Demand for in lamb ewes at Shrewsbury Auction Centre

Auctioneers Halls reported an excellent sale of 250 Suffolk and North Country Mule in lamb ewes on Tuesday at Shrewsbury Auction Centre.

The ewes, which were scanned to lamb in mid-February, were sold on behalf of Messrs M. D. M. Framing of Leebotwood as a flock dispersal.

Overall average was £130 per head with a top price of £156 for four-year-old/ full-mouthed ewes scanned at 190 per cent. Several pens sold for in excess of £150.

The sale attracted buyers from a wide area, with ewes going to Anglesey, Cheshire and the Midlands.

Due to the success of the sale, Shrewsbury Auction Centre is holding a collective sale of in lamb ewes on Tuesday, January 26 and is appealing for entries. Around 200 ewes have already been entered from Shropshire and Mid Wales farms, including another flock dispersal.

"We would welcome more entries for this collective sale from anyone interested in selling their in lamb ewes," said Shrewsbury Auction Centre manager Nick Hyne, a director of Halls.

"Some farmers are taking advantage of the excellent sheep prices by selling their in lamb ewes and there are plenty of buyers for them."