Prime Lambs
The weekly sale of prime lambs in Lancaster sold to a stronger traded than anticipated with an overall market average of 238p/kg which saw spring lambs weighing 39-45kg averaging 242p/kg, 45-51kg averaged 254p/kg and heavy weights averaging 255p/kg. Well finished lambs were demanding a premium with buyers airing on the side of caution toward leaner types. Heavy weight Texels peaked at £142 from B&M Slater, Chipping with the consignment of Texels from J&CG Redmayne, Salisbury selling to £141 and £132. Other leading prices saw Texels to £136 from Joe and Emily Bargh, Heaton with Oxcliffe with Suffolks from the same home topping at £129. Beltex lambs peaked at £131 or 298p/kg from EJ Ward & Sons, Nether Kellet with other Beltex lambs to £126 or 290p/kg from JS Horner, Ingleton. Trade today saw better bred lambs regularly selling in excess of 270p/kg with well finished commercial type lambs selling between 250-270p/kg. Less hill bred lambs were forward today, saw 41kg Masham sell to £95 from S&J France, Over Wyresdale.

Cast Sheep
The trade for cast sheep remains very strong with vendors urged to continue selling them, with a strong overall market average of £113 a head. The consignment from Joe and Emily Bargh led the way selling Texel x ewes to £218 and Suffolk ewes to £158. Beltex x ewes peaked at £162 from JS Horner, Ingleton. A run of Texel x ewes from B&SE Carter, Ellel sold to £154 and £152 twice. Mule ewes peaked at £148 from DJ Casson & Son, Slyne with others to £141 from GF&EE Holt, Chipping and £137 from Myerscough College with plenty of pens of strong Mule ewes in the early one thirties. Some good horned sheep on offer today saw well fleshed Swaledales sell to £108 from B&SE Carter, Ellel with others to £104 from RW&FJ Rhodes & Son, Quernmore. Billy goats sold to £76 from D Hough, Dolphinholme.