Last updated 16:06, Wednesday, 24 September 2008

ULVERSTON Auction held its annual sale of Mule and Continental Gimmer Lambs.

A nice show of locally bred lambs realised a brisk demand with the championship being awarded to P & TL Edmondson, for a spectacular pen of Mules judged as winners by Mr R Hayton, of Cannonbie.

Mule Gimmers

RESULTS – 1 P&TL Edmondson £81; 2 GG Long £64; 3 SG Benson £63.

Continental Gimmers –1 M & AM Irving £54; 2 M&AM Irving £46; 3 M&AM Irving £42.

Prices reflected the quality on offer and a pleasing trade was upheld throughout reflecting 2008 averages.

A small show of 300 mule Shearlings sold in excess of late rates, reaching £81 for a strong pen exhibited by R P Watson, Roosecote Farm.

At the mart’s weekly sale were 51 prime cattle and OTM cows.

A good show of prime cattle met an increased demand, with fleshed farm assured cattle selling to 165.5p/kg (£1148.57) for a 694kg Limousin-cross steer exhibited by S & K M Burch, Lindal Moor Farm, and being bought by Woodhead Bros, Colne.

Butchers’ cattle sold to 182.5p/kg (£1000.10) for a 548kg Limousin-cross steer sold by M Towers, Colt Park,and bought by N & S Rhodes, butchers, Barrow in Furness.

Prime cows reflected the national trend easing in value, but still averaged enhanced values on the week, with the average on the day being 86.62p/kg.

Continental cows sold to 109.5p/kg (£779.69) for a Limousin shown by S G Benson, Horrace Farm, bought by Les Fell, Settle.

Top price dairy-bred OTM cow was 95.50p/kg for a Friesian exhibited by R W Crayston, Cookson Place, also bought by Les Fell, Settle.

Other leading prices were – 105.50p/kg and 103.50p/kg Limousin cows, Tenterbank; 86.50p/kg Friesian cow, New Hall.

Prime Lambs – More entries (1,270) of prime lambs were forward last week, with trade slightly less than the previous week. The average was 124.19p/kg / £53.13. Top price was 135.55p/kg, achieved by K & B & M Walker, Chapples, and bought by Woodhead Bros, Colne.

Top price per head was £65.20 achieved by I Millard, Old Hyton, being bought by M Lomax Ltd, Milnthorpe.

Mule £47.40 £48

Suffolk £53.98 £61.50

Texel £53.54 £126 £64.80

Other leading prices: £64.80 Holme Bank; £63 Mosside; £62.80 Holme Bank; £62 New Close; £48 (mule) Walthwaite

Cull Ewes – 497 An increase in numbers saw a slight decrease in trade with the average for the day being £23.51.Other Leading prices: Texels £44 Oakfield Farm; Suffolks £42 Penny Bridge Hall Farm; Mules £37 Old Hyton; Swaledale £14 Black Beck; Cheviots £34 Mosside; Herdwicks £21.50 Black Hall; Charolais £35 Riddingside; BFL £40 Holme Bank.