BLACKFACE ewe lambs met an improved sale average on the year, albeit for fewer sold, as the sale of 1940 through Wallets Marts' Castle Douglas centre, on Monday, cashed in to average £87.76 against £79.83 for 2726 in 2017.

With numbers back due to a rough lambing time having taken its toll, some of the top draw lambs looked cheaper than last year while middle and bottom draw lambs were extremely well bid for with some lots up £20 on the year.

The entry peaked at £136 for a pen from JW Kay and Co, Gass, Straiton, followed at £130 and £124 from Fingland, Dalry.

LEADING prices:

Blackface ewe lambs – £136 Gass; £130, £124 Fingland; £116, £98, £94 Milnmark; £114, £98 Grimmet; £114, £92 Knockreoch; £112, £106 Little Larg; £11, £1042 Craig; £112, £96, £94, £90 Knockdon; £108, £104 Balmurrie; £106, £104, £90 Larg Farming; £104 Balmurrie; £98 Laghead; £98 Craigdarroch; £96 Largs, Straiton; £94, £92 High Croach; £94 Milnmark; £92 Milnmark-Duchrae; £90 Drumbuie; £90 Shawesknowe; £90 Cuil.

FLOCK averages:

Farm (no sold) Avg (£)

Gass, Straiton (40) 136

Fingland (57) 127.50

Balmurrie (58) 105.93

Grimmet (60) 100

Shawsknowe (25) 99

Craig, Straiton (117) 98.19

Knockdon (100) 98

Largs, Straiton (35) 96

Larg, Creetown (57) 95.47

High Croach (87) 93.54

Milnmark (126) 93.21

Little Larg (130) 92.31

Craigdarroch (90) 90.22

Drumbuie (35) 90