A good trade with record averages was experienced at the Annual Ram Show and Sale held at Thainstone Centre on Tuesday 24^th September, when a top price of 4,800gns was achieved for a Ram Lamb from Robert H Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff. Sired by Clanfield Golden, he went onto sell to R Mackay, Clyth Mains, Occumster, Lybster.

The event, sponsored by Harbro and supported by Elanco saw 557 pedigree and cross-bred rams sell onto new owners.

The Texel Championship was awarded to M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry by the Judge Ewan Gordon, Wellheads, Huntly for a Shearling Ram sired by Ettrick Funtime Frankie, which went on to sell to G C Watt & Son, South Byebush, St Katherines, Inverurie for 1,100gns. The Reserve award went to a Ram Lamb from Kenny Pratt, Old Town Farm, Peterculter also selling for 1,100gns, this time to Cairness Ltd, Home Farm Cairness, Fraserburgh.

The second top price of 2,600gns was paid for a Shearling Ram sired by Craig Douglas Evoke, from Rodney Blackhall, The Green, Raemoir, Banchory which sold to Ardhuncart Farm, Ardhuncart, Kildrummy, Alford.

Another Shearling Ram from Rodney Blackhall tapped out at 1,650gns, sired by Ettrick Deja Vu, the ram went onto sell to W Barnetson & Sons, Lynegar, Watten, Wick.

1,600gns was smashed three times, first for an Aged Texel Ram from S Barclay, Harestone, Banchory, which sold to J A Smith, The Rowans, Victoria Road, Brora and secondly for a Shearling from Rodney Blackhall, The Green purchased by Alan J Rae, Mains of Orchardtown, Udny. The third tup to realise 1,600gns was a Texel Shearling from James Innes & Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly selling to W G Macpherson, Blackford, Croy, Inverness.

Two Texel Shearlings from R W Blackhall, The Green, Raemoir were tapped out at 1,500gns, both snapped up by Firm I D Ross, Coldhome, Dallas, Forres.

The next top price of 1,300gns, was paid for a Texel Ram Lamb from R H Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff. Sired by Clanfield Golden, the tup sold to G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon.

Texel Ram Lambs also sold at 1,200gns from Messrs Innes, Dunscroft, with Kenny Pratt, Old Town, selling at 1,200gns and 1,000gns twice. Robbie Wilson, sold at 1,100gns and 1,000gns, with Messrs Sutherland, Carran Mains, also at 1,100gns. The final 4 figure Texel Ram Lamb was from Helen Hunter, Braehead, Bainshole, Huntly at 1,000gns.

In the Suffolk section, the top price of 1,800gns was achieved for a Shearling Ram from J C Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly. He was sired by Frongoy Explosion.  

Another shearling ram from J C Innes, also sired by Frongoy Explosion, fetched the second highest price of 1,500gns, purchased by C Wright of Prony Farm, Ballater.

A Ram Lamb from C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon, reached 1,300gns, selling to A M Watson & Son, Gaval, Fetterangus. This ram was sired by Culsh Cracker.

The overall Suffolk Champion, selected by judge Bobby Poleson of Findlins Farm, Shetland, was a Ram Lamb from G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon. The tup, sired by Dunfell Dynamite, sold for 1,200gns to A S Smith & S Foulzie, King Edward, Banff.

The Reserve Champion, a Ram Lamb from J Young, Muirton Corse, Alford, sired by Salopian Zoolander, was sold for 1,100gns to John R Burges, Lower House, Quendale.

Two rams tapped out at 1,050gns, first for a shearling from R M Greig, South Tillydesk, Ellon, sired by Forkins Foremost, which was sold to Smith Croft Ltd, Sandwick and secondly, a Ram Lamb sired by Muirton Hamish from C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon sold to J & A Nicholson, Breckon, Cullivoe.

Several rams smashed 1,000gns, first a shearling ram sired by Frongoy Explosion from J C Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly, sold to Emslies Livestock, Mintlaw, Peterhead. Second to achieve 1,000gns was a first-prize shearling ram from Rachel Andrews, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown, sired by Limestone Marksman, sold to Uyea Ltd, Roadside, North Roe.

Finlay Hunter from West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch, sold his ram lamb, also sired by Frongoy Explosion, for 1,000gns to A Scott, Craiglewie, Cabrach.

Additionally, two ram lambs from C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon sold for 1,000gns, the first sired by Muirton Hamish, sold to D A Middleton, Laurencekirk, and the second sired by Culsh Cracker, sold to N Williamson, Setter, Bressay.

Last to be tapped out at 1,000gns, is a ram lamb sired by Dunfell Dynamite from G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon which went onto sell to K E Hay & Partners, Fairview, Shetland.

In the Charollais section, a top price of 1,200gns was achieved twice for the Champion and Reserve Champion Shearlings from E & E Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Clola, Mintlaw, both selling to J & J S Wilken, Raefin, Keith.

Beltex Rams sold to a top price of 1,000gns twice, firstly, for the Reserve Champion Shearling Ram from Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie going onto sell to I Mackenzie, Inkstack, Barrock. Next up, was a Ram Lamb from S Wood, Broadwater, Skene selling to R McLeod, Blackhole, Finzean. The Beltex Overall Championship went to a Ram Lamb from S Wood, Broadwater, which sold to Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin for 900gns.

In the Blue Texel ram section, the Overall Champion was awarded to W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch which went onto the second highest price of 700gns selling to G & D Livestock, Newtack, Crossroads, Keith. The Reserve Champion was awarded to J Duncan, Inchford, Cornhill, Banff which also achieved 700gns selling to D M McCallum, Shoreton Farm, Culbokie, Dingwall.

The top price for the Blue Texels was 900gns which was paid for a Shearling from W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch selling to C L Sclater, Lorness, Shapinsay, Orkney.

The Border Leicester Overall Champion from J G Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh achieved top price of 1,600gns, with the Reserve Champion also from J G Douglas, taking the second highest price of 600gns both selling to W Mather & So, Shandford, Brechin.

M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown secured both Overall Champion and Reserve Champion titles in the Blue Faced Leicester section. The Champion sold for 1,000gns to C Shorten, 37 Braco Street, Keith. The Reserve sold to Brumber Hill Farm, Appleton, Roebuck for 800gns.

J Marshall from 3 Coventry Place, Kinross achieved the top price for his Dutch Spotted Gimmer selling to P D & E A Thorp, Overton of Ardo, Methlick, Ellon for 1,200gns. The Overall Champion a Shearling Ram from A Beattie, Carlaustan, Kippen went on to sell for 600gns to Ellen Riddoch, Seggiecrook, Grange, Keith. The Reserve Champion from M Simpson, Tardoes, Kilmarnock tapping out at 800gns to M & S Nesbit, Drumgesk Farm, Dess Aboyne.

Colin Slessor, Deputy Head of Livestock said: “Averages across all breeds are well up on the year with sellers being handsomely rewarded for putting forward quality shearlings and ram lambs. It was pleasing to see buyers dig deep to purchase their replacement stock rams. The usual strong contingent of island buyers were in attendance with 130 head selling to the Shetland and Orkney Isles.

Our thanks must also go to our sponsors Harbro and Elanco, both helping to make a very successful day.”

Averages: 47 Texel Shearling Rams topped 2,600gns, averaging £987.39 (+£32.30), 96 Texel Ram Lambs topped 4,800gns, averaging £728.43 (+£125.32); 15 Suffolk Shearling Rams, topped 1,800gns, averaging £920.20 (+£207.78), 185 Suffolk Ram Lambs, topping 1,300gns, averaging £641.35 (+£49.39); 16 Charollais Shearling Rams, topping 1,200gns, averaging £722.65 (+£268.47), 17 Charollais Ram Lambs, topping 1,000gns, averaging £508.85 (+£65.38); 30 Beltex Shearling Rams, topping 1,000gns, averaging £561.75 (+£7.87), 10 Beltex Ram Lambs, topping 1000gns, averaging, £644.70 (+£10.20); 10 Blue Texel Shearling Rams, topping 800gns, averaging £456.75 (-£12.00), 8 Blue Texel Ram Lambs, topped 700gns, averaging £472.50 (+£49.00); 5 Border Leicester Shearling Rams, topped 600gns, averaging £388.50 (+£47.25), 7 Border Leicester Ram Lambs, topping 1,600gns, averaging £529.50 (-£34.87); 4 Blue Faced Leicester Shearling Rams, topping 1000gns, averaging £892.50 (+£371.00), 5 Blue Faced Leicester Ram Lambs, topping 1,000gns, averaging £567; 7 Dutch Spotted Shearling Rams, topped 600gns, averaging £405, 9 Dutch Spotted Ram Lambs, topped 800gns, averaging £274.16.

Leading Flock Averages

Texel

Shearlings

The Green, Raemoir         9               2600                1569.17

Dunscroft, Huntly              3              1600                 1382.50

Ardhuncart, Kildrummy  3               1250                 1066.67

Home Farm, Auchry         10             1100                 840.00

Mid Haddo, Fyvie                7               1000                 825.00

Ram Lambs

North Dorlaithers               10              4800               1396.50

Old Town, Peterculter       9                1200                956.66

Braehead, Bainshole        3                 1000                857.50

Milltown, Birness                9                 950                  794.06

Home Farm, Auchry          3                 800                  787.50

Suffolk

Shearlings

                                                Nos       Top Gns      Average £

Dunscroft, Huntly            3             1800              1505

Tillyeve, Udny                     4             900                 742.88

Ram Lambs

Tillyeve, Udny                    16            1300                 859.69

Home Farm, Auchry       3               850                   805.00

Milltown, Birness             30            1200                 770.70

Muirton, Corse                  17            1,100               716.47

Cadgerford, Kingswells 15            900                   693.00

Charollais

Shearlings

Barnyards, Clola                2               1200               1260.00

Clackriach, Maud              5               900                  787.50

Eastside, Whitecairns     3                800                  700.00

Ram Lambs

Barnyards, Clola                8                1000               597.19

Beltex

Shearlings

Bridgeton, Muir of Fowlis  2             850                   735.00

Broadwater, Skene               6             950                   700.00

Ram Lambs

Broadwater, Skene               5             1000                 777.000

North Lurg                                4              800                   564.37

Blue Texel

Shearlings

West Cairnhill                        3               900                    647.50

Woodside of Wrae               3               550                      560.00

Ram Lambs

Woodside of Wrae               3               600                      542.50

Blue Faced Leicester 

Shearlings

Home Farm, Auchry            4               1050                    892.50

Border Leicester 

Ram Lambs

Woodhead, Cairness          5                1600                   672.00

Dutch Spotted

Ram Lambs

Tardoes, Kilmarnock            3                800                     507.50

Thainstone Pedigree Ram Show & Sale Prize List 2024

Suffolk 

Judge – Bobby Poleson from Findlins Farm, Hillswick, Shetland.

Class 1 Shearling or Aged Ram 

1^st – Lot 11 – Rachel Andrews, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown

2^nd – Lot 9 – J C Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly

3^rd – Lot 2 – C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon

4^th – Lot 21 – R Greig, South Tillydesk, Ellon

Class 2 Ram Lamb 

1^st – Lot 158 – G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon

2^nd – Lot 70 – J Young, Muirton Corse, Alford

3^rd – Lot 236 – J A Lorimer, Cadgerford, Kingwells, Aberdeen

Class 3 Pen of 5 Ram Lambs 

1^st – Lots 159, 160, 161, 165 & 167 – G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon

2^nd – Lots 67, 68, 69, 74 & 75 – J Young, Muirton Corse, Alford

3^rd – Lots 228, 231, 232, 235 & 237 – J A Lorimer, Cadgerford, Kingswells, Aberdeen     

Champion (R P Ligertwood Cup) 

Lot 158 from G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon

Reserve Champion  

Lot 70 from J Young, Muirton Corse, Alford

The Aberdeen & Northern Marts Perpetual Trophy (Awarded to the 3 Highest Priced Suffolk Ram Lambs from One Exhibitor) 

Texel 

Judge – Ewan Gordon of Wellheads, Huntly

Class 4 Shearling or Aged Ram 

1^st – Lot 349 – M Seed, Home Farm, Auchry

2^nd – Lot 310 – R Blackhall, The Green, Raemoir, Banchory

3^rd – Lot 317 – W J Know, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, Turriff

Class 5 Ram Lamb 

1^st – Lot 478 – K Pratt, Oldtown Farm, Petercutler

2^nd – Lot 434 – R Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff

3^rd – Lot 421 – J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers

Class 6 Pen of 3 Ram Lambs 

1^st – Lots 435, 432 & 436 – R Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff

2^nd – 362, 364 & 368 – G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon

3^rd – 480, 481 & 483 – K Pratt, Oldtown Farm, Peterculter

Champion (The John Mackie Perpetual Trophy) 

Lot 349 from M Seed, Home Farm, Auchry

Reserve Champion 

Lot 478 from K Pratt, Oldtown Farm, Petercutler

North of Scotland Trophy (Best Pen of Three Texel Ram Lambs) 

Lots 435, 432 & 436 from R Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff

Bluefaced Leicester 

Judge – John Blackhall, East Brachmont, Durris, Banchory

Class 7 Shearling or Aged Ram 

1^st – Lot 502 – M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown

2^nd – Lot 503 – M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown

3^rd – Lot 504 – M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown

Class 8 Ram Lamb

1^st – Lot 505 – M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown

2^nd – Lot 509 – S Burnett, Kingswells Croft, Oyne

3^rd – Lot 506 – S Burnett, Kingswells Croft, Oyne

Champion (Perpetual Trophy)  

Lot 505 from M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown

Reserve Champion 

Lot 502 from M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown

 Border Leicester 

Judge – John Blackhall, East Brachmont, Durris, Banchory

Class 9 Shearling or Aged Ram  

1^st – Lot 511 – J G Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh

2^nd – Lot 516 – K & W Hourston, Skelbister, Orphir, Orkney

3^rd – Lot 512 – J G Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh

Class 10 Ram Lamb 

1^st – Lot 517 – J G Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh

2^nd – Lot 518 – J G Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh

3^rd – Lot 522 – K & W Anderson, Cairnhill, Farr, Inverness

Champion (The Uppermill Perpetual Challenge Cup)  

Lot 517 from J G Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh

Reserve Champion 

Lot 511 from J G Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh

Charollais 

Judge – John Blackhall, East Brachmont, Durris, Banchory

Class 12 Shearling or Aged Ram 

1^st – Lot 531 – E & E Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead

2^nd – Lot 532 – E & E Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead

3^rd – Lot 542 – Taylor Dalgarno, Clachriach, Maud

Class 13 Ram Lamb 

1^st – Lot 555 – E & E Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead

2^nd – Lot 556 – E & E Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead

3^rd – Lot 557 – E & E Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead

Champion (The North Eastern Perpetual Trophy) 

Lot 531 from E & E Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead

Reserve Champion 

Lot 532 from E & E Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead

 Beltex 

Judge – Andrew Anderson, of Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus

Class 14 Shearling 

1^st – Lot 572 – Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar

2^nd – Lot 586 – S Wood, Broadwater, Skene

3^rd – Lot 613 – J Young, Muirton Corse, Alford

Class 15 Ram Lamb 

1^st – Lot 620 – S Wood, Broadwater, Skene

2^nd – Lot 621 – S Wood, Broadwater, Skene

3rd – Lot 626 – Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar

Champion (The Aviemore Perpetual Luggie) 

Lot 620 from S Wood, Broadwater, Skene

Reserve Champion 

Lot 572 from Miller Farm, North Lurg, Midmar

Blue Texel 

Judge – Andrew Anderson, of Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus

Class 16 Shearling or Aged Ram 

1^st – Lot 638 – J Duncan, Inchford, Cornhill, Banff

2^nd – Lot 652 – W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch

3^rd – Lot 644 – A J Norrie, Woodside of Wrae, Turriff

Class 17 Ram Lamb 

1^st – Lot 667 – W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch

2^nd – Lot 672 – A J Norrie, Woodside of Wrae, Turriff

3^rd – Lot 661 – F E Glass & J I Robinson, West Enninteer, Craigievar

Champion 

Lot 667 from W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch

Reserve Champion  

Lot 638 from J Duncan, Inchford, Cornhill, Banff

Dutch Spotted 

Judge – by Edward Adamson, Kilroot Flock, Co Antrim

Class 18 Shearling or Aged Ram 

1^st – Lot 696 – A Beattie, Carlaustan, Kippen

2^nd – Lot 695 – A Beattie, Carlaustan, Kippen

3^rd – Lot 684 – M Simpson, Tardoes, Kilmarnock

Class 19 Ram Lamb 

1^st – Lot 710 – M Simpson, Tardoes, Kilmarnock

2^nd – Lot 728 – I French, Little Rowater, Cornhill

3^rd – Lot 718 – S Cooper, Forebogs of Knaven, Maud, Peterhead

Champion  

Lot 696 from A Beattie, Carlaustan, Kippen

Reserve Champion  

Lot 710 from M Simpson, Tardoes, Kilmarnock