Farmers gather for livestock auction in Cumbria - in pictures

Prime lamb and cast ewes are shown at Mitchell's Livestock Auctioneers in Cockermouth, Cumbria
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

There is a shortage of 'clean lambs' this year after thousands of pregnant ewes and lambs were lost in the unseasonably severe conditions in late March
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Sheep are marked with dye for identification
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Farmers look on as livestock is auctioned
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Sheep passports are kept for traceability
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Prime lamb and cast ewes are sold off
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Retired farmers watch the livestock sale
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

The National Farmers' Union claims there has been a four-fold increase in hardship funds given to farmers hit by loss of livestock and increased feed costs because of the extended winter weather
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

The shortage of livestock has pushed market prices higher but farmers complain that supermarkets are artificially keeping prices down by importing more New Zealnd lamb to fill the gap
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian