Ringside at Thrapston Livestock Centre, Northants

Prime lamb trade slipped again at last Thursday’s (3 January) sale, when 457 head went under the hammer. “Demand is dismal throughout the country,” said auctioneer Brian Pile.

“We would have been disappointed with an SQQ of 145.3p but that was 1p better than the country average.” Top prices on the day were 156p/kg and £77 a head. A short entry of 54 cull ewes and rams met steady demand, peaking at £77.50.

Saturday’s store sale saw 58 sheep fetch up to £60 apiece, with long-keep lambs at £38-39.50. A varied lot of 16 pigs topped at £140 for a Tamworth boar, with black weaners reaching £22. Calves were in good demand, with blue bulls reaching £342.

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