Friday 1st October
The annual two day sale of Herdwick breeding ewes and rams was held at Mitchells Auction Co, Cockermouth, Cumbria. The sale continues to attract interest from across the UK, with purchasers travelling from far and wide to partake in the largest sale of Herdwick sheep in the country.
The Show was kindly sponsored by Hundith Hill Hotel, Marsh Commercial Insurance, TW Relph & Sons, Robinson + co Accountants. Judge for the females was Mr Ian Grisedale of Green Mount Farm, Milnthrope, who awarded the championship rosette to a pen of 5 ewes from WS Jackson, Nook Farm, Borrowdale. This quality pen of ewes from this noted dispersal raced away to sell for £300 per head.
Reserve honours went to a pen of Shearlings from S Stobart, Howbeck Lodge, Hesket New Market which sold for £400.
The days top price of £480 was paid for 5 Shearling gimmers from A Hartley, Turner Hall, Seathwaite. This consignment of 25 Shearlings averaged a staggering £372.
Ewes
1st and Champion: W S Jackson, Nook Farm £300
2nd RR Weir, Chapel Farm £170
3rd R Wilkinson & R Tennant, Gatesgarth £280
Shearlings
1st and Res Champion S Stobart, Howbeck Lodge £400
2nd Messrs Bland, Clea Hall £240
3rd M & GM Fox, Crosbythwaite £140
Gimmer Lambs
1st C I Hartley, Barfield £90
2nd S Stobart, Howbeck Lodge £88
3rd W S Jackson, Nook Farm £95
Ewes: - 340 Little Cross, 330, 320, 300, 165 Nook Farm, 280, 250, 230 Gatesgarth, 240, 185 Clea Hall, 185 Fold Head Farm, 170 Chapel Farm, 160 Glencoyne Farm, 150 East House, 140 Knott Houses.
Shearlings: - 480, 460, 320(2), 280 Turner Hall, 400, 350 Howbeck Lodge, 310, 260 Nook Farm, 220(2) Hollins, 140 Crosbythwaite Farm, 135 Park House.
Gimmer lambs: - Herdwick – 98, 95, 75 Nook Farm, 98, 92 Clea Hall, 90 Barfield, 88, 75 Howbeck Lodge, 76, 72, 71 Anns Cottage.
Other breed Ewes – Cheviot – 115 Lanefoot, 95, 92 Stybeck Farm
Other breed Shearlings –Badger Face – 100, 98 Brimmer Head.
CHEVIOT & CONTINENTAL RAMS
A good entry of 228 Cheviot and Continental rams sold to a large ringside of buyers where quality commanded a premium. Top of £750 was paid for a Texel Ram Lamb from Messrs Stockdale, Crosshow, Dearham. Shearling Rams topped at £700 for a Texel from KG Holliday, Strudda Bank, Calderbridge.
Leading Prices
Shearling Ram – Texel – 700, 550 Strudda Bank, 650, 500 Eirinntalla, 650, 620, 550, 500(2) Askrigg Hall, 600(2), 520(2), 500 Summerhill, 600 Park House, 500 Chapel Farm, 500 Crosshow. Dutch Texel – 500(2) The Laurels. Charollais – 450(2) Swallow Heights, 380 Summer Hill. Suffolk – 400, 380, 350 Nixon Terrace. Beltex – 320 Lords Close, 300 Bordley Green Farm. Cheviot – 280 Hill Top Farm, 280, 250(2) Stonecroft, 250(2) Farmanby.
Aged Ram – Texel – 480, 380(2), 300 Eirinntalla, 280 Skelsceugh Farm, 250 Nixon Terrace. Charollais – 350 Summer Hill. Cheviot – 220 Brow Top Farm, 200 Taw House.
Ram Lamb – Texel – 750, 450, 420, 400 Crosshow Farm, 550, 380, 300(2), 280 The Croft, 280 Arkleby House. Charollais – 350 Swallow Heights. Beltex – 280 Lords Close.