Top price at the Ballymena BFL sale which went on, despite the FMD etc on the homeland, was 2500 gns for a shearling from Robert Loughbridge.

The trade was strong, as buyers who normally travelled to Castle Douglas and other sales on the mainland were obviously restricted in what they could buy.

M/s Bell from the Kempt View flock had a successful day with their shearlings, as they sold one, bred by M/s Graham, Tullyvallen for 2000 gns.

The Bluefaced Leicester sale season kicked off eventually, albeit a bit late in light of the FMD on the mainland, but this didn't stop the Northern Irish sale from going ahead, despite heightened bio-security.

As a result of the lack of sale on the mainland buyers were queuing up to by the best of breeding from local breeders, which helped keep the trade strong, although the averages were back slightly on the year, maybe reflecting the fact breeders were looking for good strong, well made tups, and concentrating on those types.

Topping the sale was Robert Loughbridge from the Orravale flock, who has built up a reputation for some great sheep of late. This year was no exception, and also saw a good return on an investment made in 2006 when he bought the top priced in lamb ewe from the Carlisle sale from Midlock for 2300gns. His shearling tup out of the ewe, by the Riddings X1, fetched 2500gns selling to Robert Loughery, Co. Londonderry, whilst the full brother to this tup went on to make 2000gns, selling to David Woodburn, Ballymena. Robert has also retained a gimmer out of the Midlock ewe, so still retains that line of breeding for future use! The Orravale flock had another tup make 1700gns and finished the day with an average of £815 for 22 rams sold.

Judge Wallace Parker from Newton Stewart saw his first prize shearling selection justified as Timothy Wray took the day's second top price of 2100gns. This strong shearling was bred by M/s Henderson, Baggarah, and sired by the X2 Bellestyle and out of a V4 Border Esk ewe. It sold to D Leslie, Claudiy.

The Bells from Kempt View had another good day at the sale, after they took the champion spot last year, this year they sold their top shearling, bred by J R Graham, Tullyvallen, for 2000gns to the Graham Bros, Augher Farm.

The overall champion of the day was a ewe from Joe Adams, Holmview. This stylish ewe caught the judges eye, sired by X3 Knockstaken and out of a ewe by the T7 Holmview.

Averages; Shearlings and aged; £425.02

Ram Lambs £338.42

Gimmer Shr; £268.65

Gimmer Lambs £156.72