Recently in sheep trade Category

With a larger entry of 3,348 head at Skipton Auction Mart's weekly prime sheep sale, lowland breeds again sold well, easily maintaining the previous week's rates. (Mon, Feb 6)

Heavy hoggs of all breeds, 622 in total and weighing 46kg to 52kg, found a ready ringside, averaging 188p/kg, while hoggs over 52kg averaged £102.85 per head.

A much-increased entry of cast sheep did not dampen trade, with 2nd quality types selling particularly well.

Cull ewes averaged £78.37 each, headed at £133.50 by a pen from John and George Stapleton, Skipton, with cast rams selling to a high of £118.50 from Kevin Marshall, Otley, and to an average of £84.13.

In the 30 to 48-month prime cattle classes, the overall selling average was 131.87p/kg, top performers being two black and whites from Malcolm Swires, Haverah Park, Harrogate at £1,112, 142.5p/kg, and £946, 130.5p/kg.

Cull cows averaged 122.56p/kg, with 10 achieving four figures and peaking at £1,478, 189.5p/kg, for a British Blue from H&S Maudsley, Rathmell. A mature bull from the Oddacres pedigree Limousin herd of John and Claire Mason at Embsay made £1,620.

Rearing calves peaked at £405 for a British Blue-x bull calf from DL Leeming Ltd, Burnt Yates, Harrogate, heifer calf prices headed at £330 by another British Blue-x from AP Lumb, Oakworth. The overall average was £173.

The store cattle section at the fortnightly sale (Wed, Feb 1) saw many heifers aged 18 months and upwards top £1,000, achieving an overall average of £833.

Heading the heifer prices at £1,480 was a British Blue-x from Craven Cattle Marts' chairman Anthony Hewetson, Bank Newton, who sold 10 of his 40-strong consignment at £1,000 or more.

Mr Hewetson also performed well with 11 store bullocks, including a British Blue-cross at £1,190, top price in both breed and section, and two further top prices - a Blonde- x at £935 and a black & white bullock for £910. He also had the top price pen of three British Blue-x bullocks at £910 per head.

Best of the Limousin-x heifers at £1,280 came from Jeff Pickles, Chapel le Dale, while the top price pen of three of more heifers - four Limousin-x from WA, VJ & JA Towler, Grindleton - each made £1,130.

The pick of the younger heifers aged around 10 months sold at £850 to £950, with good commercial types achieving £750 to £850. In fact, few made under £700.

An improved entry of 10 to 12-month-old bullocks was also in keen demand, easily maintaining recent rates and averaging £834.

Young bulls peaked at £1,200 for a British Blue-x from Stephen Horsfield, Hebden Bridge, one of his five £1K+ entries, which also included the top price Blonde-x at £1,060.

JM Wilson & Son, Beckwithshaw, had the top price pen of young bulls, three Limousin-x knocked down for £1,030 each. Bulls averaged £871

Border Leicester trade topped 1,000gns at Carlisle yesterday with an exceptionally well bred gimmer leading bidding.

The gimmer BL44W I1 from James W Brown, Mindrum Mill was produced from champion stock with both her sire, Didcot Man O'Hoy and grand sire both champions at Lanark Ram sale and on the dam side closely related to E5 which was reserve supreme champion at the Royal Highland Show in 2010. This one was secured by N J and K M Summerfield, New Yew Tree Farm, Whitmore, Newcastle-under-Lyne, Staffordshire.

Next in the money was a 620gns bid for a ewe BL92U G15 from T Tennant, Selkirk. This one is by Chartley Izzy (29574) and out of BL92U D5. This one was scanned in lamb with a single to Didcot Dylan Thomas. This one sold to P Kirkham and I C Bourne, Ivy House Farm , Warrington, Cheshire.

At just 20gns less at 600gns was a ewe by Bardnaclavan Blockbuster (29469) and out of BL32U D27. Scanning single to Eildon Royal Flush she sold to J S Watson, Hawthorn Cottage, Main Street, Ravenglass, Cumbria.

J S Watson also snapped up the next highest lot at 580gns, a ewe from Mrs M Laidlaw, Galston, Ayrshire. By Walton Winner and out of a dam sired by Ditton Olympic (29487), this one sold in lamb with twins to Kinninmonth Kiwi, which was male champion at the Royal Highland Show last year.

Next at 550gns was another gimmer in lamb to Kinninmonth Kiwi with a single. BL96M I18 is by Alticaine Diamond (29852) and out of BL96M F8 which was Champion at Newmilns Show 2010. Jasmine Hine, High Stowbank, Kirkland, Frizington, Cumbria snapped this one up.

Last in the money at 520gns was J Barrowman, Stranraer with a ewe by Bardnaclavan Blockbuster (29469) and in lamb with a single to Eildon Royal Flush. D Hughes, Glan Yr Afon, Llechwedd, Conwy secured this one up.

Averages: 12 Females £517.13

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington

A slightly smaller entry of sheep on a snowy day at Blackmoor Gate market, Exmoor saw a strong trade with vendors rewarded for braving the weather. Cull ewes sold to an overall average of £77.13 for a mixed entry of animals with the best making £95 for Mr B Nicholls, Lower Middleton Farm selling a pen of 20. This was closely followed by a pen from Mr JD Dunn, Middle Beccott selling for £94.50.

Rams (3) achieved an average of 90.67 and peaked at £100.50 for Mr R J Burge, Haxton Down.

Store lambs steadied slightly with the average set at £68.20, still top prices reached £86.50 for Mr B

Nicholls, Lower Middleton with others making £82 and £79.50 respectively for Messrs J & CA Bray, South

Ley Farm and Stitchpool Farm Partnership

(Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions)

Cast sheep were in huge demand today at Gisburn Auction Marts with the top price of the day a £171 bid from Richard and Mark Ireland, Whalley with their Texel ewes selling for £171 and £170 a head.

Topping the cast tup trade was Alan Lodge, Malham Moor, Settle with a Texel ram at £131.

Jonathan Turner, auctioneer said "Fierce bidding for some top quality cast ewes from many different vendors resulted in £171 top price. Swale and horned ewes also received a top trade at £68 average. Hoggs are now starting to strengthen with numbers across the markets lessening. Many spec lambs averaging between 205p/kand 220p/k. Heavy lambs now seeing more interest and easier to sell. Best butchers hoggs still around the 240p/kg to 260p/kg."

Averages: Cast Tups £108; Lowland Ewes £91; Horned Ewes £68

Auctioneers: Richard Turner & Son

An entry of 1149 in lamb breeding sheep went under the hammer at Bentham Auction's first Winter Sale of In lamb Sheep. The sale included three dispersals, the first being from J Arthur of Carnwath, Lanarkshire selling due to ill health.

The stock comprised 400 commercial Beltex x and Texel x ewes and shearlings, 26 Pure Beltex and 11 Pure Texel. First ewe in the ring being a Pure Beltex Ewe due February carrying twins to the Beltex making £520 to M E Wannop and Son of Morecambe, who also snapped up the next top price of £390 for another pure Beltex scanned for a Single. A pen of six pure Texel shearlings from the same home made £310 selling to the same buyer. Texel x Ewes topped at £245 and shearlings topped at £190.

The second dispersal of the day was a consignment of 429 commercial ewes and shearlings from W A Ketley and Sons of Essex selling due to a change in farming policy. Mule three crop ewes due April topped at £162 to average £154.51 and 44 Romney ewes from the same home after much interest sold to a top of £160 to average £153. The ring side was full from start to finish and a competitive trade resulted in a complete clearance.

Kington Market reported a smaller entry of 1400 sheep at last week's sale with the hogget trade firming from the previous days trading by about 7p/kg due to less numbers being marketed and thereby creating a better demand from the buyers.

A smaller entry of 1000 hoggets sold to a good trade which would be some 7p/kg better than other markets previously in the week. The whole market averaged 208p/kg up to 225p/kg with all hoggets averaging £88 a head. Lambs sold to £100 a head for some 55kg lambs from Colin and Wendy Philips.

Hoggets between 38kg and 43kg which were of export spec were sort after and fetched premium prices with these hoggets averaging a good 2.10p/kg. Heavier hoggets between 44kg and 47kg were easier to sell than previous weeks and they averaged a good 197p/kg. Hoggets between over 48kg would again sell well they averaged 1.85p/kg and up to £100 a head.

Some 35kg hoggets from M H Gwilliam made £75, 38kg hoggets from Chris Holloway made £80.20, 40kg hoggets from P C Brigg made £90, 41kg hoggets from J C Meredith made £89, 42kg hoggets from JW Lloyd and Sons made £91, 43kg hoggets from J P and G L Davies made £91.50, 45kg hoggets from C J and H M Evans made £93, 49kg hoggets from M H Gwilliam made £96.50, 53kg hoggets from C M and W C Philips made £96.

There was a good entry of 400 cull ewes selling to another excellent trade which would be slightly better that last week. The ewes sold to a top of £134 some Texel ewes from N C and G M Lewis and all the ewes averaged an excellent £82 a head with many hill ewes forward. Tups sold to a good trade with a top of £97 and to average £84 a head, small store lambs sold to £72.50 and averaged £68 The cull ewes included a large proportion of thinner mule ewes and smaller hill ewes. (McCartneys)

A good entry and show of hill hoggs was forward last week at Gisburn Auction Marts for all three classes of Swaledales, Lonks and Gritstones.

Jim Walker and Richard Alpe of Saddle end Farm, Chipping, Preston once again retained their title and name on the Nutter Family trophy, with their pen of 10 Swaledale hoggs weighing 45kgs, they went on to sell for £80 a head to Meadow Top Livestock .

Reserve champion and winners of the first prize with the Lonk class went to Mark and Elaine Hartley, Roughlee, Nelson with his 41kgs Lonk hoggs selling to Roy Schofield at £82.50 a head.

 Robert Haworth, Helmshore, Rossendale won the Gritstone class, with a pen of five hoggs weighing 44kgs which sold to J and E Medcalfe and Son for £82.

Jonathan Turner, sheep auctioneer, said: "Prime hoggs are increasing in demand, this was clearly shown today with, prices strengthening all the way to the finish. I am looking forward to a good trade next week and hardening through February in to March as numbers will now become a big player. Having just looked through my diary from last year, on the same sale last year hoggs averaged 178p/kgs. That's 18p/kg less or £7.56 for a 42kg hogg".

Auctioneers Richard Turner & Son

Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions welcomed 954 sheep to Blackmoor Gate market on the this week. Cull ewes sold well with an average of £69.01 and a peak of £83 was shared by Mr N Skelton and Mr S McCracken who also sold further groups the best making £80.

Other notable prices also included a pen from Mr Passingham making £78. Rams (15) sold to an average of 75.87 and a peak of £110 for Mr C Kingdon, Higher Coulsworthy.

Lambs haven't altered since last sale with plenty of demand for all types. Across the board an average of £71.20 for all 869 that sold, once again 100% clearance. Top prices included overall peak for Messrs Wright and Wright at £92. This was closely followed by lambs from Messrs J and C A Bray, South Ley selling their pen for £90 with Messrs LC and CA South, Farley Waters selling their pen at £88.50. Again demand outstripped supply with one buyer commenting how well lambs he had bought previously had gone on to do.

A staggering trade was seen at Gisburn Auction Marts today with an improved entry of cast sheep at the weekly sale of prime sheep.

Best Texel ewes topped at £155 from David Houghton, Affetside, Bury. Next best was another pen of Texel ewes at £150 from the same vendor. Mark and Richard Ireland, Whalley, Blackburn sold Texel ewes for £141.

Charlie Carter, Wimarleigh, Preston achieved £132 for his pen of lowland ewes. While R M Shackleton, Broughton, Skipton sold a pair Jacob cross ewes for £120. Horned ewes peaked at £65 for from George Rawcliffe, Houghton, Preston. With all cast ewes averaging £93.25

Auctioneers Richard Turner & Son

More than 200 sheep were forward at Kington auction last week with hoggets averaging 203p/kg and averaging £89 a head.

Hoggets between 38kg and 43kg which were of export specification and were sort after and fetched premium prices averaging a good 208p/kg. Heavier hoggets between 44kg and 47kg averaged a good 200p/kg. Hoggets over 48kg also sold well averaging 1.90p/kg and up to £101 a head.

Lambs sold to £101 a head for some 55kg lambs from Dudley Williams.

Some 39kg hoggets from C E Jones made £84, 40kg hoggets from P C Brigg made £85.20, 42kg hoggets from C R Evans made £86.10, 45kg hoggets from R J Harris made £90, 48kg hoggets from A Layton made £93.20, 52kg hoggets from D Williams made £97, 54kg hoggets from J W Lloyd and Sons made £97.80

There was a good entry of 300 cull ewes selling to another excellent trade. Ewes sold to a top of £123 with some Texel ewes from P J and C S Barrell and all the ewes averaged an excellent £86 a head with many hill ewes forward. Tups sold to a good trade with a top of £100 and to average £88 a head. Cull ewes included a large proportion of thinner mule ewes and smaller hill ewes.

(McCartneys)

Craven Cattle Marts experienced a record year in 2011 in terms of increases in both sales volumes and values - both good barometers of trade in the regional agricultural sector.

Livestock throughput in all sectors at Skipton Auction Mart sales throughout the year showed an increase on 2010, with some 270,000 prime, store and breeding sheep, and 20,000 prime, store and breeding cattle and calves sold last year.

Total numbers of store and breeding cattle sold in 2011 represented a 10.4% increase on the previous year. Cast cows were notably strong, with a 7.9% rise in numbers sold.

Sheep, too, performed well, with a 13.9% increase in sales numbers for prime lambs, hoggs and cast ewes. Store sheep sales were also up by 13.9% in numbers, with the number of breeding sheep sold up by 5.6%.

Commenting on 2011 trade Ted Ogden, CCM's farmstock sales manager and auctioneer, said: "Although we may have seen improved trading levels for livestock in 2011, recent figures published by EBLEX illustrate that this was the first time in many years that the 'retail price spread' - the percentage of the final retail price that the farmer receives - was above 50%.

"In previous years, the farmer had only received about 46-48% of the total retail price for beef and lamb paid by consumers. However, any perceived additional benefit that this may give to farmer producers and finishers is more than outweighed by many input costs - for example, the spiralling cost of feeds and fuel."