PRIME LAMBS

The weekly sale of prime lambs saw an entry of 1242 forward, selling to a fast and competitive trade with buyers keen to secure lambs in a well finished condition. Three quarter and pure-bred lambs continue to sell to a premium, with a top price of 263p/kg achieved for Texel x lambs from NJ Strickland & Sons, Whinfell. Other Texel x lambs achieving 258p/kg from HR & KA Hodgson, Barbon and Suffolk x Texel lambs to 252p/kg from C Preston, Whicham. Well finished lambs regularly selling at 225-240p/kg, depending on weight. Hill bred lambs sold to a top price of 228p/kg for Cheviots from AR&BJ Thompson, Selside, with Mules selling to 227p/kg from A &M Skidmore, Tebay.
A large entry of heavy weight lambs today attracted keen interest, selling to £150 for Texel x lambs from TA Teasdale, Newton in Cartmel, Other heavy weight Continental x lambs (47-52kg) regularly selling at £138-£145pph. Mules sold to £108.50 from TMW&H Hodgson, Nibthwaite. Cheviots sold to £107.50 from M Allen, Carnforth. Vendors are encouraged to draw lambs in a well finished condition to achieve maximum return, with under finished lambs looking more suited to the store market. Next weeks sale includes the ‘Bonny Boys’ show for pens of five Mule wether lambs.

CAST SHEEP

The weekly sale of cast ewes saw a planer show of ewes forward with all types once again selling to their full value. A run of pure-bred Texel ewes from RG Blackburn, Penrith sold to £138, with other Texels selling to £132 from Chris Head, Garth Row. DM & D Cook, Ulverston sold Suffolks to £125. Lleyn ewes from SE Coar, Preston sold forty four ewes to £125. Leicester ewes sold to a top of £122 from G Capstick, Ingleton. Mule ewes would be sharper on the day with Cheviot Mules selling to a top of £101 from TH&DM Cornthwaite, Cartmel Fell. The best Mules sold to £99 from DM & D Cook, Ulverston. Less hill ewes forward today, with Rough Fells selling to a top of £93 from A&M Mills, Pennington, Cheviots to £89 from MB Meredith, Coniston, with Swaledales to £64 from JF Cook, Natland and Herdwicks to £53 from P Dixon, Longsleddale.