Well the good weather held, but I felt it had a negative impact on Kelso ram sales. There were 5,689 tups entered, the highest number since 2008, and over 700 more than last year. This, combined with farmers cracking on getting crops in at home, made selling challenging for some to say the least.

We were fortunate enough to get most of ours away and were happy with our averages, but sadly this wasn’t the case for many. Just under 76 per cent of rams sold – some 10 per cent down on the year.

However, on a more positive note, there’s time enough yet to sell rams to the commercial market with plenty of sales to come. This is what I’m telling myself anyway!

Ewe lambs sales are off to a good start this week – Hawes’ two-day Mule gimmer lamb sale saw some keen prices, and the average not too far below last year’s. I had planned to go, but time was against me.

Sales coming up over the next week: Friday, 18 September, Clee Tompkinson and Francis is hosting a dispersal sale of the Bennant herd of pedigree Simmentals at Llandovery Mart.

Also on Friday, Mitchells has its great annual Lakeland show and sale of 9,000 North of England Mule gimmer lambs at Cockermouth Mart and there’s a collective and vintage machinery sale on the land adjoining Wheatsheaf Farmer, Cheshire, hosted by Graham Watkins.

On Saturday, 19 September, there is a sale of the Hay Lane herd, 113 pedigree South Devon cattle plus a full range of well-maintained farm machinery and effects on behalf of E. Hemming, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire.

On Monday, September 21, don’t forget it’s the NSA ram sales at Builth.

Enjoy the rest of your week!