McCARTNEY'S of Kington report a good entry of 2501 of sheep for their weekly fat sheep sale.

Lambs: We had an entry of 2133 lambs which sold to a level trade on the week, although the heavier lambs would be an easier trade than the previous week mainly due to the shear numbers which have been marketed over the past week.

The light weight lambs under 35kg were a good trade again with good competition and these lambs were selling in the region of £1.55ppk.

The medium weight lambs from 38kg to 44kg also sold to a good trade and mainly in excess of £1.60ppk.

We had a heavy yard of sheep with very few pens under 45kg. Some lambs are becoming too fat which is deterring some buyers.

The lambs averaged £1.55ppk and sold up to £1.65ppk.

All the lambs averaged £68 per head up to £75 per head.

Lambs between 25.5kg and 32kg averaged 1.55ppk up to 1.56ppk.

Lambs between 32.5kg and 39kg averaged 1.57ppk up to 1.65ppk.

Lambs between 39.5kg and 45.5kg averaged 1.55ppk up to 1.65ppk.

Lambs between 46kg and 52kg averaged 1.45ppk up to 1.52ppk.

Lambs over 52kg averaged 1.39ppk up to 1.40ppk.

We are fortunate to have excellent buyer support from six buyers giving excellent competition for the lambs.

Cull ewes, tups, wethers, store lambs: There was a good entry of 368 cull and store sheep, which sold to an improved trade on the week. We had a mixed entry with a number of thinner and hill ewes forward. All ewes and tups were in good demand by the buyers and our cull sheep would be as dear as any where this week.

We have 6 excellent buyers in attendance and good competition between them and require more sheep to suffice their demand on a Thursday.

The ewes sold to a top of £100.50 and averaged a good £64 per head.

The cull tups sold up to £137.50 per head and averaging £108 per head.

Light weight lambs under 35kg were a reasonable trade and they averaged £1.55ppk up to £1.60ppk.

We have buyers requiring light lambs each week to suffice their orders. The cull ewes included a large proportion of thinner mule ewes and smaller hill ewes.

We have buyers for in excess of 3000 lambs and 750 cull sheep per week to meet our buyers' requirements.

McCartneys at Kington, offer an on-farm livestock grading and marketing advice service on a no charge basis.

Kington Market is every Thursday, commencing at 11am with lambs followed by cull sheep.

For further information please contact Gareth Wall on 01544 230316 or 0797414336.