Stags of South Molton report a bigger entry of prime lambs this week as the trade continues to remain strong at a time of year that you would normally expect less.

A very varied entry with some lovely quality on offer, but too many plainer and under-finished lambs brought back the average.

Generally the well finished lambs were slightly dearer than last week, especially the heavies, but the plainer lambs were slightly less money. There is no doubt that weight and quality are paying, with numerous pens over the £100 mark. Farm Assurance is also just beginning to make more of a difference than the past three months where is has made little difference.

Top today at £127 to a super 59kg Suffolk from Mr M Bray of Knowstone, with £126 to 58kg Zwartbles from Mr G Atkins of Dulverton. £122 to 58kg Texel crosses from Mrs PA Stentiford of Whiddon with 51.9kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & RA Woollacott of Yarnscombe rising to £120.50. Closely followed at £120 to 56kg Charollais crosses from Mr GC Thomas of Burrington with £119 to Messrs Woollacott’s second 54.8kg pen of Charollais. £118.50 to 51kg Charollais from Mr AD Bulled & Sons of Filleigh with £117.50 to 55.4kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Parsonage Farms of Chulmleigh. £117 to 62kg Texel crosses from Messrs AD & SM Bray of Knowstone with 51.3kg Closewools from Mr WJ Sanders of Chulmleigh at £116.50. £116 twice; the first to 52kg Charollais crosses from Mr G Webster of Umberleigh and the second to 55kg Suffolk crosses from Mr CJ Ridd of South Molton.

READ NEXT: South Molton Market report for Thursday, August 27

Best pens to 232ppk three times; the first to 41.6kg Blue Texels from Miss J Maynard of Thelbridge; the second to 51.9kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & RA Woollacott of Yarnscombe and the third to 51kg Charollais crosses from Mr AD Bulled & Sons of Filleigh. 231ppk to 47kg Charollais crosses from Mrs PA Stentiford of Whiddon with 228ppk to 49kg Texel crosses from Messrs Roberts & Phillips of Dulverton. 227ppk to 51.3kg Closewools from Mr WJ Sanders of Chulmleigh with 225ppk twice; the first to 47.6kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Bulled again and the second to 50kg Suffolk crosses from Mr GC Thomas of Burrington, 224ppk to 49.6kg Charollais crosses from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton with 52kg Charollais crosses from Mr G Webster of Umberleigh at 223ppk. 222ppk five times; the first and second pens to 44 and 49kg Texel crosses from Mr G Dart & Sons of Molland; the third to 51kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs AD & SM Bray of Knowstone; the fourth to 42.5kg Texel crosses from Mr D Farr of Yarnscombe and the fifth to 41.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr GD Fuller & Son of Chulmleigh.

A smaller show of cull sheep this week and a very similar trade. Again not many big ewes on offer and a lot of medium and plainer sorts forward. Still plenty of grazing buyers around the ring putting a bottom on the plainer ewe trade. Best trade overall for the bigger well fleshed ewes and the stronger leaner ewes. Best Suffolk Mules £94-£102 and best Mules generally £75 plus. Best ewes to at £139 to a Texel from Miss J Maynard of Thelbridge who also has Blue Texels to £130. £109 to Texel crosses from Mr DW Phillips of Berrynarbor with similar sorts from Mr CN Williams of Withypool at £104. Suffolk Mules to £101 from Mr B Jennings of Wellington with other blackfaces to £97 from Messrs G & TA Nicholas of Marwood. £96.50 to Suffolks from Messrs C & DR Nicholas of Beara Charter with three pens at £96; the first and second pens of Texels and Suffolks from Mr CN Williams again with the third to Suffolk Mules from Mr & Mrs RJ Elston & Son of Cheldon. £95.50 to Suffolk Mules from Mr MJ King & Sons of Iddesleigh with similar ewes from Messrs BJ & DE Griffiths of Burrington at £95. Other pens of Suffolk Mules include; £94 from Messrs C & DR Nicholas again and £91.50 for both Messrs Elston and Messrs King again. £90.50 to Texel crosses from Messrs Temuka LTD of Meshaw with a Charollais from Mr AE Chudley & Son of Romansleigh at £90, the same money as Texel crosses again from Messrs C & DR Nicholas. No rams forward this week however strong wethers topped at £91 for Texels from Mr & Mrs RJ Elston & Son of Cheldon.