Stags of South Molton report another super entry of prime lambs again this week and an easier trade for all lambs forward.

Abattoirs are reporting much reduced sales overseas compounded by bigger numbers being marketed nationally.

The most affected lambs are the plainer and lighter lambs, with buyers definitely looking for the stronger meatier lambs. Best trade was for the 44-48kg lambs still looking fresh and the heavy (50kg plus) lambs which were well sought after and actually not much less in price. The general average was 210ppk with a larger than normal amount of leaner lambs pulling the SQQ back further. Top of the day at £115.50 to a pair of 52.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr NJ Sharland of Braunton closely followed at £115 to 55.3kg Charollais crosses from Messrs KW, MJ & JP Moore of Newton Tracey. £111 to 52kg Texel crosses from Mr EW Kingdom of Calverleigh with £100.50 to 49kg Texel crosses from Messrs PJ & BJ Millman of Chulmleigh. £100 to 49kg Charollais crosses from Mr MC Nott of Meshaw closely followed at £99.20 to 47.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr Sharland again. £98 twice; the first to 47kg Charollais crosses from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton and the second to 49kg Suffolk crosses from Mr C Gove of Barnstaple. £97 to 48kg Texel crosses from Mrs MD Leworthy of Kentisbury with £96.20 to 45.1kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & LM Stephens of Oldways End. £96 to 45kg Charollais crosses from Mrs PA Stentiford of Barnstaple with £95.50 to 45.4kg Texel crosses from Mr MJ King & Sons of Iddesleigh. £95.20 to 45.2kg Charollais crosses from Mr DJ Woollacott of South Molton with £95 twice; the first to 45.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr MJ Selley of South Molton and the second to 56kg Dorset crosses from Mrs MD Leworthy again.

Read more: South Molton Market report for Thursday, June 4

Best pens to 220ppk to 52.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr NJ Sharland of Braunton with 218ppk to 42kg Charollais crosses from Mrs PA Stentiford of Barnstaple. 215ppk twice; the first to 44kg Texel crosses from Mr FJ Sing of Mariansleigh and the second to 43.8kg Suffolks from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton. 214ppk to Mrs Stentiford’s second 43kg Texel cross pen with seven pens at 213ppk; the first to 44.2kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & RA Woollacott of Yarnscombe; the second to 45kg Charollais crosses from Mrs Stentiford again; the third to 45.1kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & LM Stephens of Oldways End; the fourth to 44.1kg Texel crosses from Messrs FG & FM Saunders of Templeton; the fifth to 43.2kg Charollais crosses from Mr AA Milton of Chapelton; the sixth to 43.1kg Suffolk crosses from Mr G Mills & Partners Ltd of Witheridge and the seventh to 52kg Texel crosses from Mr EW Kingdom of Calverleigh. 212ppk six times; the first to 43.5kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs FG & LA Nott of Meshaw; the second to 39.6kg Charollais crosses from Mrs J Norman of Wheddon Cross; the third to 39.9kg Texel crosses from Messrs Ayre & Nichols of High Bickington; the fourth to 43kg Charollais crosses from Mr MA Milton of Chapelton; the fifth to 44.8kg Texel crosses from Messrs White & Tucker of Pennymoor and the sixth to 44kg Texel crosses from Mr RAP Grant of Cruwys Morchard. Another fourteen pens at the 211ppk mark and a further twelve pens at 210ppk.

A lesser number of cull sheep than last week and a better trade from start to finish. All buyers present and all looking more keenly to secure ewes. As previous weeks the leaner ewes were the most sought after and probably up £5 per head on the week. The thicker ewes are harder to sell but again more life in the trade and would have matched the £5 per head increase on the week too. The better end of the Suffolk Mules were £80 plus and Mules were generally £60 plus. Topping the day at £97 to a super Charollais ram from Messrs GF & PJ Warne of Umberleigh. Best of the ewes to £89.50 to a Texel cross from Messrs KW, MJ & JP Moore of Newton Tracey with £88.50 to a Pure Suffolk from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton with £87.50 to whiteface Mule crosses from Messrs Govier & Son of South Molton. £87 to a Charollais from Messrs D & J Baker of Yarnscombe with £86 to Suffolk Mules again from the Govier Family. £84 to a Texel cross from Mr Irwin again; the same money as Suffolk Mule pens from Mr FJ Sing of Mariansleigh and Mr WJ Woollacott & Sons of Bishops Nympton. £83.50 to Texel crosses from Messrs RJ & KJ Cole of Ashreigney with £83 twice; the first to a Charollais from Mr D Hoskin of Barnstaple and the second to Texel crosses from Messrs DJ & LM Stephens of Oldways End. £82 to Texel crosses from Messrs White & Tucker of Pennymoor with £80 to Texels from Mr GC Thomas of Burrington. £79.50 to Suffolk Mules from Mr DJ Woollacott of South Molton with similar ewes from Mr SC Webber of Umberleigh following closely at £79.