Lairg sale sets cheering standard as lamb prices on the increase

The first Lairg lamb sale held yesterday is seen as a barometer of where the trade is likely to be for the autumn sheep sales and the needle seems to be set “fair”, with prices firmer than last year for wethers and considerably better for ewe lambs.

Some 13,679 lambs were sold, a similar number to last year. Wedders averaged £58.55, a rise of £2.79, while ewe lambs averaged £71.91, a rise of £7.90 on 2010 figures.

The top wedder pen from D Campbell, Auchlich Gruide, made £69.50, a similar figure taken by McKay, South Balkeith. The Auchentoul shepherds sold their wedders at £68.50 and three consigners averaged £68.

The top ewe lamb pen came from the Auchentoul shepherds and it made £132. Mrs Grant, St Vincent, sold ewe lambs at £120 and Mrs Campbell, Armadale, sold at £118.

David Leggat, executive chairman of United Auctions who conducted the sale, described it as a great sale, especially for ewe lambs, most of whom had Highlands and Islands Sheep Health Association status. “Most of them will stay in Scotland but some are heading for Wales,” he said. “Buyers are looking for sheep that will produce easily marketed lambs. Many of them will be crossed to breed Cheviot Mules.”

According to the Duke of Montrose, who farms at Gartincaber in West Stirlingshire and is UK president of the National Sheep Association, the interest in ewe lambs was another sign of a build-up in national breeding ewe numbers.

“Everyone seems pleased with the trade today,” he said. “It could be that people are looking at the forthcoming CAP reforms and deciding that they should be actively farming once the historic basis of calculating Single Farm Payment comes to an end.”

Sir John Nutting QC, Auchentoul Estate at Kildonan sold his top draw of 412 wethers, the biggest single lot of the day, to Jim Reid, Bengall, Lockerbie for £63.50 . Reid also bought the second Auchentoul draw for £59.

ANDREW ARBUCKLE