By Neale McQuistin

The market price for prime hoggets has continued its upward trend at livestock markets yesterday. Cast sheep prices have also improved on what was already a very good trade. As supplies begin to tighten, trade would seem to be set fair for some time.

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 58 clean cattle, 72 cast cows, 1440 prime hoggs and 616 cast sheep at St Boswells yesterday. Thirty-nine prime heifers sold to a top of 245p/kg to average 222p (+4p), while 17 prime bullocks peaked at 234p and averaged 201p (n/c). Two young bulls sold to 182p and averaged 166p.

In the Rough Ring 71 cast cows sold to £1300 and 171p to average 130p (n/c).

Prime hoggs sold to £124 and 271p for Beltex to average £90 and 216p (+7p).

In the cast sheep ring the average was £87.09 for all sheep. Heavy ewes sold to £137 for Texels and averaged £102, while light ewes peaked at £112 for Cheviots and averaged £71.

The firm also sold 17 prime heifers in Carlisle yesterday to a top of 234p/kg and an average of 205p (n/c), while 15 prime, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 217p and levelled at 188p (n/c).

There were 113 young bulls at the sale yesterday which averaged 160p overall (-17p).

The 57 prime, beef-bred young bulls sold to 226p and averaged 178p (-12p), while 56 prime, dairy-bred bulls peaked at 184p and levelled at 141p (-12p).

In the Rough Ring 197 cast dairy cows sold to 156p and averaged 101p (+2p), while 141 cast beef cows peaked at 184p and averaged 128p (+2p). Fourteen cast bulls made up to 157p and averaged 127p (+14p).

There were also 1921 prime hoggs that sold to £120 and 295p/kg to average 213p (+2p).

In the cast sheep ring 194 heavy ewes sold to £130 for a Texel and averaged £85 (-£8), while 11 light ewes peaked at £70.50 for a Jacob and levelled at £43 (-£13).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 2223 sheep comprising 1731 prime hoggs and 492 Cast Sheep at Ayr yesterday. Top price per head was £105 for a pen of Strong Suffolks. Top price per kilo 234.2p was achieved for a Beltex cross. Mules sold to £93.50 for a pen of 48kg hoggs and to 209p for another pen. Blackface Lambs topped at £90 for a pen of 44kg hoggs and at 210.5p for another pen weighing 38kg. The whole sale averaged 205p.

Cast sheep sold every bit as dear as seen in recent weeks. A top price of £182 was paid for a single Texel ewe followed at £176 for a pair of Texels. Mule ewes peaked at £97.50, while Blackface ewes sold to £73.50.