Best trade since Xmas report auctioneers at Bagshaws

The holiday week over and farmers and buyers returned to Bakewell and found trade in all sectors very hot.

Cattle prices continue to astound with all sections from calves, through the feeding cattle as well as the finished stock all showing improvement in prices.

The sheep section had just over 1,400 head with the SQQ for the lambs being 214.6p and the ewes averaging £84.18.

121 OTM CATTLE – overall average 133.8p (Auctioneer Oliver Hiles)

Another excellent summer entry of cows this week met a full ring of buyers with prices beyond all expectations and the trade “better than ever”. It really is quite unbelievable the trade at present and with only 38 Continental Cows and virtually no over age clean cattle in the entry it just shows the level of trade. Top price was an outstanding 184p for local and regular vendor, David Thorp of Baslow who sold a grand Limousin cow to gross £1,181. That was followed by a trio of beef cows from J & R Sims, Fritchley at 182, 178 and 170p. All the better bred and fed cows 160p plus with second quality Continentals 150p plus and all the beef cows average 148.3p.

Black and White and Ex Dairy Cows average 125.1p.

A big jump in the average since the last sale and it certainly felt it with a very fast trade for all qualities. Best fed big cows generally 138-145p, with second quality 130-138p, lean parlour types 118-130p depending on weight and only the plainest cows less.

114 FINISHED CATTLE – overall average 189.5p (UP 21p) (Auctioneer Oliver Hiles)

The best trade since Christmas. Trade was quite unbelievable with the bulls, steers and heifers showing a good lift in trade and a wonderful top price of 245p achieved for a heifer, says auctioneer Oliver Hiles. The trade is definitely better so now let’s maintain the numbers to service the demand.

36 Young Bulls -overall average 183p

The bulls definitely showed the biggest jump in price with a new bidder at the ringside and a wonderful top price of 223p (£1,516) for Sue Jeffery, Pilsley and the top 5 all over 214p. 12 Holstein Bulls sold to 179p for Messrs Walker, Stretton whilst Angus sold to 188p.

35 Steers – overall average 190.5p

24 Continentals ave. 201.7 – 11 Black and Whites ave. 160.6p

An extraordinary result with the best trade since Christmas and some wonderful statistics. Top price was 228p for a lovely Limousin from Pete Allen, Uttoxeter with David Pearson, Wentworth in second spot at 221p. His 4 homebred Steers ave. 216p or £1,364. Black and White Steers sold to 179p (£1,163) from John Cowgill.

44 Heifers – overall average 194.1p

Some super heifers at the top end including the highest price this year (I think!) of 245p (£1,288) for Michael Wynne, Midhopestones with his 4 heifers ave. 225.4p. David Pearson had a super big heifer sell at 229p to gross a remarkable £1,607.

229 STORE CATTLE – (Auctioneer Mark Elliott)

A good entry for the post holiday market with demand just as good and a large gathering of buyers for all qualities.

The biggest framed steers for yard feeding were a particularly good trade resulting in the days top price of £1,200 for an Angus Steer, 22mths from Coton in the Clay vendor Stuart Worthington.

81 CALVES (Auctioneer Simon Oborn)

A slightly reduced entry of 81 calves met with an absolutely fabulous trade with prices significantly higher than the pre-holiday market. There was literally a packed ring of buyers who were competing for all types, and a number went home empty-handed.

In the Continental section, prices were notably higher with many of the bull calves selling to well in excess of £300. Simmental from Messrs Shuker at Whaley Bridge peaked at £384; Montbeliardes from Mortens at Cowdale to £332; Limousins from Messrs Critchlow at Hartington to £352. Top price of the day was a superb Blue Bull from Messrs Bradbury at Biggin by Hartington which achieved £422. A small number of heifers saw Blues from Boam’s at Monyash to £232 and Limousins to £214.

Black and White Calves attracted a huge amount of demand and this resulted in the 27 Holsteins averaging £98 and peaking at £186 for a nice calf from Mr Bradbury at High Needham. Friesian Bulls averaged £144, also realised £186 with a good calf from Mr Simpson at Longnor. Herefords continue to be well sought, with Mr Thompson of Harratt Grange having bulls to £248 and Heifers to £212. A superb Angus Bull from Mr Naden at Glossop realised £268, with a Heifer from Twyford’s at £228.

1,367 SHEEP including 794 Lambs, 132 Hoggs, 435 Ewes and Rams & 6 Store Sheep (Auctioneers Peter Oven & Malcolm Gale)

A total entry of 1,367 sheep included another excellent show of 794 lambs. The very best top grade export quality lambs very briskly bid for with a top of 256p/kg for the light weight sorts and the top 10 pens averaging 249.2p/kg. Best heavier lambs grossed at just over £100/head.

Cull Ewes and Rams

In the cull ewes the big over fat ewes much harder to sell with lean ewes in demand and prices which you had to be here to follow.

Best lean Continental Ewes to £126 with the top 10 pens averaging £119.50 and overall ewe average £84.18.

Cull Rams to £150. Average £91.46

A smaller show of ewes and lambs attracted brisk bidding with buyers keen to purchase sheep to eat the ever increasing supply of grass,

Char x Singles to £143

Mule Triplets to £210

(Bagshaws)