STRONGER Scotch Mule gimmers bet some brisk bidding while smaller entries struggled to sell at C and D Auction Marts' sale at Dumfries.

Scotch Mule ewe lambs which were generally smaller, met a satisfactory trade with the champion pen from Barr, Sanquhar, selling at £116 to top the section.

The reserve pen from Nisbet, Coulter realised £168 per head. Overall, 1088 lambs averaged £91.71 (-£6.30 on the year).

The champion pen of Mule gimmers from the entry of 3066 saw judge Neil Shuttleworth, award the championship to a pen from Park, Shawhead, that later sold for £180, while the reserve from Grennan, Penpont, made £168. Dry gimmers averaged £129.81 (-£6.83) with suckled gimmers at £114 (-£12.30).

The entry of 609 Texel gimmers was led at £142 for a pen from Newbigging.

LEADING prices:

Ewe lambs – Scotch Mule – £116, £108 Barr; £108, £106, £100 Nisbet; £108 Merkland; £106, £102 Ashmark; £102 Ardoch; £102 (x2) Clonrae.

Gimmers – Scotch Mule – £180, £168, £152 Park; £168 Grennan; £166, £148 Coatston; £152, £146, £138 Clonrae; £148 Upper Longbank; £144 Laight; £142 (x2) Netherhall; £142, £140 Annanhill; £138 (x2) Marwhirn. Tex – £142, £140 Newbigging; £130 Nether Keir. HB – £120 Marwhirn. Chev Mule – £114 Marwhirn; £112 (x2) Boreland.