Stags of South Molton report another big entry of lambs this week as the Qurbani festival draws closer.

Trade was very level from start to finish and as expected slightly back on last week, with large numbers of lambs coming forward nationally.

A very large proportion of the sale consisted of Qurbani lambs, which met the best trade, especially the fleshy 42kg plus lambs. Not so many smaller, plainer lambs forward this week and certainly less over 50kgs on offer than we have seen for many weeks.

A number of pens sold between 215-220ppk, especially between 43-46kg. Best pens to 223ppk to 42kg Charollais crosses from Mr EF Thorne of Tawstock with 220ppk to 45.1kg Texel crosses from Mrs CT Jones of Heasley Mill. 219ppk three times; the first to 42.4kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Eastman & Bolt of High Bickington; the second to 43.7kg Texel crosses from Mr R Irwin of Kings Nympton and the third to 42kg Charollais crosses from Mr CJ Ridd of South Molton. 218ppk to 45kg Charollais crosses again from Mr R Irwin with 217ppk seven times; the first to 44kg Charollais crosses from Messrs AJ & TLJ Hawkins of Simonsbath; the second to 44.3kg Charollais crosses again from Mr R Irwin; the third to 43.5kg Texel crosses from Messrs J & H Searle of Ash Mill; the fourth to 43.6kg Suffolk crosses from Mr RW Dyer of Barnstaple; the fifth to 43.3kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs Lucas & Ridge of Chulmleigh; the sixth to 47kg Texel crosses from Messrs S & KA Hamlin of Tiverton and the seventh to 46kg Suffolk crosses again from Mr R Irwin.

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Topping the day at £115 to 61kg Suffolk crosses from Mr LW Reed of Nomansland with £114 twice; both to 56-65kg Suffolk crosses from Mr RH Dymond & Son of Croyde. £112.50 to 55kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs AD & SM Bray of Knowstone closely followed at £112 to 55kg Exmoor Horn’s from Mrs VA Kingshotte of Barnstaple. £110 to 54kg Suffolk crosses from Mr FC Reed of North Molton with 53.5kg Suffolk crosses again from Mr LW Reed at £109. £107.20 to 55kg Charollais crosses from Mr AE Chudley & Son of Romansleigh with £104 to 50kg Charollais crosses from Mrs PA Stentiford of Whiddon. £103.20 three times; the first to Mr LW Reed’s third pen of 50.3kg Suffolk crosses; the second to 50.5kg Charollais crosses from Messrs DJ & RA Woollacott of Yarnscombe and the third to 51kg Charollais crosses from Messrs NJ & BA Tucker of Tiverton. £103 three times; the first to 51.2kg Lleyn crosses from Mr N Rottenbury of Heasley Mill; the second to 49kg Hampshire crosses from Mr E Heard of Cadeleigh and the third to 53kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs AD & SM Bray of Knowstone. £102.80 to 50.1kg Suffolk crosses from Messrs A & D Bray of Twitchen with £102.50 to 48.7kg Charollais crosses from Mr AA Milton of Chapelton. £102 three times; the first to 51.3kg Texel crosses from Messrs AD & SM Bray again; the second to 50.5kg Charollais crosses from Messrs Chudley again and the third to 47kg Texel crosses from Messrs S & KA Hamlin of Tiverton.

A smaller entry of cull sheep compared to last week and also not such a strong entry than what we have seen lately. A lot of 2nd quality ewes and overall a very similar trade to last week. Best Suffolk Mules over the £90 mark and a number of Mules sold over the £75 mark. Buyers appeared more wary of over thick ewes than recent weeks and new buyers appearing to seek grazing sorts. Top of the day at £96 to Suffolk Mules from Mr FC Reed of North Molton with £95 to another super pen of Suffolk crosses from Mr JK May of Eastleigh. £94 to Texel crosses from Mr E Heard of Cadeleigh with £92 twice; both to Suffolk Mules from Mr TL Dennis of Wembworthy and Mr JK May again. Mr Dennis also had similar pens at £91.50 with further blackfaces from Messrs BJ & DE Griffiths of Burrington at £91. £90.50 three times; the first and second to Suffolk Mules from Messrs JC & ME Barnes & Son of North Buckland and Mr KB Reed of Nomansland and the third to Texel crosses from Mr FC Reed again. £89.50 to Suffolk Mules from Mr EF Thorne of Tawstock with £89 to similar sorts from Mr AJ Avery of Yarnscombe. £88 to Texel crosses from Mr C Gove of Barnstaple and £87.50 twice; both to Suffolk Mules from Messrs JP & MS Lethbridge of Mortehoe and Mr FC Reed again.