PRIME LAMBS

There was a reduced entry of 647 prime lambs forward, with less about due to the bank holiday but this had no effect on the trade. Good well finished lambs sold to a sharper improved trade this week. Heavy weight Texels took top spot this week selling to £140 from WJ & EA Woodhouse, Nateby, with other heavy weight Texels selling to £136 from S Bosworth, Burnley. Heavy weight Suffolks sold to £128 from WJ & EA Woodhouse, with others to £122 from Ivan Slater, Claughton on Brock. Plenty more pens of late 40kg lambs regularly sold between £112 and £120. Lancaster continue to have plenty of butcher buyers, looking to purchase well finished and good confirmation lambs with these frequently selling in excess of 250p/kg. This week peaked at 280p/kg from T&L Kirkham, Eccleston with others selling to £270p/kg from T&E Burrow, Slyne. Beltex lambs sold to a top £118 and £117 twice from PF Lee, Over Wyresdale. Mule lambs this week twice topped at £93 from RH & C Ayrton, Abbeystead and B & SE Carter, Ellel. Well meated lightweight lambs continued to be in strong demand, with leaner types making store price.

CAST SHEEP

For the time of year the cast sheep trade remains very buoyant and the demand high. AC & K Pye, Abbeystead led the way selling Leicester tups to £128. Teeswater ewes sold to a top of £118 from DM Eames, Abbeystead followed by Texel x ewes to £116 from TR Prickett, Hutton Roof and £112 for Dutch Spotted from K P Dagger, Catterall. Mule ewes regularly selling around the £90 mark with buyers showing caution towards over fat sheep. Horned ewes sold to a top of £99 for Lonks from S Bosworth, Burnley with Dalesbred ewes selling to £66 from DM Eames, Abbeystead.

STORE LAMBS

Lancaster enjoyed a fantastic trade for store lambs with an overall market averaged of £83.84, in which more could have easily been sold with purchasers leaving empty handed. A smart run of Texel lambs from the Executors of DM Cardwell, Stalmine sold to £89, £88.50 and £88 three times. A consignment of Mule lambs from AC & K Pye, Abbeystead sold to £82.50 and £80. Longer keep Beltex x lambs sold to £80 and £79.50 from J Gardner, Bay Horse.