A LARGER entry of finished cattle met another fast and competitive trade at Ross-on-Wye’s Livestock market auction on Monday, August 3.

Auctioneers RG and RB Williams report that buyers showed increased appetite throughout the sale, resulting in another excellent days trading.

Steers topped the market at £2,946 per head from Messrs GH & GG Savidge of Dean Common Farm and a superb run of Limousin-cross heifers from Messrs DE & SJ Cheaker of Ostbridge Manor Farm, which attracted fierce competition selling between 390p and 410p per kilogramme.

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

Auctioneer William Probert said that buyer confidence remains high, with demand appearing to strengthen week by week and more finished cattle are required to satisfy current market demand.

The overall average price of finished cattle was £2,228.

There was a short entry of bulls today, with some young Aberdeen Angus cross bulls topped at 324p per kilogramme

A quality entry of lambs met a lesser trade than previous week, however still met good competition throughout the sale peaking at £188 per head.

Well-finished lambs with good weight and flesh were once again in greatest demand generally selling between 340p – 378p per kilogramme.

Buyers were keen to secure lambs with plenty of finish, proving once again that meat equals money.

The easiest lambs to market were those weighing 46kg and over, where competition remained particularly fierce. Conversely, lambs lacking finish or carrying insufficient flesh were more difficult to place and sold at a noticeable discount.

Top price of the day was £188 per head for an excellent run of Texel-cross lambs from Messrs EJ & JM Westoby of Brooklands.

The day's entry was dominated by medium-weight lambs, with the majority of 41kg to 44kg lambs selling between £135 and £160 per head.