North West Auctions J36 held its annual Mule gimmer lamb sale on behalf of the Kendal Branch of NEMSA. There was the largest entry seen for some time with over 8000 forward which sold to a market average of £94.27, an increase of £18 on the year. This included many vendors full consignment of lambs from tupping, fell and running lambs. These all met plenty of demand with buyers travelling from far a field and as well as a good backing of local buyers.

The pre-sale show, which was held under Covid-19 regulations on Friday 11th September saw plenty of quality on offer with 22 pens of ten and 17 pens of twenty put before judges Henry and Tommy Tustian. The JE Goad Memorial Trophy for the first prize pen of ten Mule gimmer lambs was awarded to Harvey Cook, Witherslack which went on to sell for the days top price of £235 purchased by the judges. The Jim Gibson Memorial Trophy for the first prize pen of twenty was awarded to A & H Watson, Middleton who have won this trophy five years running. This pen of lambs sold to £145. The best run of lambs, which was judged by Andrew and Josh Geary awarded the Bruce Willison Memorial Shield to AC & K Pye, Abbeystead.

Leading prices from the day included the second prize pen from RH & C Ayrton, Abbeystead selling to £195. The consignment from JS & S Atkinson, Scorton sold to £180 and £178. This was closely followed by £175 from Messrs Hodgson, Ings, £165 from A & H Watson, £160 from TLB & J Knowles, Selside, £158 from T Ayrton & Sons, Over Wyresdale, £155 twice from JA & CA Gibson, Selside with TA & J Dixon, Selside also achieving £155. Plenty more higher pens of lambs sold between £125 and £145. Pens of strong stylish tupping lambs between £100 and £120. Bonny pens of small tuppers and running lambs sold between £86 and £94 with plenty of pens of running and fell lambs regularly selling £80 to £85.