Ringside at Colchester livestock market

Stanford’s livestock market in Colchester saw new-season lambs meet “fantastic demand” at Tuesday’s (12 May) sale, said auctioneer Graham Ellis.

Some 184 lambs averaged 220.96p/kg lwt, with top price of 219p/kg (£104 a head) going to heavy (45.6kg+) Suffolk lambs from HT Long & Co. 80 standard (32-39kg) lambs averaged 225.75p/kg (£82.98 a head).

Old season lambs were more of a mixed bag, with prices down slightly on the week, but the 193 lambs still met good trade. Prices averaged 161.18p/kg, with the best up to 185p/kg (£71.20 a head) for standard-weight lambs.

Mr Ellis also reported strong demand for 126 prime cattle, with the best O-grade cattle fetching 170-186.5p/kg and R-graded steers and heifers regularly achieving 150-172p/kg.

• For more UK sales coverage, see Taking Stock