Chris Tate

Young handlers competed in the annual Prime Lambs Show at CCM Skipton, gaining experience in livestock presentation, showing and auction sales. Fifteen-year-old Jovi Wood of Stokesley won the overall championship with a 44kg Beltex-cross lamb that sold for £260, while Freddie Barrett was reserve champion. Oliver Lambert won the under-six class, Lucy Parker won the seven-to-11 class, and several other young competitors achieved strong results. Organizers emphasized the auction mart’s role in educating and encouraging the next generation of sheep farmers, with Houseman Contractors sponsoring the event.

Strong spring lamb prices at CCM’s Monday Market saw heavy and overweight lambs sell particularly well, with multiple vendors achieving top prices across Texel, Suffolk, Blue Texel and Beltex breeds. Hill and horned lambs also sold strongly, while trade for cull ewes, rams and prime cattle remained firm. Calf sales were buoyant, with rearing calves and various bull and heifer breeds achieving high prices. Upcoming store lamb sale dates were announced for mid-July.

The National Sheep Association has partnered with BudApp to help dog walkers avoid livestock-related incidents by providing real‑time information on sheep locations and advice on responsible countryside access. Farmers can upload livestock locations to guide walkers on safer routes, while the app’s new resource section offers guidance developed with the NSA. The initiative aims to reduce sheep worrying, which causes significant harm to animals and financial loss to farmers.