Mark Richardson, Regional Sales Manager (Kirkby Stephen) & Auctioneer at Harrison & Hetherington looks back on the 2024 season at Kirkby Stephen Auction Mart
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what has been an exceptional year here at Kirkby Stephen Mart. From standout sales to record-breaking averages, the market has truly excelled in every category.
One of the standout sales of the year was held on February 24th: the dispersal sale of 200 in-lamb Swaledale breeding sheep from the renowned Oakbank Flock of Patrick and Kirsty Sowerby. This event captured the attention of buyers from far and wide, with a top price of £6,000 achieved for a 3-crop ewe. The 200 ewes, ranging in age from shearlings to 10-year-olds, averaged a remarkable £675.31.
The Kirkby Classic in February was another highlight, showcasing 61 show-potential cattle. These entries averaged £2,218.18, with the sale topping at £3,200 for a nine-month-old British Blue heifer from Messrs Sedgley, Low Bank House, Carnforth. The quality on offer was truly phenomenal, setting the tone for an exceptional year of cattle sales.
Our store cattle sales throughout the year consistently achieved outstanding averages, with February’s sale leading the way. A total of 519 store cattle were catalogued, and steers averaged £1,488.08, an increase of £262.70 on the year. Heifers followed suit, averaging £1,423.75, up £245.46. These results are a testament to the exceptional quality of stock being put forward by farmers and coming through Kirkby Stephen.
In September, the annual sale of NEMSA Mule gimmer lambs was another resounding success. The sale topped at £500 for the overall champion pen of ten from Messrs Hayton, Asby Grange. The trade was electric from start to finish, with a total clearance achieved and an impressive average of £154.38, up £33.66 on the year. Notably, no lambs sold for under £100, with 23 pens (274 lambs) selling between £200-£500 and 54 pens (747 lambs) fetching between £180-£500.
Swaledale ewes also saw an extraordinary trade this year. Buyers travelled from as far afield as Biggar in the north and Cornwall in the south, ensuring a lively and competitive atmosphere. The overall ewe sale average was £176.14, up £49.24 on the year, while gimmer shearlings averaged £163.29, an increase of £44.64. Strong, well-marked pens of ewes were in particularly high demand, with many selling between £200-£270. In total, twenty pens (226 ewes) sold in excess of £200, and forty-three pens (568 ewes) fetched over £180.
The Swaledale ram sales spanned three days and saw a top price of £34,000. Shearling rams averaged £2,556.96 over two days, with a remarkable overall clearance rate of 89.7%. These figures highlight the strength and reputation of Kirkby Stephen as a premier venue for top-quality stock.
In October, the suckled calf sale was another highlight, topping at £3,200 for the overall champion, a ten-month-old Limousin cross heifer from Messrs Brown, Asby Hall, Great Asby. Exceptional consignment averages were achieved, with Messrs Hayton, Asby Grange selling 40 calves to average £1,426.92, up £188.17 on the year, and Messrs Brown, Asby Hall selling 60 calves to average £1,416.86, up £125.86. Overall sale averages for steers and heifers were £1,237.58 and £1,221.80 (up £47.94), respectively. Impressively, 62 calves sold for between £1,500-£3,200.
Prime sheep trade remained robust throughout the year, defying the usual late-year slump thanks to a balanced supply and growing demand. Weekly sales consistently saw a dozen or more buyers in attendance, ensuring strong competition across all breeds, weights, and classes. The best-quality lambs regularly achieved over 400p/kg, with a peak of 784.3p/kg and £400 for a pen of pair of 51kg Beltex lambs from Messrs Askwith, Crook at our Christmas show. Out with the show this same week an impressive 44 lambs sold in excess of 500p/kg, an unbelievable 378 lambs selling above 400p/kg a mighty 44 lambs sold in excess of £200 and a wonderful 370 lambs sold above £170. The SQQ average 350.1p with an overall average of 2793 selling to average 333.4p. These results further cement its position as the leading market for quality prime sheep in the country.
Overall, trade throughout the year has been as buoyant as ever, with many sales achieving record-breaking averages. One of the key factors driving these exceptional results has been the ongoing decline in livestock numbers nationwide, driven by changes in government policy that discourage production, but with Kirkby Stephen increasing its market share along with the high quality of stock which Kirkby Stephen is renowned for has contributed to attracting buyers from the length and breadth of the country.
We were incredibly fortunate this year to have welcomed Maria Buckle to run the new café, the ‘Grazing Ground’, at our Mart which is proving to be a continuously popular place to for our staff and customers to meet.
As we look ahead to 2025, I want to thank all our vendors, buyers, and supporters for making this year such an incredible success. Here’s to another outstanding year at Kirkby Stephen Market!