Fat lambs sell away to a top price of £70 a head at Cutcombe

Exmoor Farmers received a strong entry of 577 sheep. This included 326 fat lambs, with lights selling to an average of 177.5ppk and peaking at 184pppk. The top price a head of £70.20 went to RK Norman, Bramble Cottage. Medium lambs forward sold to an average of 178.5pppk peaking at 193ppk. This equated to £73.20 average and a top price of £81 being paid for a pen from Messrs. JC and AE Western, West Hawkwell Farm.

Heavier lambs met with a stronger trade with a top price at 183p a kilo, being £89.50 for a pen from Messrs. W Stevens and Son, Higher House Farm. A small entry of store lambs forward sold to an average of £32 and topped at £45.20 for Litton, Bratton Court.

Grazing Ewes saw 313 forward. These sold to an average of £45.50 and a peak of £80 for some stronger ewes from Mr DJ Smith, Red Deer House. The killers also included 16 rams, these sold to an average of £56.80 and a peak of £90 for a ram from Messrs RS and CM Webber, Putham Farm.

All told, a brisk trade for everything forward. Buyers still keen to purchase the stronger prime lambs and plenty of demand for the stronger grazing ewes.