The Ross Market recently saw a flurry of activity, with a buoyant trade in lambs offset by resistance in the cattle market. The event took place on Monday, 31st July 2023, and witnessed the sale of 56 finished cattle, 19 cull cows, 1442 lambs, and 257 cull ewes and rams.

The star of the show was the lamb market, with the highest price of £147 per head or 291 pence per kilo being achieved. Demand for heavier lambs was robust, with prices ranging between £135 and £147 per head. The key to securing these premium prices was meat quality, with well-meaty export quality lambs trading between 270p and 291p per kilo. The overall average price for lambs was £110 per head. Among the top vendors were GC & GY Jones of Springfield Bungalow and V J Eaton from Strawberry Hill Farmhouse.

The market for finished cattle, however, met resistance. Despite this, stronger sorts were able to achieve top prices, with the most fetching price being £1797. The lot comprised mainly of Dairy x, which impacted the averages. Better cattle consistently sold from 280p to 290p per kilo. Among the top vendors in the category were EJ & JM Westoby & Sons from Brooklands Farm and DE & SJ Cheacker from Ostbridge Manor Farm.

Meanwhile, the entry of cull cows, dominated by Dairy x, realised £1361, with the entire consignment averaging £1100 per head. Meat was again the deciding factor for securing premium prices. FW & RJ Simcock from Woodfields Farm achieved the top vendor price for this category.

The market also saw a mixed entry of ewes, peaking at £120 per head. The overall average price for ewes was £85 per head, with leaner sorts dominating the entry. Among the top vendors in this category were DA & MDM Awre from Craddox and GJ & JE Orgee from Redcastle Farm.

In other news, Ross Auction Centre has announced forthcoming sales. On Thursday, 10th August, the store cattle sale is due to commence at 11:15 am. A significant event, the sale of 150 Innovis Rams, is slated for Friday, 11th August 2023, starting at noon.

The Ross Auction Centre also has an outstanding area of agricultural land for sale at Letton, Hereford, HR3 6DT. The property, extending to 263 acres, is being offered for sale by formal tender. The deadline for tenders is Friday, 11th August 2023, at 12 noon.

For further information on any of these events, please contact the Ross Auction Centre on 01989 762225, or Will Probert on 07595 315902.