PRIME LAMBS
Spring lambs this week at Lancaster averaged 256p/kg for 836 forward. Light weight lambs sold to an overall market average of 260p/kg with handy weights averaging 259p/kg. Lancaster was just in time to catch the last bit of the Qurbani Festival trade, as many outlets are now full and unsure of how much demand there is for lambs for the rest of the week.
Lancaster continues to have a strong trade for the best quality lambs regularly selling around the 300p/kg mark. Leading the way at 310p/kg were Beltex lambs from J S Horner, Ingleton with others from the same home to 302p/kg and 300p/kg, with this consignment topping at £129. Texel lambs from Andrew Butler sold to 302p/kg, with others to 299p/kg from Ian Richardson, Catforth and 298p/kg from Kevin Purtill, Wigan. Top price this week were heavy weight Texels selling to £132 from C & B Lowther, Over Wyresdale, followed by other heavy weight Texels to £131 from RC Billington & Son, Claughton-on-Brock. Followed by £130 from B & SE Carter, Ellel. Plenty more pens of lambs today easily selling in excess of the £100 mark.
More upland lambs are now starting to come onto the market, with 40kg Cheviots selling to £102 from M Allan, Yealand. Mule and Masham lambs sold to £100 from DC Miller, Cobble Hey. All lambs in the market today averaged £104.78.
CAST SHEEP
As the sacrifice of the ewes for the festival of Qurbani begins tomorrow, many outlets have been stockpiling for the previous few weeks and fulfilled their orders, with just a few last-minute purchasers in the ring today. It was noticed that lean ewes were less money with trade for stronger sheep still respectable.
Texel x ewes today sold to £120 from A & E Clarkson, Thurnham with a run of Texel x ewes from P Lawrenson & Son, Chorley selling to £116, £112 and£111, with others achieving £110 from CD & HL Mason, Caton Green. Plenty more Continental ewes easily sold in excess of the £100 mark. Leicester ewes this week sold to a top of £120, £114 and £110 from AC & K Pye, Abbeystead. Mule ewes sold to £96 from R Doran, Winmarleigh, whom sold Cheviot ewes to £94. Plenty of pens of Mule ewes regularly sold around the £90 mark.
Horned ewes today sold to a top of £80 from T Ayrton & Sons, Over Wyresdale, with Dalesbred ewes to £74 from DC Miller, Claughton-on-Brock.