Lower numbers are resulting in a busy sales season for breeders, with averages consistently up according to the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA).
The opening sale at Hawes Auction Mart, known for its mule gimmer lamb sales, attracted customers from across the UK, with averages up £40 a head compared to last year. The overall market average being set at £167.74.
A similarly good start was seen at Welshpool in August, with averages up £20-30 a head. This set a trend ahead of the Welsh Mule Sheep Breeders Society sale, which saw 11,000 animals sold.
“We probably saw some 1400 yearling ewes less than the year before, but they were averaging around £50 a head more,” explains Tom Davies, store and breeding sheep auctioneer at Welshpool Livestock Sales.
“Likewise, we were probably around 200 lambs less, but again they averaged £30 more on the year.”
Back at Hawes, the Blueface Leicester ram sale attracted interest from across the UK. A highlight was the Hunter family’s Steel flock, which won the championship, with one ram selling for £30,000 and another out of the same pen going for £45,000.
The Swaledale ram sales, on behalf of Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association, also reported increased trade, peaking at £62,000 from the Hallam family.
“We continued to see strong numbers of breeding sheep forward this autumn, despite numbers continuing to reduce in the area, due to various schemes,” says Hawes Auction Mart auctioneer Ian Atkinson.
“Quality breeding sheep and rams have continued to demand a premium.”
The Exeter Livestock Centre has reported similar patterns, right through to the end of autumn sales.
“Our clear up sale in October went far beyond anyone’s expectations. Even those clearing out the last of their shearlings and older ewes were well rewarded and seemed very pleased with the trade,” explains Russell Steer, director and auctioneer for Kivells, running Exeter Livestock Centre.
“Shearling ewes were a good £30-£40 in front of where they were last year, particularly for the better end, and the older ewes some £15-£20 in front. There really was a great buzz to the last breeding sale of the season, with rams also a very good trade.”
Generally speaking, we see more people on the ground during the breeding sales and show season,” says Mr Davies.
“It’s good from a social element, but also to be able to benchmark against other businesses, to see what other people are doing, seeing what works for others and if there are options for doing things differently.”
Mr Atkinson agrees, commenting, “This highlights the importance of auction markets, in that like-minded people can come together from across the country, with many developing good friendships.
“The pre-sale shows also continue to play an important part, and it is wonderful to see so many proud stockmen and women showcasing their livestock.”
The high averages have also piqued the interest of those who have moved to different marketing platforms.
“I had a farmer selling sheep with us for the first time during the breeding sales, and he was that impressed he called me the next day to thank me for what we had done for him,” says Mr Steer.
“He had been selling his fat lambs deadweight, but on the basis of the trade he saw, and having kept his eye on our market reports, he is now trying live again, after many years.
“It just goes to show, the livestock market is still impressing, and people are moving over and back to the live sales ring,” he concludes.