There was a big attendance at the 58th annual Donegal Blackface Breeders Show and Sale which took place in Ballybofey and Stranorlar mart on Saturday 3 October. Charlie Martin, Treasurer of the society, said: “We were very happy with the sale and in general good sheep made good prices.” The champion ram lamb at the sale made €5,800 and was purchased by a pedigree breeder in the North.

The general run of prices for ram lambs was €200 to €800, with quality being the determining factor for the higher prices paid. A shearling ram made €2,100 with the general run of prices for shearlings being €400 to €500. Martin said prices were similar to last year’s trade but were certainly better than five years ago as he believes there is more interest now in hill farming.

In total, 163 shearling rams and 60 ram lambs were offered for sale with only a small percentage going unsold. Most of the buyers came from hill areas in Antrim, Down, Wicklow and Waterford.

See more photos from the event in the gallery above.