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Setting a new breed record of 1,350gns for an Oxford Down at Worcester was Vickie Jones, Lutterworth, with a shearling ram from her Billesdons flock.

Confidence in the breeding sheep trade looked to be holding up at Thame Summer Sheep Fair, where averages were generally up for most breeds and a clearance rate of 97.3 per cent for the 16,953 sheep penned was achieved.

The Dutch Spotted breed record was smashed when an imported aged ewe from David Roberts’ Boyo flock at Kenley, Shrewsbury, sold for 20,000gns at the Spotacular sale, held at Worcester.

For many farmers, the cost and availability of straw has focused the mind on other options for bedding sheep, with slats often high on the list.

Historically, most farmers use more rams than they need, according to veterinary surgeon Will Barker, of Castle Farm Vets, Barnard Castle.

THE Best of Berryholme sale was held on-farm near Kendal on behalf of the Wright family, followed their open day to celebrate winning Holstein UK’s premier herd title in 2019.

For first generation farmer, Alexandria James, focusing on the quality of her sheep by adopting a zero-tolerance culling policy is key.

THE Suffolk breed record was smashed at Lanark when the ram lamb, Salopian Solid Gold, sold for 200,000gns, more than doubling the previous record of 90,000gns.

The Suffolk breed record in Northern Ireland was smashed three times and equalled twice at the Suffolk Sheep Society Northern Ireland Branch premier export show and sale at Ballymena, where 157 averaged 1,976.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund in conjunction with McDonalds UK has launched a new guide aimed at helping farmers and suppliers understand more about climate change.