Quality of stock not reflected in prices at Middleton-in-Teesdale centenary ram sale

A COMBINATION of factors saw a drop in average prices during the Swaledale Sheep Breeders’ Association's centenary ram sale at Middleton-in-Teesdale.

Too many rams, uncertainty over Brexit and a good previous year are among the reasons offered for the drop during the sale on Wednesday, October 11.

Association secretary John Stephenson said: “The day went as expected following previous sales at other centres. It was a combination of things, there is not one thing that you can point at.

“There is uncertainty about what is going to happen to the sheep industry post-Brexit. People are breeding lambs for the future, it is not a short term measure.”

Despite this, quality of the rams on display during the prize show was high.

Tup lamb judge Stephen Shorlin: “The quality was very good. It was very hard to judge the top rams.”

Mr Shorlin travelled from Donegal, in Ireland, for the centenary show.

The supreme champion ram was presented by Robert Hutchinson, of Valley Farm, Bowes, while the reserve champion was shown by Patrick Sowerby of Oakbank, in Barras.

Results

Ram above two years (large breeder): 1, J Mitchell; 2, J Mclaughlan; 3, C Nelson and Sons; com, C & CJ Stephenson.

Ram above 2 years (small breeder): 1, JR Bainbridge; 2, C Bell; 3, G Scott; com, TW Hutchinson.

Champion aged ram: JR Bainbridge

Reserve champion aged ram: J Mitchell.

Crowned ram lam (large breeder): 1, C Nelson & Sons; 2, S Hunter; 3, S Hunter, 4, C Nelson & Sons; 5, A Huddleston; com, S Hunter.

Crowned lamb (small breeder): 1; JP Hutchinson; 2, A & R Birbeck; 3, NJ Bell; 4, R & H Scott; 4, Burncroft Farms; com, A & R Birbeck

Champion ram lamb: C Nelson & Sons.

Reserve champion ram lamb: JP Hutchinson.

Shearling ram (large breeder): 1, R Hutchinson & Sons; 2, PE & KA Sowerby; 3, R Hird; 4, M/S Cockbain & Sons; 5, Dowson & Sartin; com, CR Raine & Son.

Shearling ram (small breeder: 1; LA Sunter; 2, D Humble; 3, TW Hutchinson; 4, TW Hutchinson; 5, MC Dent; com, MC Staley

Best conformation shearling ram: 1, Tarn Bros; 2, N & N Foster; 3, Tarn Bros, 4, C & JC Stephenson; 5, JA Alderson; com, J & SE Bainbridge.

Champion: R Hutchinson & Sons.

Reserve champion: PR & KA Sowerby.

Topping the sale at £18,000 was a Shearling ram consigned by Messrs Wallace, Lanehead Farm, Middleton-In-Teesdale which was bred by Messrs Marwood, Long Green. The successful purchaser was Messrs Emmott, Whitelees Farm, Consett.

The overall championship on the day was taken by another Shearling ram this time consigned by Messrs Hutchinson, Valley Farm, Barnard Castle which went on to sell for £2,800 to Messrs Parkinson, Hareden Hall Farm, Clitheroe.

Trade throughout the day was good for quality strong well put together rams, with lower end quality rams being harder to place.

Averages: 13 aged rams £296.92; 226 shearlings £760.58; 23 lambs £182.61.

Leading prices

Shearling rams: £18000, £7000, £1200 Lanehead Farm; £7500, £3800, £2300, £1400, £1200 West Briscoe; £7000, £1200 Dousgill Farm; £6500, £1400 Grains O Beck; £5000 Roachburn Farm; £4000, £1400 Ash Dub; £3600, £1200 (2) Barras Farm; £3500, £1600 Stanhope Gate; £3200 Redhouse; £3000, £1800 Rakefoot Farm; £3000, £1600 Garnthwaite; £3000 Gillfield; £2800 Valley Farm; £2600 Puchard Farm; £2500 Blunt House; £2200 Burtree Ford; £2000, £1200 (2) Rigg Farm; £2000 Ashgill Farm; £1800 Battle Hill; £1500, £1400 Birch Bush; £1500, £1200 Toft House; £1300 Oak Bank; £1200 Blunt House; £1100 East House; £1100 High Birk Hatt.

Aged Rams: £800 Parrick House Farm; £750 Ettersgill House; £750 West Underhurth; £380 Beverley Cottage; £380 Lainger House; £320 The Pry.

Ram lambs: £600, £200 Watgarth; £600 Lainger House; £450 Force Garth; £300 Overhouses; £250, £220 Spring Hill.