The annual Rough Diamonds and Multi-Breed individual female sale including Bluefaced Leicester’s saw a large entry of sheep forward for sale with a busy ringside of buyers and onlookers.
The annual Rough Diamonds sale of Rough Fell females on behalf of the Rough Fell Sheep Breeders association saw an entry of 18 forward. The pre-sale show was ably judged by John Law who we thank for his time and expertise. The pre-sale Championship was awarded to J Hunter of Galloper Park, Tebay with a one crop ewe sired by RF2604 Maryfell Walter, carrying a single to RF2563 Lockbank W3. This sharp coloured ewe was much admired in the sale pens and went on to sell for 700gns to S & W Dickinson of Tebay. The Reserve Champion was from T L B & J Knowles of High Borrowbridge, Selside with their Gimmer Shearling. She was sired by the record breaking 10,000gns High Cark Yankie RF2696 and noted as carrying twins to a Catholes ram. This Gimmer Shearling sold for the top price of 800gns joining the flock of A & M Skidmore of Flakebridge, Tebay. Gimmer Hoggs sold to a top of 420gns for the first prize from J Hunter of Galloper Park, Tebay sired by RF2563 Lockbank W3 selling to Duncan Burton of Rutland. A strong trade enjoyed throughout the Rough Fells saw Gimmer Hoggs average £241.50, In Lamb Gimmer Shearlings average £504 and In Lamb Ewes average £388.50.
There was an entry twice the size of the previous year of Bluefaced Leicester’s, with the sale gaining a strong reputation from breeders throughout the north of England and into Scotland. The pre-sale judging was in the able hands of David and James Lawson of Westhouse. There was a strong line up out for the show with the Championship rosette awarded to Messrs Lord of West Dowgill with a Gimmer Hogg sired by J1 Barf House selling to A Bastian of Dumfries.
A new centre record of 2600gns was achieved for an individual Bluefaced Leicester female consigned by J Wight and Sons, Midlock Farm, Biggar. This modern stylish Gimmer Shearling sired by the renowned Midlock Mustang F027, carrying triplets to the recently purchased Shafthill K1 sold to CT & JE Willoughby of the Penhill Flock. The Gimmer Hoggs forward sold to a top of 1,300gns for first time consigner at J36; RD Archer and Son of Carry House, a replacement lot sired by G1 Highberries Highlander selling to a joint partnership of Kevin Barker, Lancaster and Luke Ayrton, Lancaster.
In lamb ewes sold to a top of 1000gns from local breeder RI Dixon of Low Newton with a three-crop ewe sired by F003 Middleton Hall carrying triplets, she sold to Matthew Atkinson of Kendal, with an in-lamb gimmer shearling from the same good home selling to 1,000gns. Bluefaced Leicester gimmer hoggs sold to a market average of £689.50, in lamb gimmer shearlings averaged £1,401 and in lamb ewes averaged £748.13.
The multi breed individual sale saw pedigree in lamb Beltex’s sell to a top of 350gns from CM Jennings of Crake Hall, Selside, with in lamb Texel’s selling to 300gns from MP Berry of Highgate Farm, Stalmine. A special entry of Zwartble gimmer shearlings and hoggs all scanned in lamb sold to a top of 140gns twice.
There was an entry of 350 in lamb commercial breeding sheep forward for the sale. Following on from the wet winter endured and some worrying about the current forage situation, a better trade was had then maybe expected with quite a bit of interest ringside. In lamb Mule gimmer shearlings due march to the Texel ram sold to £122 from Paul Whitton of Burneside. A flock dispersal on behalf of WA Simpson of The Cart House, Kendal saw flock age mule ewes sell to £122. Texel shearlings topped at £112 from SL Moorhouse of Moor Farm. Aged continental ewes from the flock dispersal on behalf of J Bargh and Son of North Farm top at £110 with Suffolk ewes from the same good home sell to £105.