Growing demand for the easy fleshing Suffolk breed ensured a buoyant trade at the Scottish Area show and sale at Lanark, where Aberdeenshire breeder, John Gibb, Cairnton, produced the lead priced ram lamb at 75,000gns.

By the end of the day, no fewer than 11 lambs had sold at five-figure prices, which coupled with a strong commercial trade saw overall averages level at £3939 for 168 – down £824 on last year's record breaking event that saw a 200,000gns lamb and 143 sold.

Sale leader was Mr Gibb's pen leader, brought out with assistance of his daughter, Sophia (16). He is by Bridgeview Balvenie, and sold to Stephen Sufferin, buying for his Northern Ireland-based Crewelands flock.

Sons of last year's 200,000gns lamb, Salopian Solid Gold, proved particularly popular for Charlie Boden and family's Sportsmans flock from Stockport, with all five selling for more than 10,000gns and to a top of 60,000gns. Dearest, was the pen leader and pre-sale champion, which sold to the breeders of the sire, Philip and Russell Poole; Paul Delves, Bridgeview, the pre-sale judge and Iain and Judith Barbour, Solwaybank.

Others from Sportsmans made 30,000gns, 15,000gns and 11,000gns.

On the debit side, Sportsmans and Stewart Craft, of the Lakeview flock from Glenrothes, went to 40,000gns for No 1 lamb from Jim Innes' Strathbogie flock from Huntly, brought out by Michael Leggate. He is by Stockton Sniper's Son.

Stewart Lathangie who owns the Pyeston flock from Glenrothes, also had a great day selling two full ET brothers bred from a Birness ewe for 38,000gns and 32,000gns. They are by Limestone Marksman with the first selling to Solwaybank, and the second in a two way split to Graeme and Finn Christie, Balquhain and Lilia Hutchinson, Howgillfoot.

Other top sellers saw Solwaybank sell at 20,000gns to Crewelands; Jim Young, Muirton, take 10,000gns from Strathbogie and Melvin Stuart and family, Birness, sold to 20,000gns again to Sportsmans.

For full report and pictures see next week's Scottish Farmer

Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington