A LARGER entry of finished cattle continued to meet a fast trade at Ross-on-Wye’s livestock market on Monday, July 20.

Auctioneers RG and RB Williams report that demand remained consistent throughout the sale with steers topping at £2,495 per head from Messrs PJ & KR Smith-Maxwell of Phepson Manor.

A fantastic run of Limousin Cross heifers from Messrs I Hutton & Son of Elsdon changed hands between 360p and 380p per kilogramme.

Cattle remained keenly sought after by retail buyers with prices ranging from 350p – 380p per kilogramme.

Auctioneer William Probert observed that there had been more appetite shown for cattle with the trade looking to rise and there was a need for more cattle to meet the expected demand over the forthcoming weeks.

The overall average price of finished Cattle was £2,001.

Cull cows peaked at 278p per kilogramme for an AAx cow from Messrs J Howells of Colethrop Court Farm while Holstein cows changed hands between £1,800 and £2,300. The overall average price of cows was £1,596.

A good entry of lambs met strong competition from start to finish peaking at £211.50. Meat and weight were the call of the day trading between 370p and 398p per kilogramme.

However, some lambs presented were short of meat and reflected in the sale price, it pays to feed lambs. Lambs topped at £211.50 for a run of Texel cross lambs from Messrs N & I Bevan of Trothlands Farm.

The entry was dominated by medium weighted lambs with all those weighing between 41kg and 44kgs trading between £165 and £200. The overall average price of lambs was £170p/head.

A good entry of cull ewes and rams met strong demand, topping at £220 from JE Clarke of Flat Farm.

Continental cross ewes continued to trade between £190 and £220 while leaner sorts generally changed hands between £140 and £160.