Pedigree female sheep met a selective trade at the opening day of the Aberdeen Christmas Classic where the centre record for a pedigree sheep was equalled.
The event at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie, is organised by Aberdeen & Northern Marts in conjunction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association.
Breeders from across the country gathered for the show and sale of pedigree sheep, which topped at 4,500gn for a Texel gimmer from Kenny Pratt’s Hilltop flock at Oldtown Farm, Peterculter.
Shown by shepherd Richard Reynolds, this March 2018-born embryo transfer daughter of the 40,000gn Garngour Alabama was scanned in-calf with twins to Sportsmans Admiral.She was reserve overall champion in the pre-sale show and sold to Jemma Green for her Corskie flock at Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers.
Next best at 4,000gn was the overall Texel champion, selling to Roy Adams, Banchory. Put forward by Graham Morrison, who runs the Deveronvale flock at Inchburich Farm, Cornhill, this February 2018-born gimmer is an embryo transfer daughter of the 42,000gn Mullan Armani.
She sold in-lamb with twins to Deveronvale Aftershock, which has previously been treated for a broken leg and sold sons to 48,000gn.
Other leading Texel prices included 1,800gn for a gimmer from Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank flock at North Dorlaithers, Turriff. This February 2018-born daughter of Greenstar Alfire, sold in-lamb with twins by Knock Yardsman, to M Anderson Farms, Sonnealm, Dufftown, Keith.
Mr Wilson also made 1,600gn selling a February-born ewe lamb, by Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid, to EH Alexander, Auchenbreddie, Insch.
Thereafter, Kenny Pratt made 1,500gn selling a February 2018-born daughter of Crailloch Ammunition, scanned in-lamb with a single by Garngour Alabama, to Stasa Moyse, Woolhillock, Skene.
Meanwhile, Suffolks topped at 3,800gn for the champion from the pre-sale show. This was a January 2018-born gimmer from the Stuart family’s Birness flock at Milltown of Birness, Ellon. By the 9,000gn Limestone Legacy, and scanned in-lamb with twins to Castleisle Capaldi, she sold via a telephone bid to Georgia Delve.
Next best in the Suffolks at 3,000gn was a January-born ewe lamb, also from the Stuarts at Birness. By the 7,000gn Castleisle Gareth, she sold via a telephone bid to Martin Bignel.
The Stuarts enjoyed a cracking trade with other leading prices including 2,000gn, 1,800gn, 1,600gn and 1,500gn.
Other leading Suffolk prices included 2,800gn for a December 2017-born gimmer from veteran breeder Jimmy Douglas’ Cairness flock at Woodhead, Cairness. By Cavangrove Catalyst, and in-lamb with twins to Cairness A Star, she sold to LF Dunn, 25 Fair Muir Road, Muir of Ord.
Father-and-son duo Pat and Rory Machray, who run the Middlemuir flock at Bilboa, Daviot, topped at 1,500gn for a December-2018 born ewe lamb, by Forkins Dizzee Rascal. She sold to Ronnie Wilkie, Tillyboy, Echt.
Turriff breeder Craig Paterson, who runs the Cranorskie flock at Cranna Bridge, topped at 1,100gn for a January 2018-born gimmer by Crewelands Megastar. Carrying twins by Ballynacannon Noah, she sold to Rachel Armour, Maghera, Londonderry.
Meanwhile, Bluefaced Leicesters topped at 1,000gn for a gimmer, by Robleston H1 and in-lamb with twins by Craig Yr Orsedd, from Michael Seed & Son, Home Farm of Auchry, Cuminestown. She sold to Raymond Baynes, Blackford Farm, Croy.
Beltex topped at 1,000gn four times. First selling to Stuart Wood, Woolhillock Skene, was a ewe lamb from Rory and Pat Machray. Second, selling to G Dinnie, Bridgeton, Muir of Fowlis, Alford, was a ewe lamb from Zoey Rennie, Newmill, Keith. The other two were gimmers – one from S & J Duncan, Luchairt, Gamrie, sold to K Mackay, East Mey, Thurso. The other from Stuart Wood sold to Iain Almond, Darwen, Lancashire.
