From Ballymena to Lanark, Shrewsbury, and Carlisle, 2025 confirmed the Suffolk breed’s enduring appeal. Exceptional champions, competitive bidding, strong averages, and the rising generation of breeders all combined to make this a truly memorable year for Suffolk sheep across the UK.
Lanark Scottish Area Suffolk Sale 2025 – Scotland
Held on 16–17 July, Lawrie & Symington Ltd conducted the 90th sale, cataloguing 163 entries with an 84% clearance rate, including six lots exceeding five figures. Howgillfoot flock’s ram lamb (Lot 117), bred by Richard and Lilia Hutchinson, was crowned Overall Champion and went on to sell for 40,000gns online to J. Innes (Strathbogie) and F. Christie (Maidenstone), with an equal share retained by the vendor. Reserve Champion and Scottish Breed Champion Lot 94 from Cairnton sold for 12,000gns.
Other notable sales included Myfyr Evans’ Rhaeadr ram lamb at 18,000gns, another Howgillfoot Commander son at 15,000gns, and Bridgeview flock’s top ram lambs at 11,000gns and 10,000gns. Balquhain flock took female champion titles with the top gimmer selling at 2,200gns. Overall averages were strong with the ability to take sheep straight from the sale helping to buoy trade. Two NextGen young handler classes celebrated upcoming breeders. Thanks to sponsors Galloway & MacLeod Ltd and Jamieson Brothers for their support.
Lanark Sale Highlights
- Top price: Lot 117 Howgillfoot – 40,000gns (Overall Champion)
- Scottish Breed Champion: Lot 94, Cairnton – 12,000gns
- Ram Lamb Average: £2,751
- Top Female Gimmer: 2,200gns
Click on image for full Lanark report
Ballymena Society Sale 2025 – Northern Ireland
The Ballymena sale was a spectacular affair, with fierce competition and 12 lots reaching five figure prices seeing an 86% clearance for the 147 ram lambs forward. Brian Dickson’s Islandmoyle flock took the spotlight, being crowned the Overall Supreme Champion with Lot 159 that went on to achieve the top price of 42,000gns. Reserve Champion went to Mark Priestley’s Limestone flock (Lot 40) who went on to sell for 11,000gns.
Female stock saw solid interest, with top prices of 2,600gns for shearling ewes and 1,100gns for ewe lambs. Other notable high prices included rams from Limestone (24,000gns), Tullywinney (20,000gns), and Shannagh (20,000gns). There were 3 NextGen young handler classes showcasing rising talent within the breed. The sale was generously supported by sponsors including Danske Bank, Strabane Mills, and numerous industry partners, ensuring a memorable and well-organized event.
Ballymena Sale Highlights
- Top Price: Lot 159 Islandmoyle – 42,000gns (Overall Supreme Champion)
- Reserve Overall: Lot 40 Limestone – 11,000gns
- Female Champion: Lot 1 Bannview
- Ram lamb average: £3,108
Click on image to read full Ballymena report
National Show & Sale – Shrewsbury
The National Show & Sale at Shrewsbury, sponsored by Norbrook, overcame Bluetongue restrictions to deliver a successful event. Overall Champion honours went to Birness flock’s Lot 184 later selling at 6,000gns, with Reserve Champion Lot 133 from Rhaeadr.
Mogford flock claimed Female Champion and Reserve Female Champion (Lots 7 and 23), selling for 1,000gns and 1,600gns. The sale’s top price was Lot 193 from Sharps, reaching 20,000gns, with 2 other lots hitting 9,000gns all sired by Conchar Cruiser. Wharfe realised 10,000gns for his ram lamb by Kings Superior. Young handler awards went to Edward Edgerton (Junior) and Lucy Greaney (Senior).
Shrewsbury Sale Highlights
- Top Price: Lot 193 Sharps – 20,000gns
- Overall Champion: Lot 184 Birness
- Reserve Champion: Lot 133, Rhaeadr
- Female Champion: Lot 7, Mogford
- Ram Lamb Average: £2,020
Click on image for full National report
Northern Counties Branch Suffolk Spectacular – Carlisle
The Suffolk Spectacular, held over two days at Borderway Mart Carlisle combined pre-sale showmanship with strong trade. Shearling gimmers led by Lot 508 Glanmarton selling at 2,800gns achieved 100% clearance. Lot 528 from Carnforth topping ewe lambs at 3,000gns. Shearling rams Lot 532 from Brompton topped at 2,400gns.
Ram lambs dominated the sale, with joint top prices of 8,000gns for Lot 595 (Derg) and Lot 651 (Limestone). Overall Champion Lot 649 Limestone sold for 5,200gns, while Reserve Lot 656 from Redbrae reached 5,000gns. NextGen young handlers added to the excitement with Charlie Leach, Georgina Denby and Charlie Whitticase awarded prize winners.
Carlisle Sale Highlights
- Top Ram Lambs: Lot 595 Derg & Lot 651 Limestone – 8,000gns each
- Overall Champion: Lot 649, Limestone – 5,200gns
- Reserve Overall: Lot 656, Redbrae – 5,000gns
- Female Champion: Lot 508, Glanmarton – 2,800gns
- Ram Lamb Average: 1,458gns
Click on image for full Carlisle report
Suffolk Sheep Society Sales Averages 2025 (Averages over 2000gns)
| Flock | Sale | Entry | No Sold | Top gns | Average |
| Howgillfoot | L | 5 | 3 | 40,000 | 19,333 |
| Limestone | B | 6 | 6 | 24,000 | 9,750 |
| Islandmoyle | B | 6 | 6 | 42,000 | 8,367 |
| Sharps | N | 11 | 5 | 20,000 | 8,180 |
| Rhaeadr | L | 6 | 3 | 18,000 | 7,267 |
| Bessiebell | B | 5 | 5 | 15,000 | 5,640 |
| Bridgeview | L | 6 | 6 | 11,000 | 5,600 |
| Tullywinney | B | 8 | 6 | 20,000 | 4,950 |
| Sitlow | N | 5 | 5 | 8,500 | 4,940 |
| Limestone | C | 4 | 4 | 8,000 | 4,725 |
| Forkins | B | 5 | 5 | 15,000 | 4,660 |
| Derg | C | 4 | 4 | 8,000 | 4,625 |
| Wharfe | N | 4 | 3 | 10,000 | 4,367 |
| Craigdoo | B | 6 | 6 | 10,500 | 4,267 |
| Redbrae | L | 5 | 4 | 7,500 | 4,175 |
| Cairnton | L | 6 | 6 | 12,000 | 3,967 |
| Middlemuir | L | 4 | 3 | 5,800 | 3,100 |
| Cavanagrove | B | 5 | 4 | 9,000 | 2,825 |
| Mullaghboy | L | 3 | 3 | 3,200 | 2,667 |
| Howgillfoot | N | 5 | 4 | 4,500 | 2,600 |
| Claycrop | L | 6 | 3 | 5,500 | 2,500 |
| Richhill | B | 6 | 6 | 3,600 | 2,500 |
| Sitlow | C | 4 | 4 | 3,500 | 2,425 |
| Redbrae | C | 5 | 5 | 5,000 | 2,360 |
| Alloaks | N | 3 | 3 | 4,600 | 2,333 |
| Roundacre | N | 3 | 3 | 5,500 | 2,283 |
| Ballynacannon | B | 8 | 7 | 3,600 | 2,257 |
| Birness | N | 6 | 6 | 6,000 | 2,216 |
| Drimmie | L | 3 | 3 | 2,800 | 2,200 |
| Rhaeadr | N | 6 | 6 | 3,200 | 2,183 |
| Mullaghboy | B | 4 | 4 | 3,400 | 2,050 |
| Birness | L | 9 | 9 | 6,000 | 2,022 |
Ram Lambs: Minimum 3 sold
N=National; B=Ballymena; C = Carlisle; L = Lanark
