FOR the fourth consecutive week, more than 5,000 prime sheep were penned for sale at Skipton Auction Mart’s Monday highlight, with the 4,642 lambs among the 5,026-strong turnout showing a slight rise on the week to average £76.07 per head overall, or 176.9p/kg.

Having said that, trade was somewhat mixed, with lowland lambs generally slightly cheaper, Mule lambs very similar and horned lambs dearer on the week.

Of the lowland entries, handy weighted commercial types were generally £2-£3 apiece down, though quality types, regardless of weight, did manage to stay closer to last week’s trade.

Some excellent runs of three-quarters bred Texel and Beltex lambs met with a very good trade. James and Simon Garth, of Keasden, led the way when selling Beltex lambs to £116 each, or 305.5p/kg, with other keen prices clearly reflecting the strength of the trade at Skipton for these types.

Heavy lambs were again a fair trade, with nice sorts holding last week’s levels, though commercial types were a little cheaper. Hill lambs saw Mules maintain last week’s prices, with the average up 2p/kg to 164.9p/kg.

However, it was the horned lambs that performed best on the week, with the average up 18p/kg to stand at 164p/kg for Swaledale and 167p/kg for Dalesbred.

A total of 384 cast sheep were also on parade.

Cull ewes averaged a shade under £50 per head, with a high of £102.50 each for a Texel pen from Roland Carr, of Addingham, while cast rams averaged £88.72 per head, peaking at £111.50 for another Texel from Brian and Lillian Hawksworth, of Bradfield, Sheffield.