Report on Selection of Collective Sales of In-Lamb Females
(Mainly under the auspices of local Texel Clubs)

By Bruce Mair

The combined average for the 500 in-lamb Gimmers sold at the 9 events dealt with in this report was £442. The vendors, with whom I spoke, were very well satisfied with this very satisfaction all-round trade. Another additional pleasing aspect, indicating future enthusiasm for the breed, was the fact that buyers, including many newcomers came from a wide geographical area. According to Henry Gamble, N Ireland Director, this was very much in evidence at the Northern Ireland sales. At the Northern Scottish Sales at Dingwall and Thainstone, there were also new buyers from the Scottish Islands – Skye, Orkney and Shetlands – indicating confidence in the Texel’s ability to do well in fairly inhospitable climatic conditions. As with the Invitational sales at Chelford and Lanark, when road conditions were very hazardous due to the arctic weather conditions then prevailing.

As regards individual prices, over 20 animals broke the 1,000gn barrier. Trade peaked at Dungannon, where a full ET sister to the famous 30,000gn Castleknowe Matchmaker from Messrs Beacom sold for 3,300gns to joint buyers John Foster (Springhill flock) and Jim Wilson (Blackstown flock). Also at Dungannon, Brian Hawthorn sold a 3,000gn Cowal Maverick sired gimmer to Welsh buyer Robin Ellis, Ruthin. The supreme champion Gimmers at Chelford and Lanark respectively both sold very well, with Idris Morris’s Fachell gimmer being bought for 2,650gns to Messrs Smith, Pert. Several other top quality Gimmers, including the Supreme Champions at Dingwall and Thainstone sold in the 1,000 – 2,000gn range with individual consignors/buyers being highlighted in the ”top 15” list.

Several well known flocks featured in the higher flock averages, with the Knock flock of Albert and George Howie being certainly worthy of a special mention. At 3 different venues this year, they sold 36 Gimmers to collectively average £1,075 apiece – a tremendous achievement. The main sires for their large-framed tight-coated Gimmers were Garngour Nobleman and Tophill Nockout.

In conclusion, I hope that several top quality ram lambs, the progeny of Gimmers dealt with in this report, appear at next years premier sales. This would follow in the footsteps of Alastair Beaton’s 1,250gn Galcantray gimmer bought at Dingwall last year, which produced a 10,000gn Lanark Premier Sale ram lamb.

Selection of Collective-Club Show & Sales

Total 500 Females sold Grossed £221,154 To average £442

Top 10 Flock Averages

Top 15 Individual Prices & Buyers

* = Supreme Champion Gimmers at their respective venues