Northumberland Livestock

December 7

Harrison & Hetherington held their weekly Primestock sale of sheep.

Sold 667 Lambs and 258 Ewes and Rams.

At the annual Christmas Show which was expertly judged by Ben Gray, Harrogate, the winners for the second successive year were Lilburn Estates with a pen of Beltex lambs weighing 45kg and selling at £105 to Mr J Curle, Bowsden, the Reserve Champion also went to the same home for a pen of Texel lambs weighing 47kg and selling at £92 to the judge Ben Gray.

Lamb numbers tighter due to early week trade but selling vendors received returns substantially above.

Lambs per head: Beltex: £105, £80 (two) Lilburn Estates, £84 Henlaw. Texel: £92 Lilburn Estates, £85 (two) The Hagg, £84 Marigold, £80.50 Henlaw, £80 Hartside and Black Heddon. Suffolk: £85, £80 (two) Marigold, £82, £80 Brockley Hall. Oxford: £78 Marigold.

Lambs per kg: Beltex: 233.3p, 186.8p, 182.5p, 181.8p Lilburn Estates, 200p, 197.6p Henlaw, 190.8p, 186.7p, 183.8p Ladykirk. Texel: 195.7p Lilburn Estates, 187.8p Auchencrow Mains, 185p North Bellshill, 184.5p Lorbottle, 180.8p (two) Ladykirk. Suffolk: 179.5p Wandon

Ewes a better show and dearer

Ewes: Texel: £105, £82 Black Heddon, £97.50 (two) Hartside (A Hutcheon), £96.50 (two) Auchencrow Mains, £85 Berryhill. Suffolk: £88 Berryhill, £84 West Longridge, £82 Auchencrow Mains. Mule: £66 Goswick and Berryhill, £63.50 Ladykirk.