Bluefaced Leicester breeders selling at the NSA ram ram sales at Builth Wells, met a buoyant trade with shearling averages up almost £71 on the year at £573.34, while ram lambs slipped by £12 to £591.14.

It was nevertheless a tup lamb that topped the trade when the best from Frank Johnson's Ashes flock, a son of the K4 Burndale, made 4200gns selling to Tudor Harris of the Bonvilston flock. Bred from a Shielsknowe-bred daughter of the D9 Ashes bought for £500 at the flock dispersal, this lamb is a full brother to lambs that made 3900gns and 3000gns at Carlisle, last year.

First time consignor, Alan McClymont, Kirkstead, Yarrow, also came up with the goods, selling a tup lamb by the former twice Highland Show champion, the G1 Burndale out of the flock's top show ewe for 3100gns to Messrs Jones. His full brother then realised 2200gns in a two-way split to Robert Peart and Jack Wilkinson, Weardale.

Kirkstead breeding was behind the pen leader from Carmarthen breeders, TJ and LSR Griffiths, Bwthyn, Tyhir lamb which made 2100gns. He is by the Kirkstead K3, the champion at the Royal Welsh Show for the last two years, out of a Lower Down ewe by the Piel View G7.

Another with the Kirkstead K3 bloodlines in his pedigree from David Henderson, Burndale, made 2000gns selling to Alan Cowens, Philiphaugh Estate, Selkirk.

Kirsktead genetics were also behind the lead priced shearling at 1500gns. This tup from D Williams, Elian, is by the K7 Kirkstead bought at Carlisle for £3400.