A 100% clearance rate was achieved at Malcolm Stewart’s Sandyknowe Suffolk dispersal staged on the farm, where prices peaked at 4500gns.

Since moving to Brotherstone, near Melrose, in 1999, Mr Stewart aimed to rear everything on a commercial basis and consistently produced performance recorded rams in the top 5%.

Top price gimmer at 4500gns

Top price gimmer at 4500gns

His first sheep in, a gimmer by Sandyknowe Leader out of a ewe by Sandyknowe Y13:17, sold for the top price when purchased by the Ingram family, Logie Durno, Inverurie, who also went on to buy its dam for 1500gns.

That dam was also the dam of Sandyknowe Tweed 18:1, bought by Logie Durno two years ago for 5000gns and is the full brother to Sandyknowe Y:13:18, which they also purchased for 2200gns. “Genetics like these come round once in a generation,” said William Ingram. “Tweed has been an outstanding breeder for us and we were keen to get more of those genetics. The sheep here are like peas in a pod and that is quite an achievement for any flock.”

Robin Hume, from Ellesmere, in Shropshire, purchased two gimmers at 3000gns each. The first was a Sandyknowe Leader daughter out of a home-bred ewe. The second was by Sandyknowe Y13:19 and out of another home-bred dam.

The choice of Charles and Matt Harding, of Atterton, at 2000gns was another gimmer by Sandyknowe Leader, out of a ewe by a home-bred sire.

“I am proud of the flock we have built over the years. Of course I am sad to see them go but I am delighted with the genetics we have built here, it will be great to see how they influence other flocks in future.

“I don’t get to finish just yet though, as we will have this year’s ewe lambs for sale in July, 2022 and the shearling rams, at our farm sale, the night before the Kelso Ram Sales,” said Mr Stewart.

averages: 220 females, £662.13; 63 gimmers, £925.50; 157 mixed aged ewes, averaged £556.45

Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington.