Prime cattle numbers on the up for McCartneys

According to a report in the Hereford Times substantial increase in the number of prime cattle sold by auctioneers McCartneys in 2006 lifted throughput to 41,150 head - a rise of more than 7000 animals compared with the previous year.

Sheep numbers sold through McCartneys' five sale centres in the west Midlands and Wales have also shown a big increase. During 2006, the company handled 535,292 head of prime sheep, compared with 497,599 in 2005.