Solid beef trade continues at Darlington

Solid beef trade of the past few weeks continues at Darlington, with 310 cattle forward on Monday. Sale topper was a five year old Belgian Blue bull from C R Raine and Son, Stanhope Gate who sold for £1,461 to Cleveland Meats. Another Belgian Blue, this time a six year old cow from W M Reed and Sons, West Biggins, achieved the leading pence per kilo when she sold to P R Cheesbrough, Barmpton Grange, for 169p/kg. Leading cast dairy cows peaked at £961 from Little Newsham Farms and 134p/kg from R and W Todd, High Toft Hill.

Store trade continues to fly peaking at £1,155 for EA and N Thompson and Son’s 26 month old Aberdeen Angus heifer, from Bromley Green. She sold to P Marwood, County Durham. Top priced steer of the day was an 18 month old Simmental from R Hall, North Yorkshire, which sold for £1,050.

Leading the breeding cattle at £1,660 was a six year old Blonde D’Aquitaine cow with her Limousin bull calf at foot from Castlewood Farm, Tow Law.

Calves and stirks met an exceptional trade, the leading price was £600 for a four month old British Blue bull from B A and C Pearson, Stainsby Hill Farm.

A strong young Limousin bull from F Watson, Beacon Hill led the way in this section selling for £1,050.

Averages: 96 cast cows, 169p/kg or £1,178 a head; four stock bulls, 137 p/kg or £1,461 a head; 83 store heifers, £1,155 a head; 55 store steers, £1,055 a head; 48 young bulls, £1,050 a head; 12 breeding cattle, £1,660 an outfit; 12 stirks / calves, £600 a head.

(DFAM)