A new record price for Blackface draft ewes was paid at Lawrie and Symington's sale of 3000 Blackie ewes and gimmers at Lanark on Tuesday, when a pen from John Murray, Crossflatt, Muirkirk, sold for £1100 per head.

The pen of six were purchased by Aberuchil Estate, Comrie, 'herded by Craig Paterson.

Mr Murray also produced the two second top priced pens of draft ewes at £580 twice which sold to Messrs McCurdy, and Messrs McAteer, both Northern Ireland.

Gimmers peaked at £1100 for a pen of three from Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, Muirkirk, again selling to Messrs McCurdy.

A strong trade throughout saw averages rise in both sections with 1971 ewes at £104.92 (+£18.99 for 200 more sold) and 892 gimmers at £161.71 (+£34.29 for 500 fewer).

LEADING prices

BF draft ewes – £1100 – Crossflatt to Aberuchil; £580 Crossflatt (x2) to Messrs McCurdy and C McAteer; £560 (x2) Allanfauld to Drimsynie Est and Messrs Wallace, Broughshane; £500 Midlock to Messrs Mackie; £440 Blackhouse to Chirmorrie Enterprises; £380 Midlock to Messrs Mackie; £360 Mitchellslacks to Messrs Daly, Castlederg; £320 Milnmark to Messrs Bradley, Draperstown; £300 Connachan to Auchnafree Estate; £300 Craigdarroch to Messrs McEldowney, Draperstown; £280 Connachan; £250 Blackcraig; £200 Blackhouse and Midlock; £190 Greenside; £160 Blackcraig and Connachan; £150 Craig and Midlock; £145 Peel and Mitchellslacks; £140 Milnmark; £135 Connachan.

BF gimmers – £1100 Auldhouseburn to Messrs McCurdy; £700 Shawsknowe to Messrs Smith, Ballynasollus; £700 Glenrath to Messrs McGuigan, Swatragh; £680 Glenrath to Messrs McAleer, Pomeroy; £620 High Staward to Messrs Devine, Glenmornan; £550 Connachan to Messrs Shepherd, Riwmore; £380 Harestone to Messrs Nixon, Marbrack; £380 Crossflatt to Messrs Bagan, Waterlands; £340 Midlock to Messrs McEldowney, Maghera; £240 Nunnerie; £230 Harestone; £220 Glenrath and Harestone; £210 Midlock; £200 Nunnerie, Toxside and Kirkton of Morton; £190 Greenside and Tinnis; £185 Nunnerie.