The Great Christmas production sale was held for the first time in Ballymena Livestock Market over the festive period.

The lineup included 65 lots, made up of Dutch Spotted and Badgerface lots. The lineup was put forward by eight of Northern Ireland's top Dutch Spotted and Badgerface breeders.

The quality of this lineup was evident, with an overall sale average of £1,046 (€1,262) being achieved.

Dutch Spotted

Topping the sale at 5,000gns (€6,329) was Broadwater Gemstone, a super March 2023-born shearling ewe.

This standout Craigdoo Freaky Freddie-sired shearling from the pen of James Johnston was also scanned carrying triplets to Broadwater Hulk.

After fierce ringside and online bidding, she was knocked down to Allen Shortt of the well-known Derg flock.

Following closely behind Gemstone was Broadwater Gina, another in-lamb shearling ewe from James Johnston.

She sold for 3,800gns (€4,812) to Ronan Touhy of the Coose flock. She was also scanned in-lamb to Broadwater Hulk, but this time carrying twins.

A total of six Dutch Spotted in-lamb shearlings sold for 2,000gns or more and a total of 12 sold for over 1,000gns.

Badgerface

It was James Johnstons Broadwater flock that again dominated the Badgerface section, producing the four top-priced lots in the section.

The top-priced lot was Broadwater Edith that sold for 1,400gns (€1,773). This extremely hard-muscled in-lamb shearling was sired by Riverside Carlsberg and was scanned carrying twins to Diamond Heavyweight.

Top-priced Badgerface lot Broadwater Edith that sold for 1,400gns. \ Alfie Shaw

It was well-known Badgerface breeder Andrew McCutcheon who was the successful purchaser of Broadwater Edith.

It was Broadwater Eglantine that took the second-top price of the section when she sold for 1,200gns (€1,520) to A McCafferty. She was also scanned carrying twins to Little Whisker Eboy.

McCafferty was also the successful purchaser of Broadwater Elena, another Riverside Carlsberg daughter that was scanned with twins to Broadwater Flashman, the champion ram lamb at the 2024 national Badgerface show. The hammer dropped at 1,100gns (€1,155) for the strong shearling ewe after strong ringside bidding.