Ringside at Chagford market in Devon

Chagford market, Devon. Rendells’ annual show and sale of suckled calves got off to a flying start last Thursday (24 November), with both local and national buyers in attendance.

Judges Tony England and Martin Perryman picked H Scott & Son’s Blonde d’Aquitaine steers as the champion lot, which went on to sell for the day’s top price of £805 a head. The same vendor also topped the heifer trade, at £675. Strong demand meant some consignments averaged £215 a head more than previous years, said auctioneer William Wallis.

In the store cattle section, 12-month-old South Devon steers sold to £625 a head, with 24-month-old Limousin x South Devons at £1,060 and 20-month-old South Devons at £1,015.

market report