11th September 2011
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highlands Marts Ltd, (September, 12th) sold 4,216 ewe lambs and gimmers at the Highland Mule Breeders Association annual show and sale.
The gimmer judge, Mr J. Brims, Thuster Mains, Caithness, awarded the Challenge cup for best pen of Mule gimmers to Messrs J. & B. McCallum, Mountrich Farm, Dingwall, which realised £200 to the judge. The ewe lamb judge, Mr G. Simpson, Kirkland, Huntly, awarded the Secretary's cup to a pen from Mr W. G. Macpherson, Blackford Farm, Croy, which realised £180 to the judge.
Highland Mule gimmers (1,029) averaged £169.53 (+ £7.83 on the corresponding sale of last year) and sold to £200 gross for the champion pen.
Other breeds of gimmers (39) averaged £121.59 and sold to £185 gross for a Charollais x Mule from Gorthleck Mains, Inverness.
Highland Mule ewe lambs (3,095) averaged £106.21 (+ £2.66 on the year) and sold to £180 gross for the champion pen.
Other breeds of ewe lambs (53) averaged £86.42 and sold to £110 gross for Texel x Mules from Mains of Clunas, Cawdor.
"Gimmers and strong lambs met an extremely keen demand ahead of last year, whilst second draw lambs were more hesitant."
Leading prices per flock:
Highland Mule gmr -
Mains of Clunas, (12 sold) top £190, av £190;
Milton Farm, Farr, (7 sold) top £190, av £190;
Croftdhu, Tomatin, (114 sold) top £185, av £181.09;
Dell Farm, Farr, (24 sold) top £185, av £181.04;
Flichity Mains, Farr, (19 sold) top £180, av £180;
Mountrich, Dingwall, (113 sold) top £200, av £178.94;
Coxton, Cornhill, (246 sold) top £190, av £178.68;
Blackford Farm, Croy, (5 sold) top £180, av £178;
Balloan, Farr, (16 sold) top £175, av £173.12;
Alvie Estate, Kincraig, (38 sold) top £170, av £170;
Nether Comisty, Forgue, (178 sold) top £180, av £165.25;
The Hollies, Dingwall, (90 sold) top £175, av £164.94;
Achnabat, Torness, (23 sold) top £170, av £160.44;
Ballachraggan, Dores, (29 sold) top £165, av £158.10;
Bochruben Farm, Torness, (8 sold) top £175, av £156.25;
Dunachton Farm, Kincraig, (50 sold) top £160, av £151.90;
Gorthleck Mains, Gorthleck, (19 sold) top £160, av £153.16;
Glenshira Farming Partnership, (38 sold) top 120, av £101.05.
Highland Mule ewe lamb -
Blackford Farm, (161 sold) top £180, av £129.80;
Flichity Mains, (350 sold) top £150, av £123.05;
Milton Farm, (451 sold) top £145, av £118.90;
Dell Farm, Farr, (88 sold) top £130, av £106.95;
Gorthleck Mains, (94 sold) top £130, av £105.30;
Wester Rarichie, Nigg, (457 sold) top £132, av £102.85;
Farraline Farming Co, (88 sold) top £125, av £101.25;
Mains of Clunas, (294 sold), top £125, av £101.04;
Achnabat, Torness, (112 sold) top £125, av £100.27;
Abersky, Torness, (125 sold) top £130, av £99.31;
The Arr, (175 sold) top £130, av £97.26;
Dalmigavie, Inverness, (92 sold) top £125, av £97.25;
Ballachraggan, Dores, (172 sold) top £122, av £95.37;
Balloan, (95 sold) top £110, av £94;
Bochruben Farm, (104 sold) top £122, av £93.75;
Tulloch Farm, (168 sold) top £130, av £93.27;
Alvie Estate, (69 sold) top £95, av £84.85.