Better than expected trade at sheep sales

We expected the early trade to be quite good as there has been generally a decent trade for the first spring lambs coupled with the weather for lambing being much easier than last year.

Our first sale attracted a slightly larger entry of sheep than normal, with just under 800 head on offer finding a decent trade, selling up to £148 for Suffolk cross Welsh Mule yearling ewes. What was noticeable was the large number of prospective buyers "having a look" at the trade.

Purchasers must have liked what they saw as, at the next sale a fortnight later, much keener bidding was experienced throughout, especially for the better/middle quality ewes in the £140 to £150 price bracket. Also in good demand were the stronger three and four-year-old ewes, which sold for £110 to £125 per head, while the continuing strong cull ewe trade underpinned the older store ewe price.

Into August and the strong trade continued with plenty of buyers at sales for the growing numbers of sheep entered. Again, generally a level trade, with prices up to £150 as the majority of yearlings were in the £135-£145 bracket.

It was pleasing that the trade held well throughout August as numbers were strong. Normally there is a "harvesting" dip in trade as early buyers have finished and later ones are yet to start.

Good commercial yearlings sold for £140-£150 per head as many farmer buyers were present at the sales and a good number of sheep went to North Wales and Anglesey.

Throughout August and early September, trade remained good with plenty of buyers and the fall in finished lamb price seemingly having little effect at breeding sales.

Early September saw our first annual multi-breed sale at Bishop's Castle, with nearly 6,000 sheep sold, a similar number to last year. A good assembly of buyers ensured competitive demand, with Welsh Mule stock ewes, of which there were fewer due to culling, selling above £100 per head. The general run of ewes, going to the tup one more time, sold for £70-£80.

Overall, I can report a better than expected trade throughout the season, with the contributory factors being the strong cull ewe trade, good early price of spring lamb, generally good lambing and growing season and the fall in beef price encouraging farmers to farm more ewes.

By Nick Hyne of Halls, manager of Shrewsbury Auction Centre