C&D Auction Marts Limited had forward a much smaller show of 2,464 prime hoggs at Longtown on Thursday. However, because of Easter demand they met a very strong trade. Hoggs sold to a top of £132 and 322p/kg for Beltex and the overall average was an impressive 207p/kg. Similarly, the 1970 cast ewes and rams were also a smaller show and again trade was much shaper on the week. In the cast ewe section of the sale 626 ewes sold over £100 to average £119.33 with an overall average of £91.04. Heavy ewes sold to a top price of £167 for Texels while light ewes sold to a top of £88 for Cheviots to level at £64.95.

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 58 clean heifers in St Boswells on Monday to a top of 270p and an average of 222p (+2p), while 26 clean bullocks peaked at 236p and levelled at 213p (+4p).

In the rough ring 34 cast cows sold to £1620 and 187p to average145p (n/c). Nine cast bulls averaged 129p.

There were also 947 prime hoggs that sold to £110.50 and 224p for Cheviots to average 194p (+6p). 8 New Season Lambs sold to £112 and 224p to average 223p.

In the cast sheep ring heavy ewes sold to £115 for Charollais and averaged £87, while light ewes peaked at £87 for Cheviots and levelled at £67.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 875 prime hoggs at Ayr on Monday to a top of £118 for Beltex and 231p/k for Texels, to average 198p (-2p).

Blackface hoggs peaked at £96 and 210p. The small show of Spring Lambs peaked at £108.

Cast sheep were a sharper trade again this week when 98 heavy ewes sold to £141 for Texels and averaged £84.23, while 89 light/export-type ewes peaked at £66 for Blackface and levelled at £62.87.

Lawrie and Symington had forward 519 Breeding Sheep at their sale on Friday, which met a very animated trade to the large ringside of buyers. The sale was topped at £76 per life for Suffolk ewes with Texel lambs at foot and £71 Suffolk ewes with Suffolk lambs at foot. Other leading prices were: £68 for Texel ewes with Texel Lambs; £68 for Texel ewes with Beltex Lambs and £67 Texel ewes with Texel Lambs.

The firm also sold 111 head of prime stock in Lanark on Monday. Prime heifers sold to a top of £1522 and 245p, while prime bullocks peaked at £1366 and 230p. Young bulls sold to 206p and cast bulls sold up to £1170. In the rough ring cast beef cows sold to £1375 and 168p, while cast dairy cows sold to £1085 and 133p.