Prime Hoggs

The opening sale of the year for prime hoggs at Lancaster had an entry of 640 forward selling to an overall market average of 240p/kg with all eleven active buyers present. Quality butchers lambs were required with best types selling in excess of 300p/kg with the consignment of Dutch Texels from GR&A Foy, Conder Green leading the way, twice peaking at £136 with others to £130, peaking at 310p/kg and 302p/kg. This was followed by the consignment from TM Townley, Over Wyresdale selling Beltex lambs to £135 or 308p/kg. The consignment from AG Butler, Hambleton sold Texel and Beltex hoggs to £135 and £132. Heavy weight hoggs peaked at £136 from W Gardner, Brookhouse with other heavy weights to £130 from D Black, Kendal. Plenty more pens sold in the one hundred and twenties. Upland lambs saw 49kg Mashams to £118.50 from T&D Wright, Roeburndale East with 51kg Mules peaking at £115 from T&H Drinkall, Oakenclough. Horned lambs saw Dalesbreds to £106.50 at 48kg from T&CM Kelsall & Sons, Chipping with 46kg Dalebreds to £103 from T&D Wright.

Cast Sheep

The cast sheep trade was buoyant with a strong number of 156 forward, peaking at £162 for Texel x ewes from GR&A Foy, Conder Green followed by £146 from G Hargreaves, Scotforth. The consignment from D&K Swarbrick, Out Rawcliffe sold Texel x ewes to £140 and £122 with Cheviot x ewes from the same home to £116 and £109. Mule ewes twice peaked at £117 from Benson Farms, Claughton on Brock and H Birkett & Son, Overton with strong Mule and Masham ewes regularly in excess of the one hundred pound mark. Horned ewes peaked at £87 from D&K Swarbrick with plenty of pens of strong horned ewes in the seventies.

Store Hoggs

A handful of store hoggs were forward peaking at £78.50 for Texels from PD Anderton, Scorton.