Branch Report
- Northumberland Branch Report »
- Lazonby Branch Report »
- Weardale Branch Report »
- Teesdale Branch Report »
- Hawes Branch Report »
- Kirkby Stephen Branch Report »
- Kendal Branch Report »
- Skipton Branch Report »
- West Cumbria Branch Report »
Northumberland Branch Report
Well, I have just been told that the Mule News is dependant upon my report, as the word’s ‘knife’ and ‘off’ were used I thought it was time for some action !, the trouble with writing these reports is it’s always the same old things we write about - the lamb trade and weather!
At this moment in time, it’s Monday morning and I like many more farmers am sitting behind a dyke watching a Leicester tup, because this is where it all starts, and can assure you that if this one doesn’t pull his finger out we might not get any mule lambs, and he will be in the trailer and on his way to Longtown on Thursday. Sitting here reminds me of the time years ago when I was at Richard Parker’s at Greenridge, upon asking Richard how his father was (the late Willie Parker) Richard’s reply was ‘ if you look down that field he’s sitting behind that wall – can you see the cloud of smoke ?’
It’s now Tuesday – and there’s no sign of improvement with the Leicester Tup as I get quite comfortable behind the dyke – oh dear !
Let’s now go back to May – Northumberland Branch attended Scot Sheep at Main of Burnbank, Stirling. Ed Holmes from Hexham supplied a cracking hogg with a single lamb and Martin Archer of Carry House, Wark provided a superb Hexham Blackface Ewe with twin ewe lambs, many thanks to both of you for your time and effort.
Now to the first sale in September – this being the first mule ewe lamb sale of the year, so much speculation about what trade was going to be like and we were not disappointed, was a massive average of £100.21. A fantastic show of lambs was forward for Mr David Smith and his father, of West Shields, Tow Law with the results as follows :
Results:
1st Crow Hall Farms
2nd Messrs Carr, Homilton
3rd Messrs Archer, Carry House
It’s now Wednesday – I think I had better put the trailer on !
On we go to the second sale with another good show of lambs forward, tupping lambs again a very good trade but running lambs a bit of an uneven trade. Lambs forward were judged by David Carr of Highwood, Hexham and the results were :-
Results:
| Ex Hexham Blackface | Ex Swaledale |
| 1st Nick Walton, Cowden | 1st Messrs Short, Ouston |
| 2nd S Harrison, Aimshaugh | 2nd Messrs Short, Ouston |
| 3rd Messrs Archer, Carry House |
The best run of 60 lambs went to Melvin Ridley, Shitlington Hall, Wark. The overall champion pen was awarded to Nick Walton of Cowden.
Now it’s Thursday – must go, as they say in Cumbria ‘ as gan to Langtoon’
David Hope
Lazonby Branch Report
Time can quickly fade the memory, but I would like to think that the better lamb prices this autumn have to some extent eased the pain of the early part of the year which saw winter feeding run right through into May. This coupled with the unusual dry spell in June really stifled grass growth, and left some farms seriously short of winter feed. Lets hope for a good lamb crop this coming year, but with a better winter.
Our first promotional outing involved a journey north of the border to Scot Sheep at Stirling. Travelling into ‘Braveheart country’ proved a fantastic opportunity to endorse the numerous qualities of the breed; with outstanding stock displayed on the NEMSA stand, heads were most certainly turned. Thanks must go to Geoff Carrick for securing two classes of NEMSA sheep at the Royal Highland Show in 2011, a move which can only be a positive step for the breed. This was closely followed by a trip to the Royal Cornwall Show where once again we were well received by optimistic potential buyers. Thanks at this point must go to Ron and Fran Wilson for providing us with the best quality stock one could wish for when on a promotional stand. Thanks also to those involved in these outings, for tending and transporting stock and generally supporting the association.
This year sees my spell as Lazonby branch Chairman come to an end so may I extend my thanks to my fellow members for their support over the last three years. Thanks also must go to our branch secretary Angela Sowerby who’s efficiency keeps things running smoothly.
Penrith & District Farmers Mart LLP Tuesday 21st September 2010
Penrith Mart held their annual show and sale of a catalogued entry of 10000 North of England Mule gimmer lambs, with an average of £97.20 (up £16.88).
Judging was carried out by Mr J Winter, Mr A Redpath with Kay Thompson refereeing.
Results:
1st Messers Lord, Low Dowgill
2nd Messers S Allen & Sons,Greenhow.
3rd Messers W M Hutchinsons & Sons, Redgate
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Lazonby Mart Thursday 9th September 2010
The opening sale of 500 North of England Mules Gimmer lambs, met with an average of £89.36 (up £17.78).
Mr Andrew Geary, Milton Keynes judged the classes making the following awards. 1st prize and The Joe Armstrong memorial Cup - Thomas Moore
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Lazonby Mart Alston Moor Sale - Wednesday 29th September 2010
Strong trade was met round a packed ringside. 19,545 were forward for sale and met an average price of £95.53 (up £19.55).
Judging was carried out by Mr P Elliott and Mr D Mattinson with Mr J W Rae, Referee
1st and the William Armstrong memorial trophy:
Messrs G R Wharton & Sons
2nd Messrs J Lee & Son
3rd Messrs P L & J Dawson
4th Messrs W D & B Thompson
5th Mr J W Smith- Jackson
6th Messrs J Lee & Son
Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Lazonby Mart Lazonby 3rd Sale. Wednesday 13th October.2010
Harrison & Hetherington held their third sale with an entry of 10,327 North of England Mules which met with an average of £81.06 (up £9.66)
Judging was carried out by Mr John Baty, Broomhill
1st & The Mounsey Kidd Memorial Trophy- RH & EM Lord, The Bog Farm
2nd Kilnstown Farms Ltd, Kilnstown
3rd Weardale Estate, Gold Hill
4th T Bowman, Brampton Fell
James Raine, Chairman
Weardale Branch Report
Well, I thought that last year was my final year as chairman of Weardale branch but because no one else wanted the job, I got it again !!
Another good year for breeding sheep at least it’s been worth all the work and the effort that goes into the job. John Bell, Ken Lumley and I travelled to Heckington Show in Lincolnshire to promote the mules and although we didn’t find any new buyers for mule gimmers it was nice to hear so many farmers telling us the mule is still the best female around. The autumn sales proved that correct with improved averages at all the sales for mule sheep.
Our sale at Hexham, judged by Chris Walton, Hellifield averaged £97.33 per head with the results as follows:-
1st WJ Scott, Low Leam
2nd W Reed and Sons, Lands Farm.
3rd T Collingwood and Sons, Ambling Gate.
With Barnard Castle Mart taking over at St John’s Chapel, they had a much improved entry, and the results were as follows:-
1st JA Hodgson and Son
2nd J Robinson
3rd W Reed and Sons
All in all, a very good year, long may it continue.
James Everitt
Teesdale Branch Report
After the hardest winter for over thirty years lamb numbers were down on most farms and losses up. Add to this the continued good trade for cast ewes and prime lamb hopes were high for a good trade for breeding sheep this autumn.
Buyers were presented with a top class show of lambs at both of Teesdale’s sales and were keen to buy both tupping and running lambs, pushing trade well up on last years god prices. Average prices for Middleton in Teesdale Mart were £87 and for Barnard Castle Mart £93, up £16 on 2009 prices. Let’s hope it lasts this time!
Results at Middleton in Teesdale Mart
1st J&K Metcalf & Son
2nd MW&E Dent
3rd W&HI Watson
Results for Barnard Castle Mart
1st WM Reed & Sons
2nd J&SE Bainbridge
3rd J&K Metcalf & Son
Hawes Branch Report
Hawes Branch’s promotional activity was centred this year on the NSA event.
Sheep of exceptional quality, supplied by Messrs Brown, Fairburn and Willoughby, the brand new NEMSA stand, and 8 enthusiastic committee members made their way to Malvern. It was soon
obvious whilst setting the stand up, from interest shown by other sheep associations – especially our competitors – that all the hard work pre-show had been worthwhile! The new stand and layout complimented what had to be one of the best displays of NEMSA sheep ever, at a demonstration.
Interest on “show” day was phenomenal, with many enquiries from old and new customers. The interest was definitely there, but what price were we to see at our sales?
Sales began with Shearlings at Bentham and Leyburn, R&F Wilson and M&V Brown winning the respective shows.
Average prices were;
Bentham 28th August £139.50p
Leyburn 3rd September £137
Gimmer lamb sales started – and continued with much improved prices, finally rewarding breeders for all their hard work and financial investment over the years.
Bentham 11th September
1st KA Brown & Sons
2nd G Rawsthorne
3rd J Huddleston
4th Allan & Watson
5th K Fawcett & Sons
Overal average £ 92.21p for 11,656 lambs Hawes 13th September
1st RA Busby & Son
2nd DA & MA Brown
3rd WA & A Booth
4th Breck House Enterprises
5th D & HM Watson
Hawes 14th September
1st E Fairburn & Sons
2nd AV Caton
3rd Messrs Lord
4th WC Porter & Son
5th CT & JE Willoughby
Overal average £ 91.41p for 25,799 lambs sold.
Congratulations to Tony and Alan Busby on setting a new centre and breed, record price for their pen of lambs.
Leyburn 17th September
1st RA Busby & Sons
2nd RA Busby & Son
3rd K Hird & Son
4th WC Porter & Son
Overal average £ 94.20p for 4065 2nd Hawes sale 30th September
1st E Fairburn & Son
2nd J Allinson & Sons
3rd A Lodge
Overal average £88.51p for 7,030 lambs sold.
The 4 main sales within our branch sold 48,550 lambs to average £91.51p Congratulations to the three Auction Marts on achieving this average for the high number of lambs sold. Thanks to the Auction Marts for marketing sheep on our behalf, their help and expertise is essential if Hawes branch is to remain at the forefront as breeders and suppliers of quality
gimmer lambs. Thanks in particular to those people who offered and supplied sheep to go to Malvern, for once I am sure our efforts were well rewarded.
The branch could not run as efficiently as it does without having a good secretary, Val is exceptionally good at keeping the Chairman focused – thanks Val. I wish her, Hawes branch and especially the new Chairman every success in the future.
Kirkby Stephen Branch Report
Well after last winter presented us all with extra stress on the sheep (and us!) they didn’t need, we all hoped for a good spring, however, Mother Nature threw everything into the mix wind, rail, hail and snow!, but time moved on and in June ourselves and Lazonby branch attended the Royal Cornwall Show. Lazonby branch supplied the sheep, two excellent Mule hoggs with single lambs from Ron and Fran Wilson. The following week we also attended South Sheep at Chilbolton Downs, thank you to Martin, Val and Hannah Brown for kindly loaning us an outstanding Mule Hogg and Beltex lamb. Once again, at both events, it was good to receive enquiries from old customers and new, with confidence in the industry being good the general consensus was that trade would be up on last year. Fat lamb prices have been firm all season with Mule wethers holding their own. Our sale was on Friday 10th September, and as always, our show was held on Thursday night. A good turnout of people saw 20 pens out to show, the judges were Bill Skelton and Denis Woolacott with Brian Davidson as referee, they had an unenviable task. They awarded the championship to an outstanding pen of lambs shown by Messrs K A Brown & Sons, these then went on to break the centre record, selling for £500. Results as follows:
Class 1 – Confined to vendors of 200 or less and Members of Kirkby Stephen Branch
1st Messrs D & C E Marston, Easgill Head
2nd Messrs D & J H Richardson, Croft House
3rd Messrs I & P Brown, Oak House
4th Messrs Jenkinson Ltd, Whingill
5th Messrs M J & C Cockburn Ltd, South House
Class 2 – 10 Lambs open to all vendors
1st & Overall Champion pen – Messrs KA Brown & Sons, Asby Hall
2nd & Reserve Champion pen – Messrs H W & M A Alderson, Howgill Grange
3rd Messrs H R Hayton & Son, Asby Grange
4th Messrs W M Hutchinson & Son, Redgate
5th Messrs W & C W Dent, Greenriggs
After a wet morning, the sale day grew better. 9,660 Lambs forward averaged £91.41 which was up £11.51 on the year with 380 more sold on the year. Credit must go to all the vendors, a
tremendous show of lambs did us proud. Thank you to all the sponsors, Harrison & Hetherington auctioneers, staff, buyers, vendors, committee and branch members and to Christine and Geoff for all your support.
Finally thank you to all those who presented lambs at the Scottish Winter Fair, a good opportunity to, once more, prove the Mule is the best. As I write winter has started early making things more difficult, but as ever we will look forward, lambing will be on us before we know it!
All the Best
Ian Davidson
Kendal Branch Report
It has soon come round to write my first report as Chairman of the Kendal Branch of the North of England Mule Sheep Association. First of all I would like to thank Alan Clarke for the work he put in as Chairman and Richard Gardiner for carrying on as Kendal Branch Secretary.
In August Kendal Branch representatives went down to Malvern, Camelford, Okehampton and Thame Sheep Fair, where we met new enthusiastic and also regular buyers who make the long journey north each year.
Once again, Kendal Branch had the Show for Pens of 10 on the Friday evening, which was a very well supported evening. A big thank you goes to our judges, Mr Peter Fox and Mr John Wilson
who had 16 tremendous pens of lambs before them to judge. A difficult task for any man but they finally awarded the Champion Rosette and the Goad Memorial Trophy to Mr Peter Fell of
Castle Hill, Ulverston.
On the sale day pens of 20 were judged by Mr Philip Hutton and Mr David Waine. They awarded the Jim Gibson Memorial Trophy to D & H M Watson, Middleton Hall.
Finally may I thank all the Branch Members for giving up their time to go to show and events and North West Auction staff for their hard work and hope for as good a trade next year.
Paul Ayrton
Skipton Branch Report
Well what a year, all the excitement of the sales, the culmination of 12 months hard work. Take last winter, snow from mid December to March, drought and not a blade of grass until July, then bingo it rained and we have grass for ever more. Does this ring any bells or is it just me? Seems to me whatever Mother Nature throws at us we just have to adjust and adapt. In August we joined with Hawes Branch to man the stand at Malvern NSA event. Congratulations to Hawes on supplying some excellent stock which in turn resulted in a constant stream of interest in the Mule breeding stock up North. One of those days when you feel it was all worthwhile.
Later in August we held our open day at Ken & Lynne Throup’s (yes one of my many brothers) at Woofa Bank Farm, Silsden Moor. An excellent setting and a brilliant day was had by all who attended. Many thanks to Ken & Lynne and sons Ian & Martin, along with thanks to David Brown from Agglethorp for being the master judge.
Monies raised by afternoon tea donations at this event, and money raised by a sweepstake of guessing the first sale average for the first Gimmer Lamb Sale was kindly donated to charity by winner Jim Caygill. The total is being donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Skipton Branch members do a lot for charity each year, donations from the sale of Mule Wether Lambs totalled £5391 for the Manorlands Hospice. This being the 3rd year and many thanks to all concerned. Anyway back to the best bit, the Gimmer Lamb Sales! Talking to a local farmer recently at one of the sales (a bit older than me I might add) in the 1960’s
he could buy shearlings at £12 a piece and fat lambs were making £6 each. Everything relative, 50 years later shearlings are making £130 and fat lambs £65.
The lamb sales at Skipton were a great success this year, and many thanks to CCM, our committee and Chris Pearson, our sponsor for the sales. We started off the Gimmer Lamb sales
with our first sale average being £91.79 for 6,000 lambs with the second sale average two weeks later at £90 for 6,300 lambs, up approximately £20 on the previous year.
Results: First Sale: 10’s
1st A. V. Caton, Otterburn
2nd A. J. Mason, Oddacres
3rd J.C. & N. Throup, Berwick
4th Ellis Bros, Cragg House
5th J.A. & J.C. Throup, Snowhill
6th J.C. Walker & Son – Brennand
20’s
1st A. V. Caton, Otterburn
2nd Ellis Bros, Cragg House
3rd W.A & A. Booth, Feizor
4th K. Fawcett & Sons, Barden
5th K.M. & L. Throup, Woofa Bank
6th A. J. Mason, Oddacres
Second Sale: 10’s
1st A. V. Caton, Otterburn
2nd J.C. & N. Throup, Berwick
3rd K.M. & L. Throup, Woofa Bank
4th Ellis Bros, Cragg House
5th J.W. Hall - Darnbrook
6th J.A. & J.C. Throup, Snowhill
20’s
1st A. Lodge – Malham Moor
2nd A. Lodge – Malham Moor
3rd K.M. & L. Throup, Woofa Bank
4th J.R. & A.E. Airey - Elslack
5th J.W. Hall - Darnbrook
6th N. Heseltine, Malham
I’ve kept hearing the saying this autumn that when breeding sheep are dear, tups are always cheap. If this is true then why doesn’t someone tell Hawes Blue Faced Leicester tup sale this? Thanks to Izzy and the rest of the committee at Skipton NEMSA for all their help over the past year.
Jeff Throup, Skipton Branch Chairman
West Cumbria Branch Report
AS I write this report all I can hear is the wind howling & the rain crashing against the windows. Its real tupping weather for the Leicester tups. Casting our minds back to december/January last year when the fields were white with snow & not a chance to drive our sheep back up to the fell as the path up to our fell was covered in solid ice & snow as we have to take our sheep over 3 of our neighbours pieces of land it is a long walk for our hefted flock at the best of times. The swale ewe shows us it can cope with a cold winter & hard spring & produce & rear two good mule lambs for us & pass this hardyness, milkyness & mothering instinct through to the mule gimmer lambs, no wonder people return year after year to purchase these great breeding sheep.
This year West Cumbria branch paid a visit to Thame/Biscester sheep fair. We had a very successfull day. We also took with us two Swale ewes with twin gimmer lambs. A lot of keen interest was taken in from customers of the mule and some returning. Many thanks must go to Raymond & Neil Marsden of Millstone Moor, Cockermouth & to Brian & Graham Whitfield of Stowbank, Ennerdale for the loan of the cracking sets of sheep which were a credit to both farms.
Also many thanks to the Smith family of Hill House Farm, Lemington Spa for putting us up the night before, & to Richard for a great bbq for the 20 or so people who descended after the sale. We hope to go back next year & have a full stand turn up not just a frame!. Hope to see all old & new customers on our stand next year.
Round up of sales
First sale in our area on Friday 3rd September at Cockermouth was 2shears & shearlings, a massive crowd turned out, & were presented with a nice selection of hard working sheep. All ages sold well inparticular the mule shearlings in demand & made from £160-£200. for the best end & £125-£150 for the smaller sheep. Shearlings overall averaged £136. Older breading sheep were also in top demand with plenty of two shears from £125-£135. & pens of just correct mules to £100. The presale show was judged by Mr Thomas Nelson of Gosforth who performed his duties very professionaly, eventually awarding first prize in the shearlings to Mr Bill Skelton of Rook Farm, purchased by the judge. Second, D Mattinson, Cragg Farm purchased by J Clarke, Eaglesfield.
Mue two shears
First G Marrs, Cathow to A Smith, Warwickshire, second B Hewitson, Shatton Lodge to A Smith Warwickshire.
Round up Gimmer lamb sales
First up Wigton on Wednesday 15th when there was forward an entry of 5000. A arger entry on the year met strong demand when more could have been sold, fresh buyers were in attendance
which made the change of day worthwhile. The sale averaged £88.09 a rise of just over £16 on the year. The judging was kindly carried out by Nigel Barker of 16 wonderfull pens of lambs & he awarded the following prizes.
1st Messrs W Ridley, Wood Hall Wigton
2nd Messrs W Ridley Wood Hall Wigton
3rd J lee & sons Morley Hill Hexham
Averages
P Edmondson Low Hall £125 10 sold
J Lee & sons, Morley Hill £98.19 200 sold
W Ridley, Wood Hall £97.28 411 sold
SW Mawson High Side £93.86 118 sold
JT Davidson Bell Mount £93.59 81 sold.
W Ridley, Wood Hall Carlisle, Thursday, 16th September
Had a sale 5530 mule gimmer lambs. The pre sale show was judged by Mr Jack Lawson of Mealsgate & Mr Frank Thomlinson of Wigton with Mr George Harrison of Southwaite acting as referee. An outstanding show of 12 pens of lambs were presented for judging & after much deliberation first prize was awarded to Mr Neil Marsden of Millstone Moor for a quality pen which later sold for a center record & were purchased by Mr Rodger Graves of Hesket Demain. Second prize went to Mr John Smith Jackson & sold to Mssrs Jenkinson of Cifton Moor.
1st Messrs Marston , Millston Moor
2nd Messrs Smith Jackson, High Town
3rd Messrs James Mid Todhills
At Cockermouth on Friday 17th September
Mitchell's auction had a fantasctic entry of 7086 mule gimmmer lambs forward. Vendors again turned their runs of sheep out in good form and as always cockermouth vendors had their full years crops in big and small. A good crowd of both local and distant buyers who return year after year to purchase these lambs resulting in a overall average of £91.36 which was up £24.26 on the year,with some being up nearer £30.the pre-sale show was judged by mr Robert Carterand Jhon Baty ,refereedby Richard Smith.A tremendous 26 pens were forward for
judging they awarded Jhonny Matterson trophey to mr Neil Marston Millstone moor whose pen went to Ron and Fran Wilson ,res champ pen went to mr Andrew Nicholson of Swinside End
farm whose pen sold to David Matterson.
Show Results
1st Mr N Marston Millstone Moor ,to R Wilson
2nd Mr A Nicholson Swinside End ,to D Mattinson
3rd Mr I Armstrong Terrace Farm ,to J Lawson
4th Mr I Armstrong Terrace Farm ,to J Lawson
5th Mr A Nicholson Swinside End ,to F Thomlinson
6th Mr M Mawson Highside ,to E Jackson
Top Consignments
146 avg £105.79 Terrace Farm (Armstrong) 306 avg £105.14 Millstone moor (Marston)
145 avg £101.59 Wythop Hall (Emmott) 251 avg £101.51 Swinside End (Armstrong)
40 avg £101.13 Burnside Farm (Sibson) 207 avg £100.81 Beech Croft (Walker)
All six consignements were all NEMSA Members tagged sheep selling to a premium.
Saturday 18th September
We had our store wether lamb sale brilliant sale was had right through, show results for mule's as follow's -
1st N W Graham Tortolcate Farm
2nd N W Graham Tortolcate Farm
3rd R Emmott Wythop Hall
Prime Mule wether lamb show results
1st M Mawson Highside
2nd N Marston Millstone Moor
3rd I Armstrong Terrace Farm
4th R Emmott Wyhop Hall
Special thanks to Judith our secretary for her hard work.
Geoff Walker
