PRIME LAMBS

NWA Lancaster saw 743 prime lambs forward with an overall market averaged 252.4p/kg, buyers showing keenest interest in well finished fed lambs with lambs lacking finish a more cautious trade. Heavy weight lambs sold to £142.50 for Texel cross form C Pickering, Longridge with others at £138 from KA Purtill, Wigan. Others were regularly selling at £122 to £130, depending on breed and quality. Standard weight lambs sold to £128 for Texels from A Birchall, Dolphinholme with others at £120.50 from JM&HM France & Son, Littledale. Light weight lambs sold to £103 for Texel cross from T&CM Kelsall & Sons, Chipping with others at £98 from M&L Preece, Kirkby Lonsdale. Heavy weight Cheviot Mules sold to £128.50 for a ring full from P Whitton & Son, Burneside with Mashams to £118 from S&J France, Over Wyresdale, North Country Mules to £117 from P Whitton & Son, Burneside with others at £114 from B&SE Carter, Ellel. Best bred lambs sold to 290p/kg for Texels from A Birchall, Dolphinholme who sold others at 288p/kg. Others achieved 286p/kg from B&SE Carter, Ellel and 280p/kg from AG Butler, Hambleton. Well finished Continental bred lambs were generally 255p/kg to 270p/kg, with medium finished 240p/kg to 265p/kg depending on quality and type. Hill bred lambs sold to 257p/kg for Cheviot from DR Preston, Caton with Mules to 252p/kg from AG Butler, Hambleton and 250p/kg from RG&H Preece, Roeburndale with others generally 240p/kg to 250p/kg.

CAST SHEEP

Another fast trade for cull ewes with Texel cross selling to £126 from M Coxhead, Little Hool and Charollais cross to £124 from R&B Parker, Killington with other stronger continental ewes regularly £102 to £115. Mules sold to £108 for heavy weights from C&B Lowther, Over Wyresdale and JE&J Pye, Quernmore. Medium Mules were £75 to £88. Hill bred ewes sold to £86 for Cheviots from J Smith, Brookhouse with other pure hill ewes £45 to £55, depending on breed and quality.