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Well here we are again. I wish someone could tell me where the last twelve months have gone. After our few early lambers last year, we were thinking of trying to breed a few with webbed feet but have decided to see what next spring is like first as the weather did improve a lot later on. Lambs seemed to be doing very well until the drought set in and grass was a nice shade of brown. Teesdale Branch along with support of Weardale Branch chose to represent NEMSA at the NSA event at Malvern. Robby Dalton very kindly lent us a shearling with twins and four hoggs with singles, very good outfits. Hence on the 1st of August, four eager travellers set off to a land far away not knowing what lay ahead, as through a double booking, only two of the four had somewhere to sleep. (Teesdale folk can adapt to anything though). I remember thinking of Mary and Joseph when there was no room at the Inn, at least neither of us was pregnant! The event the following day went well, there were a lot of people around. Visitors to our stand commented on what good lambs they were, especially the two with the shearling. The main topic of conversation was what trade would be at the autumn sales. Many people thought the same as ourselves, a similar trade to last year. Time seemed to fly by and lamb sales came round quickly, which were best described as very disappointing. Expectations of a similar trade soon disappeared. Middleton sale on 12th September where 5474 lambs put forward:-
An average of £50.10 - down £4.69 on last year. Stronger tupping lambs were quite good to sell although a big percentage of running lambs reduced the average with quite a lot failing to find new homes. Two days later at Barnard Castle sale saw an entry of 2680 lambs which met a slightly better trade although many of the lambs were a little stronger.
Overall average was £54.55. Many thanks to the two auction companies, all judges and sponsors. Thanks to Robbie and Louise Dalton for the loan of sheep for Malvern and helping with their preparation. Also thanks to our committee and Rebecca for their support throughout the year and to Malcolm and Richard for their help with the sheep and going to Malvern, which made it a memorable occasion. Last but not least a big thank you to Dorothy and John for all their hard work put in at Malvern and making the stand look so good. JOHN WATSON |
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