Pretty price for ‘cutest’ sheep at annual auction
SNOWDONIA VALAIS FLOCK CLINCHES £11K SALE
GWYNEDD breeders Gerallt and Kerry Jones consolidated their standing in the Valais Blacknose sheep world with a sale-leading price at the breed society’s annual auction.
The couple, who run the Snowdonia flock at Pant Gwyn, Waunfawr, saw their May 2018-born shearling ram, Shoemakers Victor, top the 19 sale entries in Carlisle.
By Gemstones Martyn, and out of Gemstones May, Victor set a new sale record when knocked down for 11,000gns to Tom and Joan Blackwood, Stewarton, Scotland.
Writing on Facebook,
Gerallt and Kerry said: “Shoemakers Victor joined our flock at sevenweeks-old, alongside his mother, and grew into an incredibly impressive powerful ram.
“Unfortunately, as we have his mum, sisters and nieces, we couldn’t keep him and had to make the difficult decision to sell.
“We wish our gentle giant and his new owners the best of luck – we can’t wait to see his offspring next year.”
More success for the Snowdonia flock came in the grading competitions.
Just seven of the 240 show entries were awarded rosettes for maximum grades, including the Jones’ Moorahill Fifi, the only ewe to do so. Next best price in the post-show sale was 6,500gns, secured for a March 2017-born ewe from Raymond Irvine and Jenni McAllister of the Highland flock, Scotland.
Earlier they retained the Supreme Champion title for the fourth year running with a homebred ewe.
Northern Ireland breeders Elaine and Michael Boyle collected 5,500gns for a ewe lamb and 5,000gns for a shearling gimmer, both homebred.
Originating from Switzerland, in percentage terms the Valais Blacknose is said to the UK’s fastest growing breed of sheep.
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