AVERAGES HIT new heights at the sale of registered Bluefaced Leicester females at Carlisle, on 18-01-10, when demand for the ‘crossing type’ saw prices peak at 5000gns and the average break through the £1000 per head barrier – up almost £500 per head on the year for 10 more sold.

A major attraction was the reduction of John and Mandy Smith-Jackson’s Shafthill flock, from High Town, Melkridge, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, which produced four of the top six highest priced lots.

But, it was the reserve overall champion, a ewe hogg from the Hutchinson family’s Kirkby Redgate flock, from Redgate, Kirkby Stephen, brought out by Richard Hutchinson, that led the way, securing the day’s lead price of 5000gns. This daughter of a Hewgill tup bought privately was knocked down to Robert Wallace, buying for his 20-ewe flock from Ballantrae, Girvan.

The Shafthill reduction – being staged to allow the family to concentrate on their cattle enterprise – attracted a packed ringside and saw the consignment of 26 average £1537.

They saw their trade hit a top of 4200gns for a two-crop ewe by the S25 home-bred Shafthill sire which sold carrying triplets to Northern Ireland breeder, S Laverty, who runs the Orra View flock at Armoy, Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

A maternal sister, by the Y8 Shafthill tup, made 3200gns in a two-way split to GE Carter and Son, Parcelstown, Longtown, Carlisle, and Messrs Bell and Copeland, Bailey Mill, Newcastleton.

Shafthill also sold one of the highest priced ewe hoggs at 2400gns to G and G Jackson and Son, Anchor Farm, Blubber Houses, Otley.

Brothers John, Andrew and David Lord’s Hewgill flock, from Low Dowgill, North Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen, won their second consecutive championship, this time with a ewe hogg that went on to make 3000gns selling to Martin Allan, Greenhow, Dufton, Appleby.

Flying the flag for Scotland, Allan Wight and son Allan, Midlock, Crawford, enjoyed a roaring trade with an average of £1638 for 15 head. Tops from them were three 2200gns sales, including the first prize gimmer, purchased by John and Margaret Kerr, Sauchrie Mains, Maybole. The others went to BT Blaney, Cushendall, and fellow Co Antruim breeder, H Henry, Kilwaughter, Larne, respectively.

Averages: 41 ewes, £852.94; 35 gimmers, £1210.50; 40 ewe lambs £972.83. Overall, 116 head, £1002.16