Halls see confidence rise
Auctioneers Halls welcomed the largest entry of store cattle to date this year at Shrewsbury Auction Centre as 550 went under the hammer at a successful catalogued sale.
"It was good to see a ringful of buyers turn up with more confidence following a reported 6p per kilo rise in the deadweight trade. And graziers were back for the season in search of quality cattle," said Halls director James Evans.
A quality entry of bulls attracted a fast trade with a top price of 161p/kg for Mr David Griffiths of English Frankton, who also recorded prices of 157p/kg and 150p/kg. The bull prize was won by Anthony Egerton with a price of £515 (350kg at 147p).
Mr Evans reported good demand for all types of steers, which sold to a top price of £755 per head for an Aberdeen Angus weighing 545kg from Messrs TH and I Ellis and Sons, Byrth Farm. Top price per kilo was 163p for a super Limousin steer weighing 195kg, equating to £318 per head.
Heifers were keenly sought, and sold to a top price of £600 per head from Messrs AR and BA Hill, Shrawardine. Top price per kilo was 146p, achieved by the prizewinning heifers presented by Messrs A and J Powell, Broniarth Hall, Guilsfield.
The steer prize was won by Messrs W Ashton and Co, Waengitten, whose bunch of five steers weighing 340kg sold to £505, equating to 149p/kg.
Judges were Kevin Scott and Christopher Ratcliffe.
The next catalogued store cattle sale is May 10; staff will be available to receive cattle from 7am.
