Section averages mostly improved on the year at United Auctions' show and sale of 4337 Scotch Mule gimmers which included entries of Cheviot Mules, Texel, Suffolk and Aberfield cross gimmers, at Stirling, last weekend.

Judge Andrew Maclean, Kings Arms, Ballantrae, backed his decision and bought his choice of champion gimmers at £150 per head, Scotch Mules from Burncastle Farming, Lauder.

Top price however was £190 paid for a pen of Mule gimmers from David Gray, Drumnessie, purchased by A MacKellar, Seaview.

Overall averages levelled at £128.36 (+£1.74) on the year, with non-accredited Scotch Mule gimmers averaging more than accredited which levelled at £124.47 (-£17.26) while non-accredited cashed in at £130.22 (+£7.57).

Cheviot Mule gimmers balanced out at £129.87 (+£8.88); Suffolk cross gimmers at £126.53 (+£11.96) and Texel crosses at £129.39 (+£13.71).

LEADING awards

Pens of Scotch Mule gimmers – 1, Burncastle Farming, £150; 2, WA Gray, Drumnessie, £170; 3, J and M Hamilton, Crosswoodhill, £162; 4, A McKenzie, Ardgate, £182; 5, J Gilchrist, West Meikle Pinkerton, £150.

FLOCK averages

Flock (No) Top (£) Average

Accredited Scotch Mule gimmers

Millglen Farms (239) 140 127

Lochend (80) 145 133

Knowehead (152) 142 123

Crosswood Hill (20) 162 162

Kinaldy (Brigton) (142) 139 120

Easter Gallovie (194) 148 118

Non-accredited Scotch Mule gimmers

Drumtee (28) 122 119

Strichen Mains (170) 145 136

West Meikle Pinkerton (114) 150 132

Dalfask (50) 122 121

Knowes (55) 128 125

Tollishill Farming (120) 145 133

Inchie (71) 124 122

Letham (44) 118 116

Kipperoch (64) 138 128

Mains of Creuchies (80) 145 142

Grange of Kinneff (60) 124 120

Middlehill (30) 120 120

Ardgate (84) 182 146

Wardhead (82) 125 125

Burncastle Farming (150) 150 147

Renton HF (141) 118 116

Drumnessie (80) 190 143

Drimsynie Estate (20) 142 136

Greigston (270) 135 128

Garthland (59) 126 123

Mailingsland (50) 134 134

Clunebeg (52) 136 133

Gartness (49) 132 127

West Bracklinn (71) 122 119

Preston Hall Farming Co

Tynehead (37) 136 136

Chev Mule gimmers

Sunnybraes Terrace (21) 138 138

Lathockar Mains (107) 134 127

North Balloch (32) 142 138

Letham (19) 118 118

Texel and Texel cross gimmers

Kipperoch (10) 225 225

Airthrey Kerse (128) 148 128

West Handaxwood (13) 162 162

Suffolk cross gimmers

Handaxwood (19) 134 134

Renton Home (117) 132 125

Aberfield gimmers

Little Galla (40) 120 120