More than 4,400 head of sheep were sold on a tremendously busy Monday market day at Skipton Auction Mart this week.

The 3,354 prime sheep included 189 spring lambs and 2,549 old season lambs, which traded at an overall average of £90.49 per head, or 206.6p/kg.

Of the old-season lambs, Texels averaged £92.56 per head, or 213.2p/kg, and were responsible for the day’s leading old season lamb prices with a standout by-weight top of 305.1p/kg for a pen from Geoff and Brian Blezard, of Ribchester, and a per head high of £120 for a consignment from Hellifield’s John Mellin.

Beltex lambs averaged £104 each overall, or 258.7p/kg, with a per head high of £118.50 from Felliscliffe’s Andrew Atkinson and a by-weight top of 292.5p.kg, or £117 per head, from Andrew Phillips, of Burton Leonard.

An increased show of hoggs met with a sharp trade, although Mule hoggs were a shade easier in price on the week, achieving 206p/kg (SQQ 213p).

A heady turnout of more than 600 cast sheep was led by a strong showing of cull ewes, which again attracted an active ringside of 11 buyers.

The overall cull ewes selling average was £73.12 per head, led at £147.50 each for a strong Texel pen from FC, N and M Walker, of Hartlington. Further Texel pens from Glusburn’s David Towell and Peter Longdin, of Tickhill, also sold well at £139.50 and £136.50 per head respectively.

Cast rams averaged £97.07 per head, selling to a high of £133.50 for a Texel from Andrew Sayer, of West End.

Skipton’s largest breeding sheep turnout of the season to date saw young sheep in great demand, with David White, of Hebden, topping the sale with Texel shearlings and twins at £255 per outfit.

Andrew Bailey, from Eldroth, achieved £232 for a pen of ten Mule shearlings with twins, while another notable performer was Chris Craven, of Kexby, York, with a pen of Texel ewes with single lambs selling away at £196 per outfit. Another quality show of geld Mule gimmer hoggs averaged £130 each.

Vendors should note that this Monday’s weekly sale will start earlier at 11.30am.