PRIME HOGGS

The weekly sale of prime hoggs at Lancaster had a similar entry of just over 500 forward, with more numbers needed each week to satisfy our buyers requirements. The overall market average was 262p/kg, with handy weights averaging 268p/kg. Heavy weight hoggs led the way, with Texels to £158 from H Birkett & Son, Overton followed by £153 from Bargh Contractors, Heaton with Oxcliffe and £150 from AG Butler, Hamilton. Heavy weight Suffolks peaked at £145 from G Riley, Bolton le Sands. Handy weighted hoggs today were definitely a sharper trade with Beltex hoggs to 310p/kg or £139 from W&J Parkinson, Garstang with other pens from the same home selling to 300p/kg. Plenty pens of better shaped handy weighted hoggs sold into the one hundred and thirties. Upland lambs saw cheviots sell to £124 from J Bargh & Son, Heaton with Oxcliffe with Mules peaking at £120 from S Wilson & Son, Scotforth and £119 from WI&A Atkinson & Son, Bleasdale. Plenty pens of Mules sold in the one hundreds and teens. Light weight hoggs that were well finished continued to be in strong demand with Continentals regularly 270p/kg plus.

CAST SHEEP

The cast sheep trade remains very buoyant with vendors urged to sell while the going is good. Texel ewes led the way selling to £149 from D&K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe with Texel x ewes to £145 from P Lawrenson & Son, Chorley followed by £130 from S Wilson & Son, Scotforth. Plenty more Continental ewes sold in the one twenties. Masham ewes sold to £124 and £118 from DC Miller, Claughton on Brock with plenty more Mule ewes selling in the region of £110. Hill bred ewes saw Cheviots to £94 from Trevor Foster, Tarlton. Swaledales and Dalesbred ewes sold to £90 from DC Miller, Claughton on Brock. Cast tups today peaked at £146 for Texels from Bargh Contractors, Heaton with Oxcliffe. With other Texel tups to £132 from WI&A Atkinson & Son, Bleasedale. Upland tups saw Herdwicks sold to £78 from D&K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe.