Thame Sheep Fair averages hit by ongoing bluetongue restrictions

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Thame Sheep Fair averages hit by ongoing bluetongue restrictions

Bluetongue restrictions were blamed for averages being generally back on the year at the 2025 event

Farmers Guardian

06 August 2025 鈥� 2 min read

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The 23rd annual Thame Summer Sheep Fair saw 15,909 sheep pass through the ring.

An entry of 15,909 sheep went under the hammer at this year's 23rd annual Thame Summer Sheep Fair.

According to auctioneers, the wet winter and dry summer were a concern with this year's entry comprising more second-quality sorts, although demand was there for forward sheep. Averages in general were, however, back on the year with several groups of buyers reported as missing due to the bluetongue restrictions.

Trade top

Strong Suffolk cross shearlings from Messrs Mason and Morley, Cublington, topped the sale at £385.

Texels sold to £318 from G. E. Haynes and Son, Winslow, followed at £310 from J. A. Shaw and Partners, Lilley.

Charollais and Charollais cross sold to £310 for G. A. Stephens, Kirby Bellars.

North Country Mule ewes sold on a strong trade for all on offer except the plainer sorts, with shearling topping at £275 for the champion pen of 25 for the second year from T. J. Smith and Son, Puxley, selling to one of the judges, A. Tarry- Smith, Bishops Tachbrook.

F. C. Lester and Son, Radclive, sold two pens of second crop ewes at £265, with S. F. Deeming, Broadwell, selling to £250 and C.R. and D.P. Hunt, Hockliffe taking £245 for had lambs.

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Texel cross Cheviots from M.R. and J.S. Cross, Blackthorne, sold to £272, with Texel cross Scotch Mules from Harrison Brothers, Calverton also topping at £272.

Texel cross North country mules topped at £268 for had lambs from Harrison Brothers.

Other ewes topped at £230 for Suffolk cross North Country mules from George Eaton, Tingewick, and Lleyns to £201 for David Barnett Farms, Brackley.

The ram sale saw Charollais from the Tombs family's Atchill flock, Aylesbury, topping at £1,420 with six others from the same pen selling for four-figure sums.

Beltex cross Charollais sold to £800 for Chiltern Beltex, Oxfordshire.

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Averages

North Country Mule theaves, £207.61; North Country Mule ewes, £165.92; Suffolk cross North Country Mule theaves, £217.83; Texel Mule theaves, £209.09; Texel X Scotch Mule theaves, £237.27; Texel cross Cheviot theaves, £241; Texel theaves, £255.92; Texel cross theaves, £216.72; Cheviot Mule theaves, £200.63; Beltex theaves, £258.05; Lleyn theaves, £178.38; Charollais cross theaves, £200.11.