Stags of South Molton report a wonderful entry of lambs just shy of the 1500 mark, the most seen since the spring, which consisted of the usual varied quality.

A large number of lambs now showing the weather and again a number of them being unfinished. Overall trade was again up on last week which was expected although the hope had been that they might be up further.

Best trade again for the well finished continental 42-46kg types which were up £2 per head on last week. Heavies only a touch dearer than last week, although most 48kg plus lambs are over the £80 mark. A number of lambs are coming in plenty dirty enough and we will soon have buyers discounting lambs that are presented dirty and not bellied. Top of the day at £95 to 63kg Texel crosses from Messrs S & J Bale of Challacombe with £90 to 60kg Suffolk crosses from Mr WI Thorne & Son of Ashreigney. £89 three times; the first to 62.5kg Texel crosses from Messrs Roberts & Phillips of Dulverton; the second to 62kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Cook Partners of Georgeham and the third to 61kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs A & C Rowland of Bampton. £88.50 to 60kg Charollais crosses from Mrs S May of Ashford with £87 twice; the first to 58kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs AD & SM Bray of Knowstone and the second to 60kg Suffolk crosses from Mr DJ Govier & Partners of Chulmleigh. £86.50 three times; the first to Messrs Rowland’s second 55kg pen; the second to 55.2kg Charollais crosses from Mrs M Tapp of South Molton and the third to 54.1kg Charollais crosses from Mr DJ Stephens of Oldways End. £86 to Messrs Cook’s second 54.6kg Texel crosses.

Best pens to 182ppk twice; the first to 45kg Charollais crosses from Mr J Cowle of Winkleigh and the second to 45.7kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Govier & Son of South Molton. 181ppk to 44kg Texel crosses from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton with 180ppk twice; the first to 44.9kg Charollais crosses from Mr G Palfrey & Son of Stoodleigh and the second to 43.8kg Texel crosses from Mr SRJ Snell of Ashreigney. 179ppk to 43.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr SC Webber of Umberleigh with 178ppk seven times; the first and second pens to 43.8kg Charollais crosses from Mr GD Fuller & Son of Chulmleigh; the third to 44.9kg Texel crosses from Messrs Roberts & Phillips of Dulverton; the fourth to 44.3kg Charollais crosses from Mr G Webster of Umberleigh; the fifth to 44.2kg Charollais crosses from Messrs CP & CA Guscott of Dulverton; the sixth to 46kg Texel crosses from Mr RP Williams of Winsford and the seventh to Mr Webber’s second 45.6kg pen. 177ppk four times; the first to 44.6kg Suffolk crosses from Mr DJ Govier & Partners of Chulmleigh; the second to 43.7kg Texel crosses from Mr AW Fisher & Son of Oakford; the third to 45.9kg Texel crosses from Messrs S & KA Hamlin of Templeton and the fourth to 46.2kg Texel crosses from Mr G Dart & Sons of Molland.

Another strong number entry of cull sheep that was not the dizzy heights of last week in number or quality. Overall trade was slightly easier this week but it is very hard to judge against two very different weeks of entries. Trade this week seemed strong for the medium and leaner ewes with the bigger and well covered ewes looking more value for money. A number of grazing ewe buyers around the ring but most of them unable to fill loads as they were either not there of too dear to graze. Top of the day at £97 to a Pure Suffolk ram from Messrs Lucas & Ridge of Chulmleigh who had another pair at £89. Texels from Mrs CA Smale of North Molton at £87 and £75 with further similar bred rams from Mr G Dart & Sons of Molland at £77. Best ewes to £93 for a Charollais from Mrs M Tapp of Molland with £85 twice; the first to a pair of Texels from Mr G Dart & Sons and the second to Texel crosses from Messrs AJ & MJ Tarr & Son of West Anstey. £82 twice; the first to another Charollais from Mrs Tapp and the second to Suffolk Mules from Messrs Cook Partners of Georgeham. £80 to Suffolk Mules from Messrs CP & CA Guscott of Dulverton closely followed at £79.50 to similar bred ewes from Messrs Govier & Son of South Molton. £79 to other blackfaces from Mr SC Webber of Umberleigh with £77.50 received four times; the first to Texels from Messrs Irwin & Sons of Mariansleigh; the second and third pens to Texel crosses from Messrs MJ & DM Lake of South Molton and the fourth to pair of Texels from Mr JM Becklake Ltd of Bishops Nympton. £77 to Texel crosses from Mr G Webster of Umberleigh with Charollais’ from Mr D Parker of Morebath at £76.50. £76 four times; the first to Suffolk Mules from Mr W Moore & Sons of Rackenford; the second to similar ewes from Mr RW Dyer of Barnstaple and Messrs AF & ME Clements & Son of East Worlington with Texels from Mr DP Barthram of Rackenford at same money.

READ MORE: South Molton market report for Thursday, October 31