Spring Lambs
Despite the warm weather and many farmers taking advantage to get crop and shearing done, one of the largest of Spring Lambs of the season was forward selling to a much-improved trade with all vendors leaving pleased with prices achieved.
There was an overall market average of 216p/kg achieved for all lambs in the market ranging from 31kg to 56kg. Well-bred lambs continue to sell to a premium with buyers showing caution towards under-finished lambs.
Top priced lambs today were heavy weight Texels from HR & KA Hodgson, Barbon selling to £114, other heavy lambs regularly £100 to £112. Texel x lambs from B & JM Crowe, Witherslack sold to £107 purchased by Higginsons Butchers Ltd, Grange-Over-Sands. Buyers were keenest for well-finished lambs in the 40-43kg weight range which regularly sold £88 to £95 depending on weight and quality. The first Mules of the season were forward today selling to £81 from NJ Strickland & Son, Whinfell.
Strong demand was seen for lightweight lambs with these selling to 248p/kg for Texel x from J Bell, Wennington with others regularly 230p/kg to 245p/kg and £72 to £80.
Prime Hoggs
There was very much an end of season show of hoggs forward selling to £82 for Texels from J Turnbull, Meathop with others to £78 from G & J Lambert, Sedbergh. Top pence per kilo was 150p/kg from W Garnett & Son, Milnthorpe.
Cast Sheep
A fast trade was experienced for all classes of cull sheep with buyers keen to fill orders and leaving short of requirements. We have the buyers to manage 500 plus ewes every week at J36 and vendors are encouraged to sell ewes ahead of the imminent ‘weaning rush’. Heavy ewes sold to £118 for a Charollais from JA & R Geldard & Sons, Levens who sold others to £109. Texels sold to £108 from JE Wightman, Lupton and £106 from J & O Galbraith & Son, Endmoor. Medium ewes were keenly sought after selling to £95 for Texel x from HR & KA Hodgson, Barbon, Suffolks sold to £91 from CB Holt, Rossendale. Mules sold to £85 from PJ Atkinson, Witherslack with all Mules selling to an average of £78. Hill bred ewes topped at £74 for Scotch Blackfaces from JW & TE Sharp Ltd, Lyth. Swaledales sold to £73 from JH Pedley, Carnforth and Herdwicks to £59 from JF Cook, Witherslack.
Very few Cull Rams forward today sold to £94 for a Rough Fell from J Graham, Windermere with others to £86.
Buyers were keenest to purchase ewes which were ‘fit not fat’.