Tighter numbers enhance prime lamb trade

With prime sheep numbers generally tight countrywide because of the fine mowing weather, trade for the 1,374 lambs on offer at Skipton Auction Mart, on Monday, improved as the day progressed to achieve an overall selling average of 229.64p/kg, or £90.79 per head. (June 23)

Both weight and finish had improved during the previous week, with more lambs in the 38-42kg range meeting a ready demand. Heavy lambs remained short in numbers and accordingly proved good to sell, while lightweights found a steady market as Asian customers accumulated stock for Ramadam on June 28.

Suffolk prime lambs produced the day’s leading per head call, with a £124 top price pen from John Key, of Middlehopestone, Sheffield, his charges selling to Riley Bros Butchers in Dunnockshaw, Burnley, and a 261p/kg high for another pen from breed specialist Mark Evans, of Steeton. These joined Kendalls Farm Butchers in Pateley Bridge.

Texel prices peaked at £118.50 each, or 260.2p/kg, for a pen from CT&EM Hammond, of Padside, Summerbridge, who also headed the Charollais prices at £115 per head, or 267.4p/kg. Beltex prices topped at £108, or a day’s by-weight high of 300p/kg, for a submission from Jogn Beckwith, of Gargrave. They fell to Vivers Scotlamb in Annan.

Just 16 old season lambs were forward, these selling to a high of £93 per head for aTexel pen from Willie Naylor, of Cononley.

A total of 394 cast sheep were on show, with the countdown to Ramadam also producing a faster trade in the cull ewe section, which achieved an overall average of £71.38 per head and a top of £118.50 for a Texel pen from S Robinson, of Barnoldswick.

Cast rams averaged £88.36 overall, peaking ar £119.50 for a Lleyn from Mrs DMH Marriott, of Steeton.