On Friday 5th & 6th October 2018 Mitchells Auction Co, Cockermouth, Cumbria held the annual 2 day sale of Herdwick breeding ewes and rams. It was a sight to behold with the ring packed to the rafters with prospective purchasers from every corner of the country. Sellers anticipated trade to be very low but to their delight prices were acceptable.
The sales were kindly sponsored by TW Relph & Son, Robinson & Co Accountants and Jelf insurance.
The judging of the females started the weekend on a high with AD&T Harrison, Brotherilkeld being awarded the championship by the judge Mr Joe Weir, Chapel Farm.
Sale Average for Herdwick Ewes-
Ewes- £41.19 Shearlings- £61.29
Ewes
1st AD&T Harrison, Brotherilkeld Sold for £230
2nd CI Hartley, Barfield Sold for £175
3rd AS&C Hodgson, Glencoyne Sold for £85
Shearlings
1st M&GM Fox, Crosbythwaite Sold for £140
2nd GW Wilkinson, Tilberthwaite Sold for £66
3rd M&GM Fox, Crosbythwaite Sold for £135
Gimmer Lambs
1st WD&DE Tyson, Middle Row Sold for £105
2nd CI Hartley, Barfield Sold for £80
3rd D&J Wilson, Anns Cottage Sold for £56
Ewes
Ewes :- Herdwick – 240 Middle Row, 230, 105, 92, 85 Brotherilkeld, 175, 85, 80, 66 Barfield, 138, 125 Ulcatrow, 120 Penny Hill, 110(x2) Anns Cottage, 105, 100 Tilberthwaite Farm, 95 Skelsceugh Farm, 85 Glencoyne Farm, 72 Knott Houses, 72 Row Farm, 68 East House. Mule – 90 Skelsceugh Farm. Cheviot –62, 51 Stybeck Farm, 51 Lanefoot.
Shearlings :- Herdwick – 300 Middle Row, 160, 125, 100 Little Cross, 140, 135, 81, 80(x3), 76 Crosbythwaite Farm, 98, 70 Nook Farm, 95 Deepdale Hall, 85(x2) Skelsceugh Farm, 85 The Oaks, 85 Ulcatrow, 84 Row Farm, 72 Rietfontien, 69 The Mount, 68 Anns Cottage, 68 Tilberthwaite.
Gimmer Lambs :- Herdwick – 105, 55 Middle Row, 80 Barfield, 58, 56 Anns Cottage, 58 Ulcatrow, 52 Penny Hill, 52 Brockstones, 50 Skelsceugh Farm.
Leading Prices – Coninental Rams
Shearlings :- Texel – 480 Eirinntalla, 420 Beckhouse Farm, 420, 380, 320 Chapel House Farm, 400(x2), 380, 380, 340 Arkleby House, 400(x2), 380(x2), 360 Strudda Bank, 360, 340, 320 Seafield House, 340 Wardhall Guards, 320 Glen Hush. Suffolk X Charollais – 420, 380, 320, 300(x2), 280 Swallow Heights, 240 Birds Nest. Beltex X Texel – 400, 360, 320(x3), 300(x2), 280 Eirinntalla, 300(x2), 280, 240, 220 Brow Top Farm, 200 Dundraw Farms. Dutch Texel – 360, 260, 230 The Laurels. Cheviot – 350 West Head Farm, 340, 280 Stonethwaite Farm, 280, 240 Hill Top Farm. Suffolk X Texel – 300, 200 Birds Nest. Suffolk – 280 Crosshow Farm. Beltex – 200 Beckhouse Farm.
Lambs:- Texel – 430, 260 The Croft, 300 Crosshow. Suffolk – 220, 200 The Croft. Charollais – 300, 280 Swallow Heights.
SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER
Mitchells Auction Mart conducted,on behalf of the HSBA, the sale of registered Herdwick Rams. With a larger entry on the year. Rams averaged a satisfactory £661. The judges, Neil Hodgson, Park House, and Richard Ellwood, Baskell, awarded the Championship to the shearling ram shown by Mr Isaac Benson, Fell Foot.
Highlight of the day was a ram fetching 9500gns, owned by WS Jackson, Nook Farm, and being sold to AS & C Hodgson, Glencoyne.
Prize List
Aged Rams
1st CI Hartley, Barfield
2nd A Hartey, Turner Hall
3rd A Nicholson, Swinside End Farm
4th Woodhow Farm
3 Shear Rams
1st M/s Bland, Mirkholme
2nd RR Weir, Chapel
3rd AS Edmondson, Randle Gate
4th Isaac Benson, Fell Foot
Shearling
1st Isaac Benson, Fell Foot
2nd JG Harryman, The Galleon
3rd A Hartley, Turner Hall
4th P Bland & J Barnes, Knott Houses
Leading Prices (In Guineas)
Nook Farm- 9500, 3000
Cockley Beck Farm- 6200
West Head- 6000
Barfield- 4000
Burnthwaite- 3200
Turner Hall- 3000
Grove Farm- 3000
How Hall- 2800
Taw House- 2700
Woodhow- 2600
Chapel Farm- 2100