Longtown Breeding Sheep Sale Report

The annual Borders Sale of North Country Cheviot, Blackface and Traditional Bluefaced Leicester rams took place at Longtown on Wednesday 1st October 2025 ith an entry of 316 presented to a crowded ringside; a strong trade resulting.

The North Country Cheviots topped at £3,000 for a Park-type shearling from J. Runciman & Sons, Allanshaws, which went as a pedigree stock sire to the lake district flock of T.W. Bell, Hilltop, St. Johns in  the Vale, Keswick.  With others to £1,100 and £1,000, Allanshaws averaged £1,114 for their pen of eight.  At £1,800, W.D. Allen, Humblehuegh, Alnwick sold a shearling to Philiphaugh Estate with another at £1,200 to J.R. Weir, Elva Plain, Cockermouth. £1,200 was also paid by Messrs Furlong, Bardon Mill to Robbie McCormack, Croftheads for a shearling, with another from Croftheads at £1,000. Also selling at £1,000 were Messrs Matthewson, Soutra (twice) and G.G.F. Milne, Kinaldy, Fife.  Other Park shearlings sold to £900 Allanshaws, £900 Boreland & £800 North Synton.

The Hill North Country Cheviot section saw much increased demand on the year with M. & S. Wilson, Newbank, Beattock taking £1,300 for a two-shear, purchased by E.M. & J.R. Irving, Stockdale Farm, Uldale. Other Hill-type rams to £750 & £650, Penchrise; £750 & £700 Carruthers and £750 & £650, Priesthaugh.  Overall Cheviot ram average was £523.

Traditional Bluefaced Leicesters saw a centre record of £3,600 paid to R. McNee, Over Finlarg, Dundee for a tremendous shearling purchased by J.R. Weir, Elva Plain, Cockermouth. The same sellers had another shearling at £2,500, which went to J. & J. Campbell, Wedderlie, Gordon and sold others at £1,400 and £1,000. A shearling from J. W. Crozier, Raggetsyke, Waterbeck made £1,800 to C.M. Reid, Boreland who also made an £1,100 purchase from D. Sandilands, Threepwood, Blainslie. Threepwood sold two others at £1,000 each. The Kirkstead pen from Messrs McLymont, Yarrow saw sales at £1,100 to Messrs Simpson, Bolton by Bowland and two sales at £1,000 each.  Other Bluefaced Leicesters to £900 from Adam Carr, Burton Meadow, Lancaster, £900 each from J.T. Fleming & Son, Falnash, J. I. McNneil, Glenjaan and R. Paterson, Over Abington.  Also  £850 (twice), Round Meadows; £850, Raggetsyke; £850 (twice), Glenjaan & £850, South Dean Lodge.  Bluefaced Leicester rams averaged £858.

Blackface Rams met a much improved commercial trade on the year with M.W Skidmore, North Hanging Wells, County Durham topping this section with shearlings at £750 & £600.