Brisk trade at Blackface breed show

Blackface females were popular at the breed’s annual show and sale at Lanark on Saturday, with 17 more sold on the year and a top price of 5,000gns.

Making that money was a gimmer from John and Charlie Harkin, Loughash, a daughter of a £3,000 Dalchirla, out of a ewe by McRae. Due with a single to £20,000 Loughash, she sold to C Gallacher, Cattry, Ballybofey, Co Donegal.

Second top, at 4,600gns, was a gimmer from Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk. Shown successfully last summer, this daughter of a £25,000 Auldhouseburn, out of a ewe by an £8,000 Crossflatt, is due a single to the £50,000 Crossflatt sire.

She was knocked down to Andrew Campbell, Drimsynie, Lochgoilhead. Auldhouseburn also sold a recipient ewe carrying single embryo lamb by £160,000 Dalchirla and out of one of their most extreme ewes. She was knocked down at 3,000gns to Mr Fraser, Balgowan Farm, Laggan.

The judge, Elliott Bowman from Islay, had one of the best shows of gimmers and ewes ever seen at this sale to choose his champion from, and it was his reserve champion that made the next best price.

At 4,000gns, a gimmer from Andy Woodburn, Netherwood, Muirkirk, sold to Grant Bros, Craigdoo, Kilcoo, Newry, Co Down. Inter-breed champion at Largs Show last year, she is sired by an £18,000 Elmscleugh, out of a ewe by a £9,000 Midlock, and is due a single to an £80,00 Midlock.

Selling at 3,400gns was a gimmer from Allan Wight and son Allan, Midlock, Crawford.

A £14,000 Dalchirla daughter, out of a ewe by £44,000 Crossflatt, she is due twins to a £6,500 Auchloy tup. Buyer was Ewan Macmillan, Lurg, Fintry.