The first two prime and store sheep sales incorporating Dunbeath, Bettyhill, Forsinard and North West Sutherland Areas and Aberdeen and Northern Marts Quoybrae centre met a buoyant demand.

Overall averages at the first sale of 3791 lambs levelled at £51.76 up 0.22p on the year.

Ewe lambs (743) averaged £49.30 (- £1.08) having sold to £82 for Texels from Tacher Latheron, while the 1813 wedder lambs sold to £64.50 for Cheviots from Lower Westerdale, Halkirk, to level at £49.33 (+ £3.26).

Cross lambs (1089) averaged £58.19 (- £2.13), selling to £71 for Suffolks from Dounreay Post Office.

At the second sale, on Monday, which included a show and sale of ewe lambs, prices peaked at £330 for Cheviot ewe lambs from Upper Dounreay,Thurso.

Ewe lambs in general were a better trade than anticipated, whilst strong feeding lambs fully maintained recent rates. Longer keep lambs, Cheviot wedders in particular were easier showing a decrease of £5-£6 on the year.

The champion pen of 10 Half-breds, from J Sutherland, Overton, Mid Clyth, sold for £240 per head to the judge, Stewart Sleigh, St Johns Well, Fyvie.

The same home also sold the champion single Half-bred ewe lamb at £180, again to the judge.

Mr Sleigh also bought the champion single and champion pen of 10 North Country Cheviot ewe lambs. The former from J and MM Allan, Durran Mains, Castletown, realised £190, while the pen of 10 from JS Baillie and Co, Sebay, Tankerness, Orkney, made £155.

Texel crosses from JM Sutherland, Borrowston Mains, Dounreay, topped the continental pens and sold for £78 to D Moir, Home Farm Cairness, Fraserburgh.

Champion single continental in the any other breed section was a Texel cross Half-bred from D Coghill, Tofts of Tain, Castletown. It made £90 selling to R Wilkie, Tillyboy, Echt.

By the end of the day 766 Half-bred ewe lambs averaged £107.41 (- £7.09 on the year) having sold to £260 from Lythmore, Bridge of Westfield, Thurso.

Cheviot ewe lambs (472) averaged £94.58 (- £29.01) selling to £330 from Upper Dounreay,Thurso.

Cross ewe lambs (373) averaged £72.40 (- £3.19) peaking at £105 for Suffolks from Granton Mains, Bower; Half-bred lambs (50) levelled at £66.07 (- 69p) having sold to £71 from Tain, Olrig, Castletown; Cheviot wedder lambs (477) averaged £50.24 (- £7.72) selling to £66.50 from Damside, Castletown and

cross lambs (2881) averaged £61.56 (- 53p) having sold to £77.50 twice for Texels from Bowertower, Bower and Suffolks from Balnahard, Harpsdale, Halkirk.

Prime lambs (209) hit a top of 169.4p per kg for 42.5kg Suffolks from Upper Geise, Janetstown, Thurso and £77.50 gross for 50kg Texels from Clachan, Mid-Clyth, Lybster

LEADING prices

First sale – Bettyhill – Ewe lambs – Chev – 98 Kirktomy £42. Store lambs – Chev – 98 Kirktomy £51.50.

Skerray – Ewe lambs – Chev – 265 Tubeg £35. Store lambs – Chev – 265 Tubeg £48.

Halladale, Forsinard and Portskerra – Ewe lambs – Chev – 50 Dalhalvig £60.

Store lambs – Suff – Kirkton £64; Chev – Trantlemore £56.

Dunbeath – Ewe lambs – Chev – Braemore (Macgonigill) & Tacher £75; Tex – Tacher £68; Aber/Chv – Ballachly £60. Store lambs: Tex – Braehillor £66.50; Chev – Braemore (Macgonigill) £58.50; Mule – Braehillor £58.50; Aber/Chv – Ballachly £55.

Armadale and Strathy – Ewe lambs – Black – 27 Brawl £71; Chev – 184 Armadale £52; Tex – Murray House £47. Store lambs – Tex- 27 Brawl £64.50; Chev – 184 Armadale £55.

Caithness – Ewe lambs – Chev – Castle Heather £72; Suff – Castle Heather £69; Chv/Mul – Achaguie Farm £68; Tex – 5 Upper Dounreay £66.50. Store lambs: Tex – 5 Upper Dounreay £67; Suff – Castle Heather £66; Chv/Mul – Achaguie Farm £65.50; Chv – Castle Heather £64.

Second sale – Ewe lambs – HB – Aimster £190; Chev – Maltings £260; Reaster £220; Suff X – Granton Mains £92; Balnahard £81; Borrowston Mains £78; West Greenland £74. Mule – Rumsdale House £70; Chev X – Hawkhill £80; Tex – Tofts of Tain £95; Borrowston Mains £82; Cairnside £78; Lythmore £72.

Store lambs – Tex – Fairview, Halkirk £74.50; Mid-Keiss £74; Balnahard and Latheron Mains £73; Suff – Achscrabster £75; Gerston and Milton £70; HB – Overton £70.50; Osclay £69; Hunster £67; Chev – Hillside £63; Tormore £62; Buldoo, Forse £60.50.