THERE was a bigger entry than expected at the South Molton market on November 2 2023. 

893 PRIME LAMBS

A smaller entry this week but bigger than expected considering the horrendous weather forecast. The weather was challenging throughout the morning but nowhere near as bad as was forecast. Overall a decent quality entry forward although a few lambs were showing the weather. Trade was expected to be less and it was but not by very much, most lambs only £1-2 less than last week. All buyers were in attendance and all were keen to secure lambs. Best trade for the heavier and well-fed lambs - especially the 48-50kg lambs. The very heavy lambs were a very similar trade to previous weeks.

Topping the market with £168.00 was Messrs IP & L Stagg of Newton Tracey for an 82kg Charolais lamb. The same vendor had the next two pens of lambs, firstly with a pen of 56.4kg Charolais to £101.50 and secondly with a pen of 56.4kg Charolais lambs to £160.20. Messrs IP & L Stagg were once again in the top prices later on with a pen of 60.7kg Charolais lambs to £156.50. Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton saw the best of his lambs to £160.00 for a 71kg Charolais cross lamb. This was closely followed by a 63kg lamb from Messrs AD & SM Bray of Knowstone to £159.50. Mr S Stentiford of South Molton saw £150.00 for his 58kg Charolais lamb with Mrs PA Stentiford of Whiddon closely behind for her 57kg Texel to £146.00. £144.00 to Mr MJ Avery of Yarnscombe for his 56.2kg lamb. This was followed by Mr DJ Woollacott of South Molton for his 56kg Charolais cross lamb to £143.50.

286ppk was reached for the highest ppk lamb for Messrs IP & L Stagg of Newton Tracey for their 56.4kg Charolais lambs and the same vendor closely following behind with a pen of 56.4kg Charolais lambs to 284ppk. Messrs Fuller & Son of Chulmleigh to 265ppk for 46.2kg lambs. The same vendor also had a pen of lambs to 262ppk for 44.5kg lambs. Mr MD Bray of Knowstone also had a lamb to 262ppk for his 45kg lamb. 261ppk was reached twice, firstly for Messrs SP Wallis & D Bowden of Berrynarbour with their pen of 45.3kg lambs and secondly by Messrs P Melville & Son of Bradworthy with their pen of 45.5kg lambs, the same vendor also had a pen to 260ppk for their 41.9kg lambs. 260ppk was attained twice more, firstly by Mr FC Reed of North Molton for his 45.7kg Texel lambs and secondly by Mr SJ Bale of Challacombe for his 44.6kg lambs.

186 CULL EWES & RAMS

Again a smaller entry this week which was also hit by the weather. A very mixed entry with a lot of grazing types forward and a number of mules in the entry. Trade dearer this week with a really decent amount of buyers around the ring. The grazing and leaner ewes again looking dearer than the bigger well fleshed ewes as more buyers are looking for them. The better and bigger ewes were also dearer and may be an indication that the trade may be about to lift a little. Best Suffolk Mules this week £105 plus and best mules £95 plus.

Top ewe price this week was £112.00 for Messrs P Melville & Son of Bradworthy for their pen of Suffolk ewes with the same vendor close behind with another pen of Suffolk ewes to £109.00. Again, in the top prices Messrs P Melville & Son had a pen of Suffolk ewes to £103.00. Mr PC Friend of Ashbury also had a Suffolk ewe to £103.00 and other notable pens for the same vendor included a pen of Mules to £100.00 and another ewe to £98.00. Ashley Game Farm LTD of Chulmleigh had a pen of Suffolk ewes to £98.50. Mr RE Latham of Popham to £95.00 for a Suffolk ewe. £95.00 to Mr FC Reed of North Molton for his pen of Suffolk ewes.

Top ram price to £107.00 for Mr PC Friend of Ashbury for his Hampshire ram. The same vendor with a Suffolk ram to £79.00.