AFTER 14 years breeding sheep, a farmer from Devon decided it was time to retire. 

A dispersal sale of the livestock - the Meadow Rise flock of Charollais - on behalf of Roy and Ruth Endacott took place at Exeter Livestock Centre on Friday, October 18.

Roy decided it was time to retire after 14 years and the decision was made to disperse the flock. There was a packed ringside of both pedigree and commercial buyers from all parts of the South West, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Topping the day at 750gns twice were two of the three stock rams. First up was Elsridge 23VDL00459, bred by Mr F A Elsworthy, Witheridge. This January 2023-born son of Logie Durno Armani is out of a homebred Wernfawr Stormer daughter. He found his new home with Mr A L Brown and Ms G C Beckley for their Templecombe, Somerset-based Abbascombe flock.

The second ram to hit 750gns was Arbryn Azzurri, bred by Mr P A Thomas. Sired by the Foxhill Va Va Voom son, Loanhead Washington and out of a homebred Bronwydd Terminator daughter, this December 2021-born ram headed home with Mrs S May, Barnstaple, Devon for her Heanton flock.

Females peaked at 720gns for the aged ewe, Meadow Rise 21WJV02360. Sired by a homebred Castellau Lord of the Manor son and out of a homebred ewe, she sold having been scanned for a single to Shepton Mallet, Somerset-based Tom Newth for his Prestleigh flock.

Averages: 51 older ewes (inc. empty) £401.88; 53 shearling ewes (inc. empty) £343.73 and 45 ewe lambs £296.75. (Kivells)

Next up at 700gns was Meadow Rise 20WJV02141. By a homebred Castellau Lord of the Manor son and out of a homebred Loaningfoot Rooster Booster daughter. She also headed back to Shepton Mallet with previous buyer Tom Newth having been scanned for a single.

Next up at 600gns was Sheldon 21XNR01182, bred by Mr G F Burrough. Sired by Loosebeare Tornado, a Loosebeare Perfect son and out of a homebred Foulrice Omar daughter, she’s scanned in lamb with a single. Taking her home to Crediton, Devon was C and A Smallacombe for their Butterlands flock.

The 500gns price tag was hit three times, the first being Meadow Rise 22WJV02448 who sold carrying twins. Sired by Crogham Solaris and out of a homebred dam, she was knocked down to O R P and B E I Morgan, Almeley, Hereford.

The Morgan family also secured another at the same money being Meadow Rise 22WJV02467, carrying twins. She is sired by a homebred Castellau Lord of the Manor son and out of a homebred Croham Solaris daughter.

Completing the hat-trick at 500gns was Meadow Rise 22WJV02530, who sold carrying twins. Out of a Foulrice Shimon bred daughter and sired by a homebred son of Castellau Lord of the Ring, she went home with G O Few and Sons for their Bromsgrove, Worcester-based Chessgrove flock.

Shearling ewes rose to 480gns for Meadow Rise 23WJV02785. Sired by Crogham Solaris and out of a homebred Oakdene Lorcan daughter she sold carrying twins to Yeovil, Somerset-based J W Tabor Ltd for their Blachethorner flock.

Up next was Meadow Rise 23WJV02653, sired by Foulrice Santos and out of a homebred Crogham Solaris daughter. She headed home with twins on board to previous buyer O R P and B E I Morgan for 450gns.