A TOTAL of 141 spring lambs were in the pens at Skipton Auction Mart on Monday, selling to 13 different outlets to record a very pleasing average of 249p/kg.

Beltex averaged £111.17 per head or 283.76p/kg, with CR&M Wilson selling for top price of £114 per head or 300p/kg.

JA and JM Wade and Son, of Cononley, got top price for Suffolks with £128 and £125 per head and 304.9p/kg and 297.7p/kg. Suffolks averaged at £102.91 per head or 242.78p/kg.

Texels averaged £103.57 per head or 254.58p/kg, with D and A Livestock selling for £123 per head and G Beresford & Son getting top price per kg at 297.4p/kg.

The monthly prize show is next week with classes for pairs of Continental cross and Down Cross Lambs. Judging will take place at 1pm.

Prime and lightweight hogg trade was better than anticipated with meated sorts probably a shade better to sell on the week, whilst under finished types and end of season hoggs were similar to sell.

The overall average for prime hoggs was £77.76 per head or 175.5p/kg. Beltex averaged £84.80 per head or 207.9p/kg, with top price claimed by K Saffrey, of Hellifield, at £94 or 223.8p/kg. RG Church and Son took top price per head for Suffolks, selling for £88 or 179.5p/kg. Suffolks averaged at £80.15 per head or 170.9p/kg.

The Texel average was £82.48 per head or 180.6p/kg, with H Baines, of Trawden, topping out at £94 and GW Houseman getting top price per kg with 217.9p. Charollais averaged at £87.12 per head or 178.35p/kg; J Lord got top price with £88.50 or 188.3p/kg.

Mules averaged £76.64 per head or 170.3/kg, Mashams £76.55 per head or 165.2.64p/kg, and Swaledales £61.69 per head or 154.35p/kg.

Dalesbreds averaged £74.2 per head or 151.12p/kg while Cheviots average £78.35 per head or 171.19p/kg.

Trade for a larger but plainer entry of cast ewes and rams recorded similar trade on the week for most classes, although heavier Mules and horned sheep were a shade dearer.

Cull ewes averaged £61.78, with top price going to E and KM Marshall, of Heyshaw, selling two Texels for £125.50 and £114.50. Mr Marshall also picked up top price for a Swaledale, selling for £60.50. Charollais reached top price of £91.50, Texels topped at £125.5, and Suffolks reached £103.5.

Cast rams sold for an average of £74.19, with AN Throup, of Silsden, picked up the top price for a Texel, sold for £104.5.