SNOW PROBLEM WITH THE LANCASTER LAMB TRADE

PRIME LAMBS

Today saw less numbers forward due to the adverse weather conditions but those who braved the elements were rewarded with the hottest trade seen so far this season, with an overall market average of 275p/kg or £121 per head.

Top spot this week was £162 for 57kg Beltex lambs from our very own Andrew Butler, Hambleton with lambs purchased from the J36 store ring, showing good returns in finishing lambs. Beltex lambs also topped the pence per kilo selling to 340p/kg or £132 from Kevin Purtill, Wigan. Plenty more pens of better confirmation Beltex and Texel lambs regularly selling in excess of 300p/kg. Heavy weight Texel lambs peaked at £159 from S&J France, Over Wyresdale, followed by other Texel lambs to £148.50 and £148 from P Lawrenson & Son, Chorley. Other noted prices for Texel lambs were £147 from TR Prickett, Hutton Roof and £144.50 from JR Bargh & Son, Heaton with Oxcliffe, with plenty more pens regularly selling round the £140 mark. Suffolk lambs peaked at £140 for 50kg from Andrew Butler, Hambleton. Mule lambs this week peaked at £130.50 for a pen of 49kg Mules from WI&A Atkinson & Son, Bleasdale, with other pens of Mules at £127.50 from RH&C Ayrton, Abbeystead, followed by £127 from S&J France, Over Wyresdale. Horned lambs peaked at £119 for Dalesbreds from S&J France, Over Wyresdale.

CAST SHEEP

Lancaster cast sheep market sells to an average of over £100. The only disappointment in the cast ewe ring this morning, was that there was not more forward. Texel ewes sold to £131 from TR Prickett, Hutton Roof with others to £119 and £115 from D&K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe. Mule ewes peaked at £110 from D&K Swarbrick, with all Mule cast ewes forward averaging £101.