £75.78 (+£1.32).

HUNTLY – United Auctions sold 4,715 sheep at their annual sale of breeding sheep which included inaugural Cheviot Mule Society sale. Ewe lambs (2,048) averaged £134 (up £21.49 on the year). In the pre-sale show sponsored by Iain MacEachen, Livestock Haulier, the gimmers were judged by David MacArthur, Mid Fleenas, and the ewe lambs were judged by S Smith, Scarhill.

Prizes:

Mule gimmers: 1 - Redhill, Elgin, £200; 2 - Towiemore, Drummuir, £200; 3 - Balavil Estates, £200. Cheviot/Mule gimmers: 1 Redhill, Elgin, £190; 2 - East Backlands, Elgin, £188; 3 - Rivestone, Kinnior, £170. Mule ewe lambs: 1 Wedderburn, Huntly, £170;

2 - Hillhead of Mornish, Glenlivet, £148; 3 - Glenrinnes, Dufftown, £152. Cheviot/Mule ewe lambs:

1 - Tillyminate, Gartly, £175;

2 - Newton, Glenbuquat, £142; 3 - Ruthven, Tomintoul, £154. Mule gimmers (1438) averaged £176.70 (+£14.30). Texel gimmers (455) averaged £181.39 (+67p). Cheviot/Mule gimmers (452) averaged £176.88 (+38p). Mule ewe lambs (1,080) averaged £134.42 (+£23.81). Cheviot/Mule lambs (542) averaged £139.58 (+£19.55). THAINSTONE – Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 1,836 island consigned store sheep. Shetland store lambs (1,211) averaged £79.02 and sold to £94 (three times) for Suffolks from Kjemlea, Cunningsburgh, Hillcrest, Clousta & Islesburgh, Sullom.

Uist store lambs (625) averaged £70.02 and sold to £95 (twice) firstly for Suffolks from Aird, Illeray, North Uist, and secondly for Cheviots from 17 Baleshare, North Uist. STIRLING – United Auctions sold 3,846 Scotch Mule, Cheviot/Mule, Texel cross, Suffolk cross and Aberfield cross gimmers.

The show was sponsored by British Wool and judged by A Barr, Easter Bucklyvie.

A centre record was achieved topping the sale at £248 for a pen of 40 Mule gimmers from Millglen Farmers purchased by Moredun Research Institute.

The championship was won by Gavin Ogg & Son, Carroch and realised £230 to Harrison Brothers, Lower Weald. Overall average £198.35 (+£26.20 on the year). Prize list: 1 - Gavin Ogg & Son, Carroch, £230; 2 - A McKenzie & Partners, Ardgate, £218; 3 WA Gray, Drumnessie, £210; 4 - James Gilchrist, West Meikle Pinkerton, £210; 5 - H P Sleigh & Son, St John’s Wells, £200. Averages:

Acc Scotch Mule gimmers £227.54 (+£64.17).

Non Acc Scotch Mule gimmers £194.65 (+£20.96). Suffolk Cross gimmers £168.80 (+£5.42).

Texel Cross gimmers £148.06. Cheviot gimmers £143.90.