A top call of 2600gns for a shearling ram from Russel and Gil Watkins and family led the prices at the Texel Society’s Main Ram Sale, Llandovery, with trade affected by the Indian summer and many local farmers playing catch-up on field work.

Leading the roll call was Millend Casino, a Peacehay At Your Service son out of a dam by Loosebeare Yellowhammer. After spirited bidding he fell to G L Watkins, Oswestry, for the Lawnt flock.

Next best when selling at 1650gns was Whitehart Culture from Jim Hartwright and daughter, Nicky. Their pen topper is a Loosebeare Voomer son out of a Loosebeare Wurzel daughter and was the pick of Price Bros, Knighton.

Another from the same home and the first of the day from the Hartwrights, Whitehart Captain then followed at 1600gns. He’s another by Voomer and is out of a daughter of the homebred Whitehart Ultimate. Buying this one were Brobury Farm, Brobury.

At the same money was Whitehart Ciderman. Sired by Cherryvale Shergar, he’s out of a Voomer daughter and was knocked down to T H and P M Bolt, Huntsham.

Then at 1500gns was Stonegrove Charlie from young breeders William and Archie Dorrell. This son of the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid is out of a Whitehart dam by Strawfrank Vital Statistic and sold to D J and G M Davies, Brecon.

The Hartwrights were back in the money, taking 1500gns for Whitehart Commando. He’s by Rugley Yardstick and out of a Cherryvale Shergar-sired dam and found a new home with B G Greenow, Abergavenny.

And the Watkins completed a trio at 1500gns when they sold Millend Cappacino. Another by Peacehay At Your Service he is out of a Lochar Powerhouse daughter and was taken by J B H Jones, Nantgaredig.

Owen Watkins then took 1400gns for Caenantmelyn Cheeky Chap, a Scrogton Whistleblower son out of a dam by Pant Wolf. This one sold locally to G P and M Jones, Hay on Wye, for the Llanthomas flock.

Two then sold at 1300gns, with the first of these being Whitehart Capri from the Hartwright family. He’s a Brijon You’re The Boy son out of a dam by Blackadder Weaver and was the choice of Stelfox Farm, Haverfordwest.

Second at this level was Clun Cavalier from A E Williams and Son. This son of the homebred sire Clun Athlete is out of a Tatham Hall Ur The One-sired ewe and went home with M Hughes, Vale of Glamorgan.

Ram lambs

Leading the lambs was Vale D-Day from M Hughes, with this one being a Donhro Captain son out of a dam by the homebred Vale Uruguay. He sold with an index in the top 1 per cent and was taken by previous buyers G P and M Jones.

Second best here was the best from Will Davis’ Usk Vale pen, UVP2004218. He’s by Hexel Born To Be Wild and out of a Sportsmans Admiral II daughter and sold to E Mackley, Scarborough.

Another lamb from the same home, UVP2004172, then made 1200gns. This is by Hope Valley C The Stars and out of a Hexel Born To Be Wild daughter. He sold to J D P Thomas, White Mill.

Two then traded at 1000gns, with the first being Millend Dare Devil from the Watkins family. He’s a full brother to the sale topper, being by Peacehay At Your Service, and out of the same Loosbeare Yellowhammer daughter. Buying him was W F Gittoes, Llandefalle, Powys.

The other to sell at this money was Usk Vale Digger from Will Davis. He's by Hope Valley C The Stars and out of a Knock dam by Allanfauld Am The Man. Buying him was E H Jones, Sennybridge.

Females

Top call at 1700gns among a select offering of gimmers was YME1906950 from the Morgan family’s Blaencar flock. She’s by the homebred Blaencar Bandit and out of a Brackenridge Strongbow daughter. She sold in a three way split to Adrian Davies, Paul Curran and Arwyn Thomas.

Second top here was a 1450gns sale for another from the same pen YME1906931. She’s again by Bandit and is out of a Cambwell Rob Roy daughter. Buying this one was D S Bowen, Letterston, Powys.

Leading the ewe lambs at 500gns was N Ellis’ Kauri lamb, JNB2003661, a Scholars Cracker daughter out of a dam by Eden Valley Wiz Kid. She sold to Aled Groucott, Crumlin, Gwent.

Averages; 188 shearling rams £639.08, 81 ram lambs £491.43, six gimmers £813.75, six ewe lambs £350 (Clee-Tomkinson Francis).