Texel Rams Command Top Price of 4,800gns at Thainstone Auction
The Annual Ram Show and Sale at Thainstone Centre on Tuesday, September 24th, saw a successful trade with record averages. The highlight of the event was the Texel Rams, with a top price of 4,800gns achieved for a Ram Lamb from Robert H Wilson of North Dorlaithers, Turriff. This impressive ram, sired by Clanfield Golden, was purchased by R Mackay of Clyth Mains, Occumster, Lybster.
The Texel Championship was awarded to M Seed & Son of Home Farm, Auchry, for a Shearling Ram sired by Ettrick Funtime Frankie. The ram went on to sell for 1,100gns to G C Watt & Son of South Byebush, St. Katherines, Inverurie. The Reserve award went to a Ram Lamb from Kenny Pratt of Old Town Farm, Peterculter, also selling for 1,100gns to Cairness Ltd of Home Farm Cairness, Fraserburgh.
Another noteworthy sale was a Shearling Ram sired by Craig Douglas Evoke from Rodney Blackhall of The Green, Raemoir, Banchory, which fetched 2,600gns and was sold to Ardhuncart Farm of Ardhuncart, Kildrummy, Alford. Additionally, a Shearling Ram sired by Ettrick Deja Vu from Rodney Blackhall reached 1,650gns and was purchased by W Barnetson & Sons of Lynegar, Watten, Wick.
The auction also saw the smashing of the 1,600gns mark three times. Aged Texel Rams from S Barclay of Harestone, Banchory, and Shearlings from Rodney Blackhall of The Green were among the top sellers. Notably, a Texel Shearling from James Innes & Sons of Dunscroft, Huntly, fetched 1,600gns, selling to W G Macpherson of Blackford, Croy, Inverness.
The Suffolk section of the auction was equally impressive, with the top price of 1,800gns achieved for a Shearling Ram from J C Innes of Dunscroft, Huntly. The Suffolk Champion, a Ram Lamb from G L Stuart of Milltown of Birness, Ellon, sired by Dunfell Dynamite, sold for 1,200gns to A S Smith & S Foulzie of King Edward, Banff. The Reserve Champion, a Ram Lamb from J Young of Muirton Corse, Alford, fetched 1,100gns and was sold to John R Burges of Lower House, Quendale.
In the Charollais section, the top price of 1,200gns was achieved twice for the Champion and Reserve Champion Shearlings from E & E Duncan of Barnyards Farm, Clola, Mintlaw. Beltex Rams also sold well, with a top price of 1,000gns achieved twice. Notably, a Shearling Ram from Miller Farms of North Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie, sold for the second top price and was purchased by I Mackenzie of Inkstack, Barrock.
The Blue Texel ram section saw W J & M Hunter of West Cairnhill, Insch, take the Overall Champion title, selling for the second-highest price of 700gns to G & D Livestock of Newtack, Crossroads, Keith. The top price for the Blue Texels was 900gns, paid for a Shearling from W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch, selling to C L Sclater of Lorness, Shapinsay, Orkney.
The Border Leicester section showcased top-quality rams, with the Overall Champion from J G Douglas of Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh, achieving a top price of 1,600gns. The Blue Faced Leicester section was dominated by M Seed & Son of Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown, securing both the Overall Champion and Reserve Champion titles.
In the Dutch Spotted section, J Marshall of Kinross achieved the top price for his Gimmer, selling for 1,200gns to P D & E A Thorp of Overton of Ardo, Methlick, Ellon. Overall, the auction was a resounding success, with high-quality rams fetching impressive prices and buyers showing keen interest in purchasing replacement stock rams.
Colin Slessor, Deputy Head of Livestock, expressed his satisfaction with the results, noting that sellers were handsomely rewarded for presenting quality shearlings and ram lambs. The event also saw a strong presence of island buyers, with 130 head selling to the Shetland and Orkney Isles. Sponsors Harbro and Elanco were instrumental in making the auction a success.
Overall, the auction at Thainstone Centre showcased the best of Texel, Suffolk, Charollais, Beltex, Blue Texel, Border Leicester, Blue Faced Leicester, and Dutch Spotted rams, with top prices and strong buyer interest reflecting the quality of the livestock on offer.