A sharp rise in the number of sheep across all sale sections today, and once again new customers in attendance attracted by the prompt officiant Lancaster Monday morning market.
PRIME LAMBS
Numbers continue to rise, with an overall market average of 326p/kg for lambs ranging from 33kg to 59kg. Vendors are encouraged to draw lambs on finish not purely weight, as buyers show preference towards well finished and fed lambs, with under finished lambs a very selective trade, and some perhaps better suited to the popular store market.
Heavy weight lambs sold to a top price of £194 for Texel cross from H Birkett & Son, Overton who sold others at £187. Other heavy weight lambs were generally £168 to £175. The best standard weight lambs sold to £167 from A&E Clarkson, Cockerham and D&K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe. Other better fed lambs were £152 to £160, best grass-fed lambs were £144 to £152 and under finished lambs were generally £128 to £135. Light weight lambs sold to £136 for Texel cross from C Hargreave & Son, Overton with others at £131 from ST Birkett & Son, Carnforth. Well finished light weight lambs keenly sort after, with under finished lambs better suited to the store sale.
S Bosworth, Burnley led today’s sale selling Beltex cross lambs to 385p/kg, with others at 380p/kg from D&K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe. Well finished continental cross lambs continue to attract keenest buyer interest today generally 340p/kg to 360p/kg, The best grass fed lambs were 330p/kg to 345p/kg, with a large number of lambs drawn on weight not finished around 310p/kg to 330p/kg.
CAST SHEEP
Another alley way full of cull ewes, as farmers look to take advantage of the current buoyant trade ahead of the breeding sales. The best continent ewes sold to £224 for Texel cross from CJ Metcalfe, Ingleton with other better end continentals regularly £185 to £210. Medium were £150 to £175, with leaner grazing type ewes £120 to £140. Mules sold to £160 for a pen full from A Thornton, Woodplumpton with other stronger end medium Mules £135 to £150 and the next draw down £110 to £125. Pure hill ewes were forward in greater numbers, selling to £126 for Cheviots from R Doran, Winmarleigh with others £124 from CJ Metcalfe and £121 from KA Purtill. Swaledales sold to £146 from E Preece, Kirkby Lonsdale who also sold Herdwicks to £112, smaller hard worked horned ewes were £40 to £60, depending on strength.
STORE LAMBS
The popular weekly sale of store lambs saw a row full forward, with more required to fulfil buyers requirements. A ring full of Texel cross Cheviots from SE&J Gorst, Littledale sold at £118 with a consignment of continental cross from JH Thornhill, Disley selling to £113. Longer keep continental cross lambs were generally £94 to £102, with all lambs today average £100.45.