A SHORTER entry of very commercial finished cattle continued to meet strong demand throughout the livestock sale in Ross-on-Wye on Monday, March 9.

Auctioneers RG and RB Williams report that steers topped at £2,537 per head for an entry from Messrs DM & CS Andrews of Glen Court Farm, Llanllowell.

Cattle remained keenly sought after by retail buyers, with prices ranging from 330–372p per kilogramme. The overall average price of finished cattle was £2,008 - 339p per kilogramme.

A larger entry of cull cows met fierce competition, with the sale largely comprising Grade two and three beef cows,

The trade peaked at 296p per kilogramme with well-fleshed continental cows generally selling between 280p and 296p per kilogramme. Leaner types realised 250p to 270p per kilogramme. The overall average price of cows - £1920 - 270ppk. The top vendor was C & L Warner of Storesbrook Farm.

A good entry of finished hoggs met a flying trade, peaking at 420p per kilogramme (£170 per head).

A strong contingent of quality export lambs sold very freely between 380–420p per kilogramme, meeting keen competition from buyers.

Quality exports weighing between 38kg and 43kg realised between £170 and £180 per head.

Demand for heavyweight lambs remained consistent. Generally, hoggs weighing in excess of 48kg sold from £170 to £191 per head.

The overall average price of lambs was £160p/head. The top vendor was R Garlick, of Well House, Garway.

A good entry of cull ewes met with strong demand from buyers for both weight and meat that topped out at £214 per head.

Well fleshed stronger ewes regularly sold between £170 to £200. A short entry of tups sold to £150 per head.

The top vendors were EH Radcliffe & Son Ltd of Rhoose and N & I Bevan of Trothlands Farm, St Weonards.