Suffolk breeders gather for first ram sale of the season

THE first big pedigree sheep sale of the season saw a selective trade for Suffolk rams at their national sale held at Ingliston. Some 122 entries changed hands at an average of £1,929, compared with 154 selling in 2009 at £2,136 and 156 selling in 2008 for £2,407.

Speaking after the sale, chief executive for the breed, Dr Lewis McClinton, said he was happy with the overall trade. He claimed there were a number of new breeders on the sale roll and the sheep that had changed hands did so at a good price.

He was not despondent that almost one third of the entries were going back home unsold. "It is early in the season and there are more sales to come."

Breed president Ronnie Black, of Newton of Collessie, Ladybank, echoed that last comment and added there had been a lot of fleshy well-turned out rams for buyers.

The top price was paid for the show reserve champion lamb from Steven Buckley, Sittinglow, Buxton, Derby. It was knocked down to the buying partnership of Robbie Wilson, Strathisla and Charlie and Kevin Proctor, Conveth, Turriff, for 20,000 guineas, with Wilson taking a two-thirds share.

In one of the early entries through the ring, Robbie Wilson had sold his top entry for 18,000 guineas to Alfred and Norman Robinson, Benrafton, Co Down and followed this sale up with other four-figure sales to give an average of 4,635 for seven lambs sold.

One of several Welsh exhibitors making the journey north was Myfyr Evans, Tan-yr-accar, Denbigh, whose last visit to Ingliston saw him take the breed championship at the Highland show. His visit yesterday was just as successful as he sold his top entry for 12,000 guineas to Iain and Judith Barbour for their respective flocks in Dumfriesshire.

The fourth and final five-figure trade saw a 10,000 guinea bid from H P Sleigh & Sons, St Johns Wells, take the top lamb from Jimmy Douglas, Woodhead of Cairness, Fraserburgh. This deal, backed up by a 5,000 guinea bid for his show champion, helped Cairness to an average of 3,021 for nine sold.

At 9,000 guineas, the Proctors from Conveth sold their top ram to a Northumbrian partnership, John Campbell, Thrunton, and Hugh Annett, Widdrington, Morpeth, with the latter taking a two-third share.

At 7,000 guineas, Mark Priestley, Limestone, Co Down sold his top lamb to Bryden Nicholson, Garth farm, Shetland.

Only an estimated 10 per cent of the sheep forward carried Estimated Breeding Value figures. One breeder using these figures were S & W Tait, Burnview, Co Tyrone who sold their top ram for 6,000 guineas to Goldie of Harpercroft, Ayrshire.

Also at the 6,000 guinea mark, Barclay and Lucy Mair, Kinnermit, Turriff sold to T J Holmes, Rookery, Broadway, Worcester..