Prime Hoggs

Lancaster’s weekly sale of Prime Hoggs saw another blistering trade but numbers are short of buyers requirements and more are needed each week. There was an impressive overall market average of 302p/kg with handy weights averaging 322 p/kg.

Dutch Texel hoggs from GR & A Foy, Conder Green sold to a top at £169. The consignment of Continental hoggs from Andrew Butler saw Texel’s sold to £168, £163 and £156. Cheviot hoggs sold to a top of £163 from J & H Davis, Cabus. Other noted prices were Texels to £155 from T & E Burrow, Slyne. Charollais also achieved £155 from T Taylor, Woodplumpton; with other Charollais to £154 from P Lawrenson & Son, Brindle.

Spring Lambs

Lancaster Auction continues to have a strong trade for Spring Lambs, with the demand increasing each week from our buyers. An entry of 37 were forward averaging 358p/kg or 148.78 pence a head. A consignment from WA & LM Jenkinson & Son, Stalmine led the way selling 44kg Texel lambs to £176, with others from the same home selling to £164 and £162. This was closely followed by S Wilson & Son selling Texel lambs to £170 purchased by Gregory Williams Butchers of Lancaster, who sold others to £162. Texel lambs from S Wilson & Son sold to 415p/kg, with WA &LA Jenkinson twice achieving 400p/kg.

Cast Sheep

A much improved entry saw the trade for Cast Sheep as strong as ever. Taking top spot this week was GA & A Foy, Conder Green selling Dutch Texel ewes to £171. Charollais cast ewes sold to £170 from A V Bailey, Cheshire. Texel ewes to £168 from J & SJ Riseborough, Warton, followed by £167 from J Smith, Brook House. Plenty more pens of Continental ewes sold around the £160 mark.

Cast tups sold to a top of £168 for a Texel from D & K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe. Leicester ewes sold to £148 from R H & C Aryton, Abbeystead. Big Mule ewes from G Riley, Bolton-le-sands sold to £144, with others to £139 from P Lawrenson & Sons, Brindle. Plenty of pens of Mule ewes easily selling in excess of the £130 mark. Horned ewes saw Swaledales sell to £80 from J & CW Metcalfe & Son Quernmore.

Sheep with Lambs at Foot

North West Auctions held its Spring Show of sheep with Lambs at Foot; the show being very kindly sponsored by Massey Feeds, who we thank for their continued support. The judging was in the able hands of James Wannop, who we also thank for his time and expertise.

Winning the first prize rosette was Vicky Woodhouse of Scorton with five Mule one crops sucking Texel twins. These went on to sell to £245. This cracking run of Mules from Vicky sold to £240 twice and £230. The Second prize rosette was awarded to a pen of two crop Mule ewes from RG & H Preece, Roeburndale which sold to £230. Texel shearlings with smart Texel twin lambs sold to £245 from K & LA Woodhouse, Scorton. Mixed aged Texel ewes with single Texel lambs to £228 from J France, Pilling. Other singles saw Suffolk ewes with single lambs sell to £195 from the same home.