Winner of the annual Christmas primestock show and sale at Bishops Castle Auction, which attracted an excellent entry of 1,400 prime lambs, was Martin Hudson of Mainstone, who held off the challenge of reserve champion was B. W. Gittins and Son, Rhespass.
The judge, Mr Mark Perrin of Farmers Fresh, awarded prizes to three class winners as well as the champion and reserve champion.
The winners were: Up to 37kg, 1 B. W. Gittins and Son with 10 34kg lambs that sold for £62 (182.4p/kg); 2, G. M. Hudson and Son with10 37kg lambs that sold for £71 (191.9p/kg). 37.5 kg to 44kg, 1, G. M. Hudson and Son with 10 43kg lambs that sold for £84 (195.3p/kg); 2, B. Williams, Hill End with 10 39kg lambs that sold for £75 (192.3p/kg). 44.5 kg and over, 1, B. Williams with 10 47.5 kg lambs that sold for £75.80 (159.6p/kg); 2, G. Page, West House with 10 44.5 kg lambs that sold for £75 (168.5p/kg).
The overall average was up on the start of the week with the SQQ lamb average to 45.5kg at 172p/kg.
Other leading prices included: Lightweights to 32kg: 167p/kg for 29kg and 167p/kg for 29.5kg both from D. O. Jones, Minton. Standard Weights to 39kg, excluding show winners: 188p per kg for 38.5kg and 186p per kg for 36.5kg both from B. W. Gittins, 182p per kg for 38kg from R. S. Adams, Foxholes and 182p per kg for 34kg from M. P. Jones & Son, Trelerney.
Medium weight to 45.5kg, excluding prize winners: 176p per kg for 41kg from A. Bloor, The Whymn, 176p per kg for 42kg from C. J. Davies and Sons, Amblecote, 176p per kg for 43kg from A. G. Williams, Plassau, 175p per kg for 39.5kg from R. H. Jones, Llanhedric and 174p per /kg for 44kg from F. T. Bedell, Linch House.
Heavy weight lambs 45.5 kg and over: 169p per kg for 49kg from F. G. Jones, Lower Down, 166p per kg for 51kg from R. Huffer, Meadow Head and 166p per kg for 46kg from J. E. Lewis, Trevada.