Texels top at 10,000gns

Blimey, we have had some rain over these past couple of days! The stock are looking a bit fed up and the field gates are getting claggy.

We’ve been busy getting on with a much awaited and needed cattle shed. We are really excited and can’t wait for it to be erected. The thought of lambing in a spacious shed rather than the old stone byers fills me with delight!

Today I’ve been at UK Dairy Day. As usual lots to see and great to catch up with so many folk!

I stood ringside with Aubrey Greenhough and Holstein Judge Mick Gould, there was so many fantastic cattle. I certainly didn't envy the judges!

The Supreme Champion went to B.L Davies and Son with their Senior 3 year old, Davlea Bradnick Alicia. The Reserve Champion win went to Wiltor Chipper Rosie Polled Red from W and C.E Jones with honourable mention to Kedar Alaska (Blooming) from T. Lochhead and sons.

Speaking of dairy, Bulls from some of the world’s top cow families were out in force at this years Western Holstein Club bull show and sale, incorporating the Wexham cup award. Top seller at 4,100gns was Sterndale Giovanni from W. J. Nadin and Co., Earl. At 3,600gns was the Wexham Cup winner, this year awarded to Peak Arv Royale from Y. K. Bradbury, Earl Sterndale. In the wider market, store cattle seem to be in demand, particularly for the more forward and short keep types.

More spectacular headlines in the pedigree sheep sale rings this week when at the Solway and Tyne Texel Club sale, Sportsmans Batman from Boden and Davies, Stockport sold for 100,000gns to Proctors Farms, Lancashire. The March-2018 born Garngour Alabama son is out of a homebred dam by Knap Vicious Sid.

The Farmers Guardian supported sale of gimmer shearlings and stock ewes at St. Boswells saw a top call of £200 for North County Cheviot gimmers from V. Alder, Longframlington. Next at £178 and £172 were the pre-sale show first and second placed lots from the Ross Brothers, Stichen, Aberdeenshire.

Elsewhere, trade for commercial breeding sheep is very mixed with some of the more recent sales reporting a better trade but there is little demand for the second quality sheep. However, store lamb prices remain remarkably good in spite of a dip in prime lamb averages.

In terms of crop sales, hay and straw sales at Beeston saw June meadow to £175/t; straw, barley, quads to £105/t; straw, wheat quads to £94/t.

Sales coming up this week

Thursday, September 13 – Craig Wilson will be holding a sale of Blackface Gimmer and Ewes on behalf of the Blackface Sheep Breeders Association at Ayr Mart
Friday, September 14 – Closamectin Kelso Ram sales at Border Union Agricultural Society, Springwood Park, TD5 8LS
Saturday, September 15 – Thirsk will be holding a Farm Machinery Dispersal Auction on behalf of R.H. Blair and partners at at Skeeby, Richmond (Nr Scotch Corner)
Monday and Tuesday, September 17 and 18 – Hawes will be holding a Marts the Heart sponsored two day sale of Gimmer Lamb at Hawes Mart
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