Stags of South Molton report another decent number of prime lambs, although a few less than the previous fortnight and again a top quality entry on show.

Trade very similar to last week overall especially for the heavier (50kg+) lambs.

The leaner export types (42-46kg) were slightly dearer again and the smaller leaner lambs were similar to last week. Overall all lambs are very wanted and it looks like they will remain wanted up to Christmas. Again a number of the buyers were off the thicker lambs as last week making them harder to sell. Best pens to 226ppk to 43.3kg Texel crosses from Messrs TH & PM Bolt of Huntsham with 225ppk to 39kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Ayres & Nicholls of High Bickington. 221ppk twice; the first to 42.8kg Texel crosses from Messrs Irwin & Sons of Mariansleigh and the second to 45.7kg Texel crosses from Mr RW Tapp & Son of South Molton. A trio of pens at 220ppk; the first to 46kg Texel crosses from Messrs Haddiport Farm of Beaworthy; the second to 46.8kg Texel crosses from Messrs Temuka Ltd of Meshaw and the third to 41.5kg Texel crosses from Miss JM Robins of East Anstey. Four pens at 219ppk; the first to 44.6kg Texel crosses from Mr GC Thomas of Burrington; the second to 44.3kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Irwin & Sons of Mariansleigh; 44.7kg Charollais crosses from Messrs JB & MA Turner of Harracott and the fourth to 44.2kg Texel crosses from Mr RF Jones of Heasley Mill. 218ppk to 41.7kg Texel crosses again from Miss Robins with 217ppk achieved twice; the first to 43kg Texel crosses again from Messrs Ayre & Nicholls and the second to 44kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs AD & SM Bray of Knowstone. 216ppk four times; the first to 42.6kg Texel crosses from Messrs Turner again; the second to 46.2kg Charollais crosses from Messrs J & H Searle of Ash Mill; the third to 44.3kg Texel crosses from Messrs TH & PM Bolt again and the fourth to Mr Jones’ second 45kg pen.

READ NEXT: South Molton market report for Thursday, November 26

Topping the day at £114 to 61.3kg Texel crosses from Mrs M Tapp of South Molton with 59kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs S & J Bale of Challacombe at £113. £112.50 to 62kg Texel crosses from Messrs Irwin & Sons of Mariansleigh with £111 to 57.1kg Charollais crosses from Messrs B & T Baker of Alverdiscott. £109 three times; the first to 56kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Cook Partners of Georgeham; the second to 53.2kg Texel crosses again from Mrs Tapp and the third to 55kg Suffolk crosses from Mr G Dart & Sons of Molland. £108.50 twice; the first to 53kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs RJ & MS Radford of Mariansleigh and the second to 53kg Charollais crosses from Mr W Milton of Chapelton. £107.50 to 51kg Charollais crosses again from Messrs Irwin with £107 five times; the first and second pens to 55kg Texel and Suffolk crosses from Mr M Bray of Knowstone; the third to 53kg Texel crosses from Messrs Roberts & Phillips of Dulverton; the fourth to 55kg Charollais crosses from Mr SJ Squires of Winkleigh and the fifth to 57.3kg Charollais crosses from Mr JC Webber of Burrington. £106.50 to 54kg Charollais crosses from Messrs J & H Searle of Ash Mil with a massive 42 pens breaking the £100 barrier today.

A smaller show of cull sheep today but what a strong show of ewes. Another solid trade with the overall average over the £80 mark. Best trade for the bigger, ¾ meat and the best continental sorts. As with the lambs the thicker ewes were a little harder to sell. Not many grazing ewes on offer but they met a keen demand with very few pens sold below the £60 mark. Nationally numbers seem short and with good demand at this time of year trade should continue to remain buoyant. Best Suffolk Mules this week £90 plus and best Mules £80 plus. Topping the day at £110.50 for a Charollais ewe from Mr D Smith of Chulmleigh with Texel crosses from Mr B Blackmore of Dulverton at £109.50. Smart Suffolk crosses from Mr KA Hill of Bideford at £107 with Texel crosses from Messrs KW, MJ & JP Moore of Newton Tracey at £102. £101 to Suffolk Mules from Messrs Cook Partners of Georgeham with £99 twice; the first to Texel crosses from Mr C Lee of Chulmleigh and the second to Berrichons from Mr J Yeo of Georgeham. £98 also hit twice; both to Suffolk Mule pens from Messrs RJ & AR Snell of Burrington and Mr SJ Squires of Winkleigh. Another two pens at £97.50; the first to Suffolk Mules again from Mr Hill and the second to Texel crosses again from Mr Blackmore. £97 to Suffolk Mules from Mr J Norman of Shirwell with £96.50 to Beltex’s from Mr Blackmore’s third pen. £95.50 to Texel crosses again from Messrs KW, MJ & JP Moore again with £95 twice; both to Texel crosses from Messrs AG & NG Latham of Kings Nympton and Messrs RJ & P Burge of Bratton Fleming. Best rams to a pair of Texels from Mr J Norman of Shirwell at £98.50 with a Beltex from Mr B Blackmore of Dulverton at £96.50.