PRIME LAMBS

A lager number of lambs forward for the first September sale, as farmer look to clear stock ahead of breeding sales. Very much a two tier trade, will well finished in specification lambs meeting buyers’ requirements, with a large number of lambs being rushed, in forward store condition. Beltex cross lambs led the way at £159 from M Coxhead, Preston, with Texel cross £157 from J Pinder, Clitheroe and £156 from B&SE Carter, Ellel. Other Beltex cross sold to £155 from J BL &I Ellis, New Hutton. Lighter weight well fleshed lambs sold to £116 for Texel cross from Bargh Contractors. Hill bred lambs are now coming forward in greater numbers, with horned lamb to £156 from Calderside Farm, Oakenclough. Mule sold to £136 from WI&AM Atkinson, Bleasdale, Cheviot to £128 from SE&J Gorst, Littledale and Swaledale £114 from KM&KJ Curwen.
Well finished fed lambs sold to 316p/kg for Beltex cross from M Coxhead, Preston with others 325p/kg to 350p/kg. Well finished first cross lambs were 300p/kg to 315p/kg, with grass finished 285p/kg to 298p/kg and leaner sorts 265p/kg to 280p/kg, depending on quality and type. An overall market average of 295p/kg was achieved for lambs ranging from 38kg ton 57kg. Vendors are strongly encouraged to consider feeding lambs, to ensure maximum returns.

CAST SHEEP

All cull sheep today averaged £122, with a large proportion being leaner hill bred ewes. Texel ewes sold to £222 from M&L Preece, Kirkby Lonsdale with medium well bred ewes generally £170 to £200. First cross ewes sold to £180 from KA Purtill, Wigan. Hill ewes sold to £170 for Cheviots, horned ewes sold to £158, Lonks £138 and Herdwicks £86. Mule sold to £157, with other medium type Mules £140 to £155, the next draw down £110 to £125, with several feeding jobs now ring side for all types.
P&V Bennett, Arna Wood Farm kindly donated a Texel ram with all proceed to Motor Neurone disease, which went on to raising a total of £440.

STORE LAMBS

An entry of predominately longer keep hill bred store lambs saw Cheviot cross to £96 from S&JE Gorst, Littledale and Jacob cross £90 from JF Batty & Son, Coniston. Store lambs are sold every week at approximately 11am, please contact the office with entries.