Much needed rainfall at the eleventh hour has also saved the day for many store lamb producers, with new found grass growth not only beginning to provide valuable keep for finishers throughout Scotland but also the prospect of another cut of silage before the winter.

With the drought more or less over in Scotland, the first of the major store lamb sales at Lairg on Tuesday, proved much better than anticipated with overall averages actually up on the year, albeit by a tiny amount.

"Vendors were nervous before the sale, but they were pleasantly surprised at the end of the day, with most farmers enjoying a better than anticipated trade," said Donald Young, United Auctions' auctioneer and regional managing director for the North of Scotland.

"We sold 1500 fewer lambs than last year, but there was a 100% clearance and the lambs that weren't here will be forward for the second sale at Lairg. Many of the vendors didn't bring their full consignment as a good number of the lambs were not as strong as last year due to the drought.

"There were a lot more second and third draw lambs forward compared to previous years and good ewe lambs were particularly sought after," said Donald, adding that most of the lambs sold to Aberdeenshire and throughout the Central Belt.

"Normally we see 30-40% of the lambs sell south of the Border, and while there were quite a few buyers up for a look, only one actually bought due to the lack of grass at present. Many have said though, that they will be looking to buy at sales in the next few weeks."

By the end of the day, 8944 wedder lambs cashed in at £51.11, up just 5p per head on the year, with ewe lambs averaging £76.54, plus 2p, for 3750.

Top price was £166 for park-type North Country Cheviot ewe lambs from South Balkeith and £138 for hill-type Cheviots from Armadale, while wedders sold to £72 for Texel crosses from Heatherlea.

The dry weather and poor spring appears to have affected most lambs this year, with United Auctions' opening store lamb sale at Oban on Tuesday also witnessing an increased number entry of lambs lacking size and condition. As a result overall averages slipped £2.91 per head to £52.08, against £54.99 for 4021 sold in 2017.

Texels from 3 Balingrundle topped the trade at £78.00

And and Aberdeen and Northern Marts' Quoybrae centre on Monday, some 3443 store sheep incorporating Dunbeath, Bettyhill, Forsinard and North West Sutherland areas, were cashed to average £51.54 (-£2.21 on the year).

Lambs that summer well sold at rates similar to last year, while smaller lambs affected by the recent dry weather, proved harder to cash.

Ewe lambs (565) averaged £50.38 (-£1.20) having sold to £90 for Cheviots from J Mcgonigill, Braemore (Mcgonigill); wedder lambs (1566) levelled at £46.07 (-£4.07), peaking at £64.50 for Cheviots from J Grant,

Braehillor, Dunbeath and cross lambs, (1259) levelled at £60.32 (-£1.11) after selling to £79.50 for Texels from E and SD Wilcock, 5 Upper Dounreay, Thurso.