PRIME LAMBS

The weekly sale of prime lambs saw 1490 forward, with as seen nationally trade a little less on the week. A full ring side of buyers were all competing finished / fed lambs, with under finished lambs meeting a lot less demand and looking better suited to the store market. Heavy first cross Texels sold to £166 from M Salton, Burneside, with pure Texels selling to £159 from J Handley, Chaple le Dale. Heavy bred continental lambs were regularly £145 to £150. Beltex cross lambs sold to 325p/kg from MA&JA Winn, Burneside with other pens to 321p/kg from JE Atkinson & Son, Endmoor. The best end lambs were regularly 310p/kg plus, with first cross types full of meat 285p/kg to 295p/kg, under finished lambs were 250p/kg to 260p/kg. More hill lambs forward today, with Mules to £130 for a ring full from Drinkall Bros, Over Wyresdale and other lighter pens to £123 from RHM&S Boyren, Colton.

CAST SHEEP

Cull ewe numbers remain strong, although now coming forward in a leaner more hard working condition. The best continentals sold to £228 for a Texel from T Wilson, Selside with others at £210 from AW Crowe, Witherslack. The best heavy first cross ewes were regularly £140 to £160, medium £120 to £135 with a keen interest in those suitable for grazing at £90 to £105 and leanest sorts £60 to £80. Mule and Masham ewes sold to a new market record of £200 from JE Read, Hutton Roof. Other strongest end Mules were £130 to £145, well fleshed mediums £95 to £110, with grazing type Mule ewes £70 to £85, depending on quality and type. Pure hill ewes sold to £138 for Cheviots from J&M Wilson, Selside. Rough Fells sold to £134 from JE Read, Hutton Roof. Lleyn sold to £94 from R Howard, Ulverston, Swaledale to £81 from Fishwick Bros, Longsleddale and SBF £86 from H Cook, Witherslack. Medium Swaledales were generally £50 to £70, with lighter leaner weights £35 to £45, only the smallest and leanest selling at realisation.
Medium cull rams sold to £140 from JM&NJ Strickland, Whinfell with others £110 to £135.

PIGS

105 pigs forward today, with trade much more cautious than previous weeks. A trio of gilts topped at £160 from J Mayall, Rossendale. Store pigs sold to £60 from J GE Heseltine, Skipton. On the whole trade was easier but buyers were still looking for the best quality goods.