Spring Lambs
The annual show and sale of spring lambs at Lancaster had an entry of 85 forward, a special mention goes to Grace Dobson of Laurence Pierce Wool Merchants for her continued support in sponsoring the sale, it is greatly appreciated. The judging was in the capable hands of renowned local sheep buyer George Blacklidge. He awarded the championship rosette to the first prize Continental lamb, a Beltex from WA&LM Jenkinson, Stalmine weighing 41kg selling to £148 or 361p/kg. The reserve champion came from the same home weighing 41kg selling to £142. First prize in the native class, was awarded to Charnleys, Chipping with Dorset x lamb weighing 41kg selling to £129. Leading prices saw the consignment from FE&CM Robinson & Son, Crooklands sell to £144, £137 and £136 with other noted prices being £140 from D&K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe, with the run from S Wilson & Son, Scotforth to £135 twice and £134.50. The market today saw buyers looking for better bred lambs which were keenly sort after and regularly selling between 320-350p/kg. Buyers slightly shied away from heavy weights. An overall market average was achieved of 302p/kg.

Prime Hoggs
The number of hoggs coming forward remains good with 656 going through the ring, as handy weights sold to 258p/kg, with an overall market average of 249p/kg achieved with the entry forward being mixed best quality hoggs sold in excess of 300p/kg. Leading the way today was the consignment from Andrew Butler selling to £152 or 362p/kg with others from the same home to £144, £143, £142, £140, £139 and £137. The consignment from F&SG Sanderson & Son, Woodplumpton peaked at £150 for a 52kg Beltex hogg. It was wonderful to see RJ Byron, Woodplumpton back in Lancaster today with a great run of Beltex and Texel x hoggs selling to £148, £144 twice, £140 and £139. A run of heavy weight hoggs from G H Sanderson & Family, Catforth sold to £140.50 and £140. Plenty of pens of Continental hoggs sold around the £130 mark. Upland hoggs saw a run of Cheviots from SH&LE Birkett, Nether Kellet sell to £124.50 and £124. Mules peaked at £119.50 from TM Townley, Over Wyersdale. Horned hoggs peaked at £116.50 for Swaledales from DC Miller, Claughton on Brock with 44kg Swaledales from the same home selling to £109.

Cast Sheep
The cast ewe trade remains very similar to the previous week as big tups led the way, a Suffolk from WN&D Smith & Sons, Cockerham sold to £208 with Texels selling to £188 from PD Anderton, Scorton. Continental ewes led the way at £174 from D&K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe. Texel x ewes peaked at £164 from J Bargh, Heaton with Oxcliffe with others to £160 from R Collinges & Son, Kirkham. Plenty of Continental and Suffolk ewes sold around the £160 mark. Masham ewes peaked at £138 from DC Miller, Claughton on Brock. Mule ewes sold to £138 from R Collinges & Son, Kirkham with others to £136 from TM Townley and £135 from S Wilson & Son, Scotforth. Plenty of big Mule ewes sold around the £130 mark. Horned ewes continue to be in big demand with Swaledales selling to £120 from DC Miller and Lonks to £116 from A Brown, Littledale. Plenty of good Horned ewes sold around the £100 mark.

Sheep with Lambs at Foot
A smaller entry of sheep with lambs at foot following last weeks big entry saw Charollais with single lambs sell to £192 from E&J Farming, Littledale.