SHEEP sales at Kirkby Stephen are regularly running at double the rate they were last year, according to the mart's livestock manager Mark Richardson.

Drawing stock from Cumbria and beyond, the Tuesday afternoon prime and cast sheep sale was proving 'increasingly popular and going from strength to strength', said Mr Richardson.

"Many weeks we are selling double the amount of sheep that we sold at the same time last year, regularly up to 4,000 head and always well in excess of 2,000 sheep per week."

Kirkby Stephen is now recognised as one of northern England’s leading weekly sheep sales, and a platform to accommodate all classes and weights of sheep from 25kg lightweight lambs, up to 60kg plus heavy weight lambs.

"We are attracting upwards of 14 active buyers at this sale including local butchers, wholesalers, processors and export buyers, many supplying the ethnic trade," said Mr Richardson. "As a result of the number and diversity of buyers we are seeing a consistently competitive trade."

Following changes in local farming systems and practices, and the introduction of EID’s, one of biggest changes seen was the amount of top quality continental bred lambs being presented for auction at Kirkby Stephen, he said.

"These lambs are in great demand, which in term results in them achieving a premium price throughout the year, in the region of 230-300p/kg.

"The lightweight lamb trade, primarily Swaledales, has also been consistently strong. In recent weeks and we have achieved close on 2.00p/kg."

Mr Richardson added: "The heavier Swaledale hoggs have sold up to £98. Cast ewes and rams are also selling consistently well in recent weeks, topping at £165 for a pen of Continental x ewes, and £100 for hill ewes."