CHAROLLAIS SHEEP

Sales Reports 2008

Female Sale Reports 2007

Charollais Rams off to a flying start at Worcester

Despite the problems with BTV zones, the Charollais breed enjoyed a flying start to the ram selling season at Worcester market on Saturday. The breed elected to go ahead with their pre-arranged date and will hold ‘part 2’ of the sale in the clear zone at Welshpool Market on the 7^th July. Breeders were out in force seeking new stock rams and took the average price for ram lambs to £1177.55 coupled with a high clearance rate.

Two flocks led the way with outstanding pens of lambs. Top price of the day went to Tim Prichard’s Castellau flock from Glamorganshire. His lamb Castellau Ieuan sold for 5,000 gns to new breeder John Davies from Lane End Farm near Stoke on Trent. The lamb was the result of an embryo transfer programme on the 2006 Royal Welsh Interbreed Champion, Flashy Lady mated to the Pairs Interbreed Champion, Southam Flagship. Another ram lamb from this mating, Castellau Iestyn made 3,700 gns to Mr L M Buckland for his Stonebow flock in Gloucestershire.

The pre-sale show champion came from the exceptional entry from Peter Vaughan from Herefordshire. Kings Land Invincible was sired by Southam Exotic out of a Southam ewe and was knocked down for 3,700 gns to Jonathan and Carroll Barber for their Crogham flock in Norfolk. The reserve champion also came from this consignment; Kings Land Igor also sired by Southam Exotic made 3,200 gns to Yorkshire breeders D & D Lee. Two further lambs from the Kings Land flock made the 3,000 mark; selling for 3,050 gns was Impeccable which was the choice of Mike Alford from Devon and joins the Foxhill flock. Making a joint purchase at 3,000 gns for Kings Land Indestructible, a twin to Impeccable, were Welsh breeders Edward Lewis and Meilir Jones. The Kings Land pen of 6 ram lambs finished the day with an average of £2,677.50.

The fully vaccinated and tested, Dalby flock of Charles Sercombe from Leicestershire had a successful sale, topped by their high index lamb, Dalby Inspired. This lamb was knocked down to Richard and Jane Easom for their Grimston flock at 2,300 gns and was sired by last year’s Royal Show winner, Rockvilla Golden Promise. Charles had two further lambs selling for four figures; Dalby Iggle Piggle made 1,350 gns to Mrs Diane Rusbridge from Carmarthenshire and D & W Livestock paid 1,000 gns for Dalby Illustrious to go back to Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire.

Never far from the top prices is Charles Marwood from Whenby near York. Leading his trade at 2,100 gns was a son of Grenadier. Buyer for Foulrice Ivor was John Osbourne from Cornwall.

First time vendor Mr David Curran from Brecon in Powys, made an impact with the first ram lamb into the ring. His son of Wraycastle Dai Hard sold for 1,500 gns. Purchaser of Wernfawr Iceman were Clive and Robert Hopper from Devon.

Topping the shearling trade, which levelled at £720 was the Castellau flock. Taking Castellau Hob Nob at 3,400 gns was a new breeder, Mr Christopher Hawes from Bicester in Oxon. Mr Hawes has recently purchased an entire Charollais flock and also made further purchases to expand the new flock to over 100 ewes. He was also purchaser of the highest indexed sheep on offer on the day; Neil Oughton’s ram lamb, Lowerye Is A Good’un achieved the highest breed index for 2008 at 487 and was sired by sire reference ram, Dalby Galactico. Mr Hawes purchased a 50% share in the tup for 1,500 gns, with the Lowerye flock retaining the other half.

Top show ram, Elmwick Harvest Gold from Mrs Jennifer Curtis, Evesham in Worcestershire made 1,550 gns to yet another newer Charollais breeder, Mr Graham Allenby from Lincolnshire.

Charollais Chief Executive, Mr Jonathan Barber was delighted with the trade; “we were confident prior to the sale that the demand was strong for tups. The quality of sheep on offer was exceptional and breeders have been rewarded across the sale for producing and presenting what the market demanded.”

Averages : 44 ram lambs averaged £1177.55 (£812.20 2007)

30 shearling rams averaged £719.95 (£766.50 2007)

Auctioneer: Clive Roads, McCartneys

CHAROLLAIS SHEEP BREAK ALL RECORDS AT WELSHPOOL MARKET

A record breaking bid of 10,500 gns was made at Part 2 of the Charollais Sheep Society’s Premier Sale held at Welshpoool Market on Monday 7^th July. The sale was held in the area as a BTV clear zone for both vendors and purchasers and proved a tremendous success.

This record price for both the breed and the market was paid for the pre-sale champion, Banwy Immense from local breeder, Arwel Owen, Foel near Welshpool. The lamb was the result of an embryo transfer programme and was sired by Foulrice Eurostar out of a Penhros ewe. Making the last bid was Mr John Geldard from Low Foulshaw Farm, Levens in Cumbria who had carried out the judging at both this sale and Part I in Worcester. Being in a clear zone, he made his purchase for this strong and well-fleshed lamb to join the Wraycastle flock.

Next in line at 4,000 gns was the reserve champion from Northern Ireland breeder, Mr David Mawhinney. Making the long journey over paid off for his Balmoral Show1^st prize winner, Rockvilla Inspiration. Purchaser for this son of the 2007 Royal Show Champion, Rockvilla Golden Promise, was Mr Ed Bulman from Great Fencote in North Yorkshire.

Another local flock had a highly successful day; Mr Bryan Evans from Trefeglwys in Powys saw his top lamb, Penrhos Ibanez sell for 3,500 gns to Welsh breeders, Mr Tim Prichard and Mr Arwyn Thomas. This and his next best lamb were both sired by Foulrice Eurostar. Going to 2,500 gns for Penrhos Impecable were Cheshire breeders, Mary Madders and Stuart Johnson for their Blythe flock. Finishing the run was a lamb at 1,600 gns to Scottish breeder James Clanachan from Dumfries.

Other vendors with a long journey were Carole and William Ingram from Aberdeenshire. Their good looking shearling ram Logie Durno Hercules was the winner in his section and attracted a joint 3,000 gns bid from Mr Adrian Davies and Mr David Curran both from south Wales. His sire was the 5,600 gns Foulrice Gladiator.

Mr Adrian Davies was in the money himself with two lambs making 2,000 gns apiece. His class winner, Glyn Coch Idol, again sired by Foulrice Eurostar was the choice of Society Chairman, Mr Herbert Kennedy from Dumfries. The winning lamb at Cothibridge Show sired by Galtres Dominator went to Mr S Perry from Llangadog, Carmarthenshire.

Clearance rates were excellent and a number of commercial buyers took the opportunity to pick up tremendous stock early in the season. Average price for the 54 ram lambs sold was £1092.43 and shearlings levelled at £1204.00. 23 animals made 1,000 gns or above, which added to the result at Part 1 in Worcester, gave the breed an outstanding start to the marketing season.

Auctioneer : Glandon Lewis, Welshpool Livestock Sales

Charollais Sheep Trade up at Lanark

The strong trade for Charollais rams continued at the Scottish Premier sale held at Lanark. Numbers forward were reduced by the BTV zoning, but the average price for ram lambs saw a rise of just under £340 to finish the day at £868.

A top of 3,000 gns for Welsh breeder Arwel Owen continued the Banwy flock’s flying trade. Lanark’s topper was a full ET brother to their record breaking lamb, which sold last week at Welshpool. Sired by Foulrice Eurostar out of a Penrhos ewe, the hammer went down to the under bidders from last week, William and Carole Ingram from Aberdeenshire. The lamb had been placed reserve champion in the pre-sale show.

Another from the Banwy pen sold for 2,100 gns to G & J Archibald, Craigens Farm, Islay. This again was a product of the same highly successful flush.

The champion in the pre-sale show was from Bryan Evan’s Penrhos flock in Powys. They were first of the lambs into the ring but achieved 1,900 gns to Jonathan Wales from Cumbria for his Thackwood flock. This was another Foulrice Eurostar lamb, making this sire undoubtedly the top choice of breeders this season.

The Parkgate flock of Herbie and Alan Kennedy gave the sale a flurry at the end, making 2,800 gns for their first prize winner. Sired by their home-bred tup Parkgate Hot Property this tup went to the vice-chairman of the North of Scotland region, Neil Blackburn from Clynemilton in Sutherland.

The Auchenlay flock of Robert and Maimie Paterson from Perthshire topped their trade at 1,300 gns for a son of Arjane Glyndwr out of a show winning ewe. Messrs Lawrie, from Pettinain, near Lanark secured this one for their Grangehall Flock.

Foulrice breeding was in the pedigree of Maryholm Indispensable which sold for James Clanachan from Dumfries at 1000gns. Buyer of this son of Foulrice Falcon, which was purchased at Worcester for 3,000 gns, was Messrs AJ & T Snaith from Greattosson, near Morpeth.

Averages : 24 ram lambs averaged £867.56

Auctioneer : William McCulloch, Lawrie and Symington

Trend Continues at Dungannon as averages soar

The increasing popularity of the Charollais Breed was reinforced at their Premier Sale in Northern Ireland with averages up almost 50%. There was plenty of interest from South of the Border with breeders having to dig deep to secure their purchases.

Leading the way was the Carnew Flock of Jonathan Aiken who not only won the Championship in the presale show, but went on to receive the top price of 2800gns for a Loaningfoot Highlander son who was placed second in the January class by Welsh Judge ,Bryan Evans. Purchasing this stylish Ram for their Doughery Flock were Robert and Stuart Cromie .

The Champion Ram who stood first in the December born Ram Lamb class was another son of Loaningfoot Highlander and sold for 1900gns to R Hall &Son, Carlisle. Demand was high for stock from Loaningfoot Highlander who was purchased at Lanark Premier 2007 from Ben Radley by the Carnew and Artnaguillion Flocks. Local Breeder George Hammond purchased for his Ballymaguire Flock at 1,400 gns Johnnie’s third prize winner in the January class and Kenny Malcomson had to fork out 1,000 gns for a big December born ram. Another lot from the same pen went to Southern Breeder Gordon Nicholson for 1,100 gns. Jonathan achieved the top pen average of 1,500 gns for six sold.

Reserve Overall Champion went to a daughter of Parkgate Glenmorangie, a big stylish ewe lamb from the Lornbrook Flock of Diane Christie. Reserve Champion Male also went to the Lornbrook Flock, this big ended ram which stood second to the Champion in the December class achieved a top pen price of 1,500 gns for a Parkgate Glenmorangie son. Omagh breeder Noel Barton purchasing this well bred ram for his flock.

Derek Bell from Omagh was the buyer for the fifth prize winner in the January class paying out 1,000 gns to McConnell Brothers for a great carcass ram sired by Ballynoe House Felix.

Ian Goudy’s third placed ram in the December Class caught the eye of a Dungannon purchaser who had to pay 900 gns for this well muscled sheep.

The Riverdale Flock of Norman McMordie achieved a price of 800 gns for a high performance ram selling to McKinney Brothers from Maghera.

Top place in the Senior and Shearling Ram Class went to County Antrim breeder Jonathan O’Loan; this big bodied ram selling to James Murphy from County Kilkenny for 725 gns. A stock ram from the Ringsend Flock of E&J Gould sired by Tullyear Egbert was placed second in this class selling at 550 gns. Standing third in the class was an Arnagullion Guiness son shown by Ian Goudy who sold for 520 gns.

Topping the market in the older rams was a big well muscled shearling ram, sired by Beechlodge Formidable and shown by Sidney Corbett. County Wexford Breeder James McDonald had to go to 1,100 gns to secure his purchase.

Ballymoney breeder Matt Taggart added to his flock purchasing a very impressive stock ram, Glyn Coch Google, from the pen of George Booth for 580 gns.

Drew Cowan, Charollais Sheep Club Chairman, was well pleased with the sale and thanked the sponsors for their continued support ,The Northern Bank, J Thompson & Sons, Animal Feeds and Dungannon Farmers Market.

SHOW RESULTS

Senior & Shearling Ram: 1^st Jonathan O’Loan,2^nd Elizabeth Gould, 3^rd Ian Goudy
December Ram: 1^st Jonathan Aiken, 2^nd Diane Christie, 3^rd Ian Goudy
January Ram: 1^st Jim Bell, 2^nd Jonathan Aiken,3^rd Jonathan Aiken
Untrimmed Ram: 1^st George Booth, 2^nd David Gordon
Group of Three: 1^st David & Liz Mawhinney, 2^nd Jonathan Aiken, 3^rd Craig Brothers
Shearling Ewe: 1^st George Booth, 2^nd George Booth
Ewe Lamb: 1^st Diane Christie, 2^nd Diane Christie, 3^rd Craig Brothers

Top Prices: Jonathan Aiken; 2800gns, 1900gns 1400gns,1100gns,1000gns.
Diane Christie 1500gns,800gns,700gns,650gns.
Sidney Corbet 1100gns.
McConnell Brothers 1000gns,
Ian Goudy,900gns.
Norman McMordie 800gns.
Jonathan O’Loan 720gns.
David & Liz Mawhinney 600gns

Averages : Shearling Rams 14 sold to average £476.62
Ram Lambs, 56 sold to average £548.81

Reports on In-lamb ewe lambs held in 2007.

Due to the restrictions for BT in the UK, a much smaller number of in-lamb ewe sales were held in the year.

Severn Gorge Dispersal Sale to 1,100 gns

Seventeen years of selective breeding came under the hammer at Worcester Market on Saturday, when Dave and Mary Reynolds from Buildwas in Shropshire dispersed their Severn Gorge flock of Charollais sheep.

Keen bidding throughout the sale ended with an average of over £300 a head for the 65 in-lamb ewes on offer. Topping the trade at 1,100 gns was a shearling ewe, Regen Gwen. This show ewe was in lamb to the 3,100 gns ram Parkgate Highlander, purchased at the breed’s premier sale held at the same venue. Buying back his own breeding, was Don Green from Ely in Cambridgeshire. “Despite being in the Bluetongue Control zone, I am confident in the strong demand for the breed and wished to have this excellent ewe back in my flock,” he stated after the sale.

Going to 900 gns for a strong 4 shear ewe, was Thomas Plant from Onecote in Staffordshire. His choice was also in lamb to Highlander but this time carrying triplets. Mr Buckland from Ashleworth in Gloucestershire paid 860 gns for a shearling ewe to join his Stonebow flock. Carrying twins to Highlander this one was sired by Shipley Elton.

Next two top prices were for a shearling ewe at 660 gns sold to Patrick Tully from Somerset and a two-shear ewe at 620 gns knocked down to Robert Gregory from Shropshire.

Auctioneer Clive Roads from McCartneys was delighted with the sale “it was very pleasing to see so many buyers, looking forward with genuine enthusiasm for the industry. We were restricted on buyers from Wales and the South-West, but that did not spoil what turned out to be a first class sale.”

Pictures : (Right) Regen Gwen, top price at the Severn Gorge Dispersal sale. Sold for 1,100 gns.
(Left) Lot 11, 4 shear ewe from Severn Gorge, sold for 900 gns.

Parkgate shearling tops Lanark Female sale at 1,500 gns

A strong shearling ewe with an excellent show record, topped the sale of in-lamb ewes at Lanark Market on 3rd November. From Herbie Kennedy's Parkgate flock, she was sired by Findatie All Gold. Buyer for this one at 1,500 gns were Northern Irish breeders, Mrs Diane Christie and Mr Jim Bell. Taking two out of the Parkgate pen was Southern Irish breeder, Mr Michel Power who bought Southam Black Adder daughters at 900 and 1000 gns.

A number of new breeders were present at the sale and found plenty to attract them.

Averages : 35 shearling ewes £318.00, Senior Ewes £149.63

Auctioneer : William McCulloch, Lawrie & Symington

Lanark Female Sale - top priced shearling ewe sold by Herbert Kennedy, ZCA 6014.

Seven Ewes over £1,100 at Re-scheduled Ross-on-Wye Production Sale

The 10th production sale of Charollais in-lamb ewe and ewe lambs finally took place at Builth Wells Market on Tuesday 6th November. Bluetongue surveillance zone prevent three vendors from attending, but the four who were able to attend presented their usual quality selections to a good sized crowd from Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and most counties within Wales and the border counties.

Quality was in demand with seven ewes selling in excess of £1,100, topping at 2,500 gns for a shearling ewe exhibited by Tim Prichard, Castellau Flock. The top price ewe was bought by Peter Vaughan of Kingsland, Herefordshire, who also secured the second highest price of 2,200 gns again from Tim Prichard.

Highest average for their consignment was breed chairman, Mr Herbert Kennedy of Dumfries, who sold three ewes to average £1,312.50. Also selling at £1,207.50 was a shearling from Arwyn and Jane Thomas of Whitland. Top price ewe lamb at £630 was a consignment from Dilwyn Davies of Llanstephan, Carmarthenshire, which sold to Cyril Docherty of Malton, North Yorkshire.

Averages :
Ewes         (15)   averaged £240.80
Shearlings (44)   averaged £587.76
Ewe lambs   (5)   averaged £329.70

Auctioneers - Brightwells Ltd, Leominster.

Carnevas flock tops steady trade at Exeter

The 3rd Annual Joint Production Sale of Charollais females was held at Exeter Livestock Centre on 2nd November with consignments from the Trevadlock (J.T.G. & E.G. Sleep), Carnevas (Mrs Louise Brewer), Pengelly (T. & A. Guy), Tredethy (R. Willcocks), Sheldon (G. F. Burrough) and Gogwell (C. Hoper & Son).

Following a year of uncertainty in the agricultural sector and the more recent depressed finished lamb demand, the trading levels were considered exceptionally good and compared more than favourably with other similar sales held recently. As a result of the sale being postponed from its earlier date due to FMD, vendors had the opportunity of offering their ewes as scanned in lamb. Providing reserve prices were pitched realistically, sales of quality stock could be achieved with a good selection of buyers from throughout the south western peninsular and from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthen and Shropshire.

A shearling ewe, scanned single from the Carnevas flock, achieved the top price on the day of £525, selling to B. Cornish from Devon. Taking 10 lots was David Roberts from Kenley in Shropshire, included in his purchases at £483 was a January born shearling ewe, scanned double from the Trevadlock flock. Eric and James Sleep also sold a senior ewe to £456.75 for a December '04 female, scanned single, to G. Horn from Okehampton in Devon.

Averages :
Senior Ewes    (11)     £295.00
Shearling Ewes (32)    £300.50
Ewe Lambs (11)         £178.50

Auctioneers : Alan Webber, Husseys

1,000 gns Three Times for Southam Flock at Brecon Sale

Shearling ewes from the Southam flock of Lionel Organ, from Carmarthenshire attracted the attention of new Charollais breeder, Mr G Allenby from Horncastle in Lincolnshire at the recent Society sale of in-lamb ewes and ewe lambs held at Brecon Market. The first three from this consignment sold for 1,000 gns apiece and Mr Allenby took the next two at 900 gns and 750 gns apiece. All due to lamb in December, these ewes were mainly carrying to Southam Exotic.

Adrian Davies's Glyn Coch started the sale well with 660 gns for a Wraycastle Dai Hard shearling ewe in lamb to Foulrice Eurostar. Heading the ewe lambs was one from David Curran at 420 gns, selling to C H Rees from the Vale of Glamorgan.

All stock were a steady trade throughout with and good clearance and prices.

Averages :
In-lamb ewes (59) £324.97
Ewe lambs (14) £208.50

Dugannon Female in Bid Demand

The proof of the popularity of the Charollais Breed was evident at Dungannon Market on Monday night where a packed sale ring ensured an almost total clearance of the one hundred and twenty two females catalogued, with a very level trade throughout the sale.

Topping the market was an in lamb Shearling ewe from the Rockvilla Flock of Mr & Mrs D Mawhinney. Sired by Logier Durno Finnegan and out of a Rutland dam this impressive ewe caught the eye of Southern Breeder, Mr Robin Darker who had to pay out 1350gns to secure his purchase. Mr Darker also paying 1000gns for another shearling ewe out of the same pen, sired by Castellau Favourite and an “Arjane Master Mac” grand-daughter. Two other lots from this pen made 900gns and 800gns selling to Robert and Stuart Cromie and Welsh Breeder, Mr Lionel Oregon respectively.

Richard Black from Strabane also had to pay 1000gns for a powerful shearling ewe, sired by Ballynoe Eli, from the Ballynoe Flock of County Antrim Breeder Ian Craig.

Topping the ewe lambs at 1,000 gns was another Ballynoe Female, this smart lamb sold to Southern Breeder John Neville from County Wexford. Matinstown Breeder, Jonathon O’Loan purchased a big well fleshed lamb, sired by Galtres Emperor from George Booth for 850gns.

Northern Ireland Charollais Sheep Club Chairman, Drew Cowan, was delighted with the sale. “There was a great buzz around the ring throughout the sale, the Charollais Breed has a lot to offer the sheep industry and it’s great that this is being recognised”

Top Prices:
Mr & Mrs D Mawhinney; 1300gns, 1000gns, 900gns, 800gns.
Ian Craig: 1000gns, 1000gns, 600gns, 500gns 480gns, 480gns.
George Booth: 850gns.
Bryan Berry: 700gns. 400gns.
George Hammond: 680gns.
Drew Cowan 580gns, 500gns, 480gns, 480gns, 460gns, 450gns, 450gns, 420gns 400gns,
Mr & Mrs D Mawhinney: 500gns, 480gns480gns, 480gns, 480gns,400gns. Patrick Connor: 400gns.

Pictures :-

(Left) Top price at the sale, shearling ewe at 1350 gns from the Rockvilla Flock sold to
David Darker.

(Right) Top price ewe lamb from Ian Craig's Ballynoe flock, sold for 1,000 gns.

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