In-lamb sales offer opportunities for all

Those looking to establish new flocks or refresh the genetics of existing flocks have a plethora of opportunities to do so at sales across the UK in the next few months as in-lamb sale season is right around the corner.

This year’s season sees more than 20 sales take place across the UK, offering a wide selection of genetics from a large number of flocks, with many sales also offering both older ewes and ewe lambs alongside the large numbers of in-lamb gimmers that will be available.

As ever the huge variety of sales which take place mean there will be a broad spread of sheep available at a variety of prices, meaning there will be something to suit every taste and budget.

For full details on all in-lamb sales, which are catalogued using the Society’s iTexel database, see the Sales page of the Society website, but here’s a quick run-down of the upcoming action.

The season kicks off with the Winter Warmers in-lamb sale at Melton Mowbray on 22^nd November, with this one quickly followed two days later by the Northern Scotland Club in-lamb sale at Thainstone on 24^th November.

After that comes the Derbyshire Texel Club’s in-lamb sale at Bakewell on Friday 5^th December, with the December Dazzlers sale taking place at Beatties Livestock Centre on the same day.

The following day then sees the Gloucester and Border Counties Sale, Worcester, on 6^th December, with the Shropshire and Borders club Sale, Welshpool, then following on 11^th December.

An action-packed week comes off the back of that, with the Carlisle Crackers Sale taking place on 12^thDecember, the Northern Area Texel Club Sale at Skipton taking place on 13^th December, with the Select Seven Sale, Lanark, on the same day.

The last weekend before Christmas sees action in Northern Ireland with the Northern Stars Sale at Ballymena on Saturday 20^th December, while on the same day is the Christmas Present Sale at St Asaph.

And adding to the events in the final few days before Christmas is the Builth Babes Sale which is at Builth Wells on 21^st December. The Christmas Stars Sale then takes place at Carlisle on 22nd December.

Giving Texel enthusiasts a trip out between Christmas and New Year break will be the dispersal of the adult portion of the Draper family’s Claybury flock, with this sale at Shrewsbury on the 29th of December featuring flock ewes, gimmers, recipients carrying embryos and most of the 2025 ewe lamb crop.

Then, the action picks up again in the New Year and the first fixture is the North West Texel Club’s Sale, J36, on 3^rd January, with the Festive Crackers Sale being held on the same day at Ballymena.

Following on from that comes the Lanark Ladies Sale on 9^th January, with Northern Ireland Texel Breeders Club Sale, Ballymena, and the Longtown Ladies Sale wrapping the season up on 12^th January.

Each of these female sales offers both new and established breeders the opportunity to secure new genetics to help progress their flocks.

Existing members purchasing females at the in-lamb sales should use iTexel to transfer them to their flock ahead of lambing to ensure they can birth notify their progeny. New members can join the Society here.