The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pedigree sheep meet a selective trade
Breeders gather from all across the country
Pedigree female sheep met a selective trade at the opening day of the Aberdeen Christmas Classic where the centre record for a pedigree animal was equalled.
The event, which continues today at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, is organised by Aberdeen & Northern Marts in conjunction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association.
Breeders from across the country gathered for the show and sale of pedigree sheep, which topped at 4,500gn for a Texel gimmer from Kenny Pratt’s Hilltop flock at Oldtown Farm, Peterculter.
Shown by shepherd Richard Reynolds, this March–2018 born embryo transfer daughter of the 40,000gn Garngour Alabama was scanned in–calf with twins to Sportsmans Admiral. She was reserve overall champion in the presale show and sold to Jemma Green for her Corskie flock at Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers.
Next best at 4,000gn was the overall Texel champion, selling to Roy Adams, Banchory.
Put forward by Graham Morrison, who runs the Deveronvale flock at Inchburich Farm, Cornhill, this February–2018 born gimmer is an embryo transfer daughter of the 42,000gn Mullan Armani. She sold in–lamb with twins to Deveronvale Aftershock, which has previously been treated for a broken leg and sold sons to 48,000gn.
Meanwhile, Suffolks topped at 3,800gn for the champion from the presale show. This was a January–2018 born gimmer from the Stuart family’s Birness flock at Milltown of Birness, Ellon. By the 9,000gn Limestone Legacy, and scanned in–lamb with twins to Castleisle Capaldi, she sold via a telephone bid to Georgia Delve.
Next best in the Suffolks at 3,000gn was a January-born ewe lamb, also from the Stuarts at Birness. By the 7,000gn Castleisle Gareth, she sold via a telephone bid to Martin Bignel.
Other leading Suffolk prices included 2,800gn for a December–2017 born gimmer from veteran breeder Jimmy Douglas’ Cairness flock at Woodhead, Cairness.