A BIGGER than expected entry of lambs following the annual Sheep Fair the day before met a slightly easier trade than last week.

Best trade was for the well fleshed 44-48kg lambs which were generally between the 173-177ppk mark.

Again a large number of leaner under finished lambs discounted the overall average. Heavier lambs are meeting continued demand as producers have generally remained on top of picking their lambs.

A number of store lamb buyers are beginning to appear for the lighter leaner lambs but are buying to a price. Looking back on the year to see today’s top price was the overall SQQ this time last year.

Top today at 181ppk for a smart pair of 44kg Texel crosses from Mr G Manning of Witheridge. 177ppk three times; the first to 45kg Charollais crosses from Messrs RJ & J Ridd of East Buckland; the second to 44kg Charollais crosses from Messrs J & H Searle of Ash Mill and the third to 47.7kg Charollais and Texel crosses from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton.

176ppk four times; the first to 43.6kg Texel crosses from Messrs MC & CM Ridewood of East Anstey; the second to 44kg Charollais crosses from Messrs WJ Woollacott & Son of Bishops Nympton; the third to 44kg Texel crosses from Mr JA Cockwill of Yarnscombe and the fourth to Mr Irwin’s second 47.7kg pen. 175ppk three times; the first two pens to 48kg Dorset and Suffolk crosses from Mr B Blackmore of Dulverton and the third to 48kg Charollais crosses from Messrs L & SM Govier of Kings Nympton.

Best pens to £93 to 56.2kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Satchell Brothers of Pennymoor. £90.50 to 52kg Charollais crosses from Mr C Lee of Chulmleigh with £88.50 to 56.6kg Charollais crosses from Mr D Herniman of Atherington. £86.50 twice; the first to 49.9kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & RA Woollacott of Yarnscombe and the second to 50.5kg Texel crosses from Mr G Dart & Sons of Molland. £85.50 to 50.3kg Texel crosses from Mr R Broad of Chapelton closely followed at £85.20 to 54.2kg Texel crosses from Mr FJ Sing of Mariansleigh. £85 to 52kg Texel crosses from Mrs M Ellis of Barnstaple. £84.80 three times; the first to 49.8kg Charollais crosses again from Messrs Woollacott; the second to 48.5kg Dorset crosses from Mr B Blackmore of Dulverton and the third to 52kg Texel crosses from Messrs TJ & L Gould of West Anstey.

The first meaningful number of store lambs forward with the fortnightly sales due to commence from September 19. Trade followed the fat trade with a very mixed entry forward. Top at £59.80 to a pen of Texel crosses from Mr R Seldon of Combe Martin with £57 to Charollais crosses from Mr J Wyatt of Woolacombe. £53 to Mr Seldon’s second pen of Texel crosses.

A decent number of cull sheep forward met a very similar trade to that of a week before. Trade has been a bit dearer all week throughout the country following our strong trade at the end of last week. The overall average does not look great but does include a large number of very plain grazing ewes that were generally between £35-£45 mark. Better grazed ewes were between £45-£55 and strong meat ewes were between £65-£85 depending on the breed.

Again plenty of Mules forward and it was noticeable that buyers are again beginning to discount the over-fat ewes.

Top of the day at £119 to a shapely Pure Texel from Mr G Dart & Sons of Molland with further Texels from Messrs MG & SR Kingdon of Swimbridge at £97. £92.50 to Texels from Messrs RT & HD Kingdon of Barnstaple with £90 to a Charollais from Mrs S May of Ashford. £87.50 to Messrs RT & HD Kingdon’s second pen with £85.50 to Messrs MG & SR Kingdon’s second pen of whitefaces. £84 twice; the first to a pair of Suffolks from Messrs Tucker & Son of Barnstaple and the second to Texels from Mr D Fergie of Ash Mill. Best rams to £104 for a Suffolk from Messrs Lucas & Ridge of Chulmleigh whose second Suffolk followed at £94.