TEXELS led the way last week, as a shearling ram sold for 2000gns at the National Sheep Assocation (NSA) South West ram sale in Devon. 

Housey Gladiator from Emma and Ammy Coumbe in Cornwall sold for the highest price at the sale, which took place in Exeter. Sired by Seaford Essien, a Sportmans Cannon Ball son and out of a homebred dam, he headed home to Bude, Cornwall, with K and H Cobbledick.

Further shearlings followed at 1850gns for Loosebeare Got It from the Quick family, Crediton, Devon. Sired by Strawfrank Fearless and out of a homebred daughter, he caught the eye of S Winzer, Totnes, Devon.

The pre-sale Texel champion, judged under the watchful eye of judge Phil Bond of the Collatondown flock, went to the aged ram, Millhouse Flashdance from Angus Howie, Cheriton Bishop. March 2022-born, he’s by the homebred Millhouse Dandy Dancer and out of a homebred Kelso White Gold daughter he sold away east at 1800gns to N Shearman, Horsham, West Sussex.

Also hitting the 1800gns mark was another shearling from the Quick family, Loosebeare G Force. Sired by Strawfrank Fearless and out of a homebred dam he was the pick for Robert and Rebecca Jordan, Chagford, Devon.

Following at 1500gns was Peacehay Gladiator from the Chave family, Wellington. Sired by Strathbogie Epic and out of a homebred dam, he headed back to Worthing, West Sussex with D T and K J Tester.

Up next at 1400gns was Rossco Gladiator from Ross Edwards, Frome. Sired by the homebred Rossco Dynamite and out of a Millars Accelorator daughter, he was picked up by J Handley, Okehampton, Devon. Another 10 Texel rams traded between 1000-1300gns.

The Coumbe family, Liskeard, also topped the Texel female trade with their shearling ewe Housey CMU2301380. Sired by Claybury Exfactor and out of a homebred Cattlearch Drake daughter she was secured at 950gns by previous buyers K and H Cobbledick.

Charollais

Numbers were not as strong as previous years in the Charollais ring, but the sale resulted in a 100% clearance for those forward. Prices peaked at 1500gns for the pre-sale champion, Foxhill 23XWY00870 from Michael and Melanie Alford, Cullompton, Devon. By the privately purchased Logie Durno All Star, this one is out of a homebred Logie Durno Olympian daughter. He was knocked down to Crediton, Devon-based E J Hosegood.

Following at 1300gns was another from the Alford family’s pen in the form of Foxhill 23XWY00842. This one had previously stood male champion at this year’s Devon County Show and was again by Logie Durno All Star. Buyers here were R W and G A Pedrick, Ashburton, Devon.

Taking the next best price of 1200gns was Woodhayes 23WDC00464 from George Dart, Cullompton, Devon. This son of Lowerye 21ZVY07708 goes back to Hundalee Volcano and is out of a homebred Lowerye Troubardour daughter. He was knocked down to L Stephens, Okehampton, Devon.

Following him at 1000gns was Sheldon 23XNR01285 from Gerald Burrough, Honiton, Devon. Sired by a Robleston tup out of a homebred Foulrice Shimon daughter, he heads to Padstow, Cornwall, with W H M Geach and Son.

The best of the ram lambs was the 900gns ram lamb class winner from Laura Monk, Truro, Cornwall, in the form of Saveock 24WYH02069. Sired by Boyo Vicious Sid and out a homebred Edstaston Tulloch daughter, he was the pick of pen for J H Neale and Son, Launceston, Cornwall.

Females topped at 550gns on three occasions, the first being the female and reserve overall champion, Heatham 23WWZ06510 from Tom Nancekivell, Bude, Cornwall. This shearling was part of this year’s show team and is by Lowereye Vladimir and out of a homebred Bronwydd Undeniable daughter. Purchasers were the Ellacott Brothers, Ashwater, Devon.

At the same money were two shearlings from Honiton-based Gerald Burrough, Sheldon 23XNR1308. Again, by the Robleston sire and this time out of a homebred Foulrice Uzziah daughter, this one found a home with Witheridge-based F A and C J Elsworthy for their Elsridge flock. Joining her at the same money was Sheldon 23XNR01312, a Padrig Aftershock daughter.

Meanwhile, Suffolk shearling rams rose to 1500gns from the Crediton-based Quick family, which sold to G J White, Crediton, Devon. The family also had others at 1350gns, 1300gns, 1250gns and 1200gns. The Derryman family, Yarcombe, Honiton saw the best of their shearlings hit 1400gns and 1350gns, while the best from J and M Hartwright, Herefordshire, rose to 1100gns. Best of the ram lambs peaked at 580gns from D Bourne, Okehampton.

Averages

  • Blue Texels: two shearling ewes £367.50; one ram lamb £367.50
  • Badger Face Texel: one ram lamb £315.00
  • Beltex: one shearling ewe £367.50; three shearling rams £462.00
  • Berrichons: two ewe lambs £294.00; 10 shearling rams £432.60
  • Border Leicesters: six shearling rams £428.75
  • Blue Faced Leicesters: six shearling ewes £264.25; three shearling rams £430.50
  • Charollais: 13 shearling ewes £495.92; 22 shearling rams £858.14; 15 ram lambs £518.00
  • Lleyn: one shearling ram £367.50
  • Poll Dorsets: two shearling rams £420.00
  • Hampshire Downs: five shearling rams £649.11; two ram lambs £210.00
  • Suffolk: 49 shearling rams £878.14; three ram lambs £553.00
  • Texel: nine shearling ewes £563.50; three ewe lambs £301.00; two aged rams £1165.50; 84 shearling rams £864.25; one ram lamb £294.00
  • Crossbred: 10 shearling rams £754.95