Online press coverage below
United Auctions (UA) set a new company and breed record of £90,000 last Saturday (9 October) at Dalmally Mart’s Annual Blackface Ram Sale.
Auctioneer George Purves sold a Blackface shearling by breeder Ian Hunter of Dalchirla, Crieff before a silent, packed ringside that ended in a round of applause.
Saturday’s price smashed the previous breed record of £85,000 in 1997 at Lanark, also set by Mr Hunter.
The record-breaking shearling was bought by a consortium of three breeders, Alastair MacArthur, of Nunneries with John Wight & Sons of Midlock and Mary McCall Smith of Connachan.
UA’s Joint Managing Director Robin Tough said: “This new record price is one for the history books and we’re delighted to be part of it. While other industries are struggling it shows there is still a lot of confidence in agriculture.
He added: “It was a tremendous sale with level trade throughout and one of the highest ever clearances. The averages were up significantly on last year, benefitting the producers who attended.”
Press & Journal, 11 October 2010
Farmers Weekly: Taking Stock, 11 October 2010
Blackface Sheep Breeders Association, 9 October 2010