Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd had 1957 prime lambs forward at their Christmas show and sale at Ayr yesterday, which included 34 pens of three presented for the competition.

The championship was awarded to Ian Lammie, Longhouse Farm, Cumnock for a trio of 43kg Texels that realised £170 each, or 395.3p per kg.

The reserve ticket went to A Templeton, Low Drumclog Farm, Strathaven for a pen of 50kg Blackfaces that went on to fetch £145, or 290.1p per kg.

In the commercial ring, the 1855 prime lambs not entered in the show sold to £87 per head and 185.4p per kg to average 157.9p (+4.9p).

There were also 569 cast sheep forward with heavy ewes fully £4-£6 sharper on the week and selling to £116 for Texels, while light ewes sold to £58 for Blackfaces.

John Swan Ltd sold 48 prime bullocks in St Boswells yesterday to a top of 239p per kg and an average of 208.9p (-2.2p on the week), while 30 prime heifers peaked at 234p and levelled at 206.8p (-2.5p). Four young bulls sold to 217p and averaged 200.5p.

In the rough ring 42 beef-type OTM cattle averaged 142.4p (+4.8p).

The firm also sold 2740 prime lambs to average 158.1p per kg (-2.1p), while 566 cast sheep levelled at £59.37 (+£11.18).

Wallets Marts held their fortnightly sale of OTM cattle in Castle Douglas yesterday when seven OTM bullocks averaged 161.8p and 2 OTM heifers levelled at 151p.

Thirty-seven cows averaged 117.1p and six bulls levelled at 129p.