'Tis the season for Texels with two important sales being held over the Christmas period in the northeast and west. The first was the North Eastern Texel Club annual Texel Twilight sale in Cootehill Mart, Co Cavan.

This sale is going from strength to strength in recent years with buyers from the midlands and across the border flocking to it. It was standing room only for much of the night as auctioneer James Graham made his way through the 53 catalogued in-lamb ewes for 11 breeders in the North Eastern Texel Club.

The sale achieved a 96% clearance with three ewes being exported to Northern Ireland on the night.

Topping the sale was Pat and Barry Farrell’s February 2018-born Arkle A One daughter, selling for €1,820. She was served on 16 October to Hillswood Coors Light, champion at the Athenry sale in 2019, and scanned carrying triplets.

The father-and-son Farrell duo also took home the second highest price on the night for a Strathbogie Yabba Dabba Do daughter AI’ed on 9 September to Urris Crew and scanned carrying triplets. This ewe has stacks of breeding with the dam being a full sister to the famous Oberstown Usain Bolt.

Michael McHugh and family also had a great night with a top price of €1,400 for a Maineview Will I Am daughter carrying twins to Haymount Crowpuller due in February.

  • For full sale report see next week’s Irish Farmers Journal.