Store and Breeding Sheep Sale report – Friday 29th September 2023

Store & Breeding Sheep – Friday 29th September – 5,235 Sold

Auctioneers: John Rossiter 07557 392903 & James Cook-O’Connell 07712 246474

Just over 2,000 Romney ewe lambs went through the ring on Romney day last week and the trade, reflecting the quality on offer, was variable. The show was well judged by Mr Tim Ashworth and the very best lambs had no problem in selling in excess of £100 to a top price of £140 from Mr J Lukehurst, second prize in the show class. The champion pen which was shown by Langrish Farmers, sold to a very pleasing £124, with their second pen selling at £112. Third place was taken by W T Kemp and these changed hands at £105.
The general trade for the whole entry was at times a little trickier than we have seen in recent years, but the quality ewe lambs all found new homes to go on for breeding purposes. Lesser types sold at prices in line with the store lamb trade with buyers present to take these types of lambs. Overall, the average was a shade over £85 which is in line with recent years.
A large entry of Romney ewe tegs with a teg to suit a wide variety of buyers preferences. The ewe tegs kindly judged by Mr Tim Ashworth (Romney Marsh) saw 1^st Prize go to Mr G Homewood, 2^nd Prize to G L Boulden & Sons and 3^rd Prize to A J Thompson & Sons. Top price on the day was £198 from H V Link Partnership with their second pen to £190 both pens being Pedigree ewe tegs.
Other top prices:- Lovejoy Farms Partnership to £172, F G Pierce & Sons to £172, Mr G Homewood to £168 (1^st prize winners), N A Balcomb & Son to £158, D W Page & Son to £156, Caleb Rayner to £154 and A J Thompson & Sons to £154. We will have more Romney ewe tegs and other breeds on 6^th October for anyone looking to purchase. Catalogue available to view online. Do not hesitate to get in touch with any further entries for the coming weeks.
The breeding ewes were of much interest as ever with the attendance of regular Romney day buyers as well as some new faces looking to get in on the Romney Day action. A flock dispersal from A J Harrison saw their best to £136 which took the top spot on the day with their next best to £130. Another flock dispersal, this time from Fairtrough Farm topped out at £95 with their 3-4 lamb ewes and £94 with their 2 lamb ewes. Other highlights were Jimmys Farm to £125, T Baker to £120, J Saunders & Son to £110, R Mair & Son to £97 and both Langrish Farmers and G & A Atterton to £96 with many more unmentioned. A good number of ewes are already entered for 6^th October with catalogues available online, if you have any more entries for the coming weeks please get in touch.
Less rams were on offer this year than we have seen in years past, but the number of breeders has certainly declined over the years, even in the relatively short period I have been involved with the breed. However, the overall quality of the rams on offer I feel is increasing every year with some tremendous tups on offer now from some very devoted and passionate breeders, which has been reflected in the prices achieved in recent times. The champion crown was taken by the Balcomb family once again this year and this pure specimen of a ram sold for £1750 to Lovejoy Farm Partnership, we will look forward to seeing his offspring in years to come. Another marvellous run of rams of note from H V Link Partnership sold to £1150 with great competition from local farmers to secure one of their rams. Overall there was a super clearance rate of the sheep on offer on the day with the vast majority of the sheep staying locally, which reflects on the confidence in the future of the breed.