Supermarket bullocks pave way for super sale

There were 214 prime cattle in the ring at Nock Deighton's sale at Bridgnorth Livestock Market.

At last the sun has shone and we have got some proper summer weather! As harvesting started in earnest, cattle numbers suffered a severe drop, especially in the bull department.

A full ring of buyers attended and bid well to produce a dearer trade all through, with an overall average of 117p/lkg resulting.

Supermarket bullocks produced a super trade, with heavy and/or plainer cattle much easier to sell.

Best quality butchers cattle were also in strong demand whether under or over 24 months. Steers sold to 139.5p/kg and Heifers to 145p/kg.

90 fewer young bulls saw a better sale also, with handyweight Continentals selling to 133p/kg. Heavy bulls were much dearer with Holsteins a similar trade.

Over Thirty Month Cattle

A very low entry of 11 over-age cattle saw similar returns. 712kg Limousin cows sold to 89p/kg with 650kg and 750kg Salers and Angus' to 84p/kg. Blues sold to 81p/kg for 530kg. Very few Holsteins entered, selling to 73p/kg for average steakers. Boning cows sold to 56p/kg. More OTM cattle are required.

59 Steers sold to 139.5p/kg (av 120p/kg),104 Heifers, sold to 145p/kg (av 122p/kg), 51 Young Bulls sold to 133p/kg (av 107p/kg),11 OTM Cattle sold to 89p/kg (av 72p/kg).

Lambs

A reasonable entry of lambs Ñ 1464 Ñsold to an overall average of 11p/kg with 11 purchasers in attendance.

The Burwarton Live/Dead Lamb Show & Sale went ahead despite the show being cancelled.

First prize went to MW Hamer for 44kg Beltex at 148p/kg and Second prize to IGC Morris also for Beltex lambs 39kg at 144p/kg both purchased by Allan Bennett.

The commercial lamb trade reflected the quality with several pens 125p/kg to 130p/kg although only the exceptional lambs were over 120p/kg.

Customers looking to buy finished lambs avoided the leaner sheep. Weight was not a problem with 48kg selling to 119p/kg and 51/kg at 104p/kg.

A good entry of lambs is required for next time.

Ewes

There was an improved ewe trade with 262 entries up £5 per head selling to £65.50 for Bleu du Maines with lean ewes very dear, small lean Mules selling to £32 and Suffolks to £36. Hill ewes sold to £24 Beulahs and £13 for lean Welsh.