Vendors thanked for booking in

Bernie Hutchinson, Barbers' Market Drayton Livestock Market auctioneer, said a big thank you to the vendors who bothered to book their cattle in for the market on Wednesday, September 26.

As Bernie said: "Being a red market it is imperative to book stock in, to give us a sporting chance of finding the right buyers.

"For a red market to work we all need to communicate and bring the right cattle for the orders. Please do not sell store cattle when we are under restrictions of a red market."

Best sold on the day would have been the bulls, 67 forward and orders for 70, hence the trade. Stronger clean cattle would not have been a disaster unlike the plainer cattle. Top slots would be very similar to the previous week peaking at 140p for heifers, 138p for bulls and 132.5p for steers.

Bulls: A very similar number forward selling on a brisk trade throughout. Mediums took pole position at 138p for a very shapely 514kg Limousin to gross £709.32 from Mr Rob Belfield, Upper Hulme, who also saw 137p and 136.5p.

Heavies reached 130p for a Limousin weighing 602kg to realise £782.60 from Mr Ian Mainwaring, Oteley and further cattle to 126p, 124.5p (twice) and 118.5p.

Mr H. D. Connor, Sandon, also deserves a mention for his Limousins to 120p and 117p. Black & Whites peaked at 109.5p for a bull weighing 610kg to generate £667.95 from Messrs Noden, Sandford. The overall bull average returned at 101p, slightly back on the week, but only marginal.

Steers: Real hard work especially for plainer and black and white steers with demand dropping by the day. Well-fleshed cattle a different perspective with heavies topping out at 132.5p for a Limousin weighing 660kg to return £874.50 from Mr Graham Jones, Hadnall, and further cattle to 130p, 110p and 109.5p.

Mediums reached 130p for a British Blue weighing 514kg to realise £668.20 from Mike White, Solihull. The overall average returned at 88p, considerably back on the week!

Heifers: A very similar story to the steers, selling on a very mixed trade. Heavies stole the show at 140p for a Limousin weighing 614kg to gross £859.60 from Messrs Wilson, Hollington. Mr Graham Jones came a very close second with his Continentals to 135p and 132p. Mrs Chapman, Wickstead Hall Farm, also deserves a mention for her run of Limousins to 127p, 119p, 116p and 111p. Mediums reached 125.5p for a Simmental weighing 460kg to realise £577.30 from Mr Charles Forrester, Northwood. The overall average slightly up on the steers to 90p.

Anybody uncertain about marketing please telephone Bernie Hutchinson on 07778 164274 or the Livestock Market 01630 652926.

Barrren cows and OTMS: Trade was up a little on last week. However, it is still export-dependent and plainer cattle have certainly eased. Over-age clean sold as well as under-age clean cattle, peaking at 108p for a Charolais weighing 500kg to return £540 from Mr Paul Thorpe, Stone. Steers peaked at 84.5p for a Friesian weighing 636kg to return £537.45 from Mr John Heler, Audley.

Suckler cows reached 77.5p for a Limousin weighing 708kg to return £548.70 from Mr Mark Hawkins, Newport. Black and White cows reached 69p for a shapely cow weighing 634kg to realise £437.46 from Messrs Brandon, Hopton. The overall average returned at 53.5p.