A GOOD entry of very commercial finished cattle continued to meet a more cautionary trade in line with the falling deadweight price at the livestock market in Ross on April 13.

Auctioneers RG & RB Williams reports that demand remained consistent throughout the sale with steers topping at £3,012 per head, for an entry from Messrs V E Pugh of Home Farm.

Cattle remained keenly sought after by retail buyers, with prices ranging between 340p and 413p per kilogramme.

A smart run of limousin cross steers from Messrs DE & SJ Cheaker of Ostbridge Manor Farm sold to 410p & 413ppkg.

There were few traditional butcher-type native heifers and steers which sold well between 340p and 360p per kilogramme.

Quality Continentals consistently sold between 360p and 413p per kilogramme.

The overall average price of finished cattle was £2,081 per head.

An entry of cull cows met fierce competition. The trade peaked at 295p per kilogramme (£2,135 per head), with well-fleshed Continental cows generally selling between 270p and 295p per kilogramme.

The overall average price of cows was £1,583 per head. The top vendor was H Taylor- Davies of Townsend Farm.

Ther first real entry of new season lambs came into the market with great quality on offer, showing handy weights being key to buyers, also with buyers demand proving strong, the auctioneer said he was looking forward to seeing more numbers coming in for the lamb section.

The top vendor was A & JM Sheppard Partnership of Tennersfield Farm.

A good entry of finished hoggs met more cautious trade than previous weeks, however it was still very strong on the year, peaking at £223 per head.

Demand for heavyweight hoggs remained consistent with those weighing in excess of 48kg sold between £190 and £223 per head.

The top vendor was D Clothier & Sons Ltd of Shooters Bottom Farm.