Easter excitement at Lancaster Auction Mart with all classes of sheep sell with a spring in their step.
SPRING LAMBS
A feature of today’s sale was the prize show and sale of Spring Lambs which saw a quality entry put before the judge Mr Richard Cardwell of Cardwell Farms Traditional Butchers. After much deliberation the Champion Rosette was awarded to a Charolais lamb from RJ & J Towers, Ingleton which later achieved a sale topping price of £280 purchased by Mr N Brown, Lancaster. The Reserve Rosette was won by WA & LM Jenkinson, Stalmine for a Texel cross lamb, which achieved the sales top price of 671p/kg and the third prize selling to £240 for a Texel cross from FE & CM Robinson, Crooklands.
The best pair of prime lambs was awarded to a pair of Texel cross from WA Jenkinson, Stalmine, later selling at £240.
Todays show was kindly sponsored by JP Mole Control.
PRIME HOGGS
No let up in trade for prime hoggs with well finished, in spec types easily sold. Back to the top this week was Kevin Purtill, Wigan selling Texel cross to 475p/kg with others 465p/kg from S & JE Cornthwaite, Brookhouse. Heavy weights to 435p/kg, light weights 462p/kg and hill bred selling to 447p/kg for Cheviots, Mules 430p/kg and Horned 419p/kg. All hoggs today average 397p/kg and SQQ 402p/kg for hoggs ranging from 25kg to 74kg.
Top grossing today was £228 for heavyweight Texels from SH & LE Birkett, Nether Kellet closely followed by others at £224 from CJ Metcalfe, Ingleton. Standards to £211 from JM & MH France & Son, Littledale and light weights £173. Hill bred lambs to £222 for Cheviot Mules, £177 North Country Mule, £173 Rough Fell, £170 Dalesbred, £170 Cheviot and £158 Swaledale.
CULL SHEEP
Cull sheep remained a fast trade topping at £280 for Texels, £226 Crossbreds, £192 BFL, £184 Dorset. Mediums of all breeds generally £150 to £180 with lighter and leaner £125 to £145. Hill ewes to £162 for Cheviots and medium Swales £116.
Keep these sheep coming with 8 active buyers each week at Lancaster keen to fill early Monday morning orders.
SHEEP AND LAMBS
Plenty of confidence ringside as customers look to replace stock ahead of the promise of warmer weather.
Strongest twin outfits today sold to £420, £415 for aged Texel cross ewes with Texel lambs from M Heap, Garstang with others achieving £400 and £390 from DR & BE Rolfe, Scorton and £380 TR Gorst, Bay Horse. Other twin families generally £325 to £360.
Singles with strength raced away to £305 and £300 again from M Heap with others £275 JA Law, Carnforth and £270 TR Gorst.
Sheep and lambs sold every Monday – entries to date include 35 families.
For all Monday sale enquiries, contact Matthew Probert 07540 446667 or Andrew Butler 07966 556592.