THE annual Michaelmas Breeding Sheep Sale has taken place in Malton with buyers operating extreme caution and all breeding stock was difficult to place.

However, the breeding rams were very much in demand at the sale on Friday, October 5, which was sponsored by Pearsons & Ward Solicitors.

Judge for the day was Mr G Marston, and Hazel Anyon, agricultural solicitor and Andrew Little, commercial property solicitor, both from Pearsons & Ward, attended the event to present the rosettes to the champions.

Hazel said: “Pearsons & Ward is committed to supporting local farmers and businesses in the area and the sponsorship of the Show is a great example of this."

Andrew Little added: “This show is a large event for the local community and we are delighted that Pearsons & Ward have been involved.”

Trophy winners were:

The R Farnell Memorial Trophy for the champion Suffolk Ram in the show was awarded to MT Bulmer, Salton which was later sold to P Lockey, Hackness for 460 guineas. The WA Cundall Perpetual Challenge cup for the champion Texel Ram in the show was awarded to J & RM Lucas, Fimber which was later sold to WH & DM Curtis, Kirkbymoorside for 620 guineas. The Boulton & Cooper Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the champion Charollais Ram in the show was awarded to T&J Hunter, Hunmanby which was later sold to C Buckton, Rise for 620 guineas.

List of show classes and buyers:

Best pen of Suffolk Cross Gimmer Shearlings

1st – G Stephens, Melton Mowbray – sold for £125; 2nd – R Byas, Kilham – Sold for £128 to F O A Wardell, Westow; 3rd – R Byas, Kilham – Solf for £130 to H Atkinson, Scampston.

Best pen of Continental Cross Gimmer Shearlings

1st – K&M Preston, Thornthorpe – Sold for £112 to R G Copeland, Driffield; 2nd - K&M Preston, Thornthorpe – Sold for £115 to T Ogg, Scunthorpe; 3rd - K&M Preston, Thornthorpe – Sold for £148 to A Lawson, Saxton.

Best Suffolk Ram Lamb

1st – JT & EA Midgley, Kirbyunderdale – sold for 520 gns to JH Malthouse, Hackness; 2nd – JE Wilkinson, Sneaton – sold for 300 gns to Holtby and Wylie, Leavening; 3rd - MT Bulmer, Salton.

Best Suffolk Shearling Ram

1st – MT Bulmer, Salton – sold for 460 gns to P Lockey, Suffield; 2nd – PK & HC Dowson, Stokesley – sold for 460 gns to I Swallow, Middleton-on-the-Wolds; 3rd – MT Bulmer, Salton – sold for 460 gns to I Swallow, Middleton-on-the-Wolds.

Best Texel Shearling Rams

1st – J & RM Lucas, Fimber – sold for 620 gns to WH & DM Curtis, Kirkbymoorside; 2nd – JL Simpson, Pocklington – sold for 660 gns to H Atkinson, Scampston; 3rd – H Bulmer, Salton – sold for 770 gns to ML Dawson, Crayke.

Best Charollais Ram Lamb

1st – CW Marwood & Son, Whenby – sold for 300 gns to T Bannister, Butterwick; 2nd – DA & H Pickles, Green Hammerton; 3rd – CW Marwood & Son, Whenby.

Best Charollais Shearling Ram

1st – T & J Hunter, Hunmanby – sold for 620 gns to C Buckton, Rise; 2nd – CW Marwood & Son, Whenby – sold for 420 gns to M & C Cass, Scalby; 3rd - CW Marwood & Son, Whenby – sold for 230 gns to TA Robson, Marishes.

Overall Champion Ram - J & RM Lucas, Fimber.

Overall Reserve Champion Ram - T & J Hunter, Hunmanby.

Forward 2,453 Breeding Sheep - Draft Ewes to £54 - RW & PC Walker, Langdale End; Suffolk Cross Ewes to £125 - G Stephens, Mowbray (Avg £105); Suffolk x Gimmer Shearlings to £162 - B Meadley, Skefflings (Avg £120); Texel Ewes to £160 – LW Aconley, Cropton (Avg £98); Texel Gimmer Shearlings to £148 – K & M Preston, Thornthorpe (Avg £96); Mule Gimmer Shearlings to £112 – DR Hanson, Westow (Avg £82); Suffolk Rams to 520 gns – JT & EA Midgley, Kirbyunderdale; Texel Rams to 820 gns – H Bulmer, Salton; Charollais Rams to 620 gns – T & J Hunter, Hunmanby.