Talgarth Livestock Market recorded strong demand for both prime lambs and cull ewes at its sale on 16 October, with 1,157 lambs and 153 ewes presented for sale. The standard quality quotation (SQQ) for lambs reached 344p/kg.
Heavy lambs attract strong returns
The leading lamb price was 396p/kg, achieved by a 41.5kg lot from R W & C S Richards, The Parks. That entry returned £164.50 per head. A 39.5kg pen from C M Gwynne followed closely at 392p/kg.
Heavier lambs also met a firm trade. A number of 44kg lambs from The Bage made 386p/kg, equivalent to £170 per head. A 50kg pen from Fford-Fawr sold for £179 per head, while lambs weighing more than 52kg averaged £171.33 per head.
| Category or entry | Result |
|---|---|
| Talgarth lamb SQQ | 344p/kg |
| Top lamb price | 396p/kg; £164.50 per head |
| 44kg lambs from The Bage | 386p/kg; £170 per head |
| Lambs above 52kg | £171.33 per head average |
| Top 60kg lamb | £195 per head |
Cull ewe supply remains tight
The report also described the cull ewe trade as strong, despite limited numbers. A pure Texel led the section at £240 per head, while further top pens reached £225, £221 and £205.
Heavy ewes changed hands at between £180 and £194.50 per head. Fat Mules reached £184.50, while half-meated ewes made between £145 and £160, depending on size.
Thick Welsh culls topped at £154 per head, with other pens selling from £130 to £145. Plainer ewes traded between £90 and £120, leaving the overall cull ewe average at £145.75 per head.
- Prime lambs: 1,157 head sold, with an SQQ of 344p/kg
- Cull ewes: 153 head sold, averaging £145.75 per head
- The leading cull ewe was a pure Texel at £240 per head
The results indicate a clear distinction between the strongest returns for well-finished lambs and heavier, well-shaped ewes, and the lower values recorded for plainer cull stock. Talgarth’s sale figures also show the spread in returns within each category, with weight, finish and type reflected in the prices achieved.
