SPRING LAMBS
Lancaster Auction has its largest entry of spring lambs so far this season, with an entry of 846 forward. Leading the way this week were 55kg Suffolk lambs selling to £184 from T & H Drinkall, Oakenclough. This was closely followed by the consignment from A & E Clarkson, Thurnham twice selling to £170 and £164, with this consignment averaging £156. This was closely followed by Texel lambs selling to £168 from P & AJ Whittaker & Son, Quernmore. The consignment from J S Hornet, Ingleton sold Suffolks to £166 and Beltex and Texel lambs to £165, £163 and £160 twice. This was followed by the consignment from Wannop Farms, topping at £158, with other Texels to £152 from J & R Waller, Killington. Best bred lambs today easily selling in excess of the 350p/kg mark, Topping at 390p/kg from J S Hornet, Ingleton. Today saw more light weight lambs on the market with buyers looking for lambs between 30-34kg, the best types in this weight range sold to 350p/kg. There was an overall market average of 318p/kg, with 45-50kg lambs averaging 351p/kg. Those who have invested in better quality tups have seen the benefits in their prices today. It was noted today that those lambs with plenty of meat sold to a premium, with leaner types not reaching their full potential.
PRIME HOGGS
Just a handful of hoggs on the market today, selling to a top of £142 for Mules from J Rhodes, Ellel.
CAST SHEEP
Lancaster continues to enjoy a strong trade for all cast ewes with an overall market average of £114.90. Leading the way today was a Teeswater tup selling to £168 from T & D Wright, Roeburndale East. Other tups sold to £148 for a Suffolk from TM Townley, Over Wyresdale. Cast ewes peaked at £164 for Texels from CD & HL Mason, Caton Green. Leicester ewes topped at £162 from S Park, Middle Highfield. Plenty of continental Suffolk ewes easily selling between £130-£150. Mule ewes peaked at £127 from Wannop Farms, followed by £121 from D & D Huddleston, Wray. With plenty of pens of strong Mule ewes selling between £110-£120. Hill bred ewes saw Dalesbreds sell to £112 from T & D Wright, with Gritstone ewes to £106 from D & K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe.