Stags of South Molton report an expected smaller entry of 1150 lambs this week following six weeks of probably the most lambs seen in South Molton Market for many years.

The smaller number being mainly as a result of the recent rain and the better trade for the heavier, stronger lambs.

Definitely not so many weaker 39-41kg lambs on offer this week and more stronger 43kg plus lambs forward.

Best trade for the heavy lambs with all buyers looking to purchase lambs over 45kg.

Trade on the week probably up £2-3 per head and buyers more keen to secure lambs.

Vendors are keeping lambs to get stronger which has reduced numbers coming forward nationally which has certainly levelled the trade.

Top of the day at £118 to 54kg Texel crosses from Mr T Webber of Barnstaple who had two further 53-56kg similar pens at £114.50. £110 to 47kg Texel crosses from Mrs HJ Powell of Thelbridge with £109 to 50.7kg Texel crosses from Mr T Hervin of Chittlehampton.

£107.50 to 49kg Charollais crosses from Mr AD Bulled & Sons of Filleigh with £103.50 to 46kg Texel crosses from Mr D Powell of Thelbridge.

£102.50 to 47.3kg Suffolk crosses from Mr JK May of Eastleigh closely followed at £102.20 to 46.5kg Suffolk crosses from Mr AA Milton of Chapelton.

£101.50 twice; both to 47kg Texel crosses from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton and Mr AJ Dart of Chulmleigh.

£99.20 twice also; the first to 46.9kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Parsonage Farms of Chulmleigh and the second to 46.5kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & RA Woollacott of Yarnscombe.

£99 three times; the first to 46.5kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Woollacott again; the second to 45.4kg Suffolk crosses from Mr JC Isaac of Rackenford and the third to 45.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr PT Slade of Braunton.

Best pens to 234ppk to 47kg Texel crosses from Mrs HJ Powell of Thelbridge with 46kg Texel crosses from Mr D Powell also of Thelbridge at 225ppk.

221ppk to 44.3kg Texel crosses from Messrs White & Tucker of Pennymoor with 220ppk to 46.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr AA Milton of Chapelton.

219ppk three times; the first to 49kg Charollais crosses from Mr AD Bulled & Sons of Filleigh; the second to 45kg Texel crosses from Messrs AW & SA Meikle of Meshaw and the third to 54kg Texel crosses from Mr T Webber of Barnstaple.

218ppk four times; the first to 45.4kg Suffolk crosses from Mr JC Isaac of Rackenford; the second to 43.2kg Charollais crosses from Messrs J & H Searle of Ash Mill; the third to 45.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr PT Slade of Braunton and the fourth to 45kg Charollais crosses from Messrs GF & PJ Warne of Umberleigh.

217ppk to 47.3kg Suffolk crosses from Mr JK May of Eastleigh with six pens at 216ppk; the first to 53kg Texel crosses again from Mr T Webber; the second to 45.5kg Charollais crosses from Mr AA Milton of Chapelton; the third to 45.4kg Suffolk crosses from Mr KB Reed of Nomansland; the fourth to 39.9kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Warne again; the fifth to 45.7kg Charollais crosses from Mr RJ Evely of Peters Marland and the sixth to 45.7kg Texel crosses from Mr NT Gear of Newton Tracey.

A bigger entry of cull sheep than last week which consisted of a lot of medium ewes with a few big ewes on offer.

Probably the largest amount of buyers we have has for a long time with 10 buyers all active both in and out of the ring!

As a result trade stronger again and probably overall up £3-5 per head on last year.

Even the thick ewes which have been so hard to sell are meeting better demand.

Best Suffolk Mules now in the late £80’s and best Mules mid to late £60s.

Topping the day at £113.50 to a Charollais ram from Messrs BW, MR & SW Cottle of Petrockstowe who also sold a Berrichon at £107.

Best ewes to £95 to a super Texel cross from Messrs JE & M Mather & Son of Arlington with £90 twice; the first to Bleu de Maine crosses from Messrs D & J Baker of Yarnscombe and the second to Suffolk Mules from Mr G Woodman of Chulmleigh who also had similar pens at £89.50.

£88 to Suffolk Mules from Messrs AW & SA Meikle of Meshaw with further blackfaces from Messrs J & H Searle of Ash Mill at £87, the same money as Texel crosses from Messrs BW, MR & SW Cottle again.

£86.50 to Suffolk Mules from Messrs JB & RP Ayre of Kentisbury with £85.50 to further Suffolks from Mr LJ Ley & Partners of Goodleigh.

£85 to Texel crosses from Messrs MG & SR Kingdon of Swimbridge with further Suffolks from Messrs Searle again at £84.50.

£84 to another run cracking pen of Suffolk Mules from Messrs Cottle with £83.50 three times; the first to Texel crosses from Messrs C & DR Nicholas of Beara Charter; the second to Suffolk Mules from Messrs M & ML Gillbard of East Worlington and the third to Suffolk Mules from Messrs Baker again.

£83 twice; both to blackface ewes from Mr MJ Avery of Yarnscombe and Messr AJ & JM Cottle of Bratton Fleming.