A STANDOUT ram lamb from Procters Farm Ltd in Wennington, Lancaster, stood supreme champion and top price at the 38th Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders’ two-day show and sale of pedigree rams and females at Skipton Auction Mart.

The February-born Procters Calypso arrived with impeccable breeding credentials, being by the Garngour Alabama son, Sportsman Batsman, a 100,000gns acquisition last year by the Procters flock, which is managed at Moss House Farm close to the Lancashire-Yorkshire border by Jeff Aitken and his wife Jennifer.

Out of dam by a home-bred Procters tup, show judge Ben Vernon, who runs Charben Texels in Rocester, Staffordshire, had little hesitation in promoting his red rosette-winning ram lamb to male champion, then overall supreme.

Calypso progressed to achieve the day’s leading price of 2,500gns when finding a new home north of the border with Lanark’s Robert Templeton, of Tartan Texels.

Procters Farm also consigned the second prize shearling ram, Tatham Hall Batman, a February, 2018, son of the 9,000gns Thrunton Younique (by Forkins Viagra), out of a Scrogtonhead U Stoater-sired dam. This, too, proved popular when falling for second top call of 2,200gns to local Texel breeder David Towell, who runs the Moor Top flock on Glusburn Moor.

The adjudicator also spoke highly of his chosen reserve supreme champion, the first prize shearling ram and reserve male champion from South Yorkshire breeders, Peter and Liz Longdin, who run the Wellingley flock at Wellingley Grange, Tickhill, Doncaster. He sold for 1,700gns to D Birkill, of Driffield.

Peter Woof, who runs the Stainton flock at Storth End Farm, near Kendal, and was the 2018 Skipton supreme champion with a recorded ram lamb, returned to win the same show class this year with another youngster from the flock’s best family.

His February-born Stainton Canyon, by the Tophill Wall St son, Knock Yankee, acquired for 30,000gns by a consortium of buyers - Mr Woof among them - is out of a dam sired by Eden Valley Warrior.

Also tapped out as the champion recorded ram and recipient of the Bob Payne Memorial Trophy, presented by his son Joe, the ram made 500gns when claimed by Anne Robinson, of Pannal, Harrogate.

Turning to the females, section champion was the first prize shearling ewe from Sam and Sarah Beachell, who run the Samsar flock at Beswick Hall, near Driffield. The Beachells were also responsible for the second prize recorded ram lamb, Samsar Cavalier. He made 550gns when claimed by BJ Butterill, of Kirkby Overblow.

Peter Woof consigned the other joint top 1,100gns female, another shearling ewe daughter of Knock Yankee, out of a dam by Anglezarke Uno. She found a new home in Ayrshire with John T Cunningham.

The prolific Stainton flock was also responsible for the second prize shearling ewe, again by Knock Yankee – this one out of a dam sired by a home-bred tup – which also sold well at 950gns.

Reserve female champion was the second prize shearling ewe from James Robinson’s Kaker Mill flock in Carnforth, Lancaster.

Picking up first prize in the ewe lamb show class was Paul Sykes, who runs the New Dunsley flock in Holmfirth.

Doing better at a class-topping 380gns was the second prize winner from 2018 ewe lamb victors Jack Davies and Carol Wareing, who run the Holly Farm flock at Halsall, near Ormskirk.

Breed national chairman Steve Richardson, who with son Adam runs the Stonebridge flock in Houghton, near Barnsley, were responsible for the 3,400gns top price shearling ram at the 2018 Skipton showcase.

Leading prices: Shearling Ewes: 1100gns, S&S Beachell, 1100gns & 950gns, PK Woof, 900gns & 700gns, JD Houghton, 700gns x 2, J Green, 700gns, JS Lodge, 700 gns, J Robinson. Ewe Lambs: 380gns, Davies & Wareing, 350gns, P Sykes, 300gns & 280gns, W Watson. Ram Lambs: 2500gns, Procters Farm, 950gns, J&J Aiken, 800gns, S Beachell, 750gns, JL North, 700gns, S Spyrou, 700gns, PK Woof, 650gns, M&V Collins. Shearling Rams: 2200gns & 2000gns, Procters Farm, 2000gns & 1600gns x2, R Wilson, 1800gns, FA Nairey, 1700gns, PC Longdin, 1600gns, DA Towell.

Averages: Shearling Ewes £363.05 (2018 £368.38), Ewe Lambs £246.75 (£241.50), Shearling Rams £740.12 (£757.36), Ram Lambs £388.13 (£402.34).

This year’s Texel highlight was sponsored by Minexcel Nutrition, Dalehead Veterinary Group and Settle Country Store.