AN in-lamb gimmer from Ian and Bernadette Collinson, Biling Shields, stood overall champion before selling for the top price of £2600 at last week's show and sale of Swaledale females at Kirkby Stephen.
The entry from the Collinson's 650-ewe flock at Eastgate, Bishop Auckland, is a home-bred daughter of an £11,000 Intake tup from Mark Ewbank's flock near Middlesmuir, Harrogate, a tup which has bred sons to £6000.
Having stood second in her class at Stanhope, this gimmer sold carrying a pair to a Bull and Cave sire to Alan Bainbridge, Owlands Farm, Hirst, Richmond.
The reserve champion, a ewe hogg from John Bland, Crowden House, Glossop, made £2000 when sold to John Tully, Burncroft, Eggleston, who judged the pre-sale show along with R Lancaster, Brackenbarrow, Torver, Cumbria.
Matching that price was a ewe from Geoff and Carol Marwood's Long Green flock from Barningham, North Yorkshire. Buyer here was WJ Porter, Summer Lodge, Richmond.
Overall averages saw gimmers cash in to average £966.67 (-£144.76 on the year), with ewes at £955 (+£75) and ewe hoggs at £580.10 (+£13.43).
LEADINGprices:
Gimmers – £2600 Billing Shield Farm; £1500, £1200, £1000 Flakebridge Farm; £1000, £900 Crowden House Farm; £1000 Long Green.
Ewes – £2000, £800 Long Green; £1600, £1200 Helbeck Farm; £1400 Oakbank Farm; £1200, £800 Thwaite Bridge.
Ewe hoggs – £2000 Crowden House Farm; £1400, £1300 Long Green; £600 Mount Pleasant Farm.
Auctioneers: Kirkby Stephen
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here