IT was the champion pen of Mules from father and daughter team, David and Heather Gray, Drumnessie, that went on to top the sale of 9888 Scotch Mule and Blackface ewe lambs at United Auctions' Stirling centre, last week.

Picked out by judge J Matthew, Whitelumbs, Huntly, the non MV-accredited pen was knocked down for £170 per head to Mr Matthew himself while accredited ewe lambs reached £132 from I Watt, Hillhead, and again from DI Rock Farming Co, Knock-o-Ronald.

Overall, Scotch Mule ewe lambs levelled at £93.32 (-£1.92 on the year), broken down in to accredited lambs at £88.60 (-£8.56) and non-accredited lambs at £94.89 (+17p).

Blackface ewe lambs met a move favourable trade to average £78.46 (+£6.23), with accredited lambs at £82.20 (+£8.51) and non-accredited sorts at £67.66 (+£4.56). The Blackie section peaked at £118 for accredited ewe lambs from Messrs McLarty, Littleport, with non-accredited ewe lambs to £100 from G Gillespie, Crosshill.

LEADING awards:

Scotch Mule ewe lambs – 1, D Gray, Drumnessie, £170; 2, Hartside Farms, £168; 3, DY Henderson, Auchenrivoch, £130; 4, T Dick, Hamildean, £125; 5, A McArthur, Cretlevane, £158.

FLOCK averages:

Flock (no sold) Top (£) Avg (£)

MV-accredited Scotch Mule ewe lambs

Hillhead (328) 132 105

Remony (100) 110 91

Crosswood Hill (95) 118 99

Holehouse (280) 112 95

Knowehead (207) 100 88

Sauchrie Mains (61) 100 92

Knock-O-Ronald (200) 132 98

Non-accredited Scotch Mule ewe lambs

Auchenrivoch (140) 130 110

Allanfauld (82) 140 113

Shields (142) 128 100

Gribloch (238) 115 87

Pitcairn (122) 132 115

Dollarbank (105) 114 95

Achuaran (99) 112 81

Woodhall (300) 122 98

Raithhill (74) 100 85

Pennytersal (84) 102 96

Bogside (142) 88 82

Skirling Mains (50) 116 86

Ballindalloch Moor (24) 88 88

Tinnis (150) 108 95

Devol (40) 114 99

Crookboat (38) 124 124

West Auchenlongford (26) 82 82

Easter Dawyck (76) 120 105

Townhead (50) 96 91

Outerwards (51) 96 94

Kipperoch (39) 124 116

Haystoun (114) 120 104

Hamildean (59) 125 106

Glenquey (29) 96 96

Overton (147) 96 89

Kingledores (43) 112 109

Coulshill (423) 95 82

Wester Bowhouse (325) 120 102

Kerry Cottage (26) 82 82

Pitnacree (28) 112 101

Mid Wellwood (55) 94 91

Drumnessie (137) 170 115

Farden (40) 92 92

Lilyburn (60) 115 108

Jaw (84) 94 87

Spittalhill (50) 86 85

Burnhead (148) 114 90

Cretlevane (20) 158 158

Townhead (92) 130 114

Midlock (150) 135 118

Glendamph (60) 98 93

Stacks (36) 100 100

Dyke (52) 102 99

Garvie (40) 90 84

Kepculloch (16) 105 105

Drumtee (59) 100 97

Hartside (181) 168 116

Drimsynie (102) 128 109

Assloss (151) 112 96

Head of Moulin (109) 90 83

MV-accredited Blackface ewe lambs

Dall (54) 82 75

Merkins (216) 108 89

Rhodders (96) 70 60

Remony Estate (135) 110 86

Monzie (56) 84 80

Cromlix (199) 102 80

Tullochcan (56) 78 74

WestBracklinn (40) 85 83

Drumachar (153) 95 82

Braes of Ardeonaig (25) 76 76

Succoth (30) 80 80

Littleport (145) 118 102

Non-accredited Blackface ewe lambs

The Glen (21) 66 66

Crosshill (20) 100 88

West Bracklinn (20) 72 72

Keepers Cottage (14) 92 92

Blackmountain Farms (181) 92 70

Aberuchill Management (69) 75 64

Ashintully (41) 56 56

Dalowie (29) 58 58