September ram sales under way with trade up on the year
© Tim Scrivener A top price of £2,000 was paid for a Texel shearling tup at North West Auctions on 5 September at its annual “lads’ night out” event.
Texels led the trade with several other shearlings selling for £1,900, while Texel ram lambs topped at £1,050 apiece.
Crossbred rams met a firm trade with a Charollais cross Beltex going for £1,900, while Suffolk shearlings sold to £1,500 with ram lambs peaking at £1,000.
See also: Livestock breeding herds fall to record lows in England
Auctioneers said averages were up across the board and the event had been a “huge success” with a marvellous show of sheep.
Meanwhile, records were broken at Brecon Market on 8 September at its pedigree sale of Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep.
A new record of 2,250gns was paid for a ram lamb from Gareth Jones, Felingwm, Carmarthen.
Overall, the trade at Brecon averaged £469 for Torwen rams and £614 for Torddu rams.
At NSA Wales & Border early sale last month, two Texel rams made the top price of 2,000gns and attention now turns to the Kelso ram sale on 13 September and the main NSA Wales & Border ram sale on 23 September.
Additional checks for bluetongue will be introduced at future sales, with restrictions in place in some eastern regions.
However, a strong entry of 3,300 sheep are still due to go up for auction at the Wales & Border sale in Builth Wells.
Ram sale chairman Geoff Probert said:
“Fat lamb prices are firm and cull ewe prices are buoyant. The sheep trade is really good at the moment, so we’re looking forward to a great sale and wide choice of quality sheep.”
He added: “Vendors have to send their best stock to Builth now, to get the very best prices.
“It may not be the cheapest place to sell, but it’s one of the best shop windows and it keeps your name in conversations, whether people are buying at Builth or elsewhere – everyone will still look to see what the trade is there.”