Scottish National In-Lamb Sale – Lanark
Saturday 6th January 2007

Report by Patsy Hunter (Scottish Farmer)

Haddo leads Lanark Texel in-lamb sale

An increased number of top end females from relatively new consignors, ensured a buoyant demand for the cream of crop at the Scottish National In-lamb Texel sale at Lanark, in January.

In all, four lots sold at or above the 1000gns bracket and to a peak of 1700gns which compares to the 2006 sole four-figure best of 1200gns.

Furthermore, it was first time consignors — William Knox and sons Graeme and Andrew, from Mid Haddo, Turriff — who led the way. The family who run 100 pedigree ewes in their Haddo flock sold the lead priced female at 1700gns and went on to top the averages league selling six gimmers at £775.25.

Top price of the day went to Haddo, KWJ04745, a Claybury Kruger daughter, she sold for 1700gns.

Coming out tops was the fourth prize gimmer at the pre-sale show which sold for 1700gns to the Campbell clan — Keith, Allan and Roy — who run the Cowal flock at Lochgoilhead. Their purchase, which is backed by the Draper family’s Claybury breeding on both sides, includes the sire Claybury Kruger onto a home-bred ewe by Claybury Invader. She sold carrying twins to the 14,000gns Cowal Maverick.

Next best from Haddo was an 800gns sale for a gimmer by Tophill Joe out of a ewe by Glenside Gurka. This gimmer, a third prize winner changed hands in lamb and with twins to Glenside Mylord, the 11,000gns purchase last year, to Northern Ireland breeder, Ernest Hogg, Derryharney, Co Fermanagh.

Clinterty, BBY05092, by Castlecairn Jack Daniels, took the supreme championship and sold for 1400gns

The Irish certainly made their presence felt taking several of the highest priced lots back to the province including the second top female at 1400gns from Brian Buchan’s Clinterty flock from New Aberdour, Fraserburgh, who sold seven to average £546. This was the pre-sale champion, a gimmer by Castlecairn Jack Daniels, the tup bought at Lanark in 2003 which has already produced females to 3800gns for the flock. Out of a ewe by Milnbank Hitman, she sold carrying a pair to Clinterty Las Vegas, to Harper George, Nuttscorner, Crumlin, Northern Ireland.

Ettrick, GGH05089, by Baltier King, sold for 1100gns

Neighbouring breeder, Steve McCollam, Carmavy Road, Nuttscorner, also forked out the money, going to 1100gns for the pen leader from Gordon and David Gray’s Ettrick consignment from Lindean, Selkirk. This gimmer, by Baltier King and out of a ewe by Crookholm Impressario, was shown by Allan Cullen, Craighead, while the Grays were selling Texel females at Chelford. An ET sister to the 2005 third prize ewe lamb at the Highland, she sold with a single to Lyonshall Lucky Strike.

Deveronvale, MGV05117, by Haddo Knockout, sold for 1100gns too

Matching the 1100gns bracket was the best from Graham Morrison’s 40-ewe Deveronvale flock, established in 2002. His leader, by Haddo Knockout and out of a Knock-bred female by Muiresk Grand Slam which stood second at Keith Show last year, changed hands with twins to Cowal Maverick. The buyer was Geoff Fleck, Tully Road, Ballymena.

Reserve Championship title went to Greenside, DEG04045, by Claybury Istabraq from Laine Daff

Laine Daff, Greenside, Uplawmoor, Renfrewshire, enjoyed a good day, securing both the reserve championship and the top price amongst the ewe hoggs. Her runner-up, a one-crop ewe by Claybury Istabraq in lamb with twins to Alwent Matt, sold to Messrs Andrew and Sons, South Threave, Turnberry, Ayrshire.
Tops amongst the ewe hoggs for Greenside flock was a Castlecairn Keltic Star daughter purchased by Robert Armstrong, Macguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Averages — 38 gimmers, £467.80 (+£143.42 for 16 fewer sold).

Auctioneers:
Lawrie & Symington