STAGS of South Molton report another big number of prime lambs this week. The lambs have fallen all week with large numbers being presented throughout the country depressing the trade further and further.

Generally, it was a good quality entry but there were quite a few Exmoor Horn, Closewool and Mule lambs that kept the overall average lower.

It was also noticeable that buyers are preferring the leaner lambs rather than the thicker lambs. Top at £93.20 to 58kg Texel crosses from Messrs DW & J Jones of Heasley Mill with £92 four times; the first to 60kg Suffolk crosses from Mr GC Thomas of Burrington; the second to 63kg Charollais crosses from Messrs BG & BR Balment of Muddiford; the third to another pair of 63kg Charollais crosses but this times from Messrs FG & FM Saunders of Templeton and the fourth to 64kg Texel crosses from Mrs M Tapp of Molland.

£91.80 to Mrs Tapp’s second 58kg pen of Texels with £91.50 to 58kg Texel crosses from Messrs S & J Bale of Challacombe. £91 to 56kg Charollais crosses from Mr PT Slade of Braunton closely followed at £89.80 twice; the first to 56kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Irwin & Sons of Mariansleigh and the second to 57kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Keeley & Stevens of Burrington. £89 to 54.9kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs RJ & KJ Cole of Ashreigney with £88.50 twice; the first to 54.2kg Texel crosses from Mrs Tapp again and the second to Messrs Cole’s second 53kg pen. £88.20 to Messrs Saunders second 53kg Suffolk cross pen with £88 twice; the first to Messrs Mildon & Ley with their 53.5kg Charollais cross pen and the second to Mr Thomas’ second 54kg pen.

Best pens to 196 & 193ppk to 38-39kg Texel crosses from Mr D Fergie of Ash Mill with 192ppk to 38kg Texel crosses from Mr R Greed of South Molton. 188ppk to 35.6kg Charollais crosses from Messrs MJ & AL Elston of Romansleigh with 187ppk to 42.1kg Texel crosses from Mr GM Veysey of Rackenford. 186ppk twice; the first to 44.4kg Charollais crosses from Mr GD Fuller & Son of Chulmleigh and the second to 44kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs A & P Tapp of Heasley Mill. 185ppk three times; the first to 43.3kg Texel crosses from Mr MJ Avery of Yarnscombe; the second to 45kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Govier & Son of South Molton and the third to 44kg Charollais crosses from Mr JWJ Milton of West Anstey.

Four pens at 184ppk; the first to 45kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DCW & DA Verney & Sons of Bishops Nympton; the second to 45kg Texel crosses from Messrs S & J Bale of Challacombe; the third to 44.1kg Texel crosses from Mr NA Cooke of Torrington and the fourth to 45.3kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Irwin & Sons of Mariansleigh. 183ppk five times; the first to 40kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Lucas & Ridge of Chulmleigh; the second to 45kg Suffolk crosses from Mr FC Reed of North Molton; the third to 40kg Texel crosses from Mr JE Blackmore of Brayford; the fourth to 45kg Texel crosses from Messrs AD & SM Bray of Knowstone and the fifth to Messrs Bale’s second 46.3kg pen. 182ppk three times; the first to 39kg Charollais crosses from Mr R Greed of South Molton; the second to 46.2kg Texel crosses from Messrs Bray again and the third to 46kg Charollais crosses from Mr RD Middleton & Son of Ashreigney.

A decent entry of cull sheep just excelling last week's number and a very similar trade. No stand out prices but a very level trade throughout. Again, as with the lambs, buyers definitely preferring the leaner ewes rather than the thicker types. Best ewes were all £75 plus and the Mules sold up to £67 mark. The medium leaner types were the dearest selling between £55-£68 mark depending on the breed.

Top of the day at £99.50 to a Texel ram from Mr G Dart & Sons of Molland with another Texel ram from Mr D Fergie of Ash Mill at £86.50. Best ewes to £84 for a Texel from Mr FJ Sing of Mariansleigh with Suffolk crosses at £82.50 from Mr R Richards of Heasley Mill. £80 four times; the first to Mr Richards’ second pen; the second to Suffolk Mules from Messrs CP & CA Guscott of Dulverton; the third to Suffolk Mules from Mr MC Cole of Ash Mill and the fourth to Texel crosses from Mrs P North of Umberleigh.

£79.50 to Suffolk Mules from Messrs Blackdown Farming of Honiton with £79 twice; the first to Texel crosses from Messrs A & P Tapp of Heasley Mill and the second to Blackdown Farmings second blackface pen. £78 to Suffolk Mules from Messrs FG & FM Saunders of Templeton with £77.50 to further Texel crosses from Messrs Tapp. £76 to Scotch Halfbreds from Rosebud Alpacas of Umberleigh with £75 twice; both to Suffolk Mule pens from Messrs WG Smyth & Son of East Down and Mr R Greed of South Molton.

READ MORE: Holsworthy Market report for Wednesday, November 20