MITCHELLS AUCTION CO LTD
Market Report for Wednesday 27th December 2023
On Wednesday 27th December 2023, Mitchells Livestock Centre, Cockermouth held their weekly sale of primestock comprising of 1654 sheep including 1321 prime lambs and 333 cast ewes and rams.
The annual show and sale of young handlers proved the future is in safe hands as a wonderful show of lambs was put forward by 28 enthusiastic young stock people. Judging was in the experienced hands of Mr Joe Marrs, Blindcrake who professionally sorted through the classes. The show was kindly sponsored by Carrs Billington Ltd, Hundith Hill Hotel, Marsh Commercial, Brockbank Solicitors and RI Stampers Haulage Ltd.
Ater some deliberation the ‘Mitchells Auction Co Ltd Shield’ for Champion young handler was awarded to Grace Elliott of Bank House, Mungrisedale with her 50kg Texel lamb which later sold for £220 or the days top price per kilo of 440p purchased by Lancashire Direct Halal.
Reserve honours went to Bella Peile, Parkgate Hall with her 56kg Beltex lamb which sold for £220 purchased by Tony Harrison, Butcher, Main Street, Cockermouth.
Young Handlers Show & Sale
Under 6
1st- G Litt, Greengill
2nd- G Gate, Rook Farm
3rd- N Callion, Lodge Farm
6-10 years
1st & Reserve- Bella Peile, Parkgate Hall
2nd- Zoe Sanderson, Swallowdene
3rd- Joseph Ackerley, Milton Mains
4th – Adam Fearon, Kirklands House
11-16 years
1st & Champion- Grace Elliott, Bank House
2nd- Grace Lamb, The How
3rd- Louise Ackerley, Milton Mains
4th- Rory & Freddie, Grange Grassings
Over 16
1st- Archie Thompson, Croft End
2nd- Aidan Peile, Parkgate Hall
3rd- David Peile, Parkgate Hall
Prime Sheep
The days top price of £240 was achieved for a Texel lamb from George Gate Junior, Rook Farm and purchased by Tony Harrison, Butcher, Main Street, Cockermouth.
Lambs were a sublime trade from start to finish averaging £124.43 or 288.5ppk ensuring the festive spirit endured after the big day had ended.
Prime Lambs (Top price per kilo – pence):- Texel- 440 Bank House, 436.4, 333.3 Hollins, 436 The How, 390, 333.3 Greengill, 385.4, 354.2, 343.8 Pasture House, 384 Riggingill, 380, 374.1 Parsonage, 354.7 Rose Cottage, 350 Milton Mains, 347.8 Parkgate Hall, 342.9 Lodge Farm, 340.4 Croft End, 332, 331.4(2) Aspatria Hall, 330.6 Greengill. Beltex- 392.9, 391.7 Parkgate Hall, 388.9 Riggingill, 338.8, 321.4, 320 Aspatria Hall, 325 Prospect House, 320 Croft End. Suffolk- 306.8 Croft House, 302.1 Aspatria Hall, 295.6 Streetgate. Dutch Spotted- 305.4, 293.3 Cockley Gill. TexXHerd- 300 Dearham Row, 300 Swinside End, 297.5 Orthwaite Hall, 291 Low Eskholme. Cheviot- 287.8 Elva Plain, 282.1 Muncaster Head. Cheviot Mule- 283.7 Elva Plain. Mule- 280 Hilltop, 272.3, 261.4 Orthwaite Hall, 267.9, 265 Swinside End, 265.6 Howbeck Lodge, 262.5 Low Garth. Swaledale- 248.5 Stockhow Hall. Herdwick- 245.7 Low Eskholme.
Prime Lambs (Top price per head - £):- Texel- 240 Rook Farm, 235 Grange Grassings, 220 Bank House, 218, 169 The How, 202, 190 Parsonage, 195, 170 Greengill, 192 Riggingill, 188, 170 Rose Cottage, 185, 170 Pasture House, 180 Hollins, 180 Milton Mains, 178, 177, 173, 172 High Flatts, 175, 169(3) Aspatria Hall, Beltex- 220, 188 Parkgate Hall, 192, 179 Kelmore Hills, 180, 166, 146(2), 144 Aspatria Hall, 175 Riggingill, 171 Overcroft, 164 Harley Croft, 156 Prospect House, 144 Croft End. Suffolk- 142 Aspatria Hall, 135 Croft House, 133 Streetgate. TexXHerd- 140 Kirkland House, 131,124, 119 Orthwaite Hall, 122 Grange Grassings, 120 Dearham Row, 119 Howbeck Lodge. Mule- 135 Greengill, 128, 115 Orthwaite Hall, 121.50, 117 Beechcroft, 119.50 Howbeck Lodge, 115.50 Low Garth, 115 Wilson Park. Cheviot- 135, 117 Stonecroft, 118.50 Muncaster Head, 118 Elva Plain. Dutch Spotted- 132, 130, 120 Cockley Gill. Charollais- 125 Elva Plain. Cheviot Mule- 122 Elva Plain. Zwartble- 120 Dearham Row. Swaledale- 98.50 Muncaster Head. Herdwick- 93 Hollows.
Cast ewes sold to another improved trade on the week topping at £182 for Texels from Messrs Fraser, High Flatts, Gilcrux. Mules to £117 from TA Byers, Ellenbank, Boltongate. Fell sheep sold to £75 for Blackfaces from TA Byers, Ellenbank and £71 for Swaledales from G Butler, Moor Platt, Egremont. Many more could have been well sold.
Cull Ewes (per head - £):- -Texel- 182, 150, 146, 132 High Flatts. 152, 120 Ellenbank. 148, 120(2) Rook Farm. 124 Riggingill. Mule- 117, 111, 106 Ellenbank.108, 103 Outgang. 106 Rook Farm . Charollais - 116 Outgang. Bluefaced Leicester- 96 Cockley Gill. Scottish Black Face - 75 Ellenbank. 63 Low House. Swaledale - 71 Moor Platt. Herdwick- 68, 58 Low House. 60 Beechcroft. 57 Watergate Farm. 56 Grange Grassings. 55 East House. 54 Rook Farm. Badger- 58 Rook Farm.
Cast Rams (per head - £):- Herdwick- 82 Forge Farm.