Crewelands take top price 5,200gns for Ram Lamb

Date: 18th July 2020

Sponsor: Norbrook

Auctioneers: J Straker Chadwick and Sons and Halls

Despite concerns about Coronvirus restrictions and a slightly lower entry than last year, the Suffolk Sheep Society National Sale once again delivered. Without the customary show the organisers were somewhat apprehensive but in the end there was no need for concern. With an overall clearance of 72% for the sale, there was excellent trade on all classes with 16 of 17 females sold, and the hammer dropping on 108 rams from 156 forward.

“this is a really strange year, firstly, we really appreciate Norbrook for their continued support, particularly during this very difficult time. With all of the uncertainty we are delighted that the sale went ahead, and a big thank you to all involved, not least the breeders and buyers who supported the National. Entries were down on last year as expected, but clearance was well up on 2019. When taking all things into consideration, we are well pleased with how Saturday went.”

CEO Suffolk Sheep Society Robin McIlrath

The Suffolk Sheep Society broadcast its Norbrook sponsored National Sale online with nearly 65,000 people reached as Stephen Sufferin’s (Crewelands Flock, N Ireland) Birness Hustler sired lamb ram (PWN:20:01440) out of a Ballynacannon sired dam topped the sale at 5,200gns bought by Myfyr Evans of Denbighshire for his highly regarded Rhaeadr Flock. Click here to view pedigree.

With two of the top three prices from the Crewelands pen, J McKelvey from Co Fermanagh bought the Crewelands bred third priced (PWN:20:01415) for 4,000gns. This excellent lamb was also a Birness Hustler sired lamb. The renowned Northern Ireland breeder had an excellent sale with a full clearance, selling all 9 ram lambs with an average of £1,977.

Mrs J J Tooze of Lanarkshire (Spittal Flock) averaged 2,750gns for 4 rams sold. Top price was 5,100gns paid by M Pugh from Herefordshire for a Davishill Decision sired lamb (DYX:20:00330) out of an Errigal Enterprise sired Spittal dam. At 4,000gns, and heading to Preston to join Geoff Richmond’s Sullom FLock, was a Crewelands Crete lamb (DYX:20:00328). The rest of the pen went for 1,100gns and 800gns.

The hammer fell at 3,200gns for lot 35, a ram lamb from P D W Taylor from N Ireland (Ballynacannon Flock) purchased by L and M Liggett for their Carony Flock in Co Tyrone. This Birness Muzza sired lamb (KKW:20:01382) out of a Ballynacannon dam from Mountford Mustang. S J Buckley’s Derbyshire based  Sitlow Flock had a top price of 3,000gns for his Logiedurno Sonny Bill sired lamb (45Z:20:04011).

The top price female was purchased by R J Woolway from Cambridgeshire for his Woolways flock. The hammer fell at 1,050gns for this Lavenham Bred Shearling from S W Cobbald’s Flock. J J Tooze’s top price ewe lamb went to Aaron, Kirby and Son from Northallerton, N Yorkshire for 800gns.

Clearance 72% with an average £1,092

LOT NO.FLOCKPRICE gnsBUYER
178CREWELANDS5,200Myfyr Evans
159SPITTAL5,100M Pugh
179CREWELANDS4,000J McKelvey
158SPITTAL4,000G Richmond
35BALLYNCANNON3,200L and M Liggett
52SITLOW3,000A Glaves
167LAKEVIEW2,900 J W Paul and Sons
25HOWGILLFOOT2,800A W Evans
138FRONGOY2,700M Tucker
107BIRNESS2,600G M Owen
55SITLOW2,600D and A Jones
141FRONGOY2,500JW Hallam and SM Eggleston