Lancaster Auction held its annual show and sale of Mule and Continental Breeding Ewes and Gimmer Shearlings. The recent times have been good within the sheep industry with many enjoying a good summer with their Prime Lamb and Cast Sheep trade leading to plenty of confidence within the industry.
A busy ring of buyers forward and a great atmosphere lead to a strong trade with Mule Gimmer Shearings eagerly bid for selling to an impressive market average of £173.42, thirty pound up on the year.
The pre-sale show saw a strong line up of Mule gimmer shearlings forward for our judge Matthew Billington, Claughton on Brock who we thank for his time and expertise. The first prize and championship rosette was awarded to P & M Crackles, Burrow who a strong pen of Mule shearlings that went onto to sell for £195 with the third prize pen coming from the same home and made £195 with other pens from this home twice selling to £192 and £190. The second prize rosette and reserve champion was awarded to Shelia Taylor, Tatham selling her prize pen to £200 with her other pen selling to £198. A run of fifty strong Mule gimmer shearlings from JS & KM Wilson, Kendal met much demand selling to £202 x2 £200 x2 and £198 with his consignment averaging over £200. A very bonny much admired pen from JK & BE Townley, Caton sold to £200. Other leading prices for Mule gimmer shearlings saw M & YS Barker, Halton sell to £190 three times and N Barker, Burton in Kendal sell to £190 and £188.
The continental gimmer shearling first prize rosette was awarded to S Rossall, Over Wyresdale with a pen of Charolais x which went onto to sell for £175. The top price pen of Texel shearlings came from JS & KM Wilson, Kendal selling to £230 with Beltex x shearlings selling to £195 from Bargh Contractors, Heaton with Oxcliffe. Mainly older ewes forward today saw them peaked at £132 for Continetal ewes from S & JE Cornthwaite, Brookhouse.