Prices for cast sheep have hit new heights at Cumbrian livestock marts this week, with auctioneers describing some of the sums paid as tremendous and unbelievable.
At Penrith mart on Wednesday, a new centre record price of £300 was paid on two occasions, firstly for a belting Texel ewe from C Maclennan, Dalvorich, Stirling, and purchased by J Tucker.
The same price was paid for a Texel ewe from J Bland, Clea Hall, which was also bought by J Tucker.
A total of 31 sheep sold between for between £200 and £300. Cast rams crept up to £220 for a pure Suffolk from DS and P Wells and Sons, Hallgarth, and purchased by D Kemp. In all, 75 cast rams sold to average £129.56.
At Cockermouth on Wednesday, prices were also the highest to date, topping at £260 for a Beltex ewe from JJ Crichton, Loughrigg, with the proceeds donated to the Ukraine appeal.
On Tuesday evening at Kirkby Stephen, cast sheep were again dearer on the week, with prices topping at £245 for a Texel cross ewe from Messrs Skelton, Newhall Farm, Maryport. Rams sold to £212.50 for a pair of Texels from Messrs Dargue, Smardale Hall, Kirkby Stephen.
