McCARTNEYS report an entry of 525 prime hoggets and 390 cull sheep at Knighton Market on April 7.

A hogget trade typical of the week averaging 182.89 pence per kilo and selling to 189 pence per kilo for 44 kilo Texel cross hoggets to £83 per head from Stud Farm (Powys) Ltd, Bleddfa. Also to 186 pence per kilo for 44 kilo Texel cross hoggets to £82 per head from B E Vale and Co, Wordells. 185 pence per kilo for 42 kilo Texel cross hoggets £77.80 per head from H J Middleton and Son, Chapel Lawn. 184 pence per kilo for 42.5 kilo Texel cross hoggets to £78 per head from T L Morris and Co, Stud Farm. 183 pence per kilo for 40 kilo Charollais cross hoggets to £73 per head from E J Davies and Sons, Little Cwmgilla.

Top price per head was £88 per head for 52 kilo Texel cross hoggets from A J and J A Powell, The Grove. Also to £87 per head for 51 kilo Texel cross hoggets and £86 per head for 47.5 kilo Texel cross hoggets from Stud Farm (Powys) Ltd, Bleddfa. £85.20 per head for 47 kilo Texel cross hoggets from A J and J A Powell, The Grove.

The cull ewe trade remains as dear. There were more smaller and hill bred ewes today and still achieved an average of £70.39 per head. Top price per head was £118 per head for Texel ewes from J P Breeze and Son, Fronladies. Also to £114.50 per head for Texel ewes from J E Williams and Son, Lake House. £110 per head for Suffolk cross ewes from J R Davies and Son, Highgate and Texel ewes from both J Bright and Son, Upper House and H E Rollings, Dyke House. £107.50 per head for Suffolk cross ewes and £107 per head for Texel cross ewes from C J Davies and Sons, Amblecote. £100 per head for Texel cross ewes from both J P Breeze and Son, Fronladies and P W Jones, Dolassey.

Mule ewes sold to £90 per head from J E Williams and Son, Lake House. Also to £89 per head for Mule ewes form T and C Dyke, Bailey Brith. £82.50 per head for Mule ewes from P W Jones, Dolassey and D W Price, Ackhill. £80 per head for Mule ewes from C J Davies and Sons, Amblecote and J P Breeze and Son, Fronladies.

Welsh ewes to £74 per head and £69 per head for T and C Dyke, Bailey Brith. Also to £66.50 per head for Welsh ewes from H N Hodnett and Son, Brookhouse. £66 per head for Welsh ewes from J J Owens and Son, Gumma. £64.50 per head for Welsh ewes for both J J Jones and Son, Bryngwlfa and R A Jones, Pentwyn.

Cull rams averaged £100.65 pert head and selling to £122.50 per head for Texel rams from G T Lewis, Penlan. Also to £110 for a Bleu de Maine ram from J E Griffiths, Menutton. £109 per head for a Suffolk ram from J Thomas, Dolau Farm.

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: 30-36kg Prime 178.00 pence per kilo, 36.5-43kg Prime 182.64 pence per kilo, 43.5-48kg Premium 187.47 pence per kilo Prime 183.00 pence per kilo, 48.5kg and over Prime 171.98 pence per kilo.