THE annual prize show and sale of 6,100 Swaledale Gimmer Lambs at Middleton-in-Teesdale on Friday, September 21.
The largest sale of its kind in the country saw another marvellous entry despite the hard spring and dry summer.
The quality of sheep on offer was a tremendous credit to the breeders – both local and those who travelled – who recognise this sale as one of the highlights of the Swaledale sheep sales diary.
Lambs were shown in tremendous bloom although, understandably, just lacking the strength of last year’s entry. Trade for top draws remained extremely buoyant from start to finish, smaller sorts found a home at a more realistic value.
The sale was topped at £200 late in the day by a marvellous pen of ten from young Swaledale enthusiast JL Archer, White Hill Farm, Sparty Lea, Hexham, which were purchased by Howard Farms, High Studdon, Allendale.
The sale average levelled at £63.14, £10 less on the year with a 97 per cent clearance.
Prior to the sale, the show was judged by Richard Greenwood, Newlands Farm, Low Bradley, Paul Brown, Oak House, Ravenstonedale, with Alan Graham, Wydoncleughside, Greenhead acting as referee.
Their awards were:
First prize and winners of the Stan Davis Perpetual Trophy for the best pen of 10 (confined to “A” District) was awarded to Messrs F & MP Allinson & Son, West Briscoe, which went on to make £180 and were purchased by Messrs Mason, Keasdon Head; 2, Burncroft Farms £125 to P Brown, Oak House; 3, M Ewbank, Intake Farm £140 to S Bolton, Hindsclough Farm; 4, AE Iceton & Sons, High Birk Hatt £160 to J Staley, Frenchgate; 5, D&EN&ID Brown, Lummas House £120 to E Haughey, Ballymena.
The show was kindly sponsored by P Seedhouse, John Warren ABP, Jameson and Shearwell Data.
