Record entry of sheep

Last updated 05:41, Friday, 03 October 2008

MITCHELLS Auction Mart in Cockermouth have a record entry of Herdwick sheep for today’s historic annual sale.

Adam Day: ‘Should get some good prices for Herdwick sheep’

Auctioneer Adam Day said encouragement by the Government for farmers to reduce sheep numbers on the fells has boosted numbers. Farmers are reducing the size of their flocks so they can claim the maximum support payments.

There will be more than 5,000 Herdwick ewes and tups through the ring today. A further sale will be held tomorrow of 240 registered Herdwick rams, described by Mr Day as the “cream of the crop”.

He added: “Because there are not many Herdwicks left any more, we should get some good prices. It’s a record entry for the Herdwick ewe sale. It is possibly down to certain Government policies leading to reduced stock numbers on the fells.”