CCM SKIPTON'S latest fortnightly midweek store (September 18) lambs fixture attracted a strong entry of 8105 head, over 1200 up on the previous year’s corresponding sale, with buyers also out in force to fill wagons, many heading both east and south, the overall sale average levelling at £96.08, another tidy annual improvement on 2023’s £88.96.

Texel-x gimmer lambs sold to £180 from FW&JM Eddington, Bell Busk, strong first-crosses and three-quarters bred making £130-£145, fresh younger gimmer lambs £112-£125. Texel-x store lambs sold at £105-£115 for the strongest first-crossed types, plenty of mid-keep lambs making £92-£105. Suffolk gimmers sold to £137 for a pen of 21 from Neil Bancroft, West Marton, other strong sorts away at £125-plus, fresh growing types £112-£118.

The entry contained more long-keep lambs, with prices generally between £78 and £92, some available for less at £60-£75. Beltex lambs sold to £148 from Frankland Farms, Rathmell, plenty of the better end making £130-£145, younger smart lambs £105-£120, long-keep Beltex-x £85-£100.

The annual show for horned and hill wether lambs was judged by Dorset’s John Wood, his first prize Cheviots from J&H Varley, Cowling, making £90, eclipsed by a second pen from the same home at £128, with last year’s class victor Ben Rushmer, Kettlewell, returning to stand runner up, his lambs away at £77. Cheviots topped at £138 from Gill Bottom Farm, High Bradley.

The red rosette-winning Dalesbred from DH Challis & Son, Middlesmoor, headed their class at £62, closely followed at £61 for the runners-up from FW Horner & Son, Buckden. The first and second prize Swaledale from the Dallowgill Newboulds and Paul Ewbank, Pateley Bridge, both made £56, with a section high of £64.50 from G&P Middleton, Sedbergh. Scottish Blackface sold to £69 for the first prize pen from Alice Fielding, Haslingden.

Back in the mix, North of England Mule store lambs sold to £106 from F Reeday & Son, Hetton, plenty of other strong Mules making £90-£100, fresh leaner lambs £84-£90 and long-keep Mules £64-£75. Strong horned lambs made £52-£60, the younger end £41-£50