Ewe hogs from Donald and Sarah MacPherson’s Hexel flock were the top performers at the January Gems Sale, Ballymena, selling to a top of 6000gns, with others at 3200gns and 2400gns, with all three selling to Southern Irish buyers.
Topping the trade was MZH2200950, a daughter of the prolific Procters Chumba Wumba out of a Hexel Born To Be Wild daughter. She was taken by Brian Connelly, Co Galway.
Second best at 3200gns was the next lot in, MZH2200926, another by Chumba Wumba and this time out of the Castlecairn Vavavoom daughter. This one is a full sister to the flock’s 20,000gns from Lanark Crackers 2020 and sold to Dermot O’Dowd, Co Roscommon.
And at 2400gns was MZH2200932, a Coniston Equinox daughter out of a dam by Chumba Wumba, with this one selling to Jimmy Garrivan, Co Mayo.
Best of the sale in the in-lamb gimmers came from John Trimble’s Curley pen, TYC2101092. She’s by Lakeview Dirty Dancer and out of a dam by Mullan BFG and sold carrying to Auldhouseburn Fandabidozi and was knocked down at 3200gns to Alistair Breen’s Drumderg flock.
Following her at 3000gns was another Hexel sheep, this time a gimmer by Haymount Crackerjack in the form of MZH2100780. She’s out of a dam by Duncryne Uber Cool and sold carrying to sire of the year Rhaeadr Entrepreneur and was bought by Christopher Riby, Stonehills.
Selling at 2200gns was another of the Curley gimmers TYC2101097. She’s another by Lakeview Dirty Dancer and out a Mullan BFG daughter and was again in-lamb to Auldhouseburn Fandabidozi, when again bought by Alistair Breen.
Close behind at 2100gns was another from Donald and Sarah MacPherson, MZH2100816. Sired by Chumba Wumba and out of a dam by Plasucha All Star. Offered in-lamb to Entrepreneur she was taken by Colin Price, Loanends.
The best of the sale from Adrian Liggett’s Corbo pen then made 2000gns, with this gimmer being by Tullagh Dragon. She’s LIG2100615 and is out of a dam by Strathbogie Best Bet and sold carrying to Hexel Fan Club and was taken by Jonathan Neill, Co Down.
And also at this money was a ewe Hogg from the Bell family, Kiltariff. This one, BBK2201232, is by Sportsmans Dare Devil and out of a dam by Knap Bonanza. She was the pick of J Bond.
Averages; 45 gimmers £865.67, 11 ewe lambs £1808.86 (Ballymena Livestock Mart).