A farming couple from the north-east took home the top price and champion rosettes at the first ever dedicated show and sale of Valais Blacknose sheep in the UK.
The couple – Raymond Irvine and Jenni McAllister – run an 80-strong flock of the rare Swiss sheep at Mains of Inverourie, near Tomintoul.
They were instrumental in founding the Valais Blacknose Sheep Society UK and organising the society’s first ever sale – the Blacknose Beauties National Show and Sale – which took place at Carlisle.
They were left celebrating after lifting the supreme champion and female champion rosettes with a February-2015 born gimmer called Highland Breeze.
Mr Irvine said: “The Valais Blacknose Sheep Society UK had come so far in such a small amount of time. To be crowned the overall champion is a great honour and to do it with so many great sheep at the event has been a dream. Jenni and I are over the moon, it has not really sunk in.”
They also lifted the top price of 3,600gn with February-2015 born in-lamb gimmer named Blossom, which sold to G.W. Lee and Sons, Stockley Burn Farm, Frosterley, County Durham.
Next best at 3,400gn was a March-born ewe lamb from Tim Dunne’s Westmorland flock. Named Westmorland Dilly, she also sold to G.W. Lee and Sons.
Thereafter 2,500gn was paid for an April-2014 gimmer called Highland Bliss from Raymond Irvine and Jenni McAllister. She sold to Shannon Polson, of Glenfinnan, Findon, Aberdeen.
Ms Polson also paid 2,400gn for a March-born ewe lamb called Hullockhowe Delilah from Hullock Howe Farming’s Hullockhowe flock near Penrith.
Other leading prices included 2,000gn for a March-born ewe lamb called Westmorland Dora, from Tim Dunne’s Westmorland flock. The buyer was Symon Jacobsen, Grange of Kinneff, Montrose.
Following the sale Heather Pritchard, of auctioneers Harrison and Hetherington, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be hosting the first ever dedicated sale of Valais Blacknose sheep in the UK. There was a huge amount of interest from across the UK and Ireland, and without a doubt it is creating much attention.”
