Increase in cattle numbers

An improved number of cattle at Bridgnorth Market met a firm trade with a mixed sample of beasts. A full buyer contingent forward produced competitive bidding throughout, resulting in a market average of 112p/kg.

There were very few supermarket-quality cattle forward, with many beasts not Farm Assured which was a disadvantage in some cases.

Shapely steers were very dear and in front of dead quotes, selling to 137p/kg. Butchers heifers were a flying trade again, especially under 24 months old, selling to 154p/kg. Plain, grass-fed cattle were a fair go for the goods.

Young bulls a nice trade again, with handy weights easily sold with 576kg selling to 135p/kg. Holsteins lacked meat but still averaged 85p/kg.

An entry of mainly plain boners or steaking Holsteins saw a similar trade. Well meated but not necessarily dry bagged cows sold to 61p/kg with steakers from 48-58p/kg generally. Boners sold from 25-45p/kg, Blue heifers off the grass to 64p/kg, over-fat Herefords to 55p/kg, Charolais heifers to 73p/kg and Holstein bulls to 40p/kg. It is to be hoped the return of export perks up this trade in the near future.

21 Steers sold to 137p/kg (average 116p/kg), 104 heifers to 154p/kg (117p/kg), 97 young bulls to 135p/kg (106p/kg), 41 OTM cattle to 73p/kg (50p/kg).

Lambs this week sold to 102p/kg for 42kg Texels with the better, well-finished lambs 90p/kg-plus.

A sale average of 86p/kg despite 100 lightweight Welsh lambs 28-33kg realising 85p/kg. Heavier weights sold to 95p/kg for 46kg although 50kg-plus sold to 75-80p/kg.

An improved ewe trade, with small Continental ewes selling to £40 and lean Suffolks much dearer. With six customers attending, more sheep are required.