The Northern Ireland National Texel sale at Ballymena Livestock Market on 30 August saw a new centre record price set for a ram lamb and a new sale record average achieved on the day.

On average, 235 ram lambs sold setting a new record ram lamb average of £2,003 (€2,307) up £494 (€569) on last year. The shearling ram trade was up £562 (€647) on the 2024 average price, with 72 averaging £1,961 (€2,258).

However, shearling ewes were back just £27 (€32) compared with 2024, averaging £1,503 (€1730). The clearance rate across the sale was over 90% for those lots on show.

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Topping the sale at 32,000gns (€38,690) was the February-born ram lamb Largy I Show Speed from Eugene Branagan.

The sale-topper is a son of the 170,000gns (€205,265) Knap Grumpy and out of a Mullan Amigo-sired dam. Buying him was Messrs Dunne for the Kilduff flock.

Second-highest lot on the day was another ram lamb selling for 22,000gns (€26,560) – The Rock Icon, bred by Cathal Harkin.

Icon is sired by the 2024 Lanark topper 70,000gns (€84,520) and top 5% Texelplus index ram Hexel High Voltage out of a Harestone Fast N Furious dam, which was purchased by Alan Blackwood for the Auldhouseburn flock, Ayrshire.

Harkin continued his success in the ring, with the ram lamb The Rock Ireland a full brother of the 22,000gns lamb selling for 13,000gns (€15,700). This lamb was purchased by John Greene for the Larahurl flock.

Another top price on the day went to Adrian Liggett’s Corbo Ice baby selling for 20,000gns (€24,150). The March-born lamb is sired by the 10,000gns (€12,075) 2024 Ballymena overall champion Forkins Hawkeye and a Hexel Fan Club dam.

Shearling and gimmer trade

Topping the shearling ram trade was Duvarren Houston from John Watson selling for 4,800gns (€5,795). The March 2024-born ram is sired by the homebred Duvarren Colorado and homebred dam by Duvarren Whizz-Kid.

Next in line from the shearing ram section was Aideshill Hedgehunter selling for 4,000gns (€4,830) from Gareth Tumelty’s flock. Sired by the 23,000gns (€27,770) Peacehay Ya Belter and out of a Scrogtonhead Class Act dam purchased by John Watson, Duvarren. Topping the gimmer section was the female champion Derryvore ewe lot 399, selling for 5,500gns (€6,640) for Owen and Liam Donhoe. A Mullan Game Changer daughter, out of a Garngour-bred dam by Procters Chumba Wumba.