Cull cow average of £585 at Shrewsbury

The weekly sale of cull cows at Shrewsbury Auction Centre is going from strength to strength with the average price per head of £585 achieved this week.

"For an entry of entirely dairy bred animals this is an incredible figure, with all good fresh cows making between 90p to 100p per kilo," said auctioneer David Giles, of Halls. "One would have to return to the heyday of the early 1990s to find a trade that matched the current level.

"It is indeed a great boost for the industry and with supply limited looks like a trend that is set to continue. It is interesting to note that at the turn of the year the average per head was returned at £350."