Mark Crawford (Sponsor, Farmcare Products) with Allister Moore & daughter, Rachael & the judge Seamus Mullan, with the Champion
The 2nd Annual Show & Sale of NI Horn & Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders Club, kindly sponsored by Top Flock, represented by Mr Mark Crawford, was held in Omagh Livestock Mart on Friday 18th August.
This Show & Sale, still relatively new to Omagh, attracted an entry of 88 pedigree sheep, and the continuing popularity of the Breed was reflected in the interest shown by the large turnout of people interested in establishing a Dorset Flock or indeed adding to their existing Pedigree Flock. It can be said at the outset that the N I Dorset Club Committee was very pleased with the interest that this event has attracted and it is anticipated that its importance in the Dorset Sales Calendar will grow and develop year on year.
The earlier part of the day was given over to the judging of the five different Classes and this was ably accomplished by Judge Mr Seamus Mullan of the Islaharnan Flock, Armoy. There was keen competition amongst the exhibitors in the various Classes which saw strong entries in both the Ram Lamb and Ewe Lamb Classes.
Following careful consideration the Judge found his Supreme Champion in a strong Shearling Ram from the Bannside flock of Rachel Moore. This well formed ram was sired by Sandleford Thunder off a Bendorragh dam and he later went on to sell for 450 guineas, being purchased by Mr Grey, Ballinamallard.
Mark Crawford (Sponsor, Farmcare Products) with Thomas Wright, & Judge, Seamus Mullan with the Reserve Champion
The top price of the sale was achieved by the Reserve Champion, an outstanding ram lamb bred by Thomas Wright of the noted Ballytaggart Flock. This superbly bred lamb, sired by Ballytaggart Tonka, went on to sell for 720 gns having been purchased by A Reid, Fintona.
Top priced female of the Sale went to an eye catching ewe lamb from the pen of J & C Robson of the Ballyhamage Flock. This fine Manor Croft Utopia offering selling for 320 gns was knocked down to M Keys of the Rathwarren Flock, Fintona.
Other leading prices : T Wright 340 Gns ( Ram lamb to A Dodd, Saintfield ); M Keys 340 gns (Ram lamb to A Sloane, Dromore. Co Tyrone ); T Wright 320 gns ( Ram lamb to A Dodd, Saintfield ); K Thompson 300 gns ( Ewe lamb to A Sloane, Dromore. Co Tyrone ); K Thompson 300 gns ( Senior ewe to A Doherty, Drumquin).
There was a high clearance of Sales in all Classes, with females in particular being in strong demand, and Sale Averages were:
Class One Ram Lambs : £ 362
Class Two Shearling Rams: £ 472
Class Four Ewe Lambs: £ 212
Class Five Shearling Ewes: £ 214
Class Six Senior Ewes: £ 315
The Club would wish to record its appreciation to Top Flock for sponsoring this event and many thanks to Mr Mark Crawford who represented the firm and awarded the Top Flock prizes to the Class winners. Many thanks to Mr Seamus Mullan for his judging of the Classes and many thanks also to Omagh Mart Livestock Centre for facilitating the event.