Short supply of cull stock pushes prices up in South West

Cull stock has been in short supply in the South West, consequently pushing prices up, according to auctioneers at Sedgemoor Auction Centre.

Barren cows were in short supply at yesterday’s sale with all classes dearer across the board. Continental cows were up 4p/kg, native 13p/kg and dairy 1p/kg on average.

Sucklers sold to 148.5p/kg for a black and white Simmental from Messrs E L Leigh and Son. Other sucklers making over 140p/kg were a pure Devon from Messrs S and G Phillips and another black and white Simmental from Messrs N D and R A Pearce. Better sucklers made 130p/kg plus. Top price a head was a £1,148.09 bid for a grand 823kg South Devon from Messrs Jeffery and Chaffey, who sold another 833kg at £1,112.06.

Black and whites were dearer across the board, particularly when considering there was a lot less meat on offer. Topping trade at 138p/kg was a clean, strong, well fleshed Holstein from Messrs W J Venn and Son. The best black and whites were also making over 130p/kg with others at 137p/kg.

Top price a head for black and whites was a £1,108.14 bid for a Holstein from Messrs W J Venn and Son. (Greenslade Taylor Hunt)