STAGS of South Molton report the first proper show of new season lambs and nice to see such a strong show forward.

Trade distinctly stronger and good demand for all forward.

Top of the day at £111 for a pair of 47kg Pure Charollais from Mr D Smith of Chulmleigh with 42.7kg Charollais crosses from Messrs D & J Galloway of Chawleigh at £106.20. £104.50 to 44kg Dorset crosses from Messrs A & S Hoskin of Bishops Nympton closely followed at £104.20 to 44.5kg Dorset crosses from Mr DJ Govier & Partners of Chulmleigh. Best pens to 249ppk to 42.7kg Charollais crosses from Messrs D & J Galloway of Chawleigh with 238 & 237ppk to 44 & 43kg Dorset and Suffolk crosses from Messrs A & S Hoskin of Bishops Nympton. 236ppk to 47kg Pure Charollais’ from Mr D Smith of Chulmleigh.

A bigger entry of hoggs than last week but still back on usual trading conditions. I am very glad to report a decent uplift in the finished hogg prices with many of the hoggs sold over the magic 200ppk mark. Again best demand for the 44-50kg hoggs, with less demand for the lighter weights, especially the under finished types.

Best pens to 229ppk to 45kg Charollais crosses from Mr AA Milton of Chapelton with 227ppk twice; the first to 45kg Texel crosses from Messrs Roberts & Phillips of Dulverton and the second to 46.4kg Beltex crosses from Mr EJ Westaway of Newton Tracey. 225ppk to 48.8kg Texel crosses from Mr MJ King & Sons of Iddesleigh with 221ppk to 47kg Charollais crosses from Mr EJ Westaway again whose 44.7kg Texel pen followed closely at 219ppk.

218ppk twice; the first to 44kg Texel crosses again from Messrs Roberts & Phillips and the second to 45.8kg Texel crosses from Messrs Beer Brothers of Warkleigh. 217ppk to Mr Westaway’s 49kg Suffolk pen with 216ppk to 45.2kg Charollais crosses from Messrs J & H Searle of South Molton.

215ppk twice; the first to 44.6kg Texel crosses from Mr G Dart & Sons of Molland and the second to 45.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr DJ Woollacott of South Molton.

Topping the day at £110 twice; the first to 48.8kg Texel crosses from Mr MJ King & Sons of Iddesleigh and the second to 62.6kg Suffolk crosses from Mr DJ Woollacott of South Molton. £109 to 51.6kg Texels again from the King Family with £107 to 60kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs IFJ & JC Harris of Beaworthy. £106.50 and £106.20 to 49kg and 52kg Suffolk crosses from Mr EJ Westaway of Newton Tracey. £106 to 56.2kg Suffolk crosses again from Mr Woollacott with £105.50 three times; the first to 46.4kg Beltex crosses from Mr EJ Westaway of Newton Tracey; the second to 55kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Roberts & Phillips of Dulverton and the third to 56.5kg Suffolk crosses again from Mr Harris. £105.20 to 61.5kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs WJ & EJ Mann of Peters Marland with £104 to 47kg Texel crosses from Mr Westaway again. £103.50 to 50.3kg Texel crosses from Messrs Beer Brothers of Warkleigh with £103 twice; the first to 53kg Texel crosses again from the Harris Family and the second to 45kg Charollais crosses from Mr AA Milton of Chapelton.

A very disappointing number of cull sheep forward with vendors seemingly keeping hold of ewes until the trade recovers. With low numbers forward throughout the country trade has certainly began to recover. Whilst the trade is not what is was two weeks ago it is certainly stronger than last week. Decent Suffolk Mules were all over the £90 mark up to £102.50 and well framed Mule Ewes were over the £70 mark up to £73.50. Top of the day at £102.50 to shorn Suffolk Mules from Mr FC Reed of North Molton with £97 to bred ewes from Messrs JC & ME Barnes & Son of North Buckland. £96 to blackfaces from Mr FJ Sing of Mariansleigh with £95 twice both to Suffolk bred pens from Messrs Barnes and Messrs RJ, GM & AJ Tucker of Umberleigh.

£92 to Suffolk crosses again from Mr Sing with Texel crosses following closely at £91.50 from Messrs KJ & V Ley of Brayford. £91 to a Pure Texel from Mr FC Reed again with further Texel crosses again from Messrs Ley at £88 and £86.50. £86 to Texel crosses from Mr G Dart & Sons of Molland. Best rams to £89 for Lleyns from Mr RF Raymond & Son of Barnstaple.

READ MORE: South Molton Market report for Thursday, March 26