Superb turnout at auction

Oswestry Cattle Auctions has reported a superb turnout for its annual Christmas Show and Sale, which attracted entries for 7,353 animals and excellent prices.

After judging 33 show animals out of 148 entries in the fat cattle section, Joey Jones of Wrexham awarded Overall Champion to Ellis Lloyd and Co, Garthiaen, Corwen, for a 590kg Limousin steer which made £2.50/kg. The Champion's Cup was presented by the Mayor, Councillor John Gareth Jones.

Top price for 51 animals entered in the OTM cattle and cows section was £1,181.70, with cows selling to £1.39/kg in a fast trade.

Trade was significantly sharper for all classes of calves with Limousin bulls topping the sale at £297 from Messrs Holland, Ashes' farm.

In the fat ewes section there were 871 entries. Ewes averaged £25-£57 whilst rams averaged £29-£49.50.

Mr Glyn Morris of Ruthin judged a total of 6,228 animals in the fat lambs section, awarding the champion pen to M. and S. Jones of Lower Forest, Rhydycroesau, for a pen of ten lambs at 41kg making £74 to Mr J. Pickstock.

Speaking about the results Roy Jones, chairman of Oswestry Cattle Auctions, said: "It was an excellent day and another superb turnout. Trade was fast and prices were good. We could not have wished for a better result – especially considering the current climate, and we have the support of farmers both sides of the border to thank for that."

Farmers who attended the show also had the opportunity to see an exhibition of the Smithfield redevelopment scheme which, if it gets the green light from planners, will provide the desperately needed upgrading that will secure the long-term future of the livestock market and bring it in line with competitors across the region.

Also at the exhibition was a petition supporting the redevelopment of the market, which collected a total of 196 signatures on the day. The petition document will now remain in the market office for farmers to sign.