Market reopens to brisk trade

The good news is business is back to normal at Market Drayton Livestock Market with tomorrow being a Green market.

CLEAN CATTLE & YOUNG BULLS

The doors reopened at Market Drayton last Wednesday with the introduction of red markets and what a trade to meet the stock with.

Bernie Hutchinson, auctioneer, commented: "It is great to see stock back in the market and a big thank you to all our vendors who chanced the red market and what a success."

Clean cattle and young bulls were certainly in demand and many more could have been sold to vendors' advantage so please ring if you are thinking about selling stock in the coming week.

Best sold on the day would have been well fleshed heavier cattle and these hit the dizzy heights of 151p for heifers, 138.5p for steers and 135p for bulls.

BARREN COWS & OCDS

An absolutely flying trade, certainly dearer than pre foot and mouth, with a cracking total entry average of 71p. Suckler cows raced away to a very impressive 106p for a Blonde weighing 630 kilo to return £667.70 from Mr Roger Swift, Church Eaton and further cattle to 103.5p, 89.5p, 87.5p and 87p. Friesians reached 89p for a young cow weighing 604 kilo to generate £537.56 from Messrs Thomas & Partners of Rossett.

In the Black & White section other names and prices of note were Messrs Cotton of Uttoxeter to 87.5p, Messrs Batkin of Marchamley to

86.5p, Messrs Plant of Sugnall to 86p, Mr M.E.G. Bennett of Woodseaves to 85p and Mr Geoff Fernihough of Tunstall to 85p.

The dairy average returned at 67p and ranged from 89p to 40p. Over age clean cattle peaked at 110p for a Limousin heifer weighing 514 kilo to return £565.40 from a regular Cheshire vendor.

Steers peaked out at 109.5p for a Belgian Blue weighing 634 kilo to return £694.23 and a close second to 108p for a Limousin from a regular Cheshire vendor.

Demand is increasing as numbers are drying up nationally so please keep the cattle coming and try to pre-book them at the auction prior to the sale.

Call Barbers Livestock Market on 01630 652926, Bernie Hutchinson on 07778 164274 or Rob Lea 07813 625787.