Cockermouth Cumbria

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Sales Reports

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At Cockermouth on Wednesday, Mitchell’s had forward another good show of 87 Prime Cattle, Bulls & Cows also 3,281 Prime Sheep including Ewes. Cattle were very good to sell with top price per kilo 192.50 pence for a Limousin heifer from Mr L Skelton, Low House purchased by Geoff Riley. Mr R Skelton, New Hall sold heifers up to 190.5 pence also purchased by Geoff Riley. Prime bulls were again very good to sell with many Black & White bulls 130 to 138 pence. Top price per kilo was 168.5 pence for a Limousin from R Skelton, New Hall purchased by Tommy Bradley.

Prime Heifers (Top price per kg - pence )
Limousin
192.5 Low House
Belgian Blue
190.5 New Hall
Blonde D’Aquitaine
188.5 Low House
Charolais
185.5 New Hall

Prime Steers (Top price per kg - pence )
Limousin
170.5 Galemire
Charolais
159.5 Grange Farm

Prime Bulls (Top price per kg- pence)
Belgian Blue
168.5 New Hall
Limousin
167.5 New Hall;
Black & White
138.5, 137.5, 135.5 Lamplugh Hall
Holstein
1375. Lodge Farm

Cast Cows were much dearer with five buyers in attendance. Many more are needed.

(Top price per kilo)
Limousin
116.5 Croft House; 110 Shatton Lodge
Black & White
108.5, 100.5 Marlborough Hall; 97.5 Hollins Farm.

Prime lambs didn’t disappoint at Mitchell’s with an outstanding 171.94 pence per kilo average right through the sale. Twelve buyers saw many runs of Texel X Mules 175 to 185 pence and many pens of Mule lambs 165 to 170 pence. Top price per head was £96 for a Texel lambs from Bill Skelton, Rook Farm, purchased by Tony Harrison, Butcher of Cockermouth. Top price per kilo was 214 pence for Dutch Texel’s from Ian Armstrong, Terrace Farm, purchased by R Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth.

Prime Lambs (£ per head)
Texel
96 Rook Farm
Beltex
95 Low Garth
Dutch Texel
92 Terrace
Charolais
92.50 Millom Castle
Suffolk
88.50 Stargill
Mule
70.50 Mosser Mains

Prime Lambs(Pence per Kilo)
Dutch Texel
214 Terrace Farm
Suffolk
200 Rook Farm
Texe
- 197 Gilbrea
Beltex
193 Lonning Farm
Mule
170 Wythop Hall

A nice show of 760 Cast Ewes averaged rather better on the week for a plainer show of ewes. A top price of £130.50 was achieved for four Texel ewes from A J & L J Haston, Dearham Hall purchased by Michael Atkinson.

Cast Ewes(£ per head)
Texel
103.50 (x2) Dearham Hall: 98.50 Easthwaite; 95.50 Bothel Craggs; 93.50 Greenlands
Half Bred
91.50 Westend; 82.50 Bothel Craggs
Bluefaced Leicester
85.50, 72.50 Acre Walls
Mule
83.50 Low Garth; 75.50 Oughterside Mill; 74.50 Calvo; 73.50 Asby Farm; 72.50 Fairladies; 70.50 Adamgill
Suffolk
73.50 High Bewaldeth; 71.50 Row Brow
Cross
65.50 Bleawath
Cheviot
58.50 Seaview
Herdwick
53.50 Swinside End; 47.50 Ashworth Street; 41.50 Bleawath
Swaledale
49.50 Chapel House Farm; 45.50 Askhill; 45.50 Asby
Texel X Herdwick
48.50 Oughterside Mill
Kerry
33.50 Ashworth Street

Rams
Charollais
102.5 Isel Old Parks
Texel
97.50 Skelsceugh
93.50 Isel Old Parks; 84.50 Greenbank Close

At Cockermouth on Friday Mitchells had forward a nice sale of 296 Store Cattle and Stirks. Trade was very good for all classes

Top Prices:-
Store Heifers
Belgian Blue
845 Wardwarrow; 825 Burnthwaite; 805 Abbey Flatts
Limousin
815 Townhead
Charollais
755 Hayescastle.

Store Steers
Limousin
915 Broom Farm; 835 High House; 825 Wardwarrow
Charolais
905 Stanger Hill; 875 Low Boonwood
Blonde D’Aquitaine
885 Stanger Hill
Aberdeen Angus
865 Ehenside
Montbeliarde
795 Ewanrigg Hall
Belgian Blue
785 High House; 785 Wardwarrow.

Store Bulls
Belgian Blue
925 Lucy Close
Limousin
665 Stoneyhowe
Black & White
518 Home Farm;

A good show of cows & calves were in great demand;

Cows & Calves
Blonde Cow with Bull Calf
1,135 Easthwaite
Limousin Cow with Bull Calf
1,075 Easthwaite
Belgian Blue Cow with Heifer Calf
1,035 Easthwaite
Charolais Cow with Bull Calf
1,020 Maudsyke; 1,020 Hollins.

Feeding Cows were a nice trade with many Continental cows 130 to 150 pence per kilo.

Limousin
815 Netherclose
Black & White
785 Weary Hall
Belgian Blue
595 Lowthwaite.

Rearing Calves were in spirited demand with anew centre record set at £620 for a 2 month old Belgian Blue heifer calf consigned by J Clark, Fairladies Farm, St Bees.

Belgian Blue X Heifers
620, 510, 490 Fairladies; 280 Aikbank
Belgian Blue Bull Calves
345 Fairladies; 325 Dearham Hall
Charolais Heifer Calves
340 Dearham Hall
Black & White Bull Calves
245 Waites Farm; 232 Row Hall

Dairy Cattle trade was spoiled by the good weather with a lack of customers around the ring.

Heifers in Milk
1,480 (x2), 1,450 Waites Farm; 1,400 Millstone Moor; 1,350 Moorland Close.

At Cockermouth on Friday Mitchell’s held it fortnightly sale of store lambs, where a good entry of 1,528 sheep were present. A packed ring of bidders saw many 25 to 30kg Continental lambs making £55 to £58, top price being £58.50 for Texel’s from N & S Addyman, Moorside. Mule lambs were very good to sell averaging £52.25 and topping at £55 from Messrs Johnston, Horsemoor Hill. Herdwick lambs straight off the fells averaged £29.20.

Texel
58.50 Moorside; 58 Bleawath; 58 High Bewaldeth; 57.50 Horsemoor Hills
Cheviot
57 Brotherilkeld; 57 Lanefoot
Mule
55 Horsemoor Hills; 54 Wescoe; 53 Lonscale; 52 Wythop Hall
Suffolk
49 Ulcatrow
Herdwick
30 Brotherilkeld

At Cockermouth on Wednesday, Mitchell’s had forward a big show of 123 prime cattle, bulls, cows and 3,793 prime sheep including ewes. Cattle were in great demand with top price going to a flashy Limousin heifer from Len Skelton, Low House Farm, selling at 202.50 p/kg to Geoff Riley. Mr Skelton’s run of heifers averaged 197.31p/kg. Next top was 196.5p/kg for a Blonde D’Aquitaine heifer from R Skelton, New Hall Farm, purchased again by Geoff Riley. New Halls run of heifers averaged 192.18p/kg. Thomas Tyson, East House sold a heavy Limousin heifer at 183.5p/kg to Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. Prime bulls were the dearest for months with Black & Whites averaging 137.13p/kg. Top price bull was 177.5p/kg for a Limousin from Thomas Tyson, East House, purchased by Les Fell.

Prime Heifers (Top price per kg pence )
Limousin
202.5 Low House
Blonde D’Aquitaine
196.5 New Hall
Piemontese
194.5 New Hall
Belgian Blue
192.5 Low House

Prime Steers (Top price per kg - pence )
Blonde D’Aquitaine
173.5 Hunday
Belgian Blue
170 Lane Head
Limousin
169.5 Hunday

Prime Bulls (Top price per kg- pence)
Limousin
177.5, 173.50 East House; 165.5 Lake View
Simmental
163.5 Towne End
Belgian Blue
162.5 New Hall
Black & White
148.5, 143.5 Hall Santon; 142.5 Grange Farm

Cast Cows were a great trade with a top price of 128.5p/kg for a Limousin from J Clark, Bentash.

(Top price per kilo)
Limousin
128.5 Bentash; 123,.5, 120.5 Seathwaite
Belgian Blue
112.5 Strudda Bank
Shorthorn
108.5 Bentash
Black & White
105.5 Waites Farm; 100 Hollins
Simmental
104.5 Strudda Bank

Once again lambs at Cockermouth bucked the trend with eleven active buyers bidding frantically for all classes of sheep. A marvellous average of 170.13p.kg was achieved. Top price per head was £104 for Texel’s from Ian Armstrong, Terrace Farm, purchased by Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth.

Prime Lambs (£ per head)
Texel
104 Terrace Farm
Lleyn
101.5 Scalesmoor
Dutch Texel
100 Terrace Farm
Rouge
96 Bothel Parks
Beltex
92 Swallowdene
Charollais
90 Rook Farm
Suffolk
89 Bothel Parks
Zwartble
83.50 Bridekirk Hall
Mule
78.50 Chapel House (Brough)

Prime Lambs(Pence per Kilo)
Texel
218 Terrace Farm
Beltex
214 Swallowdene
Dutch Texel
208 Bothel Parks
Rouge
199 Mayfield
Mule
170 Chapel House
Swaledale
167 Fangs.

716 Cast Ewes and Rams met the dearest trade for months. Six buyers saw all classes especially leaner plain ewes in tremendous demand. Top price was £109.50 for a Texel ram from Messrs Craghill, Hemplands, purchased by Ian Brown. Cast Ewes(£ per head)
Charollais
108.50 Swallow Heights
Texel
101.50 Bothel Parks; 98.50 Bridekirk Hall; 98.50 Terrace Farm; 94.50 Briary Bank; 94.50 Wardwarrow
Bluefaced Leicester
87.50 Terrace Farm
Suffolk
84.50 Kirkland Green; 82.50 Church House
Hampshire
74.50 Muncaster Home Farm
Mule
73.50 Skelsceugh; 73.50 Dovenby Mill; 72.50 Little Moor; 71.50 Briary Bank; 71.50 Parsonage Farm; 70.50 Isel Old Parks
Cheviot
70.50 Little Moor
Gritstone
63.50 Swallow Heights
Swaledale
58.50 Brow Top; 58.50 Chapel House; 48.50 Little Braithwaite; 48.50 Terrace Farm; 47.50 Chapel House
Herdwick
44.50 Seatoller; 44.50 Brotherilkeld; 40.50 Cardel Farm; 37.50 Bellhouse

Rams
Texel
109.50 Hemplands
Mule
73.50 Newlands
Beltex
73.50 Briary Bank
Cheviot
69.50 Brotherilkeld
Herdwick
52.50 Brotherilkeld.

At Cockermouth on Wednesday, Mitchell’s had forward a smaller show of 3,031 prime sheep and 81 prime cattle, bulls and cows. Cattle were a flying trade with top price per kilo going to Mr Len Skelton, Low House Farm for a Limousin heifer selling at 201.5p/kg to Geoff Riley. Mr Skelton also sold a nice a nice Piemontese heifer at 192.5p/kg to Les Fell. R Skelton and Sons, New Hall’s run of 5 heifers averaged 191.36pence and sold to a top of 195.5 pence for a Blonde D’Aquitaine purchased by Haighs of Workington. Thomas Tyson sold a heavy Belgian Blue heifer at 187.5p/kg to Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. Prime bulls were very good to sell with many bulls 170 pence plus. Top price was 180 pence for a Belgian Blue from R Skelton, New Hall purchased by Mike Atkinson. Top price per head was £1,198.94 for a Blonde from G & T Tyson, East House ,. M/s Holliday Cleamire sold a marvellous Charolais bull at 175.5p/kg to Mike Atkinson.

Prime Heifers (Top price per kg - pence )
Limousin
201.5 Low House; 192.5 New Hall
Blonde D’Aquitaine
195.5 New Hall
Piemontese
192.5 Low House
Belgian Blue
187.5 East House

Prime Bulls (Top price per kg- pence)
Belgian Blue
180 New Hall
Limousin
175.5 New Hall
Charolais
175.5 Cleamire
Blonde D’Aquitaine
172.5 East House
Black & White
134.5 Willows

Cast Cows were much sharper on the week(Top price per kilo)
Limousin
115.5, 109.5 Elva Plain; 102.5 Stowbank
Black & White
104.5, 101.5 Harrington Parks; 98.5 Whangs
Aged Limousin Bulls
116.5 Woodend; 114.5 East House

Prime sheep were much sharper than expected with 13 active buyers ensuring a marvellous trade, and resulted in an overall average of 168.93 pence. Top price per head was £99 for lambs from Mr Bill Skelton, Rook Farm purchased by Mark Lindsay Butchers, Cockermouth. Next top price per had was £92.50 paid twice for lambs from S Palmer, High Mains and M/s Cartmel, High Low Hall purchased by Wilsons of Egremont and Mark Lindsay. Top price per kilo was 207.38 pence for Beltex lambs from M/s Parkin, Home Farm, purchased by Mike Lomax.

Prime Lambs(£ per head)
Texel
£99 Rook Farm
Suffolk
£92.50 High Mains
Charollais
£92.50 High Low Hall
Berrichon
£91.50 Asby Farm
Beltex
£89, Bleu Du Maine
£88 Row Brow
Dutch Texel
£80 Home Farm

Prime Lambs (Pence per Kilo)
Beltex
207 Home Farm
Texel
199 Asby Farm
Dutch Texel
198 Swinside End
Suffolk
197 High Mains
Mule
167 Kirkland Green
Rouge
192 Home Farm

A smaller show of 608 ewes met keen demand with trade for fell ewes and mules being no less on the week. Heavy ewes topped at £100.50 for a Bleu du Maine from Messrs Parkin, Home Farm purchased by Geoff Riley. J & J K Spedding followed at £99.50 for a Texel purchased by Neil Lomax.

Cast Ewes(£ per head)
Bleu du Maine
100.50 Home Farm
Texel
99.50 Salter Hall; 93.50 Dockray Nook; 92.50 Gatesgarth
Suffolk
87.50 Salter Hall
Cheviot
84.50, 51.50 Stonecroft; 58.50, 43.50 Searhwaite; 54.50 Muncaster Head
Mule
68.50 High House; 66.50 Parsonage; 65.50 Croft House
Lleyn
59.50 Home Farm
Swaledale
47.50 Muncaster Head; 47.50 Crook-a-Fleet; 44.50 Fellside
Scotch Blackface
39.50 Church Farm
Herdwick
38.50 Knott Houses; 36.50 Seathwaite; 36.50 Fangs Brow; 35.50 Wasdale Head
Herdwick Hogg
38.50 High Boonwood

Rams
Texel
96.50 Bleabank
Swaledale
46.50 Waites Farm

At Cockermouth on Friday 13th August, Mitchell’s held its Annual August Show and Sale of 674 Store Cattle. Trade was tremendous with a large ring of bidders present and all vendors leaving happy with their days trading. The pre-sale show was judged by Mr Jim Brand of Fife and after casting his eye over a quality selection of cattle he awarded the championship to a cracking 16 month old Limousin steer consigned by Messrs Storey, Limestone Cottage, Calthwaite, later selling at £940 to the judge. Reserve honours went to another Limousin steer from Messrs Trafford, Peter House, later selling at £970 also to the judge. Top price of the day was £1,000 for a Blonde steer from Thomas Armstrong, Midtown Farm.

Show Results and Prices
Steer Class;
Champion and 1st: Limousin steer M/s Storey, Limetsone Cottage £940 to J Brand;
Reserve and 2nd Prize - Limousin steer M/s Trafford, Peter House £970 to J Brand;
3rd Prize Steer - M/s Whitfield, Stowbank £895 to G Little;

Heifer Class;
1st Limousin M/s S Edmondson, Ivy Hall £930 to J Brand;
2nd Charolais M/s Harper, Commongate; £975 to D Barker;
3rd Limousin M/s Armstrong, Terrace Farm £855 to J Brand.

Top Prices:-
Store Steers
Blonde D’Aquitaine
1,000, 900 Midtown
Limousin
990, 985 Craika Lodge; 975 Limestone Cottage; 970 Peter House; 965 Burnfield; 955 Stargill
Belgian Blue
980 Whicham Hall; 955 Burnfield; 925 (x4) Dean Farm
Charolais
950 Peter House; 935 East Townend; 935 Rakefoot
Bazadaise
785 East Townend
Aberdeen Angus
735 Brook Cottage

Store Heifers
Charolais
975 Commongate; 925 Mosser Mains; 905 Sossgill; 900 Stanger Hill
Limousin
940 Peter House; 935 Fangs Brow; 930 Ivy Hall; 905 Greenlands
Belgian Blue
940 Stanger Hill; 805 Stowbank; 800 Old Hyton
Parthenais
920 Stanger Hill
Blonde D’Aquitaine
805 Kelmore Hills

Store Bulls
Limousin
975, 875 Cathow; 670 Rossgill Hall

Cows
Limousin
925 Sorrowstones
Belgian Blue
825 Sandhills

A nice entry of store lambs met a fantastic trade with many more being needed to satisfy demand. Top price of the day was £67 for Texel lambs from Peter Edmondson, Seathwaite

Texel
67, 60 Seathwaite; 61.50 Hawthorn; 60.50 Grange Farm; 59.50 Cockan
Suffolk
61 Parkgate; 59.50 Cragg Farm
Charollais
60 Kirkhouse
NC Cheviot
57.50 Seathwaite
Mule
57.50 Wescoe; 53 Wythop Hall
Herdwick

51 Kirkhouse

At Cockermouth on Wednesday, Mitchell’s had forward a massive show of 4,583 prime sheep (inc ewes) and 112 prime cattle, bulls and cows.
A large show of cattle were dearer on the week. Top price per kg was 195.5 pence for a Limousin heifer from L Skelton & Son, Low House Farm, purchased by Geoff Riley. R Skelton & Sons, New Hall’s run of smart heifers topped at 192.5 pence also to Geoff Riley. G & T Tyson, East House sold a heavy heifer at 181.5p/kg purchased by Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. John Bowe, Hunday sold a tremendous 635 kg heifer at 181.5p/kg purchased by Les Fell of Settle. Prime bulls were very good to sell for all breeds and weights. Many Black & Whites 125 to 135 pence, top price being 170 pence for a Limousin from G & T Tyson, East House purchased by Tom Bradley of Egremont.

Prime Heifers (Top price per kg pence )
Limousin
195.5 Low House
Belgian Blue
192.5 Low House
Blonde D’Aquitaine
192.5 Salter Hall
Piemontese
186.5 New Hall
Charollais
184.5 New Hall
Aberdeen Angus
184.5 Low House
Saler
181.5 East House
Parthenais
181.5 Hunday Farm.

Prime Steers (Top price per kg- pence)
Limousin
170 East House
Belgian Blue
167 East House
Charolais
164.5 Cleamire
Black & White
137.5 Lamplugh Hall; 127.5 Waverbank; 125.5 Grange Farm
Aberdeen Angus
137.5 Brunt House.

Cast Cows were much better to sell this week

Top price per kilo
Charolais
112.5 West End
Limousin
107.5 Lucy Close
Black & White
98.5 Prior Hall; 93.5 Annfield
Belgian Blue
97.5 Broom Farm.

A massive show of lambs met better demand than expected. Eleven buyers ensured a level trade from start to finish. A sale average of 172.36 pence was achieved. Top price per head was £100.50 paid twice for lambs from Richard Brough, The Croft. Tallentire and Ian Armstrong, Terrace Farm, Lorton, both lots were purchased by Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. Top price per kilo was 219 pence for lambs consigned by Mark Palmer, Low Hall.

The Annual Show and Sale of Prime Mule Wether Lambs. The judge, Mr James Thompson of Vion Foods had thirteen pens of quality sheep to judge, eventually awarding the Champion honours to Martin Mawson, Highside, whose 40kg lambs sold at £67 per head to the judge.

Results :-
Champion and 1st Prize: - Messrs Mawson, High Side
2nd - Messrs Marston, Millstone Moor
3rd - Messrs Armstrong, Terrace Farm
4th - Messrs Emmott, Wythop Hall.

Prime Lambs(£ per head)
Texel
100.50 The Croft
Dutch Texel
100.50 Terrace Farm
Rouge
96 Kelmore Hills
Beltex
94.50 Low Garth
Berrichon
94 Stubbsgill
Charollais
94 Low Hall
Bleu du Maine
94 Tallentire Hill
Suffolk
85 Clappers
Mule
68 Terrace Farm; 67 High Side

Prime Lambs(Pence per Kilo)
Texel
219 Low Hall
Beltex
214 Easthwaite
Dutch Texel
210 Home Farm
Rouge
205 Kelmore Hills
Charollais
200 Nook Farm
Suffolk
193 Hartley Farming
Mule
171 Hillside

A larger entry of ewes met with keen bidding from new buyers around the ring. The average was holding with a top price of £113.50 for a cracking ewe from Messrs Parkin, Home Farm. Plain ewes are no less in money with many more being needed to meet demand.

Cast Ewes(£ per head)
Texel
113.50, 103.50 Home Farm; 110.50 Bridgewater; 101.50 Bothel Parks;
Charollais
95.50 Parsonage Farm; 86.50 Green Farm
Half Bred
90.50 Hartley Farming; 77.50 Rose Farm; 74.50 Slatefell
Suffolk
89.50 Woodside
Bleu du Maine
87.50 Row Farm
Bluefaced Leicester
83.50 Woodside Cottage; 79.50 Elva Plain; 78.50 Low Priorscales
Mule
76.50 Rose Farm; 74.50 Elva Plain; 74.50 Nr Branthwaite Edge; 74.50 High House; 73.50 Sandhills
Lleyn
63.50 Home Farm; 60.50 Sale Fell House
Cheviot
60.50 Lanefoot
Herdwick
59.50 Skelsceugh; 37.50 High Bewaldeth; 36.50 Nook Farm
Swaledale
53.50 Sneckyeat; 52.50 High Farm; 52.50 High Bewaldeth; 52.50 High Side; 49.50 Hudson Place
Texel Hogg
68.50 Irton House

Rams
Texel
86.50, 85.50 Salter Hall
Swaledale
63.50 Burblethwaite
Beltex
39.50 Easthwaite

At Cockermouth on Wednesday Mitchell’s had forward 77 Prime Cattle, Bulls and Cows and 2,896 Prime Sheep. Cattle were again a good trade but slightly short of quality heifers to meet our butchers demand. Top price heifer per kilo was 193.5 pence for a Belgian Blue consigned by L Skelton, Low House Farm, purchased by Geoff Riley. Mr Skelton also sold a Limousin heifer at 190.5p/kg again purchased by Geoff Riley. I & SC L Richardson, Greenlands sold a smart Limousin steer at 188.5p/kg purchased by Haighs Butchers, Workington. Prime bulls were dearer this week with plenty of Black & White bulls 125 to 133 pence . Top price per kilo was 164.5 for a Limousin bull from W R & J E Dixon, Beech House.

Prime Heifers (Top price per kg - pence )
Belgian Blue
193.5 Low House
Limousin
190.5 Low House

Prime Steers (Top price per kg- pence)
Limousin
188.5 Greenlands

Prime Steers (Top price per head - £)
Belgian Blue
1,227.38 Galemire
Limousin
1,110.27 Greenlands
Prime Bulls (Top price per kg - pence)
Limousin
164.5 Beech House
Simmental
158.5, 156.5 Townend (Cowx)
Belgian Blue
145.5 Waverbank
Black & White
133.5 Gate House
132.5 Waverbank
Belted Galloway
146.5 Brow Top

Cast Cows were a similar trade on the week

Top price per kilo
Limousin
110 Frizington Hall
Charolais
101.5 Westend
Black & White
93.5 Westray; 93.5 East Farm

Another large show of Prime Sheep were in Tremendous demand regardless of weight, breed or type. An overall sale average of 176.91 pence was achieved, the best for some time. Top price per head was £103.50 for Texel lambs from R Y & A J Armstrong, Terrace Farm, Lorton, purchased by Tony Harrison, Butcher of Cockermouth. Messrs Armstrong also sold some tremendous Rouge lambs at £100.50 to Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. Messrs Dixon, Ewanrigg sold 31 great lambs at £97.50 purchased by Mike Atkinson. Messrs Richardson, Greenlands Farm sold an outstanding run of 289 Texel lambs to average 183.89 pence, a tremendous achievement. Top price Mules were 171 pence consigned by K Harryman, Keskadale.

Prime Lambs (£ per head)
Texel
103.50 Terrace Farm
Rouge
100.50 Terrace
Charollais
97.50 Ewanrigg
Bleu du Maine
90 Wyndham Terrace
Berrichon
90 Stubbsgill
Suffolk
85.50 High Mains.

Prime Lambs(Pence per Kilo)
Texel
223 Terrace Farm
Rouge
202 Kiln Hill
Berrichon
196 Thomsen Estates
Cheviot
193 Kirkland Green
Beltex
191 Swinside End
Bleu du Maine
191 Wyndham Terrace
Suffolk
190 New Grange
Mule
170 Keskadale

A smaller show of 495 Ewes and Rams met a fantastic demand, but many more are needed to satisfy a growing demand. A top price of £117.50 was achieved for two good Texel ewes purchased by Mike Atkinson from A E Mawson, Midtown, whose eight ewes averaged £102.

Cast Ewes(£ per head)
Texel
117.50, 102.50 Midtown; 104.50 New Grange; 102.50 Rose Farm; 99.50 Aldenstone
Half Bred
103.50 Rose Farm
Suffolk
98.50 Salter Hall; 89.50 Green Farm
Charollais
90.50 Bolton Wood Lane; 87.50 Fangs
Mule
83.50 Rose Farm; 82.50 Woodside Cottage; 81.50 Winscales West; 81.50 High House
Lleyn
79.50 Corney Hall; 78.50 Home Farm
Bluefaced Leicester
68.50 Stockhow Hall; 67.50 Low Priorscales
Cheviot
68.50 Bridekirk Hall; 52.50, 50.50 Winscales West
Swaledale
63.50, 53.50 Bridge End; 56.50 Chapel Farm
Herdwick
55.50, 52.50 Low Walton; 50.50 High Bewaldeth; 47.50 Low Moor End; 47.50 Home Farm
Clun
45.50 Bridekirk Hall
Rams
Texel
98.50 Robin Hood
Beltex
56.50 Chapel Farm

On Monday 2nd August 2010 Mitchell’s held the dispersal sale of dairy cattle on behalf of Messrs J L & B M Purdham, Low Boonwood, Gosforth.

A massive crowd of both local buyers and friends along with a large contingent of distant bidders came to support the Purdhams, whose herd of cows were turned out in fantastic condition, a credit to all concerned.

In all 23 cows and heifer from this home made £2,000 plus and an overall sale average of £1,408.62 for 91 cows and heifers was achieved. Top price of the day was £2,580 for a second calved cow. In milk heifers sold to £2,450.

Also on this day a collective sale of dairy was held with a top price of £2,300 paid twice for newly calved heifers from J & E Scott, Mid Farm and P & S Watson, Streetgate.

Purdhams Dispersal.
Heifers in milk
£2,450; £2,350; £2,120; £2,020
2nd Calvers in Milk
£2,580; £2,400; £2,050
3rd Calvers in Milk
£2,050; £2,000
In Calf Cows
£2,480; £2,400; £2,350; £2,100; £2,050
In Calf Heifers
£2,150; £2,100; £2,000 (x2)

Collective Sale:
Heifers in Milk
£2,300 Mid Farm; £2,300, 2,250 Streetgate
Bulling Heifers
£800 (x4) Bonny Farm; £690 (x2) Croft House.

At Cockermouth on Friday, Mitchell’s had forward 156 Store cattle. Trade was slightly less for plainer sorts but still very good for the better end of cattle. Topping the sale was a nice Belgian Blue heifer consigned by J Fell, Stanger Hill making £865.

Top Prices:-
Store Heifers
Belgian Blue
865 Stanger Hill; 775 Abbey Flatts
Limousin
845 Abbey Flatts; 815 Fangs Farm
Blonde D’Aquitaine
815 Stanger Hill.

Store Steers
Belgian Blue
825 Town End
Limousin
800 High House
Blonde D’Aquitaine
775 Sandhills
Black & White
735 High House

Store Bulls
Limousin
865 Grange Farm

Cows & Calves
Belgian Blue
1,030 High Moor
Blonde D’Aquitaine
1,010 Hollins

Feeding Cows were much better than anticipated

Belgian Blue
815 Stowbank; 765 Woodhall; 755 Cockhow
Black & White
720 Weary Hall
Limousin
700 Lucy Close

Calves were a very good trade

Limousin
360, 355 Mite House; 330 Fairladies.

Dairy Cattle met tremendous demand at Mitchell’s this Friday

2nd Calver
1,650, 1,620 Grange Grassings; 1,550 Harrington Parks

Mitchell’s first store sheep sale saw a packed ring of bidders. 486 lambs were forward with many nice pens of Suffolk and Texel lambs out of Mule ewes £50 plus. An overall average of £52.26 was achieved.

Suffolk
58.50 Yeat House
Charollais
55.50 Yeat House
Texel
55 Dyke Croft
Beltex
52.50 Dyke Croft
Berrichon
51 Crookdake Cottage
Mule
46.50 Wythop Hall

The first breeding ewe sale of the season opened with very keen interest from a large ringside of buyers. Top price of £160 was achieved for Texel Shearlings from A & J M Forster, Weary Hall Stile.

Texel
160, 146 Weary Hall Stile; 154 (x2) Prospect House
Mule
96 Seat House

Breeding rams sold to keen interest with a top price of £520 to R J & A Y Armstrong Terrace Farm.

Texel
520 Terrace Farm; 380 Irton House; 340, 320 Burgh Head
Suffolk
300 Burgh Head

At Cockermouth on Wednesday Mitchell’s had forward a great show of 113 prime cattle, bulls and cows. Also 3,526 prime sheep including ewes.
Prime cattle were again good to sell with top price going to a Limousin heifer consigned by L Skelton, Low House Farm selling at 195.5p/kg to Geoff Riley. R Skelton, New Hall’s run of heifers averaged 185.93p/kg topping at 188.5p/kg purchased by Geoff Riley. G & T Tyson, East House sold a nice heifer at 184.5p/kg to Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. John Bowe, Hunday sold a Belgian Blue heifer at 183.5p/kg purchased by Haighs Butchers, Workington. B Hewitson, Shatton Lodge, sold a 700kg Limousin steer at 180p/kg to Mike Atkinson. I Richardson sold a smart heavy heifer at 180p/kg to Mark Lindsay. Prime bulls were again very sharp considering the current national trends with a top price being 160p/kg from P Jarman, Brow Top. Many Black & Whites sold at 120 to 125 pence.

Prime Heifers (Top price per kg - pence )
Limousin
195.5 Low House
Blonde D’Aquitaine
188.5 New Hall
Charolais
184.5 East House
Parthenais
187.5 New Hall
Belgian Blue
183.5 Hunday.

Prime Steers (Top price per kg- pence)
Limousin
180 Shatton Lodge; 174.5 Greenlands
Belgian Blue
150 Galemire.

Prime Bulls (Top price per kg - pence)
Limousin
159.5 Brow Top
Black & White
125.5 Waverbank
Montbeliarde
135.5 Arkleby Hall.

Cast Cows were slightly harder to cash.

Limousin
106.5 Stoneyhowe; 104.5 Grange Farm; 103.5 High Farm
Black & White
93.5 Monk Foss; 92.5 Mayfield; 92.5 Harrington Parks
Limousin Bull
100 Elva Plain

The biggest show of prime sheep this year at Mitchell’s saw 3,526 forward and trade was very similar on the week. Again twelve buyers bid competitively against each other to culminate with a sale average of 172.96p/kg. Yop price per head was £101 for Texel lambs consigned by Thomsen Estates, purchased by Tommy Bradley for Wilson’s Butchers Egremont, this lamb also being top price per kilo at 234 pence. Messrs Richardson, Low Garth, sold a cracking Beltex lambs at £98 purchased by Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. G Gate, Hollins Farm’s lambs topped at £97 purchased by Tony Harrison, Butcher of Cockermouth. Mule lambs topped at 171 pence for a pen of 43kg lambs consigned by W Lawson, Stubbsgill.

Prime Lambs(£ per head)
Texel
101 Thomsen Estates
Beltex
98 Low Garth
Rouge
97 Hollins
Dutch Texel
95.50 Mayfield
Berrichon
93 Parsonage Farm
Bleu Du Maine
91.50 Home Farm
Charollais
87 Sycamore House
Cheviot
85 Stubbsgill
Suffolk
83.50 Millom Castle
Lleyn
80 Grange Farm
Mule
73.50 Stubbsgill

Prime Lambs(Pence per Kilo)
Texel
234 Thomsen Estates
Beltex
218 Home Farm
Dutch Texel
214 Beech House
Charollais
205 Salter Hall
Suffolk
183 Kirkland Green
Mule
171 Stubbsgill
Berrichon
181 Millstone Moor
Cheviot
188 Sycamore House.

A larger show of Cast Ewes met the dearest trade seen this week so far. Top price of £110.50 for a Texel was achieved by D J Roper, Rietfontein.

Cast Ewes(£ per head)
Texel
110.50 Rietfontein; 98.50 Greenlands; 92.50 High Low Hall; 90.50 Beech House; 90.50 Ghyll House
Charollais
97.50 Thomsen Estates; 83.50 Croft End
Half Bred
89.50, 83.50 Beech House
Bleu du Maine
89.50 Thomsen Estates
Suffolk
84.50 Brow Top
Mule
73.50 Dovenby Mill; 67.50 Mid Farm; 67.50 Greenlands
Bluefaced Leicester
67.50 Chapel Farm; 64.50 Burnside
Zwartble
67.50 Parkhouse Farm
Cheviot
65.50 Stargill; 56.50 Dovenby Mill;
Beltex
60.50 Croftlands
Swaledale
47.50 Thomsen Estates
46.50 Wescoe
43.50 Askhill; 43.50 Mossergate
Herdwick
47.50, 43.50, 41.50 Howes Farm

Rams
Texel
91.50, 89.50 Briarbank
Bluefaced Leicester
65.50 Mossergate
Cheviot
54.50 Dovenby Mill

At Cockermouth on Wednesday Mitchell’s had forward a good show of 83 Prime Cattle, Bulls and Cows and 2,619 Prime Lambs and Cast Ewes. Cattle were again good to sell with top price being 190.5p/kg for a smart Limousin heifer consigned by R Skelton & Sons, New Hall Farm, purchased by Geoff Riley. Mr Skelton’s run of heifers averaged 187.36p/kg. G & T Tyson, East House sold a flashy heifer at 185.5p/kg purchased by Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. I & C L Richardson, Greenlands, heifers topped at 185.5p/kg also purchased by Mark Lindsay. Top price beast per head was £1,313.20 for an outstanding Belgian Blue heifer from John Bowe, Hunday, purchased by Mike Atkinson. Prime bulls again were very good to sell with a top of 175.5p/kg paid for a Limousin from J & H D Langcake, Sandhills, purchased by Mike Atkinson. M/s Langcake also sold another bull at 173.5p/kg also to Mike Atkinson. Black and Whites were regular 120 pence plus.

Prime Heifers (Top price per kg - pence )
Limousin
190.5 New Hall
Blonde D’Aquitaine
185.5 East House
Belgian Blue
185.5 Greenlands
Parthenais
184.5 New Hall

Prime Heifers (Top prince per head -£)
Belgian Blue
1,312.20 Hunday
Limousin
1,048.90 Hunday
Blonde D’Aquitaine
1,044.37 East House

Prime Steers (Top price per kg- pence)
Limousin
175.5 Shatton Lodge; 165.5 Greenlands

Prime Steers (Top price per head - £)
Limousin
1,098.63 Shatton Lodge.

Prime Bulls (Top per kg)
Limousin
175.5, 173.5 Sandhills
Charolais
156.5 Cleamire Farm (Holliday)
Black & White
124.5 Lamplugh Hall

Cows were on the whole good to sell, but slightly cheaper. Topping the sale was an outstanding Limousin cow selling at 168p/kg (£1,360.80) consigned by K G Harryman, Keskadale, purchased by George Chapman. M/s Harryman also sold another Limousin sow at 161p/kg purchased by Mike Atkinson.

Cast Cows
Limousin
168, 161 Keskadale
Charolais
115.5 West End; 113.5 Well House
Aberdeen Angus
115.5 West End
Black & White
96.5 Waites Farm

Prime lambs were the best trade for some time with twelve active bidders ensuring a more competitive ring than most at Cockermouth. An overall average of 171.86 pence was achieved. Top price per head was £94 for Suffolk’s from David Marrs, New Grange, purchased by Tony Harrison, Butcher of Cockermouth. W Lawson, Stubbsgill sold Texel lambs at £93 purchased by Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. Messrs Richardson, Low Garth sold Beltex lambs at £90.50 also to Mark Lindsay. Also selling at £90 were lambs from G Gate, Messrs Parkin and J Clemetson, purchased by Tony Harrison, Geoff Riley and Mike Atkinson.

Prime Lambs(£ per head)
Suffolk
94 New Grange; 79 Burton House
Texel
93 Stubbsgill; 90 New Grange
Beltex
90.50 Low Garth
Millennium Blue
90 Hollins
Rouge
90 Home Farm
Charollais
90 Plumbland Mill
Berrichon
89.50 Ewanrigg
Dutch Texel
89 Terrace Farm
Bleu Du Maine
84.50 Peter House

Prime Lambs (Pence per Kilo)
Texel
204 New Grange
Beltex
196 Home Farm (Parkin)
Charollais
196 Kirkland Green
Dutch Texel
190 Swallowdene
Suffolk
184 Kirkland Green
Berrichon
188 Terrace Farm
Rouge
187 Elva Plain
Mule
170 Millstone Moor

A good show of cast ewes and rams this Wednesday maintained recent good rates. Heavy ewes topped at £97.50 given to M/s Walker Beechcroft whose average was up on the week by £4. Swaledale ewes and other hill bred ewes were the dearest trade seen all week so far. Many more plainer lowland and hill ewes could have been sold to vendors advantage.

Cast Ewes(£ per head)
Texel
97.50 Beechcroft; 96.50 The Lees; 95.50 Lanehead
Charollais
88.50 Well House
Half Bred
88.50, Hartley Farming; 80.50 Parkhouse
Bluefaced Leicester
87.50 Millstone Moor
Mule
65.50 Bleabank; 65.50 Greenlands; 63.50 Syke Beck; 63.50 Salter Hall; 63.50 Low Hall
Teeswater
60.50 Hodgson Green
Herdwick
55.50 Cardel; 51.50 Beechcroft
Cheviot
53.50 Stonecroft
Kerry
52.50 Millstone Moor

Rams
Texel
97.50 High House; 81.50 Ryhola Meadow; 66.50 Herdwick Croft.

At Cockermouth on Friday Mitchell’s had forward a nice show of 266 store cattle. Trade was very good for all types and classes of cattle.

Top Prices:-
Store Steers
Limousin
885 Wilson Farm; 870 Elva Plain; 845, 835 Scalesmoor
Charolais
865, 855 East Townend; 790 Dearham Hall
Belgian Blue
760 Hill Top
Blonde D’Aquitaine
715 Crook a Fleet
Black & White
690 Grange Grassings
Aberdeen Angus
665 Ribton House
Shorthorn
605 Mossergate

Store Heifers
Limousin
830 St Helens; 815 Springfield; 815 Elva Plain; 805 High Farm
Blonde D’Aquitiane
785 Whinns Farm
Belgian Blue
780 Newlands Farm; 755 Dearham Hall
Charolais
645 Dearham Hall

Store Bulls
Limousin
855, 765 Cathow; 755 Terrace Farm

Breeding Cattle
Simmental X
1,300 Brow Foot

Cast Cows were very good to sell

Belgian Blue
825 Woodhall; 735 Dacre Banks
Limousin
805, 785, 765 Townhead Farm; 780 Terrace Farm
Blonde D’Aquitaine
740 Newlands Farm
Charolais
725 Dacre Banks
Simmental
645 Stockbridge

43 calves were in very strong demand

Calves
Belgian Blue X
400 Fairladies Farm
Limousin
355, 285 Harrington Parks
Black & White
200, 165 Waites Farm

Dairy Cattle were the dearest trade for some time.

Heifers in Milk
1,850, 1,780 Grange Grassings; 1,780, 1,750 Mid Farm (Scott)

An entry of 53 Pigs were sold to a very large crowd of enthusiastic buyers with people looking to start into feeding pigs and breeding.

Piertrain Gilt
60 Low House Farm
Piertrain Boar
60 Low House Farm
Piertrain Mixed
58 Low House Farm
Tamworth
42 Winscales West
Piertrain Suckling Gilts
46 Winscales West
Large White Suckling Boars
38 Long Cummercatiff
Saddleback/Tamworth Suckling
40, 38 High Parsonbridge

Another good show if 91 Prime Cattle, Bulls, Cows and 2,683 Prime Lambs and Ewes were forward at Cockermouth on Wednesday.
Cattle were again in good demand with many exceeding the 180 pence barrier. Top price per kg was 191.5 pence for a tremendous Limousin heifer from John Bowe, Hunday, purchased by Geoff Riley. Len Skelton & Son, Low House, sold two smart heifers at 190.5p/kg and 188.5p/kg both purchased by Geoff Riley. Robert Skelton & Sons, New Hall’s run of heifers averaged 186.5p/kg topping at 189.5p/kg for a Limousin also purchased by Geoff Riley. John Hodgson, Parsonage, sold a Limousin heifer at 183.5p/kg to Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth.
Prime bulls again sold to strong bidding with Black & White’s regular 120 pence plus.

Prime Heifers (Top per kg)
Limousin
191.5 Hunday; 188.5 Low House;
Belgian Blue
190.5 Low House;
Blonde D’ Aquitaine
189.5 New Hall

Prime Steers (Top price per kg)
Belgian Blue
172.5 New Hall
Limousin
167.5 Hunday

Prime Bulls (Top per kg)
Black & White
128.5 Willows Farm

Cast Cow trade was slightly easier on the week, topping at 125.5p/kg for a Belgian Blue cow from Edward Errington, Beck House Farm.

Belgian Blue
125.5 Beck House
Charolais
114 Penny Hill; 113.5 West End
Limousin
112.5 Isel Gate; 110.5 Hartley Farming
Black & White
95.5, 94.5 Lamplugh Hall

Prime sheep were a very sharp trade with the usual ten active buyers ensuring a very strong average of 167.91 pence. Top price per head was £90 for Texel’s consigned by George Gate, Hollins Farm, purchased by Tony Harrison. Top price per kilo was 200 pence paid twice for lambs from M/s Parkin, Home Farm and Hartley Farming Ltd. Both lots were purchased by Mike Atkinson.

Prime Lambs (£ per head)
Texel
90 Hollins Farm
Rouge
89 Hollins Farm
Beltex
88 Terrace Farm
Bleu du Maine
88.50 Kiln Brow
Dutch Texel
88 East Farm
Suffolk
74.50 Clapper; 74.50 East Townend
Charollais
74 Springfield

Prime Lambs (Pence per Kilo)
Beltex
200 Home Farm
Texel
200 Hartley Farming
Suffolk
180 Kirkland Green
Charollais
176 Swallowdene

Cast Ewes(£ per head)
Texel
98.50 High Low Hall
Beltex
97.50 Lonning Farm
Dutch Texel
93.50 Seafield
Suffolk
78.50 Kiln Brow
Mule
68.50 Beech House
Swaledale
59.50 Millstone Moor
Bluefaced Leicester
84.50 High Side

Rams
Texel
88.50 Mossergate
Suffolk
82.50 Midtown

At Cockermouth on Wednesday Mitchell’s had forward a larger show of 107 prime cattle, bulls and cows also 2,096 prime lambs & ewes. A better quality show of clean cattle were a great trade topping at 194.5pence for a Limousin heifer consigned by L Skelton & Son, Low House purchased by Geoff Riley. R Skelton & Sons, New Hall’s run of heifers averaged 191.96 pence topping at 193.5 pence for a Blonde X purchased by Geoff Riley. G & T Tyson, East House sold a smart Limousin at 188.5p/kg purchased by Mark Lindsay, Butcher of Cockermouth. Prime bulls were very good to sell with Black & Whites regular 125 to 130 pence. Top price was 167.5p/kg for a Limousin consigned by Andrew Gott, Hartley Farming Ltd.

Prime Heifers (Top per kg)
Limousin
194.5, 188.5 Low House; 188.5 East House;
Blonde D’Aquitaine
193.5 New Hall
Belgian Blue
190.5 New Hall

Prime Bulls (Top per kg)
Limousin
167.5, 155.5 Hartley Farming
Belgian Blue
146.5 Hartley Farming
Simmental X
145.5 Townend
Black & White
133.5 Uldale Hall; 131.5 Willows Farm

Cast Cows were a nice trade:
Blonde D’ Aquitaine
105.5 Lane Head
Limousin
109.5 Gubbergill
Montbeliarde
105.5 Isel Old Parks
Black & White
101.5, 100 Wardwarrow

Prime Lambs were a very sharp trade with eleven active buyers all fit for sheep. An overall average of 160.26 pence was achieved. Top price per head was £83.50 for Texel’s from John Hodgson, Parsonage Farm, Brigham, purchased by Lindsays Butchers, Cockermouth.

Prime Lambs (£ per head)
Texel
83.50 Parsonage; 81 Salter Hall
Beltex
80 Mayfield
Dutch Texel
78.50 East Farm
Suffolk
78.50 West End
Charollais
68 The How

Cast ewes and rams met a sharp trade with plenty of active buyers in the ring. Top price of £107.50 was given to Messrs Sharp, Holmecroft followed by Messrs Marston, Millstone Moor at £99.50. Overall average was £58 with larger showing of plainer fell ewes.

Cast Ewes
(£ per head)
Bleu Du Maine
107.50, Holmecroft
Texel
99.50 Millstone Moor; 90.50 Millom Castle; 89.50 Scaw Rd; 88.50 Millom Castle
Bluefaced Leicester
89.50 Swinside End
Suffolk
84.50 Brow Top; 83.50 Frizington Parks; 78.50 Woodside Cottage
Charollais
81.50 Kirkland Howe
Beltex
79.50 Millstone Moor
Half Bred
78.50 Pica Cottage
Cheviot
72.50 Strudda Bank
Swaledale
62.50 Burblethwaite; 53.50 Millstone Moor; 44.50 Rannerdale
Herdwick
52.50 Grange Grassings; 44.50 Stool End; 40.50 Rannerdale

Rams
Berrichon
83.50 Stool End
Charollais
78.50 Bridekirk Hall
Texel
77.50 Whinnerah; 64.50 Grange Grassings
Bluefaced Leicester
58.50 Whinnerah
Herdwick
46.50 Bridekirk Hall
Swaledale
44.50 Bridekirk Hall.

At Cockermouth on Friday 2nd July, Mitchell’s held their fortnightly sale of Store Cattle which were a good show with 236 forward for sale. Cattle trade was very sharp for all types with cattle going to 46 different homes.

Top Prices:-
Store Steers
Limousin
900, 825 Nook Farm; 865 Scalesmoor; 795 Braithwaite;
Belgian Blue
820 Green Farm;
Aberdeen Angus
775 Blenkett Farm;
Charolais
760 Sneckyeat;
Hereford
725 Blenkett Farm;
Black & White
665 Gibbtarn;

Store Heifers
Limousin
875, 805 St Helens; 865, 825 Greenlands; 790 High House;
Charolais
800 Stanger Hill;
Piemontese
800 Stanger Hill;
Belgian Blue
775 Home Farm; 715 Green Farm;
Blonde D’Aquitaine
750 Stanger Hill;

Store Bulls
Limousin
1,500 Low Moor End; 745 New Cowper;

Breeding Cattle were again very good to sell;

Limousin Cow & Calf
1,080 Kiskin;
Angus Cow & Calf
780 Spout House;

Feeding Cows were in great demand
Charolais
1,000 Mosser Mains;
Limousin
755 Springfield; 755 Woodhall; 725 Townhead;
Belgian Blue
715 Woodhall;
Blonde D’Aquitaine
685 East Farm;

Calves
Belgian Blue Heifer Calf
245 Lowca Cottage;
Limousin Heifer Calf
225 West End;
Limousin Bull Calf
200 West End;
Black & White Bull Calf
125 Watson Hill

Dairy Cattle were the dearest trade for some time

Black & White
1,950, 1,800 Hartington Parks; 1,900, 1,800 Grange Grassings; 1,600 Dovenby Craggs;

A larger show of 1,206 Prime Lambs were cheaper on the week, but nine active buyers ensured strong bidding and an average of 175.31 pence. Top price per head was £100 for Texel’s from George Gate, Hollins Farm; purchased by Tony Harrison, Butcher of Cockermouth. Top price per kg was 209.18 pence for Beltex’s from Messrs Parkin, Home Farm, purchased by Mike Atkinson.

Top Prices per £/head
Texel
100, 93 Hollins Farm;
Rouge
93 Hollins Farm
Beltex
92 Home Farm
Dutch Texel
90 Home Farm
Suffolk
76.50 Croft House.

At Cockermouth on Wednesday, Mitchell’s had forward a reduced of 60 Prime Cattle, Bulls and Cows together with an increased entry of 1788 Prime Lambs and Cast Ewes.

The clean cattle trade not quite as brisk as previous weeks but still competitive on the day. Ian Richardson, Greenlands topped the trade with a Lim Steer at 185.5p per kg which was bought by Michael Atkinson of Ripon. Prime Bulls also met a similar trade on the day with some bulls, particularly black & whites being better to sell than expected.

Prime Steers (Top per kg)
Limousin
185.5 Greenlands, 174.5, 162.5 Hunday

Prime Heifers (Top per kg)
Limousin
160.5 Bridekirk Hall, 153.5 Hollins
Belgian Blue
156.5 Annfield

Prime Bulls (Top per kg)
Limousin
152.5 Lake View; 148.5, 144.5 Willows
Belgian Blue
148.5 Brow Top
Black & White
135.5, 128.5 Millom Castle, 127.5 Brow Top

Cast Cows were again a really good go. The sale was made up of mostly dairy types. Op of the day was a pure Limousin from Mike Slater, Rose Cottage which topped at 109.5 p. Black & Whites were very tidy selling to 106.5p to Messrs Carruthers, East Farm. Limousin
109.5 Rose Cottage, 106.5 Abbey Flatts
Black & White
106.5 East Farm, 100.5 Arkleby Hall, 98.5 Annfield, 94.5 Grange (Wilson)

The best show of lambs so far this season were, as expected, rather cheaper on the week. However most vendors were satisfied with the trade, with a pleasing number of buyers in the ring. Standard weight lambs to 40 kg averaged more than 169 per kg. Pick of the market where the Texel Lambs produced by George Gate, Hollins Farm at £90 and £88. These were purchased by Tony Harrison Butcher of Main St, Cockermouth.

Prime Lambs(£ per head)
Texel 90, 88 Hollins, 86, 85 New Grange, 85 High House (Ashburner), 84 Dearham Hall
Beltex
87 Mid Town (Armstrong), 86 Rook Farm, 86 Home Farm (Parkin)
Suffolk
80 Brow Top (Winter), 72.50 Nr Branthwaite Edge
Charollais
80 New grange, 77.5 Dearham Hall, 76, Home Fm (Parkin), 75.50 Woodend
Bleu
70 High Low Hall

Cast ewes were a mixed trade this week despite the fact that there were more active buyers n the ring. Quality, lean, heavy ewes were a nice trade as were meaty hill ewes. Anything else was cheaper than last week but still good to sell.

Cast Ewes (£ per head)
Texel
98.50 Bridekirk Hall, 89.50 High House, 88.50 Lonning Farm
Suffolk
93.50 Orchard Farm
Charollais
82.50 Swallow Heights & Kirkhouse
½ Bred
86.50 Woodend, 85.50 High House
Mule
73.50 Mid Farm, 67.50 Greensyke & Bridekirk Hall, 65.50 Woodend
Lleyn
65.50 Home Farm (Gate)
Swaledale
55.50 Uldale Hall, 46.50 Wythop Hall, 44.50 Main St
Herdwick
51.50 Stone Ends, 45 How Hall, 44.50 Tenter Hill