Livestock and crops

FORFAR – Prime bullocks (seven) averaged 228.8p and sold to 248p a kg for a 581kg Lim from Nethermyres, to W.E. Fairlie, Letham, and to £1,572.21 for a 647kg Lim also from Nethermyres and again to W.E. Fairlie. Heifers (18) averaged 228.3p and sold to 248p a kg for a 549kg Lim from Gask, to Fleming Butchers, Arbroath, and for a 553kg Lim from Nethermyres to W.E. Fairlie. Top gross was £1,480.36 for a Char from Gask to James Ewart, Monifieth. Prime hoggs (704) averaged 171.2p and sold to 214p a kg for a 43kg Tex from Mains of Melgund and £93.50 for a 44kg Tex from Torrax. SQQ average was 176p a kg.

HUNTLY – Old season lambs (1,906) sold to 212p a kg for 39kg Bel from Overhill, Rothienorman, and to £90 for 54kg Tex from Daies, Wardhouse. Hogg trade was more buoyant this week. Export types were in particular demand as were the best quality hoggs and these were short of buyers’ requirements. Centre records were smashed once again at the mart. The largest show of ewes seen at the centre were presented to the usual full ringside of buyers. All classes saw a rise in value, especially for lean and BF types. A tremendous run of heavy ewes were keenly bid for and sold away exceeding vendors’ expectations. Leading prices per head and per kg: Old season lambs – Suf £85.50 Woodbank, 185p Wardhead and Strichen Mains; SufX - £81 Daies, 180p Iriewells; Tex - £87, 204p Cobbleheugh; TexX £86 Heathmount, 200p Mains of Cranna; Cont - £85 Woodbank and Nether Oldwhat, 197p Upper Backieley; Chev - £85.50 Heathmount, 192p Inkstack; Mule - £82.50 Daies, 179p Tombreakachie; BF - £75 Daies, 177p Overhill; Bel £88 Upper Tullochbeg, 212p Overhill; Char - £85 Upper Tullochbeg, 194p upper Backieley, Craigieview and Wardhead; CharX - £87.50, 200p Craigieview. Ewes (1,283) - Suf - £125 Tofthills, £121 Kennieshillock; SufX - £114 Tofthills; Tex – £138 Home Farm Drumminor; TexX £130 Hilton of Culsh; Cont £129 Hilton of Culsh; Chev £113 Heathmount; Mule £88 Hilton of Culsh; GF £80 Essil; BF - £64.50 Raws; Cross - £118 Hilton of Culsh; CHM - £115 Hilton of Culsh; Bel - £110 Hilton of Culsh; Lln - £108 Iriewells; Char £112 Essil. Rams – Tex - £120 Mains of Draidland; Cont - £112 Mains of Draidland; Char - £119 Bridges. STIRLING – Store bullocks (766) at United Auctions averaged 262.43p and sold to 267.10p a kg for a 292kg SimX from Rankinston and £1,320 for a 664kg CharX from Midtown. B&W Bullocks (136) averaged 148.65p and sold to 185.80p a kg and £1,005 for a 541kg BFX from Barfillan. Heifers (530) averaged 219.83p and sold to 297.7p a kg for a 430kg LimX from Lochty and £1,300 for a 448kg CharX from Cuilt. Cast cows (102) averaged 132.34p and sold to 182.70p a kg for a LimX from Woodhead of Mailer and £1450 for a LimX from Greenshields. Dairy cattle (36) averaged 102.3p a kg. Forward cattle (five) averaged 169p and sold to 183.4p a kg for a BrB from The Ross and £1,270 for a LimX from South Traprain. Also forward were 828 store sheep. Store hoggs sold to £81.50 for a Suff from Lochty Farms.

PRIMESTOCK

Average prices at auction markets yesterday were (changes compare with the previous market day):

SCOTLAND – Cattle average 228.48p a kg (+9.35p); hoggs SQQ average 175.95p (-2.52p). Information from AHDB/IAAS

FUTURES

Closing prices on London Futures were:

WHEAT – Mar £146.35 (70p); May £148.15 (-70p); Jul £148.80 (-85p); Nov £138.80 (-£1.15); Jan 2018 £140.20 (-£1.40); Mar £142.30 (-£1.65); May £143.95 (-£1.95); Jul £145.05 (-95p); Nov £141.95 (unch); Jan 2019 £142.35 (unch). Information from ADM Investor Services International