Lamb prices hold up but stock entry down
TUESDAY'S Lairg lamb sale was the smallest in many years with 12,694 head of stock entered – 8944 wedders and 3750 ewe lambs, down 1604 on last year.
Buyers from south of the border were largely absent, but there was a strong presence of buyers from Aberdeen and other parts of Scotland.
Top price for wedders lambs went to G Ross, Heatherlea Croft, who was bid £72. Other leading prices: H Sutherland, Drummuie £70; Sandy Henderson, Inverbreakie £69.50; S MacKay, Carnich £68.
The ewe lamb trade was excellent, particularly where quality was evident. Top price of £166 went to Alan MacKay, South Balkeith, who never fails to impress with the quality of his sheep. Other leading prices: J Campbell, Armadale Farm £138; Dunbeath Club and Tormore £135; W Robertson, Borgie £130; Badanloch Estate £128.
Wedders averaged out at £51.11, up 5p on 2017, with ewe lambs averaging out at £76.54, up 2p on 2017.
Giving his assessment of the sale, United Auctions regional director and auctioneer Donald Young said: "There were more second and third draws than normal, but there was still a tremendous selection of quality top wedder and ewe lambs on offer."
Joyce Campbell of Armadale Farm was delighted with her trade.
She said: "Despite selling less lambs than last year, I am overall up £3.95 per head on the year. However, we must be grateful that a number of areas experienced rain in the past few weeks – that certainly helped."
John White, Rosehall, got £61.50 for his wedder lambs. He said: "I keep all my ewe lambs back, fatten them up and sell them later."
Brian Ross, Mid Gruinards, sold texel cross for which he was bid £49. He said: "I am gradually introducing the pure Shetland breed, crossing them with texel and beltex. Shetland sheep are very thrifty, good at foraging and, can get the best out of our grazings."
