AN entry of 98 spring lambs provided plenty of interest and competition for the Bentham Auction Mart Easter Spring Lamb show and sale.

Nick Dalby assisted by James Robertshaw of Keelham Farm Shop carried out the judging duties, awarding champion prize to Robert Towers of Farleton for his 46kg Pure Bred Charollais. This was which was later purchased for Keelham Farm Shop for £155 (336p/kg).

A Dorset x lamb from Brian Barnes of Hawkin Hall took a deserved first prize in the Native class, selling to Mick Etherington for J Penny and Son of Rawdon, Leeds, for £118 (295p/kg).

Other notable sales included lambs from Alec and Freddie Jenkinson of Stalmine selling to £127 and 311p/kg, whilst the furthest travelled lambs came from William and Bruce Ingram of Inverurie selling their Pure Bred Charollais to £127.

The evening also saw regular Scottish vendor Robert Lawson of Lanarkshire take the honours of the supreme hogg with his 41kg Beltex x also purchased by Keelham Farm Shop for £140 (341p/kg).

A keenly contested show presented a difficult task to Nick Dalby and James Robertshaw, giving second prize to Anthony Thompson of Barnoldswick, whose 43kg Beltex x again purchased for the Keelham Farm Shop at £105.50, whilst Andy Rigby of Slaidburn sold his 44kg Beltex x hogg for £120 to Vivers Scot Lamb.

Away from the show ring saw a busier day than anticipated with buyers in much better form than expected for both Hoggs and Ewes. Best hoggs regularly 250-280p/kg and ordinary export types 190-210p/kg. Commercial 46-48kg hoggs regularly £83-£88 and Mules often bid to 170-180p/kg. Heavy hoggs slightly dearer on the week and meated light weight horned hoggs also better to sell. An overall Market average of 181p/kg nicely ahead of expectation.