Middleton show & Sale of Swaledale Ewes and Shearling Gimmers

On Monday 26^th September, Harrison & Hetherington held their Annual show and sale of Draft Swaledale ewes and shearling within Middleton in Teesdale market.  A catalogued entry of over 4236 ewes and shearlings went under the hammer and were met with a trade proving good sheep were easy to sell with plainer sorts proving harder to place, a total ewe average of £125.31 (-£22) was achieved with Shearlings averaging £128.70 (-£18).  A quality show was presented which saw over 80 active buyers looking for Middletons quality.  Before the sale the pre show took place with a super show presented to him.  This year the honours fell to Andrew, mark and Adam Brown, Asby hall who judged both the ewes and shearling ,  After much contemplation it was decided the Champion and first prize pen of ewes should go to CR Raine, Stanhope Gate with Reserve Champion going to the second price ewes from FM & P Allison & Son, West Brtiscoe,  The first prize pen of shearling was also from CR Raine, Stanhope with second going to R & G Pierson,

Prize List:
Ewes

1^st CR Raine & Sons, Stanhope Gate Farm, Laneside, Barnard Castle - £340
2^nd F & MP Allinson & Son, West Briscoe, Baldersdale Barnard Castle - £330
3^RD AT & A Bainbridge, Ash Dub, Forest in Teesdale £340

Shearling Gimmers
1^st CR Raine & Sons, Stanhope Gate Farm, Laneside, Barnard Castle - £265
2^nd R Peirson, Friar House Farm, Whitby £175
3^rd JD Bentley & Son, Lanehead Farm, Kelton, Barnard Castle - £145

Champion: CR Raine & Sons, Stanhope Gate Farm, Laneside, Barnard Castle

Reserve Champion: F & MP Allinson & Son, West Briscoe, Baldersdale Barnard Castle

Onto the sale and pen after pen of sheep was presented with big framey sheep selling to a premium with the leaner sorts harder to place.  Top price of the day went to CR Raines Champion pen making £340 as well as AT & A Bainbridge whose pen sold for the same price.  The Reserve champion pen went on to sell for £330.  The first prize pen of shearlings went on to sell for £265 from CR Raine, Stanhope Gate whose entire run of 195 sheep went to average £217.

A fantastic day was had with sheep being a massive credit to everyone at the sale and we thank our customers for their continued support

Leading prices per head:
Ewes: £340 £300 £260 £230 (x2) £210 (x2) £205 Stanhope Gate Farm, £340 Ash Dub, £330 £200 £195 £185 West Briscoe, £205 £190 £175 Hunt House, £195 High Birk Hall, £190 Rigg Farm, £185 £185 Ashgill Farm, £185 £180 Grains o Beck  £185 High Corn Park, £185 Bail Hill, £182 Arngill House, £178 £175 £172 West Stoney Keld, £175 Bank Top   

Shearling Gimmers: £265 £210 Stanhope Gate Farm, £185 £178 £175 £172 £170 £165 £155 £145 Friar House Farm, £185 £140 High Corn Park £182 £180 West Stoney Keld, £150 Gaylesfield Farm, £145 £100 Lanehead Farm, £142 Shield Hurst, £138 Swale Cottage, £138 £128 East Thorngarth Hill, £135 £130 £120 Grains o Beck  £122 Raby Estate, £115 Lanehead Farm, £115 Gaylesfield Farm, £112 Parrick House Farm.