There will be 800 shearling rams and ram lambs on offer at Thainstone on Tuesday at the Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ annual pedigree ram sale.
The event, which is sponsored by Harbro and Novartis Animal Health, is expected to include increased entries of Suffolk and Texel breeds.
The sale is looking to build on last year’s success, which saw a centre record price of 4,000gn for Texels when Stuart Barclay, of Harestone, Crathes, sold the reserve champion ram lamb, Harestone Ultimate Warrior.
Judging of the Suffolks and Texels will begin at 8am and 10am respectively in the Exchange with associated sales beginning at 10am and 1pm.
The Border Leicesters, followed by the Bluefaced Leicesters, will be judged at 8.30am and sold at 10am.
Subsequently, the Charollais judging will start at 10am, with the sale at 11am.
Following the Charollais, other pedigree breeds such as Beltex, Berrichon, Rouge and Vendeen will be judged and sold.
Judges are: Suffolks – Johnathon Watson, Bowsden Moor, Berwick; Texel – Keith Campbell, Cowal, Lochgoilhead; Bluefaced Leicester – David Cowie, South Gariochsford, Rothienorman; Border Leicester – Matt Steel, Cessnock Mill, Hurlford; Beltex and Charollais – John Eddie, Hallhill, Kinneff.
ANM sheep sales manager Colin Slessor said: “This keenly anticipated sale includes a number of quality rams from flockmasters throughout the north and north-east of Scotland.
“Prices last year were generally up on 2012, and we’d be looking torepeat that trend next week.
“Recent breeding sheep sales have seen ewes and gimmers keenly sought after. I’d hope sheep farmers will follow suit when buying rams at this sale.”
A preview catalogue of the sale is available at www.anmgroup.co.uk.