Round Up of Autumn's Show & Sales

Skipton

The annual Skipton Rare and Native Breeds auction proved a runaway success, with crowds turning out in their droves in August. The popular show and sale of rare, minority and traditional breeds was again staged in association with the Dales support group. It also incorporated the 117th annual show and sale for the Wensleydale Longwool Sheepbreeders' Association, the champion from which was a shearling ram. There was strong demand for female Wensleydales, with ewe lambs averaging £131 and ewes £169. Native breeds cattle champion was a Highland youngster and the champion pig, a British Lop.

Carlisle

The changes to the bluetongue zoning in the north of England obviously affected the Harrison and Hetheringston Rare Breeds Sale in Carlisle in September. With many Scottish vendors absent and virtually all Scottish buyers unable or unwilling to purchase, the trade although selective was not as bad as expected. The best quality sheep in all the breed sections were keenly bid for, many making between £100 and £200 with the very best top animals over £200. This was particularly so for the Ryelands, Kerry Hills, and Shetlands. The poultry and waterfowl section as ever attracted a large crowd of enthusiastic buyers who ensured a good, if not spectacular sale. RBST's Cumbria support group had a stand at the event. "It went well with plenty of interest being shown, from people looking for stock, to a local restaurant sourcing produce," said chairman Peter Ryan.

Melton Mowbray

The Traditional and Native Breeds Show and Sale in Melton Mowbray in September saw 74 cattle sold with Dexters and Longhorns the best sellers at 30 and 17 head respectively. Longhorns also achieved both show champion status and the highest price reached (2000gns). Sheep sales reached 311 with Hebrideans coming in highest at 50 head, closely followed by Shetlands at 48 head. The highest price of 310gns was paid for a Southdown, while the show champion was a Shropshire. Vendors of Galway, Oxford Down, Kerry Hill and Jacob sheep left the sale delighted with the results. The trade for Portland sheep was also well in excess of vendors' expectations.

Chelford

The usual huge crowd didn't materialise for the Chelford Rare and Traditional Breeds Sale, organised in conjunction with the Cheshire support group. Trade was, however, reasonable throughout for the large entry and although the majority of breed records were untouched, vendors were satisfi ed with their returns. The strongest trade of the day in cattle was reserved for the Red Polls. There was a huge variety of sheep on offer, with 19 different breeds represented, as well as a number of cross breeds. Decent quality stock, shown by vendors with realistic expectations of price, sold well throughout, but those vendors with ambitious expectations were disappointed. Larger breeds tended to be more in demand from the off, with Cotswold sheep particularly sought after this year. Top price in the pig section, where 14 different breeds were represented, was 230gns paid for a British Saddleback sow.