A new auction of traditional and native breeds of sheep, cattle and pigs at Shrewsbury Auction Centre has been declared a big success and will be repeated next summer.
Auctioneers Halls were delighted by the nationwide entries as the catalogued auction, which incorporated the Shropshire Sheep Breeders Association’s Western Show and Sale, attracted a huge crowd on Saturday, July 3.
It was the first time for many years that the show and sale had been held in Shropshire and 55 entries attracted from as far away as Devon and Yorkshire.
The sale recorded the highest price paid for a Shropshire shearling ewe and shearling ram for around 20 years, as they sold for 560 and 500 guineas respectively. The shearling ram was sold by Sansaw Farms, Shropshire and the shearling ewe by Robert Webb, Gilmorton.
Other notable Shropshire breed prices were 500 guineas each for a shearling ram and ram lamb owned by Bowles and Bray, Devon. Sheep entered in the sale sold to buyers from across the UK and Ireland.
Other pedigree sheep breeds on offer included Hampshire Down, with a top price of 250 guineas paid for a ewe from P and T. Meredith, Longnor, Shropshire.
Thirty-two pigs were entered, with the top price of 240 guineas going to an in-pig Middle White gilt owned by Mr R. Critchlow from Hollinsclough.
Top prices in the cattle section were 970 guineas for a Gloucester cow and calf from Mrs J. Newby, Montford Bridge, Shropshire, 900 guineas for a in-calf Beef Shorthorn cow from Mr D. J. Charlesworth, Market Drayton and 550 guineas for a Dexter cow and calf from Mr A. E. Potter, Longnor, Shropshire.
The sale featured 20 sheep breeds, nine cattle breeds and six pig breeds.
"The show and sale was such a success that it will continue as an annual event," said auctioneer John Rossiter from Halls. "We were delighted with the high clearance rate and the huge interest generated by event, which attracted many people to Shrewsbury Auction Centre for the first time."