In both tours of the Yorkshire Dales (in 2019 and 2024), we went to the Hawes Farmers Auction Mart, which serves the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas. It was strictly a sheep auction, with all classes of sheep selling. Auctions are a great way to see the "guts' of an industry. You get an overview of breeds. I saw Swaledale, Rough Fell, Bluefaced Leicester, Hampshire, Texel, Herdwick, and many crossbred animals. Swaledale ewes were most numerous. Most of the "store" lambs were Texel cross. There were some Hampshire (Down) lambs in 2024. Auctions are also a great place to talk to producers.
Swaledale ewe
Herdwick: a breed common to the Lake District
Rough Fell: another hill breed
Hampshire Down
Pen #137
A full barn
"Store" (market) lambs
In the UK, electronic ID is mandatory. You'll see Shearwell tags in the sheep's ears, often other tags, too. After the sheep leave the sale ring, they go through a gate that reads (and records) their ID. This is coming to the US, but when?
All the sheep go through the ring.
A lot of horns
Reading their tags
A lot of cull ewes were sold.
Loading up
Food's always good at a sale barn.
No comments:
Post a Comment