A good entry was forward once again at Kirkby Stephen Mart on Tuesday Night, when the May Day prize show and sale of spring lambs was held, with an entry of 50 lambs being forward.

10 great pairs of lambs were judged by Geoff Riley who awarded the overall championship to a fantastic pair of Beltex lambs consigned by Messrs J C Bainbridge, Bonnygate and topped at £160 (347.8p/kg) and where purchased by Aaron Kirby on behalf of C L & C Steadman, The Butchers, Kirkby Stephen.

Champion lambs with Geoff Riley (judge) and Mark Bainbridge (vendor)

Another fine pair of Beltex lambs from the same home fetched £148 (318.3p/kg) purchased by W J Cockett & Son, The Butchers, Hawes.

All lambs sold very well to average 225.19p/kg.

The show was very kindly sponsored by The Black Bull Hotel, Kirkby Stephen and the following awards were made:-

Pair of Continental x Lambs
1st - Messrs J C Bainbridge, Bonnygate - £160 to C L & C Steadman, Kirkby Stephen
2ND - Messrs J C Bainbridge, Bonnygate - £148 to W J Cockett & Son, Hawes
3rd – Messrs Jenkinson Ltd - £92 to Riley Bros, Burnley

Pair of Suffolk x Lambs
1st – C Bousfield & Sons, Holme Farm - £110 to Riley Bros, Burnley
2nd - C Bousfield & Sons, Holme Farm - £105 to Riley Bros, Burnley
3rd – Messrs Jenkinson Ltd, Whingill - £80 to Mr A Atkinson, Harrogate

A larger show of 161 ewes and lambs were forward and a full ringside of prospective purchasers ensured a tremendous trade throughout topping at £62.50 per life twice for Texdales ewes and twin lambs from Messrs D Curr & Son, Bowderdale Head and for Hill Cheviot Ewes with twin from Mr B A Hogg, Melbourne House.

Another good entry of 265 cast ewes and rams were forward and sold to a dearer trade than recent weeks.

Leading Prices:
Spring Lamb per Head
Beltex £160, £148 Bonnygate
Suffolk £110, £105, £102, £100.80, £95.80 Holme Farm
Texel £107, £94.80 Waitby Farm; £107 Langrigg; £105.80, £97.80 Blacksyke; £95.80, £93.80, £92.80 Orchard Farm; £92 Whingill

Spring Lambs per Kilo
Beltex 347.80p, 318.30p Bonnygate; 250p Langrigg
Texel 243.20p Langrigg; 239p Whingill; 237.80p Blacksyke; 217.90p Waitby Farm
Suffolk 222.20p, 217.90p Holme Farm

Hogg’s per head
Cheviot £86, £81.80 Bloan Farm; £79.80 Bankhead
Mule £80.80 The Slack; £73.80 Croglin Low Hall
Texel £80.80 Galloper Park; £79.80 Croglin Low Hall; £78.80 The Slack; £76.80 Arngill House; £75.80 Crabstack
Suffolk £75.80 Croglin Low Hall; £73.80 Rayne Farm

Cast Ewes & Rams
Cheviot £106.50 Bowber Head Farm; £65.50 Roans Farm
Texel £103.50, £83.50 Abbey Park; £97.50, £87.50 Bridge End (Miller); £97.50 Buckles Farm; £96.50, £94.50 Holme Farm; £86.50 Espland; £82.50 Trainriggs
Bluefaced Leicester £98.50 The Slack; £94.50 Blades Field; £85.50 Howgill Grange
Suffolk £85.50 Brough Castle; £78.50 Roans Farm
Mule £84.50, £82.50 Abbey Park; £81.50 Brough Castle; £76.50 Stripes; £75.50 High Griseburn
Swaledale £67.50 Netherend Road; £66.50 Brough Castle; £62.50 Augill House; £59.50 Guest Ford; £56.50 Blades Field; £55.50 Prospect Farm
Rough Fell £56.50 Crooks Beck

Breeding Sheep
Cheviot £62.50 Melbourne House; £59 Hollowgreen
Texdale £62.50 Bowderdale Head
Mule £61 Studfold; £56, £54 Oakbank Farm