A fantastic show of Rams were forward and centre record smashed at the annual sheep fair hosted by Aberdeen & Northern Marts at Caithness Livestock Centre, Quoybrae on Thursday and Friday September 17 and 18.
The event kicked off with a record entry for the show and sale of Multi Breed Rams with 201 Rams sold under the auspices of the Caithness Sheep Breeders Association and kindly sponsored by HRN Tractors.
In the Texel section, judged by Peter Andeson, East Gate, East Burrafirth the champion position was awarded to an MV Accredited Texel shearling ram from Ron Mackay, Clyth Mains, Occumster purchased for £3,000 by T A Linklater, Stonelea, Stenness for a new centre record. A second Texel ram also Ron Mackay, Clyth Mains smashed the £3,000 barrier selling to J A C Campbell, Mayfield.
The reserve champion position also went to Ron Mackay for a shearling selling for £2,800 to J A C Campbell, Mayfield.
Champion Suffolk J B L Swanson East Murkle
John R Burgess, Lower House Hillwell, judged the Suffolk section awarding the champion position to a MV Accredited shearling from J B & L Swanson, East Murkle which sold for £2,500 to the judge. The reserve champion also went to a shearling from J B & L Swanson, selling for £1,800 to Messr Swanson, Quarryside, Castletown.
The champion Any Other Breed judged by Stephen Sutherland, Sibmister, Castletown was a Suffolk cross Texel from Ron Mackay, Clyth Mains, Occumster selling for £1,500 to Dunbeath Estate. The reserve champion was a Blue Texel shearling from Bethany Swanson, Framside Halkirk which sold for £600 to John R Burgess, Lower House, Hillwell.
On Friday 18th September, under the auspices of the North Country Cheviot Sheep Society, sold a total of 94 rams to an average of £1,013.83. The Show & Sale was kindly sponsored by Shearwell UK.
The Overall Champion of the day selected by judges Alan Cowens, Old Mill Farm, Philiphaugh, Selkirk and Allister McNeill, 40 Taylorstown Road, Toomebridge was awarded to J & J Smith, Upper Cornquoy, Holm, Orkney. The champion was Upper Cornquoy Grandslam, a North Country Cheviot shearling ram, sired by Soutra Cannonball sold for £5,500 to Firm of Mackay, South Balkeith, Tain.
The Reserve Champion was a shearling ram, Bardnaclavan Gladiator, sired by Sebay Escort from D N Campbell & Sons, Bardnaclavan Farm, Bridge of Westfield, Thurso which sold for £3,600 to Firm of Mackay, South Balkeith, Tain.
Champion Texel R Mackay Clyth Mains
The top price of the day was achieved for another North Country Cheviot ram, Swinister Ginan, from R J Poleson Swinister Ollaberry, Shetland. The ram, sired by Biggins Effervescent, sold to Andrew Polson, Glenfinnan, Findon for £6,000.
The next top price of £5,500 was achieved for a ram from Messrs J & J Smith Upper Cornquoy Holm, Orkney which was split three ways to G Cormack & Sons, Wester, Dunnet, Thurso, J S Armstrong, Leam, Howe and O McAllister, Dungarron.
In the females and groups section judged by Lewis Gallier The Sheiling, Daviot and Jac George Maerdy Uchaf, Talley, Llandello, the champion group of 3 was awarded to J & J Smith, Upper Cornquoy, Holm. In the group of 5, the champion went to Messrs Mill, Achscrabster, Westfield.
The champion female was a gimmer from A G Simpson, Cairnside, 36 Oldhall, Watten and realised £1,000 to A & A Grant, Innergeille House, Kilrenny, Anstruther. The top price was £1,500 for gimmer from a J & W Mackay, Biggins which sold to O Henderson, Middlehorseley, Hope, Waskerley.
Scott Chapman, Auctioneer, Aberdeen & Northern Marts said: “Once again, Caithness breeders delivered an outstanding show of rams, with an increased entry this year and strong demand from a packed ringside of buyers. Averages were up on the year, with a new centre record of £3,000 achieved, reflecting the quality of stock forward for sale at Quoybrae.
"We would like to thank HRN Tractors and Shearwell UK for their continued valued support of the event.”