A LARGER entry of finished cattle met another fast and competitive trade at the livestock market in Ross-on-Wye on Monday, July 27.

Auctioneers RG and RB Williams report that with cattle remaining in short supply nationally, buyers showed increased appetite throughout the sale resulting in another excellent days trading.

Heifers topped the market at £2,562 per head from Messrs DM & CS Andrews of Glen Court Farm who also sold the top-priced steer on a weight basis at 385p per kilogramme.

A superb run of Limousin cross heifers from Messrs PJ & KR Smith-Maxwell of Phepson Manor attracted fierce competition selling between 360p – 380p per kilogramme.

Retail and wholesale buyers remained keen to secure quality finished cattle with well-finished Continentals regularly selling between 350p and 380p per kilogramme.

There were fewer traditional native butcher-type cattle on offer, but those forward sold well, generally achieving around 340p per kilogramme.

Overall, buyer confidence remains high, with demand appearing to strengthen week by week. The overall average price of finished cattle was £2,100.

Cows continued to sell to an outstanding trade reflecting the national shortage of beef cows.

Top price was 275p per kilogramme (£2,059 per head) for an Aberdeen Angus cross from Messrs J C Whistance of Clifton House Farm.

Well-fleshed beef cows generally sold between 250p and 275p per kilogramme returning between £1,800 and £2,059 per head depending on quality and finish.

Demand remains extremely strong, and many more cull cows are needed over the coming weeks to satisfy buyer requirements.

The overall average price of cows was £1,918.

A quality entry of lambs met an exceptionally strong trade from start to finish with prices peaking at £197 per head.

Well-finished lambs with good weight and flesh were once again in greatest demand generally selling between 360p – 381p per kilogramme.

The easiest lambs to sell at the market were those weighing 46kg and over, where competition remained particularly fierce.