AN increased show of 3,464 lambs at Skipton Auction Mart’s weekly Monday turnout met with similar trade on the week, selling to an overall average of £63.13 per head, or 145.30p/kg.

Smart goods were exceptionally good to sell, mainly around 200p/kg, up to 244.6p/kg for a Beltex pen from John and Judy Garnett, of Draughton, purchased by Vivers Scotlamb in Annan. Two Beltex pens from James Garth in Keasden both sold away for a day’s best £95 per head.

Handy weighted, well-finished lambs also received a good following, with 150-155p/kg the norm and more commercial types generally around 145p/kg.

Of the heavier lambs, the smarter end made 140-150pkg and commercial types 130-135p. Hill-bred lambs are now coming forward in greater numbers, with horned wethers selling away at 125-130pkg and Mule wethers around £12-£14 over the weight.

A total of 376 cast ewes and rams were also among the Monday mix, with cull ewes averaging £42.36 per head and peaking at £92.50 each for a Texel pen from Stephen Breare, of Silsden Moor. Glusburn’s David Towell led the cast ram prices with a £94.50 Texel, with a section average of £55.75.

And, last Wednesday’s fortnightly store lamb sale saw a total of 8,096 sheep sell to an overall average of £50.83 per head. The very large entry of lambs proved harder to cash than of late, with prime prices under pressure. (Oct 21)

“However, there was a full attendance of buyers from countrywide and trade was still good enough for the time of year. Buyers are now looking for decent wintering lambs,” said the mart’s livestock sales manager Ted Ogden.