A GOOD entry of very commercial finished cattle continued to meet strong demand throughout the livestock auction in Ross-on-Wye on Monday, March 16.

Auctioneers RG and RB Williams report that steers topped at £2,899 per head for an entry from Messrs M A Hardy of New Farm.

Cattle remained keenly sought after by retail buyers, with prices ranging between 340p and 372p per kilogramme.

There were few traditional butcher-type native heifers forward selling well at between 340p and 360p per kilogramme.

Quality Continentals consistently sold between 380p and 390p per kilogramme. With a quality Blonde cross heifer selling to 390p per kilogramme from Messrs DM & CS Andrews of Glen Court Farm.

The overall average price of finished cattle was £2,494

A larger entry of cull cows met fierce competition. The trade peaked at 308p per kilogramme (£2,476 per head), with well-fleshed Continental cows generally selling between 280p and 308p per kilogramme. Leaner types realised 270p – 280p per kilogramme. The overall average price of cows was £2,068.

The top vendors were C & L Warner of Storesbrook Farm and RD & CE Margrett of Moat Farm.

A nice entry of finished hoggs met a blistering trade, peaking at 435p per kilogramme. A strong contingent of quality export hoggs sold very freely between 420p and 435p per kilogramme, meeting keen competition from buyers. Quality exports weighing between 38kg and 43kg realised between £170 and £190 per head.

Demand for heavyweights stepped up a gear hoggs weighing in excess of 48kg selling between £190 and £231 per head.

The overall average price of hoggs was £182 per head. The top vendors were E L Watkins of Pontypool and R T Watkins of New House Farm.

The sale of cull ewes and rams met strong demand with the complete consignment averaging £193 per head. The top vendor was, EA & CJ Gott of Nashend Farm.