CONTINUED uncertainty in the sheep world resulted in overall averages slip slightly on the year at the 40th National Sheep Association Wales and Border Ram Sale, at Builth Wells, on Monday, where prices peaked at 12,000gns for a Bluefaced Leicester.

With many sheep farmers having struggled to feed sheep during the summer drought, coupled with increased feed costs and the huge question mark that remains over future trade, the event was never going to be a flyer. However, it was better than anticipated according to executive director, Jane Smith.

“In a year when prices has been unpredictable, we’ve seen a fairly solid trade with some really high prices for top tups. Prices reflected the fact that it’s been such a difficult year and some farmers are into winter supplies."

By the end of the day, some 3815 sheep sold to average £482.33, which is down £28.12 on the year. In all 4727 were forward, representing an 81% clearance. Turnover was £1.84m, down 5% on the year.

Sale leader at 12,000gns was a traditional Bluefaced Leicester shearling ram from Vale of Glamorgan couple, semi-retired Tudor and Janet Harris, who run 40 pedigree ewes in their Bonvilston flock from Cardiff. Sired by a Cendy ram and out of a Bonvilston ewe, he stood reserve champion at the pre-sale show and sold to Scottish breeders, Hazel Brown who owns the Leadburnlea flock based at Toxside, Gorebridge, Midlothian and Martin Quinn, whose breeding ewes come under the Whinnyhill prefix and are based at Kinglassie, Fife.

Blue tup lambs also sold well and to a top of 5000gns for the best from Scott Thomaston, Piel View, Barrow in Furness.

Second top price overall was 5200gns paid for the Texel champion, a shearling ram from brother and sister duo, Euros and Myfannwy Davies. This Canllefaes ram is by Talcoed You Know – purchased at Welshpool in 2016 –and sold to WG Davies and Son, Gelli Farm, Penderyn.

Charollais peaked at 4000gns for a shearling ram from Geoff and Bridget Probert, purchased by Huw Roberts of the Bachymbyd flock, Ruthin. He is by a Foulrice-bred ram.

Unregistered Texels sold to 3800gns from EL Evans and Co, Green Farm, Pantydwr, to Pilkington Farms, Buxton and a Blue Texel from Matthew Jones, Talsarnau, Gwynedd, made 2200gns selling Paul Tippetts, Shifnal, Shropshire.

Scottish Lleyn breeder, Derek Steen, Moffat topped his section with a shearling ram at 2000gns that went home with Lionel Organ of Llandysul.

Retiring breeder, John Sinnett, Stockton, sold the top priced Suffolk at 1500gns to A Meredith of Hoarwithy, Hereford, and John Owens, Woodhouse, Leominster, led the Beltex trade with an entry at 1300gns purchased by DL Jones of Lampeter.

Border Leicesters sold to 1100gns for the best from Mrs J Morgan, Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, Aberystwyth. He was knocked down to RJ and SE Whitcombe of Petersfield.

And, in an all Scottish transaction, WJC Weir, Kelso, sold the top priced South Country Cheviot to WN Douglas, Selkirk, for 1100gns.

for 1100 guineas.

Ring Breed (No) Top (Gns) Averages (£)

2018 2017

1/2 BFL aged rams (16) 920 518.44 662

BFL shearlings (369) 12,000 502.39 557

BFL ram lambs (89) 5000 603.81 645

3 Non MV Suff rams (78) 950 546.00 561

4 Non MV Suff rams (202)1000 564.76 523

5 MV Suff ram lambs (87) 1500 397.43 367

6a Berrichon shearlings (24) 700 396.84 318

6b Blue Tex rams (14) 2200 554.68 393

Blue Tex ram lambs(19) 850 423.32 377

7 Hamp D rams (24) 620 354.38 380

8 Belt rams (33) 1300 426.05 484

Cross Belt rams (295) 1290 434.97 604

9 Texel rams (177) 3800 498.36 492

Texel cross rams (66) 750 457.55 564

10 B Leicester rams (60) 1100 299.60 522

11/12 Texel shearling rams (675) 5200 682.17 737

13 Texel ram lambs (340) 2800 373.61 415

15 Lleyn MV rams (71) 2000 398.11 512

16/17 Char MV shearlings (182) 4000 606.87 605

Char MV ram lambs (127) 2600 469.85 460

20 SCCheviot rams (72) 1100 418.32 425

NCCheviot rams (121) 650 326.89 455