A great yarding of sheep were forward today at Lancaster that were met with plenty of demand and a buoyant trade throughout. The pre-sale show went ahead under the strict Covid-19 regulations with thanks going to our Judge Mr Ian Gibson, Kendal.

The sale commenced with the ewes which saw the market top at £188 and £185 for Continental ewes from S Rossall, Over Wyresdale. This year’s sale included two flock dispersals, firstly from JE Harrison, Forton selling Texel ewes to £180 and others from the same home selling to £142 and £140. The second flock dispersal on offer today was from the late WM Pye, Ashton with Stodday who had a great offering of sheep. Leading the way with this consignment was Texel gimmer shearlings selling to £170 and Mule gimmer shearlings to £150. The ewes from WM Pye topped at £132 for the second prize pen, with plenty more pens from this consignment selling around the £130 mark. Plenty of pens of Mule ewes sold in the one twenties with an overall market average of £117.05.

There was a larger entry of gimmer shearlings on the market saw them eagerly bid for. Leading the way today was the first prize pen of Continentals selling to £190 from JK & BE Townley, Caton Green. Also achieving this price was Texel shearlings from Bargh Contractors, Heaton with Oxcliffe. All Texel gimmer shearlings forward sold to an impressive average of £166.

North Country Mule shearlings met plenty of demand with buyers looking for powerful sheep and willing to pay extra for those that have lambed and fully vaccinated. Topping the market was the first prized pen from P & M Crackles, Burrow who sold two other pens to £165. Also achieving £165 was SM Taylor, Tatham. £160 was achieved three times by N Barker, Burton in Kendal with M & YS Barker, Halton, JK & BE Townley, Caton Green and JS & KM Wilson & Son, Helsington also achieving £160. Plenty more pens of Mule gimmer shearlings sold into the £150 region. There was an overall market average for Mule gimmer shearlings of £143.

Cheviot Mule gimmer shearlings sold to a top of £170 twice JS & KM Wilson & Son with all Cheviot Mule shearlings forward averaging £160.57.

Averages

Ewes - £115
Shearlings - £144

Ewes
                      Top       Av.
Suffolks          £125     £122
Mules             £132     £117.05
SBF               £82       £82
Continental    £188     £117.20

Shearlings
                      Top       Av.
Mules             £185    £143.44
Texels            £190    £166.67
Chevit Mule   £170    £160.57