Lamb prices back at Maidstone market

Poor returns for finished sheep in the first half of the year, together with the wettest summer on record, contributed to a more than disappointing trade at the first sale of store lambs at Maidstone market last week, with prices back £3 on last year.

With 1953 lambs forward, the sale also incorporated the Horsmonden lamb sale with an overall lamb average of £29.41, even lower than the 1982 average some 25 years ago!

Stronger lambs sold from £33 to £37, medium stores £28-£32 and smaller stores less than £28. Texel cross lambs sold to £41.50 from Mrs S Bartlett, Laddingford and Suffolk cross lambs sold to £36.80 from M and K L Studd, Eastchurch.

The award for the best pen of lambs went to J and C Kellett, Benenden, whose pen of 50 Suffolk x Mule lambs sold for £35.50.