NSA South West Ram Sale
Date: 16th August 2023
Time: 10am
On Wednesday 16th August, the 35th annual NSA South West Region Ram Sale was held at Exeter Livestock Centre.
Ring one accommodated the Texel’s, crossbreds and Suffolk’s whilst ring two had all other breeds passing through including the Charollais breed which topped the days trading and created a new breed record for the breed at this fixture. The record breaker came in the form of the Champion, Prestleigh Achilles a Cavick What about that sired shearling from Tom Newth of Castle Cary that found a new home with the judge, Geoff Probert of Worcester for 2,600gns.
Other Charollais shearlings sold at 1,100gns twice for Mike & Mel Alford of Cullompton with their Foxhill Flock whilst Denby Smith of Chulmleigh topped the Charollais ram lamb trade at 800gns and George Dart of Clyst Hydon topped the Charollais female trade at 600gns.
Texel sheep were the biggest in number, Michael Lear of Loxebeare topped the breed with his best at 1,500gns. Louise Winsor of Black Torrington made 1,200gns and both EW Quick & sons of Zeal Monachorum and Phil & Lesley Martyn-Uglow of Launceston saw their best attain 1,100gns with plenty of Texels doing business between 650 and 850gns to average £617 overall. Texel females saw prices up to 570gns.
Suffolk’s also reached 1,500gns, this being the pick of the pen from the Quick family of Zeal Monachorum joining forces with J & M Hartwright of Worcester with others from this formidable duo at 900, 850, 840 and 800gns. Other notable Suffolk shearlings at 1,050gns and 920gns from the Derryman family of Yarcombe and Andy & Wendy Reed of Blackborough sold shearlings to 800gns in their ballot late in the day. Suffolks averaged £645.
A small but quality entry of crossbred rams saw EW Quick & son sell their best Texel cross Berrichons at 920gns and a CharTex at 780gns, whilst Rob Hopper and family of Tiverton sold crossbreds at 680gns and 640gns.
Beltex’s met a selective trade with the Champion topping it at 700gns for Tracey Cobbledick of Bude whilst Ben & Jess Collings of Launceston were next up at 500gns and the bulk of the business done between 300 and 450gns to average £430 for shearlings and ram lambs.
Beltex females however proved good to sell with Louise Elworthy of Crockernwell selling the female champion for 500gns and reserve champion at 350gns, a price matched by John & Gill Howieson of Wheddon Cross.
Berrichons proved good to sell with non Mv rams from Malcolm Yeo of Barnstaple reaching 680, 580 and 450gns, while David Gwynne travelled down from Talgarth to sell a Shearling at 550gns as well as ram lamb at 400gns and females at 450, 400 and 350gns.
Border Leicesters always prove popular at this fixture, Sue Martyn of Launceston sold her shearling ewes at prices up to 450gns, with rams from the same home at 800gns.
Hampshire Down rams sold to 600gns for the Derryman family, Dutch Spotted shearlings to 500gns for the Haste family of Shebbear. Blue faced Leicesters to 460gns for George Hillson of Bere Alston, Rouge to 450gns for Louise Elworthy, Lleyns to 400gns for Twose Farms of Carmarthen and Blue Texel’s also to 400gns for Margaret Heard of Maundown and Dorsets not meeting a massive crowd at the end of the day but selling to 350gns for Mark Hayman and Abi Dart of Bradninch.
***Click here to download a catalogue***
Please direct any sale questions and enquiries to Sue Martyn, NSA South West Ram Sale Secretary, on 01409 271385, 07967 512660 or suem@nationalsheep.org.uk.
