A new breed record for a Dalesbred was set at Bentham on Monday when a shearling ram from Michael and Anne Carr, of the Brackenbottom flock, Horton in Ribblesdale, sold for £12,000 at its annual show and sale of registered Dalesbred rams.
By an Ellerbeck ram purchased in 2015 for £4,000, and out of a ewe sired by a Summerlands ram, it sold in a two-way split between John Kelsall, Cold Cotes, and Stephen Wright, Roeburndale.
Selling for £6,000 next was another shearling from Gary and Neil Capstick, Ingleton. The Field Head sired ram out of a Yarlsber sired ewe was knocked down to Messrs Tiplady, Leyburn.
J.L. Moran and J.R. Carr, Wigglesworth, then paid £4,000 for a lot from C. Harrison and Son, Blubberhouses, with other leading prices including £3,500 for J.T. and J. Kelsall, Summerlands, £3,000 for R.A. Swainson, Studfold, and £2,600 for Heather Challis, Middlesmoor.
Making £2,200 was the overall champion, a Field Head ram from J.M. and C.J. Dawson. It sold to Messrs Harrison.
Averages – Shearling rams, £662 (+£84); aged rams, £352 (+£36); ram lambs, £192 (+£59)
Auctioneers: Bentham and District Farmers Auction