Market Prices

Finished Sheep – 2,617 Sold

Top price per kilo – 221p –G H Dean & Company: Top price per head -£ 97.50 –G H Dean & Company Another strong trade with the weakening pound improving export demand. The best Beltex Cross & ¾ bred continental crosses took the pick of the trade at 200p plus with 39kg Beltex crosses topping the market at £ 86 (221p) from G H Dean & Company. Generally well fleshed lamb attracted the better prices while leaner sorts continue to sell at lower levels. However, a relatively large percentage of lean/underfinished

Cull Ewes and Rams – 379 Sold

A larger entry this week with nearly 700 ewes in the pens and once again a very strong trade throughout to coincide with the conclusion of the Ramadan period yesterday ( Wednesday). All grades of ewes were in demand but the best sold on the day would be the leaner sorts which were selling in excess of £ 60/hd. Best Ewes were in the region of £100/hd and only the very leanest sorts below £ 50/hd. With retail demand high for this week and numbers starting to increase around the country, it will remain to be seen if we can sustain this level of trade throughout July.

Finished Cattle – 42 Sold

An exceptional trade for finished cattle with a run of superb Limousin cross heifers from M B Farms selling from 224p to 229p/kg and grossing well up to £1393. The weekly consignment of Limousin cross heifers from W S Furnival ( Brookland) attracted prices of 200p plus and up to 219p(x2) and grossed up to £1246. A few native breeds on offer generally sold in excess of £ 900 and up to £1064 for a Sussex steer from Gillshaw Farms Ltd. Heavy bulls grossed up to £1229 from Burden Bros. With 11 successful buyers in attendance more finished cattle are wanted to satisfy current strong demand.

Cull Cows – 69 Sold

A very decent entry. Trade fully holding their rates with heavy fleshed cows in strong demand from processors and exporters. A superb run of assured fed beef cows from Burden Bros show the potential that fatteners, with the right feed, can achieve so other, non assured, producers are quite right to sell cows early to give the graziers and fatteners the time to achieve success with finishing and residency. Non assured slaughter cows 10-15p behind, feeders no difference!! Surprisingly few dairy culls forward today. We shall see more of these steadily coming forward, as the year moves on, so drawing a few together now and letting your haulier do the work when you are busy must make sense with rates as positive as they are. Good assured meat cows 120-140p, feeders all in demand and generally few but the leanest and oldest non assured below 100p.

Store Cattle – 148 Sold

An exceptional trade for a mixed entry of store cattle with a good attendance of potential buyers ensuring competitive returns for all on offer. Smart beef bred youngsters sold well with 6 mths Angus steers to £710 (250p) from GDK George and 10 mths Charollais cross steer at £780 (230p) from Mr and Mrs J Thompsett. Older 12-14 mths stores attracted plenty of interest with the best in excess of £ 900 and several customers in attendance been for heifers suitable for breeding. Strong cattle to finish sold in excess of £1000 and up to £1175 for a 24 mths Simmental cross steer from A J Thompson and Son.