Early Sale Report

A 1500 guinea Texel ram led a buoyant NSA Wales & Border Early Ram Sale, held at the Royal Welsh Showground.

There was a turnover of nearly a quarter of a million pounds with 433 sheep sold and a good turnout of buyers at the 22nd annual early sale. The current strength of the sheep trade meant they were ready to pay for the quality sheep that are the trademark of the NSA Wales & Border Early Ram Sales.

Paul and Anna Johnson of North Staffordshire were delighted with the 1500 guinea top price received for Corriecrave Ringleader one of a batch of seven shearlings, plus a 2 shear. It was the first time they had sold at the early sale.

Anna Johnson added: "We have always sold Border Leicesters at the main NSA Wales & Border sale and before that at the sale in Builth market. We have come here this time because it's the main sale for selling Texels."

The Johnsons have been selling Texels for 25 years and the ram achieved one of the best prices they have enjoyed. His sire was Cambwell Onich and he sold to SA and VL Morris who liked his back end and depth.

Chairman Gwynne Davies said:"Everything has gone well, with a good buzz around the place and good sheep fetching good prices. There was a good crowd here and people were clearly looking for the quality tups that are available at these sales.

"There has been a good steady price across the board, as well as the headline prices. The industry is in good heart because the lambs are selling well and ewes are also fetching good prices. It looks very promising for the main sale here on 19 September."

The top priced Suffolk was Perrinpit Kernel, a ram lamb bred by regular vendor Roger Weaver of Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire. He sold to Reynolds and Lawrence of Pembrokeshire for 1200 guineas. A ram lamb sold by Mr and Mrs John Pryce sold for 1100 guineas and another of Roger Weaver's ram lambs sold for 1000 guineas.

Two Charollais tups achieved a top breed price of 1050 guineas. One of seven shearlings brought by Adrian Davies of Manordeilo, Llandeilo went to Claire Notley and John Rees of St Dogmaels, Cardigan, who liked his confirmation, tight skin and tight wool.

The other 1050 guinea ram was sold by Gerald Burrough, who brought 9 shearlings and a two shear from his Sheldon Flock at Honiton Devon. The Charollais champion, a ram lamb from Wern Fawr Flock of Paul Curran, Talgarth, Brecon, sold for 1,000 guineas to Roy Morris, Knighton.

Other breeds saw increased top prices and average prices were generally well up on last year. A Berrichon ram sold for a top breed price of 420 guineas, 20 guineas more than last year.

A Hampshire Down ram sold for 450 guineas, compared with a top price of 370 guineas last year. A Poll Dorset ram sold for 550 guineas, compared with 280 guineas last year.

A Beltex X shearling sold for 630 guineas, ten guineas more than last year.

Main Sale Report

A buoyant trade with buyers ready to pay good prices for good sheep saw a top price of 6,800 guineas paid for a Bluefaced Leicester at the main NSA Wales and Border Ram sale at the Royal Welsh Showground on Monday 19 September.

The turnover was nearly £92,000 up on last year at £2,289,339.30 with 4,663 sheep (86%) sold, 152 more than last year. Headline prices at the event, Europe's biggest, hovered around the 5,000 guinea mark, with 5,500 guineas paid for a Lleyn yearling ram and the overall average price was £490.96, £3.95 more than last year.

Chairman Gwynne Davies said that it had been a good sale with the best tups selling exceptionally well. The vendors and purchasers had gone home happy.

He added: "People are willing to pay good money for quality sheep which in the long term will produce the best lambs. There has been a good feeling at the sale, with one of the biggest crowds ever and a great buzz."

The 6,800 guineas achieved by Aled Jones of Meddiant Isa, Talycafn, Conwy Valley, was a personal best during an 'amazing day'. The ram was sold to Myrfyn Roberts of Myfyrian Isaf, Gaerwen, Anglesey, who produced the breed champion, and Aled will retain a 50% share.

He said: "It's just been an amazing day and it doesn't happen very often. I had the top price yearling, which sold for 1,700 guineas and the top priced female which sold for 580guineas.

"The ram lamb was the lamb of a lifetime from the start and was first in the Welsh progeny show in Welshpool in August. I've got a photograph of him at a week old in the field and knew he was special then."

A yearling Lleyn ram bred by Emrys and Dylan Jones, Lluest Wen, Commins Coch, Machynlleth, sold for 5,500 guineas to Christine Lewis of Caersws in partnership with Alun Bennett, DN Bennett and Son, Meifod. They liked 'his correctness and his figures' and were delighted with him.

Dylan Jones said he had been a very good lamb. His sire was Bronallt Big Daddy and the dam was by Balliney Action Man.

A Texel bred by Angela Nairey of Heys Lane, Blackburn, was bought for 5,000 guineas by Russell and Gill Watkins of the Millend Flock, Craswell, Herefordshire. Russell Watkins summed up the day, saying people were prepared to spend, but the sheep had to be right.

A Talybont Welsh Mountain bred by Rob and Llinos Jones of Lower Argoed, Llandeilo Grabham, Erwood, sold for 5,000 guineas to Rob Davies, Ty Canol, Talybont on Usk. The Suffolk breed champion, a ram lamb, bred by M Davies and Sons, Llangorse, Brecon, sold for 980 guineas.

A Charollais ram lamb bred by Dewi Evans of Tyddyn y Ffrwd,Llangallo, Moelfre, Anglesey was sold for 3,200 guineas to William Ingram who bred the breed champion. The Texel champion bred by Paul Quick of Loosebeare Manor, Zeal Monachorum, Crediton, Devon, sold for 1400 guineas.