Archive Article: 1998/02/20
Big numbers of store cattle
will be changing hands over
the coming weeks. Its an
anxious time for sellers,
with the beef industry still
in the doldrums. To get a
flavour of the trade, FW
called in at Frome last
Wednesday – the first of
three days of trading for
Premier Livestock Auctions
This auction saw nearly 500 cattle on offer. Trade was up on previous weeks, thanks to the high quality offering and the big turnout of buyers, says auctioneer Chris Eden, pictured right. "A bit more life in it.
Among the Continental steers on green CIDs, first- and second-quality sorts were making about £85 and £40 over their weight, respectively. The days highest bid was £590 for Charolais bullocks.
I wont tell you again – go that way! Moving stock is never as simple as you might think.
Now, these things here are store cattle… They start them farming young in the West Country!
Visitors came from near and far, many making this their first port of call, before attending the Candlemas Fayre at Yeovil the next day. Candlemas, the entries to which come mainly off Dorsets chalk hills, saw an across-the-board average of £400 for the 1300 head on offer, down about £100 on last year. Steers topped at £640, heifers at £440.
Frome regular Ronnie Vincent with mum and dad, Doreen and Ron. Store prices have now fallen enough for there to be a profit on animals bought at the current levels, says Ronnie, who took five home.
The pit stop… Some travelled from the north of England to Frome.