Blackface sheep sale
DESPITE A slightly downbeat sale a few days earlier at Newton Stewart, trade held up well at United Auctions' sale of South-type Blackface rams at Stirling last weekend, with several more sold compared to last year's event.
Trade peaked at £14,000, in the ram lamb ring. Making that money was one from Ian Hunter's Dalchirla consignment from Muthill, Crieff, which enjoyed the best average of the sale – £5100 for five lots.
Sons of last year's Lanark purchase, the £30,000 Aitkenhead tup, attracted plenty attention. Best of those was one out of a ewe by the same sire that bred the £90,000 Dalchirla, a home-bred son of a £28,000 Midlock. He reached £14,000, selling to Allan Wight and son, Allan, Midlock, Crawford.
Matching their best ever price, Jake and Betty Aitken and son, Robert, from Overton, Fintry, secured the top price in the shearling ring, selling their pen number one at £10,000.
Leading the way for the family's 700-strong Blackface flock, was a son of a £300 Dyke tup, out of a ewe by a £7000 Dyke. He sold in a two-way split to David Jackson, Pole, Lochgoilhead, and Alastair MacArthur, Nunnerie, Elvanfoot.
Averages: 753 shearlings, £661.00 (-£8 for 164 more sold); 235 ram lambs, £532.00 (-£18 for 45 more sold).
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Source: scotish farmer