The great annual sale of hoggs with lambs at foot at J36 had an entry in excess of 1000 heads forward. The quality of sheep on offer today was a true testament to the vendors which was reflected in the strong demand and the trade being up on the year.

It was Mule hoggs that lead the way today with the consignment from G Sowerby, Ormside selling powerful Mule hoggs with Suffolk single lambs at foot to £250, £215 and £205. This was closely followed by the annual consignment from AR Edmondson, Ulverston selling to £210, £208, £202 and £200. All Mule hoggs forward averaged £183.93. Texel hoggs with Texel lambs topped at £215 from JC & E Pedley & Sons, Sedbergh. Also achieving the £215 mark was W Taylor, Ainstable for Texel hoggs with Beltex lambs. Other noted prices for Texel hoggs with Beltex lambs were £208 NL & CJ Brown, Claughton, £205 and £202 from J & R Waller, Killington and £202 from DJ & S Dixon, Kirkby Stephen. All Continental hoggs forward averaged £189.85.

Ewes and shearlings with lambs at foot continue to be in very strong demand as the good spring weather continues. Leading the way this was strong a Texel ewe with strong Texel lambs at foot selling to £240 from NJ Strickland & Son, Whinfell. Mule shearlings with twin lambs twice sold to £210 and £208 from J & T Hunter, Sedbergh. Full mouthed Continental ewes with twin lambs at foot sold to £205 from CI Briggs, Ambleside. Aged Mule ewes with twin lambs at foot sold to a top of £188 from R Lawrence, Grange over Sands.

More hill bred sheep were on the market this week saw 3 crop Cheviot ewes with twin Beltex lambs sell to £165 from GJ & CA Pennellum, Broughton in Furness with aged Cheviot ewes with singles selling to £150 from JR Handley, Whinfell. Aged Swaledale ewes with twin Mule lambs at foot sold to £138 from Matson Farms, Windermere with Swaledale ewes with single lambs to £105 from R Lawrence. Aged Herdwick ewes with single lambs sold to £80 from Kirkby & Longworth, Ulpha.