MORE than 30 young sheep enthusiasts took part in the annual show and sale of young handlers' prime hoggs at North West Auction's J36 centre on Tuesday, where Mrs Denise Elliot, from Penrith, was in charge of judging the entries.

Best of the young handlers was George Harryman, of The Galleon, Kendal, whose expertly handled Beltex hogg went on to top the sale at £190 when knocked down to Plumgarths Farm Shop at a weight of 50kg.

Best of the young handlers' lambs, judged on conformation and finish, was another Beltex hogg, this time from Abigail Winn, High Underbarrow Farm, Burnside. Bred by Abigail from her own flock of eight breeding ewes, this hogg also sold to Plumgarths, this time for £140 having tipped the scales at 52kg.

It was something of a family celebration as Jonathan Winn was awarded the reserve honours with a Beltex hogg, this one weighing 49kg and selling to Lancashire Halal Direct for £112.

Outwith the young handlers' section, a good show of 1500 hoggs cashed in to average 179p per kg, with SQQ hoggs weighing 39kg to 45kg at 183p. There was plenty demand for Beltex, with this section averaging 227p while Texels with good conformation often sold in excess of 200p.

An increased entry of Mules reached £85 for heavyweights from F and SA Edmondson, Netherhouses.

The entry of 600 cast ewes peaked at £91 for Beltex from PJ and H Onions, Keer Falls, with Mules to £77 from P Rossall, Claughton on Brock. A Mixed show of horned ewes hit £64 for Rough Fells from CP Bateman, Croftfoot. Zwartbles from Low Foulshaw topped the cast rams at £87.

LEADING awards:

Single lowland prime hogg – Aged 10 years and under – 1 and reserve, Jonathan Winn; 2, Aiden Batty; 3, Sophie Batty. Aged 11 to 16 years – 1 and champion, Abigail Winn; 2, George Harryman; 3, Andrew Bateman. Aged 17 to 26 years – 1, Bob Lawrence; 2, Tom Fishwick; 3, Robyn Allen.

Single upland prime hogg – Aged 10 years and under – 1, Maddy Watson; 2, Elizabeth Wilson; 3, Emmy Watson. Aged 11 to 16 years – 1, Abigail Winn; 2, Andrew Bateman. Aged 17 to 26 years – 1, Robyn Allen; 2, Tom Fishwick.

Single horned prime hogg – Aged 11 to 16 years – 1, Thomas Wilson. Aged17 to 26 years – 1, George Wilson.

Best young handler – 1, George Harryman; 2, Aiden Batty; 3, Elizabeth Wilson; 4, Thomas Wilson; 5, Sophie Batty; 6, Maddy Watson.