Society Report: Blue Texels to €2,300 in Carrick-on-Shannon

In this article, Kevin Swift, PRO of the Irish Blue Texel Sheep Society, updates www.thatsfarming.com on its most recent sale.

We held at annual premier sale took place on August 18^th, 2023, in the showgrounds in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Our judge on the day was Mr Stuart Wood of the Woodies Beltex & Badgerface flock and of the Saltire Blue Texel flock.

A tremendous lineup of sheep was presented in front of him making his job even more challenging.

Blue Texels were first into the show ring and lot 20, a shearling ewe by Beli Blues Euphoric, was tapped out as overall champion for Martin McLaughlin.

Reserve champion was awarded to lot 80, Creggan Blues Hermoine, sired by Creggan Blues Duke.

Lot 20 went on to top the sale selling for €2300. Lot 80 was hot on her heels topping the ewe lamb trade, selling for €1500.

Topping the ram lamb trade was Decky McCaffery with lot 54, Cracking Blues Hunter, selling for €2,000 to Philip Crowe.

His pen mate lot 57, Cracking Blues Hulkamania sold for €1400 to Stuart Wood, UK after picking up the green rosette in a strong class.

Other leading prices on the day were Lot 73, a ram lamb, New Farm Hercules, from Sol Trundle switched hands for €1,040.

Lot 91 from Sandra & Robbie Barnett, Valleyview Honey sold for €1,260 after placing second to the Reserve overall champion.

Shearling Ram

• 1st – Lot 17 – S Murphy;
• 2^nd – Lot 4 – J Higgins;
• 3rd – Lot 6 – J Higgins;
• 4th – Lot 16 – S Trundle;
• 5th – Lot 12 – R Johnston.

Shearling Ewe

• 1st – Lot 20 – M McLaughlin;
• 2^nd – Lot 26 – J Higgins;
• 3rd – Lot 19 – F & O Lyons;
• 4th – Lot 33 – R Johnston;
• 5th – Lot 32 – R Johnston.

Ram Lambs

• 1st – Lot 63 -S & R Barnett;
• 2nd -Lot 72 – S Murphy;
• 3rd – Lot 57 – D McCaffery;
• 4th – Lot 54 – D McCaffery;
• 5th – Lot 69 -S Murphy.

Ewe Lambs

• 1st – Lot 80 – R Johnston;
• 2^nd – Lot 91 – S & R Barnett;
• 3rd – Lot 105 – J Higgins;
• 4^th – Lot 101 – J Walsh;
• 5th – Lot 108 – S Trundle.

Male Champion

• Lot 63 S&R Barnett

Reserve Male Champion

• Lot 72 S Murphy

Female Champion

• Lot 20 M McLaughlin

Reserve Female Champion

• Lot 80 R Johnston

Overall Champion

• Lot 20 M McLaughlin

Reserve Overall Champion

• Lot 80 R Johnston

Dassenkop Results:

Champion on the day was from the pen of Nigel Hogan, lot 130, Diamond Huckleberry, a ewe lamb sired by Cleenagh Chopper and out of Diamond Fionnula.

Reserve overall champion was also from the pen of M Hogan, Lot 131, another ewe lamb by Cleenagh Chopper and dam is Tamtain Betty Boo.
Lot 122, Diamond Hector, was tapped out as Male Champion by Mr. Wood.

Reserve male champion was awarded to Lot 111, Drumboe General of Ivor & Jonathan Kee.

Shearling Ram:

• 1st – Lot 111 – I & J Kee;
• 2nd – Lot 110 – J Higgins.

Shearling Ewe:

• 1st – Lot 112 – M & A Harold;
• 2nd – Lot 118 – Lucas Bros;
• 3rd – Lot 117- Lucas Bros;
• 4th – Lot 113 – M & A Harold;
• 5th – Lot 119 – Lucas Bros.

Ram Lambs:

• 1st – Lot 122 – N Hogan;
• 2nd – Lot 126 – Lucas Bros;
• 3rd – Lot 120 – C & S Crowe;
• 4th – Lot 127 – Lucas Bros;
• 5th – Lot 125 – Lucas Bros.

Ewe Lambs:

• 1st – Lot 130 – N Hogan;
• 2nd – Lot 131 – N Hogan;
• 3rd – Lot 129 – N Hogan;
• 4th – Lot 133 – Lucas Bros;
• 5th – Lot 132 – N Hogan.

Champions:

• Male Champion – Lot 122 – N Hogan
• Reserve Male Champion – Lot 111 – I & J Kee
• Female Champion – Lot 130 – N Hogan
• Reserve Female Champion – Lot 131 – N Hogan
• Overall Champion – Lot 130 – N Hogan
• Reserve Overall Champion – Lot 131 – N Hogan

Commentary

There was a strong demand for ram lambs on the day, proving the ever-growing interest in the breed.

Farmers are beginning to see the advantages of using a Blue Texel ram in their flock for easy lambing, vigorous lambs, high kill-out % with fast growth rates and easy finishing.

Superior carcasses of E & U grades are also easily achieved by using these rams in their flock. An increased demand was also seen for SIS-eligible rams.

Upcoming sale:

Our next sale will take place in Cootehill Mart, Co Cavan on Friday, September 1^st, 2023, at 7 pm.

A pre-sale show will take place at 4 pm. There are 58 animals catalogued for the sale with a large selection of SIS-eligible rams also in attendance.

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