Halls auctioneers reported an “outstanding trade across all classes” at the first autumn store cattle sale of the season at Bishops Castle Auction Centre last Thursday.
Steers sold to £2,760 and heifers reached £2,390, with nearly half of all cattle achieving in excess of £2,000. Limousins were the leading breed, with heifers selling to 510p per kilo.
Average prices reflected the buoyant demand, with steers levelling at £1,996 or 421p per kilo, heifers at £1,892 or 418p per kilo and feeding bulls at £1,420 or 314p per kilo.
Fifty-seven head, representing 49 per cent of the entry, sold for more than £2,000, while seven exceeding £2,500. Premium cattle were particularly well rewarded, with three animals selling for more than 500p per kilo and almost a third of the entry making above 450p per kilo.
“This was exactly the kind of start we wanted to the autumn sales,” said auctioneer James F. Evans, a director of Halls. “There was a real buzz around the ring and serious competition for the best-bred and best-fed cattle.
“Big cattle made big money and the strength of trade underlines Bishops Castle as the place to sell quality store cattle. Vendors should be extremely encouraged by today’s results.”
Top prices of the day included a Limousin steer from E. H. Pennie & Son, Llandyssil at £2,760, while C. J. Davies & Son, Clun sold a Limousin steer at 490p per kilo. Charolais steers peaked at £2,200 from W. V .Davies, Llandinam and 470p per kilo from E. H. Pennie, while British Blue steers sold to £1,850 from H. S. Davies & Sons, Kerry.
Leading heifer prices were £2,390 for a Limousin from C. J. Davies, 510p per kilo for a Limousin from T. H. & A. B. Jones, Machynlleth £2,300 for a British Blue from G. E. Davies & Son, Sarn and £2,010 for a Charolais from W. V .Davies.
Looking ahead, Bishops Castle Auction Centre will be staging a series of important autumn fixtures. The next store cattle sale is the prize sale for the Tom Gittins Cup on Thursday, October 16, followed by the first suckled calf sale on Thursday, October 23.
Both sales are expected to draw strong interest from buyers and large entries are required to meet demand.
“With such strength in trade, this autumn presents an excellent opportunity for vendors, both regular and new, to market their cattle at Bishops Castle,” added Mr Evans. “We encourage farmers to take advantage of the busy sales calendar and enter stock early for our forthcoming special sales.”
For further information or to arrange entries, please contact the Bishops Castle Auction Centre team on 01588 638639.
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