Spring Lambs sell to 276p/kg and £108

Spring Lambs

There was the largest entry of Spring Lambs this year forward today with a competitive trade experienced for all classes and types with an overall market average of 213p/kg. The sale topped at 276p/kg for Beltex x lambs from S Wilson & Son, Scotforth purchased by G Williams Butchers, Lancaster. Other ¾ and pure bred lambs regularly sold at 230p/kg to 250p/kg today. First cross lambs Mules achieved 210p/kg to 225p/kg for lambs in the 41kg to 43kg weight range. Several light weight lambs forward today attracted keen interest selling to 239p/kg from B & J Preston, Caton, others sold to 220p/kg to 235p/kg.

Top grossing price today was £108 for heavy weight Texel x lambs from C & B Lowther, Lancaster with others to £105 from S Wilson & Son and £100 from H Birkett & Son, Overton. Standard weight lambs sold to £99 DE & SM Moorhouse, Kendal with others regularly selling between £89 to £95. First Mules of the season coming forward sold to £85 from M & L Preece, Kikrby Lonsdale.

Buyers were keen to purchase well-finished lambs of all weight ranges, but showing caution towards lambs just lacking that final bit of finish.

Cast Sheep

There was a much sharper trade for Cull Sheep with buyers keen for all classes and types. The sale peaked at £110 for Suffolk x ewes from WN & D Smith & Son, Cockerham with other Suffolks to £106 from A Gardner, Bay Horse and Texels to £104 from GH Sanderson & Family, Catforth. Mule ewes sold to a top price of £84 from A & FM Bolland & Sons, Ellel with other heavy Mule ewes regularly selling between £78 and £82. Several hill ewes forward sold to £64 for Swaledales from D & D Huddleston, Wray. All ewes forward averaged £80.55.

A few Prime Hoggs forward today with a very much end of season sample selling to £80 from JA & R Geldard & Sons, Levens and 183p/kg from JE Harrison, Greenhalgh.