MESSRS Craig Wilson Ltd had a plainer show of 1,641 prime lambs forward at their weekly sale at Ayr yesterday when over-fat ones were harder to cash, although good export types maintained last week's high rates. Top prices on the day were £93 per head and 215.4p per kg, with the overall average levelling at 175.6p (-4p on the week).

There was a larger show of cast sheep when big, fat ewes were sharper on the week, while light/export-types met a similar trade. The 420 heavy ewes forward sold to £166 for Texels and averaged £74.71, while 526 light ewes peaked at £48.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £34.69.

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 40 prime heifers in St Boswells yesterday to a top of 258p per kg and an average of 216p (-5p), while eight prime bullocks peaked at 239p and levelled at 210p (+17p).

In the rough ring 25 beef cows sold to 127p and averaged 93p (-18p).

There were also 1,239 prime lambs that sold to £115 and 242p to average 183.5p (-1.5p).

A smaller show of 293 cast sheep were dearer on the week with heavy ewes selling to £117 for Suffolks and averaging £80, while light ewes peaked at £91 for Cheviots and levelled at £50.

The firm also sold 14 prime heifers in Carlisle yesterday to a top of 232.5p and an average of 205.5p (+4.7p), while 18 prime bullocks peaked at 229.5p and levelled at 196.4p (-13.7p). Forty-one prime, beef-bred bulls sold to 219.5p and averaged 194.4p (+10.9p), while 41 prime, dairy-bred bulls peaked at 173.5p and levelled at 152.6p (+6.6p).

In the rough ring 87 beef cows sold to 176.5p and averaged 112.7p (+0.6p), while 127 dairy cows peaked at 143.5p and levelled at 86.8p (+0.6p). Four bulls sold to 134.5p and averaged 114.7p (+0.5p).

There were also 2,241 prime lambs that sold to £101 and 254p to average 181.3p (-7.7p).

The 105 heavy cast ewes forward sold to £113 for Texels and averaged £71.29, while 68 light ewes peaked at £67.50 for Hill Cheviots and levelled at £31.80.

Lawrie & Symington Ltd sold 22 prime heifers in Lanark yesterday to a top of 262p and an average of 245p (+4p), while four prime bullocks peaked at 228p and levelled at 221p (no change).

In the rough ring 16 beef cows averaged 98p (-4p) and 24 dairy cows levelled at 85p (-1p). A bull fetched 90p.

There were also 3,353 prime lambs forward that sold to £100 and 234p to average 179p (-6p).

A large show of cast sheep were also easier on the week with 524 heavy ewes selling to £161 for a Texel and averaging £69.94, while 596 light ewes peaked at £63 for Cheviots and levelled at £38.61.