Buyers came from all over the country at the sixth annual in-lamb production sale of the Annakisha/Clyda, Barrowlands and Shannagh/Castleisle Suffolk flocks in Blessington Mart. Prices started at 500gns, with a top price of 4,000gns paid for a daughter of Shannagh Resolve, exhibited by Richard Wilson, Co Donegal. Apart from established breeders, there was a notable number of new breeders making purchases, both north and south. Overall, the brisk bidding produced a 97% clearance and an average of 785gns.

The top price of 4,000gns went to Richard Wilson from the Shannagh flock for an outstanding gimmer by Shannagh Resolve and in-lamb to Birness Murray – sire of the 2015 Stirling Champion who sold for 14,000gns.

This excellent gimmer has future flushing potential and was one of the best ewes offered for sale from this flock. She was purchased in partnership by upcoming young breeders John Oakman, Athlone, and Aaron Myles, Co Donegal.

The second highest price of 2,500gns went to Arthur O’Keeffe from the Annakisha flock for a stylish gimmer by Rookery Classic and in-lamb to Balquhain Red Star. This ewe was part of Annakisha’s successful 2015 show team, which included winning champion shearling ewe at the national championships and the supreme championship at the national livestock show. John Redmond, who runs the Redstone flock in Co Carlow, was the buyer.

Gareth Graham from the Kirriemuir flock purchased a stylish ewe for 1,400gns from S & S Gahan’s Barrowlands flock. By Barrowlands Hurricane, she is in-lamb to Shannagh Benteke which is an ET brother to the 2015 Stirling champion.

Charolais heifer tops 6,200gns in Carlisle

The top bull price of 5,500gns at the British Charolais show and sale in Carlisle went to a son of the 16,000gns bull Anside Forman. Moelfre James, exhibited by Kevin Thomas, is out of the Royal Welsh champion dam Moelfre Derwenna and sold for the top price of 5,500gns. The second -highest price of 4,800gns was received twice. First up was a Bleblack Digger son exhibited by Hamish Goldie, Dumfrieshire, while the second 4,800gns went to an Elgin Davinco bull exhibited by A Brown, Yorkshire.

The top female price at 6,200gns went to Esmor Evans from the Maerdy herd, who offered his complete crop of two- and three-year-old heifers for sale. Maerdy Immaculate, a two-year-old daughter of the homebred bull Maerdy Dynamite, took the top price of 6,200gns. Overall, 18 bulls averaged stg£3,360 (€4,700) and 36 Maerdy heifers averaged stg£2,681 (€3,700).

Lleyn in-lamb ewe sale

The Lleyn Sheep Society Southern Ireland Club is holding an elite in-lamb ewe sale on Saturday 12 December in Roscommon Mart.

A show will take place before the sale at noon, with the sale beginning at 1pm.

About 125 sheep, including 60 hogget ewes, 45 ewe lambs, 10 two-year-olds and 10 three-year-olds will be on offer.

Included are the five sheep that won the all-Ireland championships in Tullamore.

All sheep will be scanned on the morning of the sale. Further information from Bernie at 087-412 1035.

Limousins in Tullow

At the Limousin sale in Tullow, Tommy Claffey, Ballinagore, Co Westmeath, took home €2,800 for his May 2014 bull Ballykilroe Jim-Bob by Sauvignon, bought by Denis Kinsella, Ferns, Co Wexford.

Also at €2,800 was the 15-month-old Tanderagee Jasper, exhibited by Malachy Hennessy, Enfield, Co Meath, bought by Noel O’Connor, Rathnure, Co Wexford.

Christmas cracker

The Charolais society Christmas Cracker is on Saturday 5 December in Elphin, with 116 bulls and 40 heifers on offer.