North West Auctions had the pleasure of conducting the annual prize show and sale of NEMSA gimmer lambs on behalf of the Kendal branch. On Friday evening an outstanding show of sheep were presented at the pre sale show, totalling some 380 sheep across all show classes. Judging this year was carried out be Mr A Collet, Culworth and T Sharp, Kendal who after much deliberation awarded the first prize rosette and the Goad Memorial Trophy to Strickland Hall Farming, Witherslack for their pen of ten. The first prize pen of twenty and receiving the Jim Gibson Memorial Trophy was Messrs Hodgson, Rydal. Thanks must be given to all the show sponsor their continued generous support.
The much anticipated ‘stars in their eyes’ show for individual gimmer lambs was kindly judged by Mr D Watson, Middleton who awarded the championship rosette to TA&JA Dixon, Yoad Pot with this lamb later selling to the evenings top price of £335.
A packed ringside on new and regular, local and travelled buyers ensured a fast and competitive trade throughout the sale, with an overall market average of £151.14 achieved (up £34.82 on the year).
The sale topped at £290 achieved by R Lawrence, Grange Over Sands, closely followed by Messrs Hodgson, Rydal at £275, with £270 achieved by both Strickland Hill Farming and Messrs Hodgson, High Borrans. Other leading pens sold to £240 from J&JA Burrow, Thrusgill, £235 TLB&J Knowles, High Borrowbridge and £230 by both RI Dixon, Low Newton Farm and AC&K Pye, Dunkenshaw, with numerous pens £210 to £225.
Stronger lambs were regularly £160 to £180, runners nicely £140 to £155, with only smaller and younger lambs £125 to £135.
The Bruce Willison memorial shield for the best run of lambs in the market was kindly judged by Mr J Capstick, Killington and awarded to R Lawrence, Greaves Farm.