MONDAY, MAY 11

A GOOD solid day’s business with 556 cattle and 1,274 sheep on offer. Plenty of demand and excellent prices achieved.

Despite the Prime Minister’s most recent announcement, the “Drop & Go” system remains firmly in place.

All is working well with both vendors and purchasers fully aware of what is expected of them.

The live stream from the store cattle ring was watched by over 800 viewers, keeping vendors and prospective vendors updated with the trade.

There were 362 store cattle on offer with some superb runs of quality young cattle forward. They were well received by purchasers both present and represented and more cattle could easily have been sold.

If you have stores ready to market, give Alastair Sneddon a call on 07973 982441.

Store prices were outstanding for all ages of cattle with steers to £1,105, heifers to £1,035 and feeding bulls to £1,085.

After a dip in the trade, finished cattle were in shorter supply but better sold. The best on offer to 226p and £1,446 per head.

The 30 heifers recorded a better average at 183.3p

OTM and feeding cows were down in numbers at 74 but up in price, averaging a remarkable 128.4p.

The best on offer to 170p and £1,379 per head.

41 calves this week with decent prices, bulls to £342 and heifers to £288.

In the sheep department, Spring lambs are now coming forward in significant numbers with this week’s entry at 395.

Trade still holding up well with top figures 311 pence and £128.22. The SQQ average settling at 265.8p.

Old season lamb numbers slipping away to 658 and quality rather mixed. The best on offer to 259p and £127.50 per head.

The SQQ average at 210.4p.

A modest entry of 210 cull sheep selling on a buoyant trade with ewes to £144.