Monday 4th January 2021

Prime Hoggs

The opening sale of the 2021 season for prime hoggs set off on fire with an overall market average of 231p/kg and an SQQ of 234p/kg. Best quality butchers lambs were in big demand and wanted, peaking at 308p/kg or grossing at £117 for Dutch Texel lambs from GR & A Foy and Son, Conder Green. This consignment peaked at £118, £117, £116 and £110. Close behind this at 280p/kg was Texel lambs from Andrew Butler, Hambleton whose consignment sold to £117 and £113 averaging £108.50. Plenty of pens of well finished, good confirmation, handy weighted lambs often sold between 250p/kg and 270p/kg.
The market was topped today by Percy Rossal, Over Wyresdale selling Charolais lambs to £119 with others from the same home selling to £115. The consignment from AT Alcock, Inskip twice sold to £110 and £108.50 with the consignment from Bargh Contactors, Heaton with Oxcliffe selling to £108 twice. All Continental lambs forward averaged £102.43.

Upland lambs were eagerly bid for also with the consignment from RH & C Ayrton, Abbeystead leading the way with 45kg Mules selling to £104 and 43kg mules to £103.50. Mules from FK & F Woodhouse, Scorton sold to £98 twice. All Mule lambs averaged £95.08. Horned lambs sold to a top of £89.50 for 43kg Dalesbreds from T & CM Kelsall & Sons, Chipping.

Cast Sheep

The cast sheep trade remains firm with the consignment from A & E Clarkson, Thurnham selling to £118 for Charolais and £108 for Texels. Mule ewes peaked at £94 from S Bosworth, Burnley with horned ewes from the same home selling to £73. Cast tups peaked at £100 for Blue Texels from MB Flatman, Over Wyresdale.