International buyers snap up top sheep

International buyers were among those snapping up sheep at the Summer Sizzlers online timed auction of pedigree sheep.

The sale, which was staged by Harrison and Hetherington, attracted buyers from Italy, Spain, Portugal and all corners of the UK and Ireland.

A range of breeds were on offer including Suffolk, Texel, Blue Texel and Charollais.

Suffolks topped at £5,300 for a gimmer from Northern Ireland breeder Mark Priestley’s Limestone flock. By Castleisle Alabama, she sold to Messrs Mosca in Italy.

Other leading prices for Suffolks included £3,100 for a gimmer from Fife breeder Stewart Lathangie’s Pyeston flock. By the 9,500gn Limestone Legacy, she sold to Messrs Cueto Muniz, Urbies Suffolks, Spain.

The Ingram family, which runs the Logie Durno flock at Pitcaple, Inverurie, sold Suffolks to £2,950. This was for a gimmer by Sandyknowe Tweed 18-1, which sold to Messrs Turner, Newtown, Powys.

The Ingrams also topped the Charollais section with a gimmer at £3,100. By Springhill Untouchable, she sold to Messrs Roberts, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

Meanwhile, Texels topped at £5,100 for a gimmer from Turriff breeder Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank flock based at North Dorlaithers Farm. By the 15,000gn Knock Yardsman, she sold to Messrs O’Donnell, Buncrana, Donegal, Ireland.

Next best in the Texels at £4,100 was a February born ewe lamb from Errol breeder Robert Cockburn’s Errol flock. By the 17,000gn Sportsmans Cannonball, she sold to Messrs Evans, Hope Valley, Shrewsbury.

In the Blue Texels section, Aberdeenshire breeder Stasa Moyse led the charge selling to a top of £3,950 for a pair of lambs from her Saltire Blues flock.

The lambs – a ewe lamb named Saltire Blue Flawless and a ram lamb named Saltire Blue Fearless – are embryo transfer lambs of Caryl’s Blue Captain. They sold to Messrs Scott, Holm, Orkney.

TOP PRICE: A Suffolk gimmer from Mark Priestley sold for £5,300 to a buyer in Italy.

A Texel gimmer from Robbie Wilson made £5,100.