Dingwall And Highlands Marts Ltd - Mule Sale 12 September 2022

15th September 2022

DINGWALL., Dingwall and Highlands Marts Ltd., (September 12th) sold 3,653 ewe lambs and gimmers at the Highland Mule Breeders Association annual sale.
Highland Mule gimmers (962) averaged £188 (up £9.39 on the year) and sold to £310 gross for the 1st Prize pen from Redhill Farm, Elgin.
Other breeds of gimmer (42) averaged £163.81 and sold to £190 gross from Coxton, Cornhill.
Highland mule ewe lambs (2,575) averaged (down £9.48 on the year) £135.56 and sold to £280 gross from Milton of Aberarder in aid of the Highland Hospice.
Other breeds of ewe lambs (74) averaged £110.70 and sold to £144 gross for a pen of Texel crosses from Blackford Farm, Croy.
Prize list
Mule Gimmers
1st Redhill Farm £310
2nd Ballindalloch Home Farm £235
3rd Mountrich Farm £215
Mule Ewe Lambs
1st Ballchraggan £164
2nd Tulloch Farm £152
3rd Blackford Farm £164
"The annual show and sale of Highland Mule breeding sheep kicked off the week to a flier, with a new centre record being set for the Champion pen of gimmers. The Pre-sale show was kindly sponsored by the Highland Mule Breeders Association and PK nutrition. Judging proceedings lay in the hands of Mr & Mrs Brims, Thuster Mains. The Couple from Caithness placed the pen of 20 exceptional mule gimmers from Mr & Mrs Leslie, Redhill Farm as their Champions. Backing their decision in the ring they shelled out a new centre record of £310 per head for the Blackford bred beauties.
Our pre slae lamb judge Mr S. Johnstone from Ballindalloch Home Farm seriously has her work cut out to place no fewer than 25 pens of show sheep. It was character and class that took precedence in her placings, eventually naming the pen from Mr P. Junor, Ballchraggan as the days champion. In the sale ring our judge stormed on like a trooper to purchase her champion pen at £164.
Overall gimmers were up on the year but were possibly not shown in as goof bloom as the previous year. Lamb trade wasn't as erratic however all types put of lambs regardless of whether they were sired by a “true blue" tup or a “Crossey type” there were customers here for all types.”