LAMBS were to the fore at Monday’s prime sheep sale at Skipton Auction Mart on Monday, with smart types selling well.

Tim Robinson, of Longridge, had the highest selling Beltex, purchased for £90 or 202.1p/kg by Keelham Farm Shop against an average of £78.45 per head, or 191.5p/kg.

Suffolks sold at an average of £75.76 per head, or 182.8p/kg, with F Reeday, of Hetton, selling for £95 and £88 to Swaledale Foods.

Mark Evans, of Steeton, had the best per kg price, when he sold for 202.1p/kg to Kendal Farm Butchers, Pateley Bridge.

Frankland Farms, of Rathmell, topped the Texels at £114 or 228.2p/kg, with their charges going to Kendal Farm Butchers. The average was £75.42 per head or 185.8p/kg.

Thomas Boothman, of Linton, sold to £110, John Turner, from Draughton, to £106 and David Boothman to £101.

Charollais averaged £79.30 per head or 182.4p/kg, with John Turner selling a number of good specimens to a high of £98 to Swaledale Foods.

Mules averaged £53.36 per head or 160.1p/kg, with Charles and Richard Kitching, of Threshfield, selling to £70, or 170.7p/kg to DB Palmer of Scarborough.

Rouge averaged £74.98 per head or 175.6p/kg, with Robert Wade, of Cononley, selling for £90, £80, £79 and two for £73 with a top p/kg of 191.5.

In total, spring lambs averaged £75.35 per head, or 184.3p/kg.

Hoggs averaged 144.2p/kg, with S Bolton and Son selling to £81, while H Atkinson topped the per kg price at 157.9p/kg.

Cull ewes averaged £65.10, with Suffolks selling up to £80.50, Texels to £113.50, Mules to £71.50, Lleyns to £49.50, Swaledales to £49.50, Mashams to £63.50, and Dalesbreds to £45.50.

RH and MR Ireland enjoyed most success with Lowlands, selling for £113.50 and £99.50.

Top Mule or Masham came from Colin Whitelock, of Gargrave, at £71.50. Frank Throup, of Silsden, had the top horned at £49.50 and John Dugdale, of Giggleswick, had the top Hill at £49.50.

Cast rams averaged £87.90, with Texels topping at £125.50 from William Watson, of Hellifield, and Suffolks at £90.50 from David and John Calvert.

Next Monday is the weekly sale of sheep with lambs at foot.