IT’S approaching the busiest time of year in the sale ring and sheep trade is expected to remain buoyant on the back of a positive trend in recent months.
Both Barnard Castle Auction Mart – which also operates St John’s Chapel Auction Mart – and Harrison and Hetherington, responsible for Kirkby Stephen and Middleton-in-Teesdale sale rings, predict the breeding sales to continue this pattern.
Libby Bell, managing director at Barnard Castle, said: “Sheep trade in general is holding up well.
“We are seeing similar numbers of prime lambs compared to last year, while there is a flying trade for cast sheep, with numbers up.
“Earlier, there was a good trade in ewes with lambs at foot. We sold more of those than last year.”
In the weeks preceding the breeding sales, Barney mart has introduced a weekly sale of store lambs to meet demand.
“There are a lot on the market at this time of year and we have started selling them as part of the weekly Wednesday sale,” said Ms Bell.
“That is gathering a bit of momentum and prices have been good.”
She said the weakness of the pound could be one factor, with a bit less lamb being imported as a result, and confidence going into the breeding sales is good.
“At Barnard Castle and St John’s Chapel, we are expecting numbers to be up. It’s when everybody sells that crop of lambs.”
Ms Bell said anything above last year’s “marvellous” trade, when Barnard Castle recorded the highest North of England Mule Sheep Association (NEMSA) price average, would be a bonus.
More buyers are expected at ringside during the coming weeks – some making their annual trip to Barnard Castle – attracted by the quality stock on show.
“Stock in Teesdale and Weardale is well bred and well farmed with good stockmanship,” said Ms Bell.
The best the dale has to offer will be put in front of judges for the pre-sale shows.
“Everybody likes to win, it’s a bit of competition among the farmers and they put a lot of effort into getting sheep ready,” she said.
It is a similar story at Kirkby Stephen, according to auctioneer and livestock manager Mark Richardson.
“We’ve seen a lot more prime lambs sold compared to last year, with farmers taking advantage of good trade and selling lambs at lighter weights,” he said.
Trade for cast ewes has remained consistently good during the past few months, despite large numbers coming through the ring.
“In the coming weeks, the lamb trade is expected to remain buoyant.
“However, we must remember that as we head into autumn, there will still be plenty of lambs coming onto the market following an excellent lambing time with bigger lamb crops,” added Mr Richardson.
Breeding sale dates are:
Barnard Castle
Tuesday, September 5: annual prize show and sale of 2,000 Mule and Continental shearlings and ewes; also 250 Continental and Suffolk Rams. Sale starts 11am.
Thursday, September 14: Annual prize show and sale of 4,500 Mule gimmer lambs on behalf of NEMSA. Sale starts at 11am.
Tuesday, October 3: Second prize show and sale of Mule and Continental gimmer lambs; also sale of Leicester and Continental rams and breeding sheep of all classes. Sale starts at 11am.
St John’s Chapel
Friday, September 22: annual prize show and sale of 3,000 Mule gimmer lambs. Show for NEMSA members only, sale starts at 11am.
Saturday, September 23: annual prize show and sale of 2,000 warranted and unwarranted Swaledale ewes, shearlings and gimmer lambs. Sale starts 10.30am.
Tuesday, October 10: Swaledale Sheep Breeders’ Association D district ram sale. Sale of 400 rams. Sale starts 9.30am.
There are also sales of store lambs on September 1, September 30, October 21 and November 11.
Middleton-in-Teesdale
Wednesday, September 13: NEMSA gimmer lambs show and sale.
Friday, September 15: Swaledale gimmer lambs show and sale.
Friday, September 22: Swaledale ewes and Bluefaced Leicester rams – show and sale, plus other breed rams.
Monday, September 25: Swaledale ewes and shearlings show and sale.
Kirkby Stephen
Friday, September 8: NEMSA Mule gimmer lamb show and sale.
Friday, September 22: annual Continental cross ewe and gimmer lamb show and sale.
Saturday, September 30: annual show and sale of Bluefaced Leicester rams and females.
Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30: Two-day Swaledale female sale.
Wednesday, October 18 – Friday, October 20: Three day Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association ram show and sale.
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