Centre records were smashed at the Cheviot Mule sale at Longtown, when the champion pen of 20 gimmers from Robert and Hazel McNee, Over Finlarg, Tealing, sold for £220 to Messrs Bunting, New Abbey, Dumfries.

The sale conducted by C and D Auction Marts, attracted an entry of 8794 Cheviot Mule females which saw ewe lambs rise £9 per head on the year although tupping lambs were down, while running lambs were considerably dearer.

Overall, 5028 Cheviot Mule ewe lambs levelled at £96.11; with 2513 gimmers cashing in at £140.74, up £1.59 on the year. Cheviot Mule cross ewe lambs and gimmers averaged £101.32 for 986 and £166.32 for 267, respectively.

The champion pen of 20 ewe lambs, as selected by the judge, J Alexander, Northern Ireland, were consigned by Philiphaugh Estates and later sold for £140 to Messrs Barker.

Cross-bred gimmers and ewe lambs peaked at £190 for a pen of 30 Texel cross gimmers from Ted Graham, Upper Mains, whose consignment of 145 head averaged £167.41. Ewe lambs sold to £112 for the same cross from Philiphaugh Estate.

LEADING prices

Ewe lambs – Chev Mule – £140 Philiphaugh; £132 Overhill House; £130 Swinside Townfoot; £128 Gospel Hall; £124 Kingside; £120 Ranbeck and Swinside Townfoot; £118 Gospel Hall and Philiphaugh; £116 Potholm, Swinside Townfoot and Gospel Hall. Ex-SCC – £110, £102 Castlehill. Tex X – 112, £110 Philiphaugh; £108 West Bolton; £107 Swinhoe North Farm; £106 West Bolton and Swinhoe North Farm; £105 Philiphaugh; £104 West Bolton; £102 Upper Hundalee; £100 Swinhoe North Farm. Suff X – £108, £102, Philiphaugh.

Gimmers – Chev Mule – £220, £195, £190 Over Finlarg; £185 Dormansteads; £182, £180 Over Finlarg; £170 Kingside; £165 Rawburn, Over Finlarg and Ryemuir. Tex X – £190, £165 Upper Mains; £160 Skelfhill and Upper Mains. Rouge X – £162 Springwells.