A strong trade was reported for sheep at Knighton market this week, with new season hoggets selling to a top of 419ppk and £200 per head.

Auctioneers at McCartneys reported an entry of 710 new season hoggets and 275 cull sheep at the sale on Thursday, March 12.

Trade topped at 419ppk for 40kg Texel cross hoggets from K J Tortoriello, trading as Messrs Price Bros, selling for £167.50. Texel cross hoggets weighing 43.5kg from H J Middleton and Sons sold at 409ppk to £178, while 43kg Texel crosses from C V J and P M Pugh reached £176.

The top price per head was £200 for 62.5kg Texel cross hoggets from B O and C E Roberts, while 59kg Texel hoggets from J Bevan and Son sold for £195.50.

Auctioneers described the sale as a “cracking trade”, particularly for hoggets weighing between 37kg and 45kg, which regularly sold well over 405ppk. Hill-bred and Mule sheep were easily sold, helping produce an overall average of £169.19 per head.

Cull ewes averaged £137.82, topping at £220 for Texel cross ewes from E G Jones. Mule ewes sold to £172 for Texel crosses from E and W Griffiths, while Welsh ewes from R J Lewis reached £161.

Rams averaged £116.53 per head and sold to a top of £158 for a Texel ram from M O Pugh.

Auctioneers said demand remained strong across all types, with particularly good trade for stronger hill-bred sheep and well-meated sorts, while leaner grazing ewes and cull rams also continued to attract solid demand.

The next sale at Knighton will take place on Friday, March 20, including store cattle, cull cows, store sheep and in-lamb ewes, as well as fodder.