TRADE started off brisk and remained so at C and D Auction Marts’ sale of 9781 lowland breeding sheep at Longtown, on Tuesday, which included a show and sale of Scotch Mule and North of England Mule ewe lambs judged by Richard Mackie, Nisbet Mill, Jedburgh.
The 4680-strong entry of Mules saw the championship awarded to the winning pen of Scotch Mules from RW and M Carruthers, Hillbrae, Penton, that later sold to Mr Mackie for £130 per head. But leading the Mule ewe lamb trade at £132 was the third placed pen of N of E Mules from RI and VA Telford, High Parkfoot, Roadhead.
Also held was the second sale of 1200 Cheviot Mule ewe lambs which peaked at £111 for a pen from JG Singer, Linbriggs, Harbottle, while the 211-strong nulti-breed entry of other ewe lambs reached £92 for Suffolks from Gospel Hall and again for North Country Cheviots from Cronklea.
The 1832 gimmers on offer hit a top of £144 for Texels from Messrs Graham, Upper Mains, followed at £142 for Mules from W Tinning, Stockwell Hall.
A number of flock reductions were included in the entry of 1695 ewes, which reached £131 for Mules from W Waugh, The Flatt.
A new evening sale of 153 rams of all ages sold to a full ring side with quality rams of all breeds in demand. They topped at £820 for a Suffolk shearling from S Illingworth, Howgillside, selling to Messrs Douglas, Catslackburn, followed at £700 for a Bluefaced Leicester tup lamb from J McPherson, Muirfoot.

LEADING awards:

Ewe lambs – Scotch Mule – 1 and champion, RW and M Carruthers, Hillbrae, Penton, £130; 2, W and A Forster, The Nook, Penton, £114; 3, A Carruthers and Sons, Peela Hill, Bewcastle, £127. North of England Mule – 1, JT James, Midtodhills, Roadhead, £125; 2 and 3, RI and VA Telford, High Parkfoot, Roadhead, £110 and £132.

LEADING prices:

Ewe lambs – Mule £130 Hillbrae; £127 Peela Hill; £125 Wanwood Hill and Midtodhills. Chev Mule – £111, £102 Linbriggs; £110, £100, £98, £96 Temon; £102 Raehills; £100 Dornells; £96 Floors Farming; £95 Newbank and St John’s Kirk. Suff – £92 Gospel Hall; £86 Staffler; £78 High House; £74 Temon; £71 High House. NCC – £92 Cronklea. Tex – £90 Staffler; £85 Airds of Balcary; £81 Minsca; £80 Temon; £76 Winshield. MB – £86 Newton Cottage. Char – £85 Staffler. HD – £74 Snowden Close.
Gimmers – Tex – £144, £126 Upper Mains; £138, £130, £128 Howard House; £132, £122 Brisco Meadows. Mule – £142, £135 Stockwell Hall; £136 Barron House; £132 Englishtown; £128, £126 Hayclose; £124, £122 Leaona Villa; £122 Hayclose. Suff – £132 Stockwell Hall; £116 Whinneyknowe. Chev Mule – £128 Upper Mains and Chapel (Hutchinson); £118 Raehills. MB – £124 Newton Cottage. Belt – £116 Loanend. Lle – £115, £110 Minsca. HB – £115 Jeanfield. Char – £104 Greystone House. ML – £88 Ivy Dene.
Ewes – Mule – £131, £128, £102, £96 The Flatt; £124, £117, £116, £112, £102 Clonrae; £124 Chapel; £118, £104, £98 Greystone House; £100 H and K Farms; £94 Windyhill. Tex – £117, £100 Aldery Terrace; £110, £108 Greystone House; £108 Drumblair; £100 Haas Grove; £100 Windyhill. Chev Mule – £112 Raehills; £110, £94 Parkhill; £108, £92 West Bolton; £106 Chapel; £97 Culcaigrie. Suff – £100 Greystone House; £88 Airds of Balcary; £84 High Acres. Roussin – £92 West Scales. Belt – £79, £78 Glenmaid.
Shearlings rams –  Suff – £820 Howgillside; £500 Riddings Hill. Belt – £450 (x2) Newton Cottage; £350 Holme House. Tex – £420 Holme House; £420 Dormansteads; £420, £400 Howgillside; £400 (x2) Waterside; £400 (x3) Waltonwoodhead; £400 Maulscastle. BFL – £400, £320, £300 (x2) The Stobbs; £380, £300 Penpeugh. Char – £300 Maryholm.
Ram lambs – BFL – £700 Muirfoot. Suff – £450, £300 The Land; £300 Riddings Hill and Burgh Head. Tex – £350, £250 (x2) Harene. Char – £300 (x2) Maryholm. Belt – £300 Waterside. Blue Tex – £250 Millside.
Aged rams – BFL – £350 (2sh) Netheroakshaw.