Beltex sheep breeders enjoyed a bumper day at the three-day show and sale at Carlisle, with averages up pretty much in every section complete with a new breed record of 27,000gns for a ram lamb.

Topping the trade was Richard and John Wood's Kingledores Crusader ET, a Glantre Aramani son out of the top breeding show ewe, Kingledores Pearl. The lamb, from Kingledores, Broughton, Biggar, which stood reserve male champion at the Highland and first at Lesmahagow, was knocked down to Wade and Alison McCrabbe, who own the Ardstewart flock in Co Donegal.

Keeping it in the family, Richard's cousin, Stuart from Woolhillock, Skene, Aberdeenshire, enjoyed the best of the day's trading in the shearlings selling the lead priced lot at 16,000gns with his consignment of 16 cashing in at £5233. Dearest was Woodies Baldy ET, by Airyolland Weapon, out of an imported Belgian ewe. He was knocked down to Adam Neachell of the Cromwell flock and George Cropper, Hud Hey.

Gimmers peaked at 5000gns on three occasions. This included the female champion, Ardstewart Ballerina, a Woodies Aero daughter from Wade and Alison McCrabbe, Ardstewart; Todhall Beth by Kingledores Warrier, from Andy Wainwright, Todhall, Cupar, and MR and JE Davis' Rathbone Barbara ET, by Buckles Whizz Kid.

Overall, 301 gimmers averaged £836.25; 198 ram lambs levelled at £1463.13; 691 shearling rams, £1225.92 and 18 aged rams, £1456.

For full report and pictures see next week's Scottish Farmer