McCARTNEYS report an entry of 1008 prime hoggets and 175 cull sheep at Knighton Market on March 31.

A buoyant hogget trade averaging 200.03 pence per kilo and selling to 217 pence per kilo for 41.5 kilo Beltex cross hoggets to £90 per head from A Chilvers, Cloggie. Also to 215 pence per kilo for 40 kilo Texel cross hoggets to £86 per head from S Morgan and Son, Lawtons Hope. 214 pence per kilo for 41.5 kilo Suffolk cross hoggets to £88.80 per head from D A Pugh and Son, Oakview. 212 pence per kilo for 43 kilo Texel cross hoggets to £92.20 per head from B E Vale and Co, Wordells. 211 pence per kilo for 42.5 kilo Charollais cross hoggets to £89.80 per head from E J Davies and Sons, Little Cwmgilla. 208 pence per kilo for 41 kilo Texel cross hoggets to £85.20 per head from F Ruell and Son, Paytoe Hall. 205 pence per kilo for both 43.5 kilo Texel cross hoggets to £89 per head from T L Harris, Hendre and 41.5 kilo Texel cross hoggets to £85 per head from P H Samuel and Son, Rhosgrug.

Top price per head was £102.50 per head for 75 kilo Texel cross hoggets from D A Pugh and Son, Oakview. Also to £101.50 per head for 70 kilo Clun hoggets from J G Williams and Son, Upper House Farm. £101.20 per head for 55 kilo Texel cross hoggets from B E Vale and Co, Wordells. £100 per head for 70 kilo Texel cross hoggets from J R Thomas and Son, Llanhowell. £97 per head for 49 kilo Texel cross hoggets from B E Vale and Co, Wordells. £96 per head for 53.5 kilo Texel cross hoggets from P J Samuel and Son, Rhosgrug. £95.50 per head for 52 kilo Texel cross hoggets from J R Thomas and Son, Llanhowell. £94.20 per head for 50 kilo Texel cross hoggets and £94 per head for 52 kilo Texel cross hoggets all from F Ruell and Son, Paytoe Hall. £94 per head also for 48 kilo Clun hoggets from, J G Williams and Son, Upper House Farm.

The cull ewe trade was tremendously dear, averaging £80.63 per head and selling to £110 per head for Clun half bred ewes from W Watkins and Son, Stormer Hall. Also to £109 per head for Continental cross ewes from E M Matthews, Ddolestyngwyn. £107 per head for Suffolk cross ewes from F Ruell and Son, Paytoe Hall. £102 per head for Mule ewes from T L and E M Davies and Sons, Hill Farm. £99.50 per head for Clun ewes from W Watkins and Son, Stormer Hall. £98 per head for Mule ewes from both F Ruell and Son, Paytoe Hall and J G Williams and Son, Upper House Farm. £97.50 per head for Texel cross ewes from P J Samuel and Son, Rhosgrug. Mule ewes also to £95.50 per head from T L Morris and Son, Stud Farm and £92.50 per head from P J Samuel and Son, Rhosgrug. Speckled ewes sold to £77.50 per head from M E, D R and C G Davies, Llanerch Hafod. Also to £70.50 per head for Welsh ewes from A Brown, Castell Cwmarran.

Cull rams averaged an impressive £114.65 per head and sold to £133.50 per head for a Texel ram from F Ruell and Son, Paytoe Hall. Also to £124 for a Texel ram from R T Davies, Teme Cottage. £118 per head for Texel rams form E G Jones and Son, Llanfair Hall.

Sale of Prime lambs and Cull sheep at Knighton Market every Thursday. Weighing from 8am, sale at 10am.

Up to date market information for entries to Katie Morris on 07817 474241 or Glyn Owens 07970 160898.

Average prices for premium and prime lambs of various weights as follows:-

Up to 30kg prime 161.00 pence per kilo, 36.5-43kg premium 215.78 pence per kilo prime 198.68 pence per kilo, 43.5-48kg premium 212.00 pence per kilo prime 200.68 pence per kilo, 48.5kg and over premium 198.00 pence per kilo prime 183.24 pence per kilo.