Lambing may seem a long way off for many flocks right now, but Charollais breeders will be out in force at Worcester this weekend seeking out their new stock tups from the wide selection of genetics on offer at the breed’s premier sale.
With the breed riding the crest of a wave in recent years the number on offer has jumped again and more than 390 are catalogued for sale on Saturday.
So, without further ado here’s Farming Eye’s preview for the ram lambs on offer, there’ll be plenty you like the look of that we’ve not mentioned and vice-versa, so feel free to add your own comments below.
First pick (and these are in catalogue order) is Sant Andras Maximus (lot 103) from Justin Evans. This is a son of breed record holder Logie Durno Kracked-it out of a dam by Galtres Dominator, a full sister to Castellau Figurehead, Formidable and Grandeur, all of which have notable tups from Tim Prichard.
Next on the list is the first in the ring from Charles Sercombe (lot 108). This is Dalby Malachite, a son of Dalby Lazelle out of a dam by Dalby D’Artagnan. He comes from a highly successful female line at Dalby and has an index of 477, well within the top 1% of the breed with strong scores for muscle depth and scan weight.
Following him is a lamb from Jonathan Aiken. This is Carnew Man-O-Man. Sired by Castellau Lord Mayor he is out of a dam by the noted Loaningfoot Highlander which was the flock’s show ewe this year. With Lord Mayor as his dam be also brings with him Penrhos Ibanez breeding which has worked well for many flocks.
Another Northern Irish lamb is next on the list, being Artnagullion Matador from William McAllister (lot 141). This lamb was first prize at Balmoral this year and is full brother to the first prize gimmer and ewe lamb at the same show. He us by Ballyhibben Kickstart and out of a dam by Highlander again.
Then I’ve picked out a lamb from Jennifer Curtis in the form of Elmwick Masterpiece (lot 144). This is the first in from the Elmwick flock and is by Garriston Kilowatt and out of a dam by Glynoch JPR. He has an index of 239 and scanned a muscle depth of 36.1mm.
A lamb not making the show ring is next up in the form of Loanhead Magnus (lot 148). Bred by Gregor and Bruce Ingram he’ll not be shown as their father Willie is the pre-sale judge. But he’s definitely worth a look, being a son of Arjane Klansman, male champion at the Highland last week, and out of a dam by prolific show tup Logie Durno Jackpot. He sells with an index of 381, having weighed 86kg at 140 days.
Myfyr Evans’ pen follows on and he’s bound to have something to catch the eye. The pick of these on paper for me is his third lamb Rhaeadr Mark. Sired by Ballyhibben Klass Act he is out of a dam by Southam Easy Rider which was bought at the Penrhos dispersal for 3000gns.
And if you’re looking for a lamb with a big index then you’ll have to mark Lowereye Marvel from Neil Oughton in your catalogue (lot 162). This Lowereye Kinell son is out of a dam by Lowereye Greatguns and is the highest index Charollais ever offered for sale with an index of 512 and a CT gigot score of 75.3.
Tim Prichard knows a thing or two about breeding decent Charollais and his entries are sure to draw attention. Pick from his pen for me is Castellau Millionaire, a Logie Durno Kracked-it son (lot 181). This one come from one of Tim’s most successful show female lines, being a grandson of Flashy Lady, Tim’s RWAS interbreed winner in 2006. His dam is full sister to a brace of leading sale tups at Worcester in 2008 and he has an index of 361.
Tim has another lamb a couple of lots later in the form of Male Model (lot 183) which could also be worth a look, being by Kracked-it out of Castellau Glamour Girl another of his RWAS interbreed winners.
Skipping through a bit to my next choice we come to the Crogham pen and my choice from here is Crogham Maximus (lot 201). This is a son of Castellau Liberator with an index of 356 and out of a dam by Kings Land Invincible. He also goes back to Flashy Lady on his dam’s side and contains blood from Logie Durno I’m Yer Man, Highland interbreed champion in 2009.
The next pick is a quad-born lamb from the Willie and Carol Ingram themselves, Logie Durno McCoist (lot 213). This son of Southham High and Mighty is out of a dam by the exceptional sire Rockvilla Golden Promise, with this ewe being a full sister to Logie Durno Jackpot, the 2010 RWAS breed champion which has bred progeny to 5100gns. He comes with an index of 334.
Following him as my next choice is a lamb from the Wernfawr pen, this is Wernfawr Midas (lot 219), a son of Penrhos Ibanez out of a dam bought from the Arjane dispersal for 3200gns, which has bred daughters to 6000gns and 5500gns. With a female line like that and a sire like Ibanez he could well be a prospect for a few flocks and has an index of 246.
Esmor Evans has been investing heavily in sheep in recent years and a lamb from his Maerdy pen, 12WLS00157 (lot 243) contains some outcross breeding in the form of a French sire which is a former Paris Show champion. This one is out of a dam bought for 2300gns at last year’s Dalby Silver Anniversary sale which is in turn a daughter of Charles Sercombe’s show ewe Dalby Champagne.
Martin Gethin’s Ardbrack flock has an interesting looking lamb in the form of Ardbrack Majestic (lot 292). This son of the mighty Klansman is out of a Logie Durno dam by Crogham Hannibal II, sire of many of Logie Durno’s best sheep in recent years, and son combines some of the best male blood of recent years.
And another leading flock, the Gregory family’s Edstaston flock looks to have a good pen of lambs on paper too. The pick for me from this pen is Edstaston Maldavian (lot 295). A son of Rockvilla Klass Act he is out of a full sister to Edstaston Juno, top priced lamb at Worcester in 2009. He sells with an index of 322.
Getting towards the end of these lambs now and my next choice is a full brother to the mighty Arjane Klansman who has been used so successfully by the Ingram family, as well as being full brother to Highway Liberator and Logie Durno Lord of the Ring. This is WRF00134 (lot 300). With the sort of pedigree and breeding performance this line has produced he’s surely one to make some money?
Gerald Burrough’s Sheldon flock has an decent prospect in Sheldon Monarch (lot 311). A son of a Rhaeadr tup he is out of dam by Sheldon Handsome and was male and reserve breed champion at Devon as well as being interbreed champion ram lamb at the same show.
The penultimate choice for me is from the perennial Lionel Organ who is back in the breed under the Tymaen prefix having dispersed his Southam flock. His lamb Tymaen Mustang (lot 317) again combines top breeding being by Kracked-it and out of a dam by Ibanez. He has an index of 361.
And the final pick from the tup lambs on offer is Loaningfoot Morgan Spice (lot 336). This Tawelfa Light my Fire son is out of a Loaningfoot Highlander daughter. With Parkgate Highlander in the mix here too, he should be a strong lamb and an index of 302 shouldn’t disappoint either.
Well, that’s my picks, it’s over to you now……
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