Some 650 ewes were forward for an Harrison and Hetherington's early breeding sheep sale at Carlisle, last week where a top price of £225 per head was achieved for a pen of five Texel cross gimmers from Robert Skelton, New Hall Farm, Maryport.

The annual consignment of 250 commercial two and three-shear ewes from Messrs Lawson, Pasture House, was topped at £222 for a pen of four Beltex two-shear ewes, while a pen of 10 three-shear Texel cross Mule ewes sold to £162 per head.

LEADING prices

Gimmers – Tex – £225, £220, £192, £185, £178, £175, £172, £165 Newhall Farm. Belt – £220 Newhall Farm. Suff – £152, £146 Newhall Farm.

Ewes – Belt – £222, £215, £205 Pasture House Farm. Tex – £165, £162, £150, £148, £145, £142, £140 Pasture House Farm. Suff – £150 (x2), £134 Woodhall Farm; £148, £138, £130 Pasture House Farm.