TOMORROW (Friday, September 1) will see something of an annual tradition take place in Craven Arms.

However, many people who do not farm may not be aware of something that has been happening for the past three decades.

For the last 29 year’s home produced breeding rams and ewes have been sold at an annual sale at The Firs, Broncroft and this year is no exception with 80 sheep going under the hammer.

Some buyers have been to every one of those previous auctions since they began which is testimony to the quality of the stock.

Local livestock expert John Uffold will be taking the auction of pedigree Texel sheep which his family have been breeding since the mid-1970s.

“When I came to Ludlow in 1981 to run the livestock market, we were in a minority of sheep breeders by keeping Texels,” said John Uffold.

“Now the majority of lambs sold there every Monday, some 3,000-plus most weeks, are Texel X.”

Current market conditions for sheep farmers in Shropshire are buoyant.

“Lamb prices are higher in August this year than I can ever remember and I started as a livestock auctioneer in 1973,” added John Uffold.

“The Texel is an excellent sheep for local, national and international markets.”