While old season lambs slipped marginally on the week, they remain well up on last year’s levels, with the result that the first of the new season lambs are also pushing above their weight. 
Obviously, numbers are thin on the ground yet and more so this year with the late spring, but the first of this year’s lamb crop is selling anything from 30-70p per live kg more than old season depending on supplies.
One of the best trades this week saw 61 new season lambs sell to average 351.5p per live kg at Bakewell, on Monday. However, at Exeter the same day, increased numbers with just short of 1400 head selling, resulted in a 252.8p average.
Overall, 2431 lambs were cashed south of the Border on Monday,  to average 270.3p per live kg, up 5.5p on the week, while Tuesday’s trade saw 411 balance out at 299.0p, +22.0p.
Closer to home, at UAs’ Stirling sale last week, 34 new season lambs peaked at £138 for Suffolks from Wood Farm with Charollais from Langside leading the price per kg at 300p. 
Shows and sales attract higher prices, and last week’s event at Lancaster, witnessed a lead of 420p per kg or £189 per head paid for the champion at North West Auctions’ mart. This was a 45kg Beltex cross from Robert Towers, Camp House, Farleton, purchased by the judge, Steven Sedden, on behalf of Nigel Wilkinson Quality Meats Specialist, Blackpool. 
The same buyer also bought the reserve champion, a 49kg Suffolk from TA Blair, Thornfleet, at £169.
Overall, the sale of 30 lambs cashed in at 327p or £132.73, with an SQQ average of 338p. 
Mr Towers had more to celebrate at Skipton Auction Mart, the same day, when he again picked up the champion and reserve honours with similarly bred lambs. 
His champion, a 45kg Beltex cross Charollais, sold for the top price of £160 per head, or 355p per kg, to Alan Beecroft, of Countrystyle Meats Farm Shop. 
In reserve was a 41kg pair which again sold to Countrystyle Meats, this time for £155 per head to secure the lead price per kg of 378.6p.