Stags of South Molton reports an expected down turn in both numbers and trade following last week’s trade for the Qurbani Festival.

A decent entry met a better trade than expected which appears to be dearer than many other centres this week.

The majority of the 44-48kg well fleshed lambed were between 175-180ppk with the overages being dragged back by a number of leaner, unfinished, lighters lambs.

Again it is very difficult to predict what the trade will be next week but it could improve if numbers go shorter.

Best pens today to 183ppk twice; the first to 44.1kg Charollais crosses from Mr GD Fuller & Son of Chulmleigh and the second to 45kg Texel crosses from Mr SRJ Snell also of Chulmleigh. 182ppk to 45.5kg Charollais crosses from Messrs L & SM Govier of Kings Nympton with 181ppk to 44kg Charollais crosses from Messrs CFJ & PJ Street of Witheridge. 180ppk to 43.5kg Texel crosses from Messrs S & J Bale of Challacombe with 179ppk to 54kg Charollais crosses from Mr DP Kiff of Muddiford. 178ppk three times; the first to 45kg Charollais crosses from Mrs PA Stentiford of Whiddon; the second to 47.6kg Charollais crosses from Messrs J & H Searle of Ash Mill and the third to 45.8kg Texel crosses from Mrs CT Jones of South Molton. Five pens at 177ppk; the first to Messrs Searle’s second 43.5kg Charollais cross pen; the second to 43.7kg Suffolk crosses again from Mr Snell; the third to 45kg Texel crosses from Mr BR Head of Oakford; the fourth to 49kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Govier & Son of South Molton and the fifth to 46.7kg Charollais crosses from Mr J Cowle of Winkleigh.

Top of the day at £96.50 to 54kg Charollais crosses from Mr DP Kiff of Muddiford. £95.20 to 54.7kg Charollais crosses from Mr J Elworthy of Swimbridge with £91 to 54.3kg Charollais crosses from Mr F Elworthy also of Swimbridge. £87 to 50.5kg Texel crosses from Messrs White & Tucker of Pennymoor with £86.50 to 49kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Govier & Son of South Molton whose second 50kg pen followed closely at £86. £85.80 to 52.3kg Texel crosses from Messrs AW & DW Bray of Twitchen with £85.50 to 50.5kg Texel crosses from Mr AW Selley of Ash Mill. £85.20 to 49.8kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Govier & Son of South Molton with £85 twice; the first to 49kg Charollais crosses from Messrs D & G Phillips & Partners of Chulmleigh and the second to 48.6kg Suffolk crosses from Mr GC Thomas of Burrington. £84.50 twice; the first to 48.7kg Charollais crosses from Mr G Webster of Umberleigh and the second to 47.6kg Charollais crosses from Messrs J & H Searle of Ash Mill.

A shorter entry of cull sheep mainly due to the much lower trade that has been met in other markets this week following the Qurbani Festival. The lower numbers obviously helped but trade was probably only back £5 overall on the last two weeks trade and a number of grazing ewe orders going unfulfilled. Top of the day at £90.50 to Texels from Messrs CFJ & PJ Street of Witheridge with further Texels from Messrs FR Chave & Son of Cruwys Morchard at £89.50. £85.50 to Scotch Half Breds from Mr JH Balment & Son of Brayford and £83 to Suffolk Mules from Mr NA Cooke of Torrington. £81 to a grand Mule from Mr JM Becklake Ltd of Bishops Nympton with Suffolk Mules from Messrs RJ & AR Snell of Burrington at £77.50. £74 to further blackfaces from Messrs NJ & BA Tucker of Tiverton closely followed at second pen of Texels from the Chave Family. £73 to Suffolk Mules from Mr GW Jones & Sons of South Molton with £72 four times, all to Suffolk Mule pens from; Messrs CP & CA Guscott of Dulverton; Messrs DL & JM Bray & Son of Knowstone; Mr WG Smyth & Son of East Dwon and Mr A Tapp of Heasley Mill. A handful of rams to £90 for a Hampshire Down from Mr A Fausset of Umberleigh with a Suffolk from Messrs Lake Brothers of Beaford at £76.