Growing demand for the Beltex as a terminal sire was once again endorsed last Friday when shearling rams made the breed's second and third highest prices at 13,000gns and 12,000gns at the official society sale in Carlisle.
The ram lamb record was broken at 6,800gns - more than 3,000gns up on the previous high.
Shearling and lamb ram averages were both up on the year, by £297.61 and £130.74 respectively, while shearling gimmer averages rose by £183.65 on the year.
Sale topper was a 13,000gns shearling ram Airyolland Galahad from Neale and Janet McQuiston's 80-ewe flock at New Luce, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire. It sold to pedigree Beltex breeder Gordon Belcher of Shropshire. He paid the breed's second highest price ever at 13,000gns.
There was a packed ringside for most of the two sales on Thursday and Friday. Beltex Sheep Society secretary Helen Ashton said: "The breed is going from strength to strength with more sheep registered - registrations are up 30pc on the year."
Averages: 7 aged rams, £1,050 (no comparison); 282 shearling rams, £936.01 (up £297.61); 71 lamb rams, £887.32 (up £130.74); 78 shearling gimmers, £633.97 (up £183.65).
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