ANOTHER increased entry of 4,159 prime sheep at Skipton Auction Mart’s weekly Monday sale produced a visible change in the market place, as processors sought to secure well-finished lambs, demonstrated by their willingness to bid well for good meated types, while shying away from lambs that lacked finish.

The 3,635 prime lambs among the turnout sold to an overall average of £68.34 per head, or 161.8p/kg, around £3, or 7p/kg down on the week.

The smarter end again proved no problem to move on, selling from 180p/kg to 220p/kg and topping by weight at 235p/kg for a Beltex pen from Frank and Robert Fielden of Todmorden, which joined Vivers Scotlamb in Annan.

The same class also produced the top price £94 per head pen from Frankland Farms in Rathmell. These also fell to Vivers.

Nicely fleshed first crossed Continental-type lambs were generally 165-175pkg, occasionally a little more, with the more commercial lambs among the entry achieving 150-160p/kg. Mule Wether lambs were weaker on the week by around £2 to £4 per head.

Cast sheep numbered 524, with cull ewes trading similarly on the week to average £53.06 each, though heavy ewes were again in strong demand and short of requirements. The leading price of £124.50 per head fell to a Texel pen from Hellifield’s William Watson.

Cast rams averaged £58.95 overall, with a top price of £119.50 falling to a Texel from BG and LM Hawksworth, of Bradfield, Sheffield.