Grass shortage swells entries at breeding sheep sale

Andrew Lawton Cup winner Phillip Pugh (left) pictured with sponsor Andrew Lawton, judge Cyril Owen and auctioneer James Evans.
Andrew Lawton Cup winner Phillip Pugh (left) pictured with sponsor Andrew Lawton, judge Cyril Owen and auctioneer James Evans.

A general shortage of grass in the region may have contributed to a huge increase in entries at the annual prize sale of breeding sheep at Bishops Castle’s Love Lane sale field on Friday.

A total of 6,500 sheep - a vast increase on recent years - went under auctioneers Halls’ gavel. The trade, although not hitting the expectations of earlier in the season, was a fair reflection of current prices and most vendors were pleased with the value of sales recorded.

Yearling ewes averaged ’136 to ’200, two year old ewes averaged ’142 to ’145, ewe lambs averaged ’78 to ’106, stock ewes averaged ’81 to ’128 and rams averaged ’387 to ’546.

The annual prize section of Welsh mule yearling ewes was again keenly contested before judge Cyril Owen awarded the Andrew Lawton Cup and prizemoney to N. L. Pugh and Co. of Longville. Mr Pugh won first and second prizes, with both fetching an excellent ’161 and ’160 per head.

Other leading prices were: Yearling ewes. Welsh Mules: ’165 Messrs W. J. Hart, Kerry. Texel: ’200 Messrs W. R. B. Jones, Sarn. Suffolk: ’150 Messrs J.S. Vance, Minsterley. North Country Mules and Beulahs: ’149 Messrs W. Wathes, Seifton.

Two-year-old ewes: ’145 (Texel) Messrs W. R. S. Jones, Sarn and ’140 (Suffolk) Mr E. Davies, Frodesley. Ewe lambs: ’106 (Welsh Mule) and ’102 (Texel) from Messrs W. R. B. Jones, Sarn and ’98 (Suffolk) Messrs D. A. and T. J. Pyke, Eastlands.

Breeding rams: ’520 (Suffolk) Messrs W. J. C. Pryce, Prenafal; ’500 and ’460 (Suffolk) Messrs R. J. and E. M. and A. J. Wilson, Church Farm. Stock ewes: ’128 Messrs J. Colwords, Llanfair; ’117 Messrs F. G. Jones, Brockton and ’115 Messrs J. Edwards, Llanfair

Forthcoming sales at Bishops Castle include a catalogue auction of store cattle on September 22 with entries closing on September 15. A sale of breeding ewes, ewe lambs and rams, together with a prize sale of store lambs for the L. Bryan Jones Cup will be held on October 1, with entries closing on Monday, September 19. Contact Halls’ Bishops Castle office Tel: 01588 638639.