Wethers on the wane but lambs rising

There was a mixed trade for this season’s lambs being traded at yesterday’s Lairg North Country Cheviot sheep sale with demand for wethers slightly back – £3.37 – on last year while buyers from all over the country competed for the ewe lambs thus pushing the average price up by £5.73 on the year.

David Leggat of United Auctions, who carried out the trade setting sale, said afterwards that buyers of wethers had possibly suffered a little in the past two years with poorer than expected finished market prices.

Top wether price was £71 for 82 from Alan Mackay, South Balkeith, Tain with Canderson, Achosichhitting the same mark with his pen.

Other top prices included, at £68.50, Henderson, Inverbreckie Drive, at £68 Grant-mackintosh, Springfield and at £67 Joyce Campbell, Armadale

The ewe lamb trade was topped at £160 for a pen from Campbell Armadale. This was followed by £135 to Mackay, South Balkeith.

A similar trade was paid to Badanloch Estate, followed by £130 to Dunbeath farms