Market Prices

Finished Sheep – 1064 Sold

A similar entry to last week in terms of number but fewer first quality lambs were penned. Monday’s published figures and the wet weather didn’t ignite the enthusiasm of our vendors to come forward with lambs for sale. Trade was certainly harder than last week but the heavier sorts were wanted and demand was strong with 51kg lambs to £76 from Mr Paul Mills and 50kgs to £77 from E Boyes & WV New. The best quality export weighted lambs sold to 163p/kg from K Lukehurst and 43kg lambs from R J Adams to £ 69.50.

Cull Ewes and Rams – 582 Sold

Trade is currently relatively stable with very best ewes again making to £75 but the best grazers to £ 60. There is a relatively small gap between the two classes of ewe but it must be taken into account that they are being bought by two very different groups of buyers and the relationship between the two should not be compared. There is strong demand at present for the grazing ewes. Top prices included continental ewes from R Lyle to £75, Suffolk crosses to £75 from P Mills and Romneys to £ 60 from M F Brignall and G& H Bates.

Store and Breeding Sheep – 5603 Sold

The special sale for Romney breeding sheep attracted a much improved entry with numbers up by some 45% on last year. The trade was very much as expected with overall averages back by some £10 to £15 per head and in line with price deduction for other breeds this season. The difference between lambs and tegs this year levelled at £ 35 compared to £40 difference last year. The best of the ewe lambs made around £75 with medium sorts generally £ 60 to £ 65 and the bottom runs selling at prices reflecting store value. The best of the ewe tegs sold for around £110 and medium types £ 85 to £ 95.

Finished Cattle – 101 Sold including 12 bulls

An increased entry met an improved trade particularly for the best handy weight, butcher types with a superb Blonde Cross steer topping the market at £1533 (234.5p/kg) from D W Ferguson Ltd. Other prices in excess of 215p/ kg included cattle from W S Furnival ( Brookland) and W Alexander ( Shoreham). Similar trade for heavier commercial types selling in the 170p to 190p/kg and grossing up to £1277 from J Batchelor & Partners while cattle suitable for further feeding attracted competitive bidding with the best around 200p and grossing in excess of £1000 and up to £1200. An increased entry of bulls with a Limousin Cross topping at £1393 (193.5p) from D W Ferguson Ltd and a run of aged Sussex bulls (26 to 36mths) up to £ 969 from C R Cook.

Cull Cows and Bulls – 83 Sold

Similar good numbers from both the beef and dairy sectors but noticeably short of flesh with not much difference in the meat trade. Another good enquiry for keeping cows but looking for youth and potential. The biggest impact this autumn is upon the non assured cows. Dairy culls are largely assured through their dairy assurance but many sizeable beef herds would be advised, for the sake of their cull returns, to look at the Farm Assurance standards and take the plunge. Good meat, assured, beef cows can still make 120-140p with the non assured probably 10p behind. No best keepers which would still be 150p but lean beef cows to feed 90-120p.