HERE is the market report for South Molton for Thursday, September 7 2023.

794 PRIME LAMBS

A smaller entry this week which was not a surprise as the heatwave continues and farmers try to make the best of some better weather. Trade was expected to be less as trade has fallen again this week despite lower numbers being presented for sale. Our SQQ was actually slightly dearer this week and no doubt trade helped by the smaller number forward. Trade also helped by the decent quality entry with fewer lighter leaner lambs forward this week.

The heavier lambs were defiantly less money this week but still remain the most wanted. Again those well fed lambs with good cover are the most wanted especially those between 44-48kgs and 52kg plus. Trade likely to remain subdued throughout September as numbers nationally will increase coming forward and the export trade is still at a lower level.

Topping the day at £145pph to 65kg Charollais from Messrs DJ & RA Woolacott of Yarnscombe. This was closely followed by a pen of 62kg Texels at £143.50 from Messrs G.C Thomas & Sons of Burrington. Next came three more pens notable pens for Messrs DJ & RA Woolacott of 58kg, 60kg & 57.3kg Charollais making £142.20, £142 & £140 respectively for.

Mr EJ Westaway of Newton Tracey saw two pens of 59kg Suffolks reach £137 and had other notable pens at £135.50 for 56kg Charollais lambs. Messrs IP & L Stagg of Newton Tracey saw the best of their Charollais make £134 for 57kg lambs. 53kg Charollais to £128.50 from Messrs GC Thomas & Sons.  Also making the top prices were 53kg Suffolks to £128 from Messrs WJ Woolacott of Bishops Nympton.

Best pens peaked to 269ppk to 40kg Beltexs from Miss M Tester & S Edwards of East Anstey. 260ppk was achieved twice across all the weights firstly by Miss M Tester and S Edwards again and next from Messrs Fuller & Son of Chulmleigh with their 43.5kg Charollais’.

Just outside of this were two pens of 259ppk for Mr GW Jones & Sons of South Molton and Messrs M & L Gardiner of Ash Mill followed closely by a pen of 258kg Llyens for Mrs J Sturla of East Wormington. 257ppk was achieved twice for pens of 44kg and 41kg Texels from Messrs KEJ White and DS Tucker of Pennymore and CE Bulled of Harracott respectively. 256ppk was made reached times for 44kg texels, 43kg Charollais, 41kg Lleyns and 40.5kg Charolais.

240 CULL EWES & RAMS

As with the lambs a smaller entry this week. An overall poorer entry forward with very few big ewes and the majority being lean/ grazing ewes and a lot of mule ewes. Trade very similar to last week with a good contingent of buyers and more buyers looking for grazing ewes.

The cull ewes appear to be holding their price better than the prime lambs at present and numbers likely to remain tight as a lot have already been sold this year. £144 was the top call for Suffolk mules this week from Messrs WJ Woollacott of Bishops Nympton, who had other notable pens of ewes in the top prices to £120. Messrs A & S Hoskin of Bishops Nympton had a pen of Suffolks to £128. Three pens made £118: firstly mules from Messrs PR & S Boyles of Brayford, second to other mules from Messrs RJ & KJ Cole of Ashreigney and thirdly to Suffolk mules to Mr EJ Westaway of Newton Tracey. Texel mules from Messrs BR & KE Summers of Exbridge rose to £116.