Last Saturday’s production sale at Blessington Mart from seven of the country’s leading Suffolk flocks saw a full clearance of the 83 females. “It never happened before that we got a 100% clearance and prices on average were up €300 a head on last year,” said Tom Bailey.

The recent pattern of foreign interest in Irish pedigree sheep was again evident, with Irish Suffolks exported to Germany (9), Scotland (6), England (4), Wales (3) and Belgium (2). In addition, 15 were purchased by breeders from NI.

Four of the Irish-based buyers represented new blood coming into Suffolk breeding, a development that was welcomed by John Doyle of Blessington Mart.

Top price of €4,500 was achieved for Tom Bailey’s yearling ewe by Rhaedar Rossi – the ram purchased in 2005 for £70,000stg and whose semen is on offer at €75/straw. Other top prices included €4,000, €2,800, €2,000, €1,800, and €1,600. The production sale from the Bailey, Carragh, Castlewood, Celtic, DeBurca, Errigal and NewWells flocks attracted a large crowd. Overall prices ranged from €400 up to €4,500, with a lot of ewes changing hands at around €750/€800 and with an overall average of around €1,100.