McCartneys reported 307 New Season hoggets and 275 cull sheep at Knighton Market on Thursday, April 2.

The New Season hoggets averaged 410.00ppk and 392.02ppk overall. Trade topped at 428ppk for 38kg Texel X hoggets from J E Williams & Sons at £162.50, 36kg Texel X from R & K Duggan at £154, and 37.5kg Texel X from J H Morris & Sons at £160. Top price per head was £185 for 60.50kg Suffolk X hoggets from D A Pugh & Son, with 58kg Texel hoggets from R J Moore reaching £182. A shorter entry led into Easter, with the 36–41kg hoggets achieving the highest ppk, and the overall average per head reaching £170.43.

Ewes (261) averaged £143.10, with Suffolk X ewes from Bow Wood Farms & T W Jones & Son topping at £220, Mule ewes from D A Pugh & Son to £200, and hill-bred Welsh ewes from J J Owens & Son to £172. Rams averaged £144.43, with a Texel X ram from C V J & P M Pugh selling to £205.

The cull trade was described as “exceptional” with meated ewes £20–£30 dearer and all sheep generally stronger. Sellers are encouraged to book sheep on Wednesdays to help inform buyers of expected numbers.