On Tuesday Hexham and Northern Mart held their weekly prime sheep and cattle sale.

A good quality show was put forward with an exceptional Blonde bred heifer consigned by Mr J Gibb, Jubilee Buildings topping the market at 231.5ppk & £1238. Trade was satisfactory without reaching the heights of last week.

Charolais Heifers: £1272.70 & £1242.57 Flotterton. 222.5p & 213.5p Flotterton. Blonde Heifers: £1262.25 & £1238.53 Jubilee Buildings. 231.5p & 229.5p Jubilee Buildings.

OTM. A smaller show of cows were forward. All classes were keenly sought after, however prices were in keeping with national trends and were cheaper on the week.

Blonde: £1166.66 & £1047.92 Jubilee Buildings. 135.5p & 130.5p Jubilee Buildings. British Blue: £1020.29 Midgeholme, £828 Comb Hills. 143.5p Midgeholme. Charolais (bull): £931.88 Coldwell. Hereford: £812.66 New Rift. Angus: £808.37 The Raw. 114.5p The Raw. Limousin: £773.17 Burntongues, £748.22 Redburn, £744.98 The Raw. 119.5p Burntongues. Luing: £713.40 & £703.84 Blueburn.

More numbers and weight of prime sheep and lamb put forward.

Trade much sharper on the week with good export types in particular in strong demand. Top price was £100 and 231.1ppk for Beltex x lambs from M/s AE & NG Beveridge, Low West House, Tow Law and also £100 for Texel x from Nilston Rigg Farms. Top price per kilo 231.1p and 230.8p from M/s AE & NG Beveridge, Low West House.

Texel x: £100 Nilston Rigg, £95 Low West House (x2), Low Ardley & Nilston Rigg, £92 Nilston Rigg, £90 High Eshells, High Salmonswell (x2), Low West House (x3) & Nilston Rigg (x2), £89.50 St Oswalds, £88 East Uppertown, Low Ardley, Great Bavington & Nilston Rigg, £86.50 & £86.20 High Eshells, £86 Low Ardley (x2), £85 Willimoteswick, St Oswalds, Aydonshields, Holly Hill West (x2) & West Shields. 230.8p & 225p Low West House, 220.9p Low Ardley, 218.3p St Oswalds, 214.6p East Uppertown, 214.3p Nilston Rigg, 210.5p Palm Strothers, 210p Low Ardley & High Fotherley, 206.5p Low West House (x2), 205p Broomhall, 204.8p Low Ardley, 202.5p High Fotherley, 202.4p St Oswalds, 200p Low West House, 197.6p Palm Strothers, 196.5p Highwood, 195.4p High Warden, 190.9p New Dotland, 190.5p Broomhall, 187.4p High Eshells, 185.5p West Shields, 185.2p Palm Strothers. Dutch Texel x: £90 & £85 Willimoteswick. 209.3p & 207.3p Willimoteswick. Suffolk x: £95 Great Bavington, £90 Nilston Rigg, £84 Great Bavington, £83.50 Colepike, £83 Springwell, Great Bavington (x2) & Luns House, £82.50 Springwell & Flotterton, £82.20 Great Bavington, £82 New Dotland & Old Town (x2), £81 Baal Hill. 183.8p Luns House, 181.9p Flotterton, 181.8p & 180.9p Luns House, 180.7p Old Town, 177.8p Springwell, 177.3p Great Bavington, 176.7p Haggwood, 176.6p Great Bavington, 176.1p Baal Hill, 174.9p Great Bavington. Beltex x: £100 & £85.50 Low West House, £84 St Oswalds. 231.1p & 222.2p Low West House, 210p St Oswalds. Charollais x: £82.50 Colepike, £82 Flotterton. 181.7p & 171.9p Colepike, 170.8p Flotterton. Cheviot x: £78 & £77 Flotterton. 168.6p & 167.4p Flotterton. Mule: £78.50 New Dotland, £77.50 Warksfield Head, £76.80 New Dotland, £76 Flotterton, £73.80 Baal Hill, £70.50 Broomhall. 176.7p Flotterton, 176.1p Warksfield Head, 175.7p Baal Hill, 174.6p New Dotland. Blackface: £76 Warksfield Head, £68 Broomhall. 165.9p Broomhall, 165.2p Warksfield Head.

Cast ewes and rams. Mule: £56 Haggwood.

On Friday Hexham & Northern Marts offered a sound, catalogued entry of 358 head of store cattle at their weekly sale.

With winter well and truly upon us, ground now cutting up and both fodder and bedding stores being utilised perhaps quicker than desired trade for all classes looks easier than seen throughout November. Buyers remain keen for the best end of steers and heifers of all breeds but are paying keen attention to the condition and ‘finishing time’ of every animal.

Older forward sorts are still in demand and this week peaked at £1390 for a first class Charolais cross bullock at 18 months from noted breeder Ken Sisterson, Newlands Haugh, Ebchester. Next in the ranking was a similarly superb black Limmy Bullock at the same age; the best for some years from local producer Alan Ogle, Comb Hills, Slaley which hit £1340. Stronger heifers peaked at £1260 for a two year old Charolais cross lady with depth and shape from Kenny McCreery, Farnamullen. Continuing the theme seen throughout the year heifers were by and large easier to sell than steers with a number of vendors expressing surprise at the difference in demand and ultimately price between the two classes, many seeing their well-bred heifers exceed the values of their bullock brothers. Father and son Willie & Mark Longlands, Rusheylaw brought forward a well-presented batch of cattle and saw yearling Charolais cross heifers peak at £1170 to average £1142 for 6 sold whilst steers peaked at £1155 to average £1078.

One of the most sought after pens of cattle on the day was that of Dennis & Stuart Charlton, Whiteside who came forward with 14 well-bred Limousin cross cattle at 8-10 months displaying typical ‘Whiteside trademark’ shape and style. Both steers and heifers peaked at £1055 and the run of 14 comprising ten and four respectively averaged £1017 throughout for the highly regarded Roman Wall based father and son team.

Cattle 23 – 30 months. Charolais x heifers: £1020 Farnamullan. Limousin x steers: £1275 Kirkley March, £1080 Sweethope. Limousin x heifers: £1175 Nilston Rigg, £1150, £1130 & £1000 White House Matfen. Simmental x steers: £1010 Springwell. Angus x steers: £1070 Springwell.

Cattle 17 – 22 months. Charolais x steers: £1390, £1285, £1270 & £1250 Newlands Haugh, £1200 Rare Dean, £1190 Rennington South, £1180 Rennington South (x2) & Springwell, £1170 Rare Dean, £1165, £1155 & £1145 Rennington South, £1100 Kirkley March & Rennington South, £1060 Springwell, £1040 Rennington South. Charolais x heifers: £1260 Farnamullan, £1170 Rare Dean, £1120 & £1060 Farnamullan, £1045 Little Harle, £1020 Farnamullan, £1000 Rare Dean. Limousin x steers: £1340 Comb Hills, £1300 Luns House, £1270 High House & Luns House (x2), £1240 Luns House, £1220 Biddlestone, £1210, £1200 & £1190 High House, £1140 Armond Carr, £1120 Rennington South, £1100, £1085 & £1070 Kirkley March, £1050 Sweethope, Kirkley March & Comb Hills, £1040 Kirkley March, £1010 Kirkley March & Biddlestone, £980 Camphill. Limousin x heifers: £1195 Armond Carr, £1185 Comb Hills, £1080 Comb Hills & Lee Hall, £1060 White House Matfen, £1020 Lee Hall, £1000 Camphill & Lee Hall (x2), £990 Lee Hall, £980 St Oswalds & Lee Hall, £960 Camphill. British Blue x steers: £1100 & £1060 Camphill. British Blue x heifers: £1065 & £990 Camphill. Simmental x steers: £1030 Springwell, £980 & £955 (x2) Newton Greens. Simmental x heifers: £1000 Dalton Hill Head. Angus x steers: £1250 Newlands Haugh, £1140 Springwell (x2), £1110 Newlands Haugh, £1090 (x2) Low Eshells, £1050 Biddlestone, £1045 The Stobbs, £1015 Low Eshells, £990 Newton Farm, £980 & £970 The Stobbs, £960 Biddlestone. Angus x heifers: £1070 High Town, £985 Lee Hall, £945 The Stobbs.

Hereford x steers: 1080, £1015 & £1010 Biddlestone, £960 Bunker Hill, £930 Biddlestone. Saler x heifers: £910 St Oswalds. South Devon x steers: £920 Newton Greens. South Devon x heifers: £910 Newton Greens.

Cattle 11 – 16 months. Charolais x steers: £1155 & £1070 Rusheylaw, £925 Harewalls. Charolais x heifers: £1170, £1150 (x2) & £1120 Rusheylaw, £925 (x2) Farnamullan. Limousin x steers: £1165 Low Eshells, £1100 & £1080 Rusheylaw, £1030, £1015 & £1005 Whiteside Haltwhistle, £1000 Whiteside Haltwhistle & Featherwood, £990 Rusheylaw & Whiteside Haltwhistle, £940 Featherwood, £935 Harnam Hall (LM), £930 Featherwood. Limousin x heifers: £1115 Rusheylaw, £1060 Camphill, £1030 Lee Hall, £1000 Whiteside Haltwhistle, £990 Warksfield Head, £980 Whiteside Haltwhistle, £940 Featherwood. British Blue x steers: £1155 Warksfield Head, £990 Camphill. British Blue x heifers: £960 Warksfield Head. Simmental x steers: £1065 Springwell. Angus x steers: £950 Newton Farm.

Cattle 10 months and under. Charolais x steers: £1075 Rusheylaw. Limousin x steers: £1055 & £1025 Whiteside Haltwhistle, £990 & £930 Warksfield Head. Limousin x heifers: £1055 Whiteside Haltwhistle.

Another large show of ewes this week that met a very similar trade as last week. Larger, fleshier sorts would be a touch dearer.

Texel: £138 Brinkburn Newhouses, £98 Loan Side, £86 Brinkburn Newhouses. Texel x: £135 Halton Red House, £128 Flotterton, £117 Halton Red House, £115 Brinkburn Newhouses & High Eshells, £109 Halton Red House, £108 High Eshells, £105 Buskin Farm, £104 Rose Cottage, £102 Peel Flatt, £97 New Acres, £96 Follions, £91 Harnam Hall, £90 Halton Red House, New Acres, Harnam Hall & Longlea Netherwitton, £89 Stamford & Blakelaw, £88 New Acres & Westerside, £86 Thockrington & Harnam Hall (x2), £85 Redesmouth, £84 Old Forge, £80Houselope Grange, £77 Low Staples, £76 New Dotland & Westerside. Suffolk: £120 Brinkburn Newhouses. Suffolk x: £100 Harnham Hall, £97 Brinkburn Newhouses, £95 Stamford, £89 Flotterton, £77 Dene House, £76 Steel Hall & Bowmont Hill. Beltex x: £101 Bavington Hill Head. Leicester: £74 Harnam Hall, £70 Ottercops. Cheviot: £40 Bavington Hill Head, £38 Falstone Farm, £37 Flotterton. SC Cheviot: £84 & £60 Flotterton. Cheviot Mule: £78 & £77 Harnam Hall (LM), £76 Bavington Hill Head, £73 Flotterton. Mule: £64 High Eshells, £62 Flotterton & Houselope Grange, £58 New Dotland, Westerside, Buskin & Coltpark, £56 Thockrington, Wingates South & Coltpark, £55 High Fotherley & Harnam Hall, £54 Halton Red House, £53 Longlea Netherwitton, £52 Stamford & Paradise. Blackface: £50 Nilston Rigg & Harnam Hall, £46 Dunns Houses & Blakelaw, £45 Old Forge, Dunns Houses & Kellah, £44 Cottonshope, £40 Thornton Tower, Hole Farm & Blakelaw. Swaledale: £57 Low Mill, £42 Red House, £40 The Wham (x2), £39 Old Forge & Blakelaw, £35 Blakelaw, £34 Hawksteel. Crossbred: £100 Bavington Hill Head, £95 Flotterton, £75 Harnam Hall, £70 Moorgair, £68 Loan Side, £64 Peel Flatt.

A tremendous show of store lambs for the time of year sold to a ring full of customers and all classes dearer on the week.

Texel x: £95 Coatyards, £85 Follions, £83 Butterknowes, £82 Bellingham Demesne & Keepershield, £81.50 Blue Gables & Buskin, £81 New Acres, £80.50 New Acres, Derwent Grange & Burradon Windyside, £80 Homilton & Sandylands, £79.50 Laburnum Cottage, £79 Whitechapel, Bellingham Demesne, Percy Arms & Ravenside, £78.50 High Barns, £78 Finely Farm & Hopesley House, £77.50 East Uppertown, £77 Longlea Netherwitton, Finely Farm & Burradon Windyside, £76.50 Bowmont Hill, Longlea Netherwitton, Coatyards, Causey Burn & Sandylands, £76 Chapel House, Butterknowes & Burradon Windyside. Dutch Texel x: £84 Agars Hill, £77 Burn House & Agars Hill (x2), £76.50 Midgeholme (x2), £75 Burn House & Agars Hill, £71 Agars Hill. Suffolk x: £81 Hopesley House, £78.50 Brixter Hill & High Barns, £77.50 Lamberton & Piatroon, £77 Whitechapel, £75.50 Broadwood Hall, £74.50 Bowmont Hill, £74 Midgeholme, £73.50 Black Hedley, £73 Duddo Hill & Dene House, £72.50 Duddo Hill, £72 Heatherslaw, £71 Piatroon & High Alderheads, £70 Heatherslaw & East Highridge. Beltex x: £93, £92 & £90 (x2) Middle Horsleyhope, £80.50 Thornton Tower, £80 Hallington New Houses, £79.50 Moorgair, £77 Thornton Tower, £73.50 Watch Hill. Lleyn: £70.50 Stanton Town Head. Ryeland: £60.50 Peel Flatt. Cheviot x: £59.50 & £50 Cottonshope. Mule: £79.50 Redburn, £76 Whitechapel, £74.50 Buteland, £71 Redburn (x2) & East Highridge, £69.50 Farneyshield & Redburn, £69 Buteland, £68 Moorgair & Red House, £64 Townfoot Woodburn, £63.50 Newbiggin, £63 Gleedlee, £62.50 Low Mill, £59 Red House & Farneyshield, £58.50 East Highridge. Blackface: £66 & £59 Buteland, £58 Bellshiel (x2), £56.50 Blueburn, £55 & £50 Featherwood, £46.50 Edlingham Demesne & Buteland. Swaledale: £40 Wolf Hills (x2), £32.50 Gleedlee. Crossbred: £77 Barracks Farm, £74.50, £74, £72.50 & £69.50 Bowmont Hill, £68 Broom House.

On Wednesday 5 December, Scots Gap Auction Mart held its Christmas prime sheep show.

A small but select show of lambs of all breeds were presented.

Champion pen and 1st prize Beltex crosses Messrs Hall, New Houses, Hallington which weighed 43kg and sold for £144 per head (334.9ppkg) to the judge.

Reserve Champion pen & 1st prize Texel crosses J R Walton, Grangemoor, Scots Gap which weighed 46kg and sold for £104 (226ppkg) to Jeff Dunn, Ponteland and were purchased for WMH Farm Fresh Meats, Haydon Bridge.

1st: Prize Suffolk cross: Messrs Robson, Dene House.

1st: Prize Mule: Messrs Thoburn, Pitland Hills.

1st: Prize Blackface: Messrs Scott, The Brigg.

A good show of cast sheep were also presented.

Champion and 1st prize Suffolk crosses Messrs Johnson, Tuthill, Cambo which sold for £106 per head to Jeff Dunn, Ponteland.

Reserve Champion & 1st Prize Texel Crosses E Robson, High Baulk, Hexham which sold for £98 to the same buyer.

1st Prize Mules: Messrs Johnson, Tuthill.

1st Prize Hill Ewes: Messrs Renton, Bowershield (Cheviots).

Besides show sheep a good entry of all classes were presented and once again sold to great rates. Out with show prices the sale peaked at £99 for a super heavyweight Texel cross lamb from Jonta Walton, Grangemoor and at 196.3ppkg for a smart pen of 6 from the same home at 41kg.

Cast sheep peaked at £110 for a retired Texel ram from Messrs Walton, Troughend, Otterburn.

Texel x: £104 & £99 Grangemoor, £92 Old Town, £90 (x2) Grangemoor, £88 (x3) Grangemoor, £82 & £81 Tosson Tower, £80.50, £80 (x2) Grangemoor, £80(x2) Rugley Walls, £ 80 Tosson Tower. 212.2p & 196.3p Grangemoor, 195.2p & 195.1p Tosson Tower, 194.9p Black Callerton, 192.9p Tosson Tower, 190.5p (x2) Rugley Walls, 190.5p, 190.2p & 179.1p Tosson Tower, 177.6p Black Callerton, 173.9p Grangemoor, 170.7p Dene House, 169.8p (x2) Grangemoor. Beltex x: £144 New Houses, Hallington, £90 Grangemoor. 334.9p New Houses, Hallington & 183.7p Grangemoor. Suffolk x: £74 Black Callerton, £72 Dene House. 163.6p Dene House, 160.9p Black Callerton. Mule: £80 & £78 Pitland Hills, £75 Mrs C Thorburn Pitland Hills, £75 Pitland Hills. 159.6p & 156.0p Pitland Hills. Cheviot: £55 & £54 The Brigg. 150.0p & 148.6p The Brigg. Blackface: £60 & £50 The Brigg. 157.9p & 142.9p The Brigg.

cast ewes and rams. Texel x: £98 High Baulk, £96, £86 (x2) Cornhills, £83 High Baulk. Texel Ram: £110 Dunns Houses. Suffolk x: £106 & £86 Tuthill. Mule: £76 & £72 Tuthill. Cheviot: £73 & £50 Bowershield. Blackface: £60 & £56 Dunns Houses, £54 & £40 The Brigg.