Take Churchill's advice and keep battling on
Those famous words much used by a grumpy old man (no not me) in the programme "One Foot in the Grave" (definitely hope it's not me) struck a chord even at the beginning of July, writes Clive Roads.
We no sooner seemed to have got through a wet winter, and then a much improved spring and summer, and now we've started our autumn breeding sales – stop the world I want to get off.
July saw the start of the pedigree sheep sales when over 200 Charollais Sheep came under the hammer at Worcester.
The British Charollais Sheep Society's premier Breeders' Sale proved a resounding success with buyers and vendors present literally from John O'Groats to Lands End, and one off the Western Isles, together with a strong buying contingent from Ireland, Germany and Belgium.
There was a great atmosphere and plenty of good hearted banter, particularly from the Celtic nations with the English bearing the brunt of their "craic" – all good spirited and taken as such.
Prices were brilliant with buyers showing confidence in "flexing their bidding muscles".
Top call went to 4,300gns (Lot 108 Castellau One in a Million owned by Mr T L Prichard) with a close contender at 4,200gns and no shortage of lambs over 2,000gns.
Shearling rams averaged £1249; Ram Lambs averaged £1030 – full report attached on the website.
While the Charollais sale heralded the start of the sales, they were closely followed by Poll/Horn Dorset, Jacobs, Ryeland, Texels and then a plethora as we see September arrive.
The pedigree scene is not alone in getting under way with sales – the first commercial ewe sale at Ludlow fired up on July 25 with a bang and the first significant store lamb sale in the country came to life at Honeybourne Lamb Sale on August 6 when 6,000 lambs were penned and a trade to die for followed.
The seasons and years keep turning and as each period in time arrives so new challenges appear.
While the practical issues of livestock farming do not really change the mountain of regulation seems to continue and almost surpass the satisfaction of "doing the job properly".
However, as the excitement of breeding sales begins to kick in, take the advice of Winston Churchill and "keep battling on" – not the negative thoughts of Mr Meldrew: "I don't believe it!".
* Clive Roads, partner, auctioneer and chairman of the Agricultural Department, McCartneys.
