Strong prime cattle trade at Newark

This week's prime cattle sale at Newark once again attracted one of the strongest trades seen in the UK and what is possibly the biggest entry too, with 722 cattle offered on Wednesday.

Topping the prime cattle was a Blue cross steer from John and Debbie Madeley from Ross on Wye at 214.5p/kg, wiht the overall offering of 193 steers levelling the day at 161.88p/kg.

In the heifers trade was led by Sam and Jane Pilkington, Buxton with a Blue cross heifer at 213.5p/kg. the 156 offered averaged 161.25p.

And the 242 young bulls on show were led at 199.5p/kg by a Bazadaise cross from John Holmes, Plumtree. Average from this section was 150.1p/kg.

Across in the OTM cattle John Mower led the OTM steers at 161.5p/kg for a Limousin cross, while the OTM heifers peaked at 165.5p/kg for a Blonde heifer from A T Turner, Derby.

Top OTM cow was a Blue cow from John and Debbie Madeley, Ross on Wye. Overall average in the OTM offering was 113.88 for 131 sold.

It's certainly a storming trade in all sections and the numbers forward were clearly rewarded by a strong company of buyers willing to dig deep for the cattle they wanted, long may it continue.

And on the subject of prime cattle, don't forget to have a go at the AgriLIVE Smithfield judging competition...