A SHOW and sale of Blackface prime hoggs at Longtown Mart last week, saw the champion pen from Messrs Simpson, Kirkhouse, Peebles, top the sale at £106 per head.

Scaling 44kg per life, the pen of 20 sold to the judge, James Gettins.

Outwith the show of Blackfaces, 4500 prime hoggs met a solid trade to average 219.1p per kg with SQQs at 220.3p. Beltex and Texel pure bred hoggs met a strong demand, with a top of 319p paid for Beltex from Messrs McKie, Finniesness, Castle Douglas, while others sold to 315p from Messrs Fotheringham, Drumcairn, Perth.

Heavy types met another flying trade, with many pens selling for more than £130 per head and to a top of £135.50 for Texel hoggs from Mr Storey, New Hummerbecks, Co Durham, while light hoggs peaked at 253p from New Hummerbecks, with many sold in the 220p-230p bracket.

A large entry of 4110 cast ewes and rams saw trade up £10 per head on the week as 889 ewes averaged £121.75. Top price was £181 for Texels from Bryndansi, while rams peaked at £159 for Charollais from Heatherglen.

LEADINGawards:

Blackface hoggs – Up to 42kg – 1, Hutchison, Chapel, 41kg, £94; 2, Black, Tangy, 39kg, £89; 3, Anderson, Rowanburnfoot, 32kg, £68. More than 42kg – 1 and champion, Simpson, Kirkhouse, 44kg, £106 ; 2, Simpson, Kirkhouse, 42kg, £96; 3, Jardine, Yett, 52kg, £104.