Store and Breeding Sheep Sale report – Friday 20th September 2024

Sales Report – Friday 20th September

Store sheep sale 3,028 – sold

Auctioneers: John Rossiter 07557 392903 & James Cook-O’Connell 07712246474.

Report on trade: What a week in the lead up to this sale! I have never known such a situation in nearly 20 years of selling sheep, but we got through it and we had a very successful day for those vendors who were able to and chose to sell. Despite many concerns regarding prices, the trade was more than acceptable and, in many places, dearer, despite the lack of “away” buyers. We were very grateful to be able to sell sheep for our customers and I am very pleased to be able to produce prices all vendors were happy with at the end of the day. We do not need to think back too far to a similar situation when many unfortunate holdings in East Kent last year were unable to sell or move animals whatsoever.

Top on the day was P M Langridge at £111.50 and despite the averages being down on last week, it is not a fair comparison as the quality on offer was not at the same level. Romney wethers on the day were up by about £5 head and topped at £92 from both M & J Cutting and Harry Metcalfe

An absolute flyer of a trade with customers from near and far to buy breeding sheep. Continental cross tegs kicked off the day with Beltex crosses from T Archer to £172 and strong Texel x Mules from Dan Mackelden to £200. The Suffolk x Mules came forward in larger numbers with majority of these £160 – £180 and the very best in excess of £200. E W & R E Hanks had a superb run of Suffolk x Mules with the best of these to £222 followed closely by Mr P Smith to £210. We had our first decent show of Mules forward with most £180 – £210. Top call went to Little Boarzell Farm at £224 followed closely by Swallow Mill Farm to £210.

We had another strong entry of breeding ewes which were £80 – £120 on most occasions. A flock dispersal saw ewes from B J Barker sell their best one lamb Romney cross ewes to £128. E W Homewood sold three lamb Suffolk cross ewes to £126 with Texel cross flock aged ewes from Langrish Farmers to £105.

Romney day on Friday 27^th September with plenty of breeding sheep entered.