There were 653 less rams sold at the big annual event at Kelso on Friday leading to gross sales back £288,000 from last year's record of £2.92 million and at their lowest level since 2009.
The overall average price for the 4313 rams that were sold (75.8 per cent clearance) was £610.68 (back £73.49 on the year).
Top prices and averages for selected breeds of shearling rams: Registered Texels to £14,000 and averaged £766.94 for 875; registered Suffolks £2,200 and £612.21 for 339; unregistered Texels £2,200 and £514.48 for 520; unregistered Suffolks £1,700 and £534.67 for 437; Bluefaced Leicesters £13,500 and £848.52 for 514; Charollais £1,100 and £456.35 for 200; Border Leicester £1,000 and £415.71 for 70.
Top prices and averages for selected breeds of ram lambs: Registered Texels £5,600 and £478.24 for 91; registered Suffolks £7,500 and £428.73 for 252; Bluefaced Leicesters £3,000 and £890.17 for 30; Charollais £480 and £313.75 for 32.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 70 store heifers in Newton Stewart on Friday to a top of 223.6p per kg and an average of 203.6p, while 126 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 268.2p and levelled at 219.2p. Sixty-six store, dairy-bred bullocks sold to 163.4p and averaged 148.3p.
Wallets Marts sold 133 store heifers in Castle Douglas yesterday to a top of £1015 per head and 224.9p per kg to average £853.16 and 207.6p (-12.8p on the fortnight), while 261 store bullocks peaked at £1180 (X2) and 255.2p to level at £967.58 and 217.6p (no change).
John Swan Ltd sold 41 prime heifers in St Boswells yesterday to a top of 254p and an average of 224.1p (+4.2p on the week), while 18 prime bullocks peaked at 250p and levelled at 220.9p (+5.6p).
In the rough ring 43 beef-type cows averaged 127.9p (+1.2p).
The firm also sold 2287 prime lambs to a top of £89 per head and 187p per kg to average £65.89 and 150p (+1p).
The 743 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £109 for Texels and average £59.96, while light ewes peaked at £47 for Easicare and levelled at £36.13.
Harrison & Hetherington sold 14 prime heifers in Carlisle yesterday to a top of 229.5p and an average og 179.1p (-20.4p), while 19 prime bullocks peaked at 219.5p and levelled at 196.5p (-0.5p). Forty prime, beef-bred bulls sold to 218.5p and averaged 179.1p (-2p), while 55 prime, dairy-bred bulls peaked at 164.5p and levelled at 140.5p.
In the rough ring 116 beef cows averaged 136.8p (+7.6p) and 264 dairy cows levelled at 91.6p no change). Six bulls averaged 134.8p (+10.8p).
The firm also sold 3056 prime lambs to a top of £89.80 and 209.5p to average 158.1p (+0.3p).
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