McCartney’s Brecon Market saw a “tremendous entry” on Tuesday, November 11, with 948 finished lambs alongside 196 cull ewes and rams passing through.

The finished lamb trade maintained a strong level throughout, leaving an SQQ of 315.8ppk and an overall average of 313.1ppk and £131.06 per head.

Prime lambs sold briskly, with all weights attracting keen bidding. Export weights generally traded at 315pk, to a top of 328ppk or £157.75. There was a good trade also along the lights, seeing a top of 326.5ppk and £127.34 from the same good home. Hill bred sorts traded around 295ppk to 305ppk.

Auctioneers noted a particularly high-quality show of lambs, with more entries welcomed weekly. Store lambs are scheduled for the next sale on Tuesday, November 18, and sellers are encouraged to inform the market of entries in advance.

Cull sheep also attracted a solid trade. The average price for cull ewes was £113.60 per head, with heavy, well-fed ewes fetching up to £198, with the smaller or plainer sorts looking dear in comparison. Only the very smallest ewes sold for less than £50.

Market officials thanked all buyers and sellers who took part in the sale for their continued support, noting that primestock (sheep) sales are held every Tuesday from 9:30am, with weigh-ins starting at 7am.

Fortnightly store lamb sales will continue following prime lambs, while the next store cattle sale is scheduled for Friday, November 28, including the annual Christmas fatstock and butcher’s cattle. A strong entry will be required for this sale.

For up-to-date market information or to arrange entries, auctioneers are available on the following numbers: Lloyd Humphreys (store cattle & cull cows) – 07534 532468, Tom Pritchard (sheep) – 07903 618253, and Jenny Layton Mills (store cattle) – 07867 522859.