North West Auctions held its opening early breeding sheep sale, which saw the busiest ring side of potential buyers seen to date, with all looking to purchase replacement breeding sheep.
Kicking off the day was breeding rams, peaking this section was Suffolk tup shearlings to £580 from RA&L Hodgson, Patton with Texel shearlings selling twice to £400 from AHB Murray, Scotland.
All breeding sheep sold to a strong trade with vendors leaving pleased with their days trading at Junction 36. Suffolk x Mule shearlings from AHB Murray, Scotland sold to £205. Dorset shearlings attracted plenty of interest with the best pens selling to a top of £185 from MJ&LC Lund, Quernmore. A lovely run of double vaccinated Mule shearlings from DJ Casson & Sons, Slyne saw a pen of twenty selling to £185, with numerous other pens from this home selling to £175. Plenty of customers today looking for older ewes, which saw two crop Mule ewes from M&YS Barker, Halton sell to £155 who sold other pens to £150. Charollais ewes sold to a top of £150 from J&L Tyson, Milnthorpe with aged Texel ewes selling to £148 from M&YS Barker, Halton. The ewe trade regularly saw well turned-out pens at £135 to £145.
The great annual show and sale of ewes and shearlings takes place on Saturday 19th August, please advise the office of entries by Friday 4th August.

The fortnightly sale of store lambs saw an increased entry of 2000 with new buyers round the ring. Ensuring a sharp trade was see from start to finished, with an overall average of £81.50 which is £2 up on the fortnight. Strong Texel lambs sold to £101 from TLB&J Knowles, Selside with others selling to £99 from T Wislon, Selside. A full ring full of Beltex lambs sold to £96.50 from AT Threlkeld, Ulverston. Strong short keep Continental bred lambs were regularly selling at £88 to £95, with the next draw down £80 to £85. New buyers around the ring ensuring Mule wethers sold to a fast trade with the best pen selling to £85 from Fishwick Bros, Longsleddale with others at £84.50 from M&G German, Middleton and just behind at £84 from OR Hodgson, Old Hutton. Medium keen Mules were regularly £72 to £75.