Market Prices

Finished Sheep – 1331 Sold

A slightly bigger entry of lambs forward, with an overall better show of quality than last week. A slight improvement in the Sterling/ Euro exchange rate and low numbers being marketed nationally has helped to slightly boost prices from last week with the entry as a whole averaging almost 3p/kg more. Strong Beltex lambs from Mr K Lukehurst and Mrs C Cox topped the prices per kilo at 172p/kg with heavier sorts from G H Dean & Co selling at 166p/kg. Heavy Crossbred lambs from C&J Georgetti sold to £71.80 (160p/kg) and best of the heavy sorts from Mr J Lilley sold to £78 ( 51kgs).

Cull Ewes and Rams – 479 Sold

A similar trade to last week with the grazers selling particularly well once again with several customers looking to secure sheep to farm on. Meat ewes were few and far between and sold to a top of £78.50. Average price was return about £3 ahead of last week which appears to be the same story at others markets around the country. Top prices were as follows; Crossbred ewes to £78.50 from L Andreozzi and £76.50 from Leaconfield Farms, Suffolk crosses to £ 65 from K Sinden and CD Bishop, well fleshed Romneys to £ 63.50 from R H Kingston.

Store Lamb Sale – 5,732 Sold

Another strong trade for a similar entry of store lambs with prices firming by some £1 to £ 2 per head on the week. The majority of stores sold in the £ 50 to £ 60 bracket with the best £ 57 plus, medium sorts around £ 55 and only very small long term sorts below £ 50. A few pens of meat lambs topped the market with Suffolk x Mule at £ 64.80 from D Howard Farms and Texel cross up to £ 66.50 from G J Duncanson Ltd, while purebred Charollais sold at £ 63.50 from D J Morphett. An increased entry of Romney wether lambs sold well up to £ 53.80 and averaged £46 overall.

Finished Cattle – 56 Sold including 1 bull

Trade very similar for the best cattle this week and a little firmer for the commercial cattle. A few more buyers round the ring helped. Quality runs from W S Furnival, D W Ferguson and W Alexander making 219.5, 215.5 and 214.5 respectively. Leaner cattle for further feeding made to 198.5p/kg from P M Langridge. Alan Downs well fleshed dairy red cattle made to 193.5.

Cull Cows and Bulls – 27 Sold

Again, trade very similar with not a lot of meat on offer with plenty of cows going on for further feeding. Best price was for a Limousin cow from Graham Hinsley making 139.5p/kg. It is notice- able how it is harder to sell non-farm assured cows so please make sure your assurance is up to date.

Store Cattle – 535 Sold

The largest entry of store cattle in early September for many years was well received with a ringside packed with potential buyers. The entry was mixed with a complete range of ages and breeds although there was a high percentage of native and dairy bred stores on offer and a relatively small percentage of Continental cross single suckled yearlings. The large attendance of buyers ensured a total clearance with customers for all sorts at favourable competitive prices. The few smart Continental cross beef bred youngsters sold exceptionally well with the best steers attracting prices in excess of £ 800 and heifers around £700.