AROUND THE SALES
AROUND THE SALES
MILK QUOTA: Symonds and Sampsons Monday leasing auction in Dorset saw 550,000 litres average 9.6p/litre (average 3.86% butterfat) with a top price of 10.2p for 3.96% quota. The events venue was Sturminster Newton British Legion, following the closure of the towns market. At Skipton, N Yorks, meanwhile, 262,000 litres averaged 9.55p/litre, report auctioneers Craven Cattle Marts. It was a similar story at Chelford, Cheshire, where prices levelled at 9.4p/litre. James Holdroyd of auctioneers Frank R Marshall said lessors still want to get 10p/litre, lessees still want to pay 9p/litre – leaving prices somewhere in between.
BREEDING SHEEP: One of the best trades ever seen at the centre, was how auctioneers Lodge and Thomas described business at Truro, Cornwall, last weekend where a special sale of 450 head was held. A consignment of Suffolk cross Mule two-tooth ewes from Richard James sold to £83.50, while two-tooth Texel ewes from C Withers made to £82.
FINISHED CATTLE: With regular vendors more concerned with getting grass or corn cut on Monday, Ludlows entry of 401 head was down on the previous week. Among the medium-weights, steers, heifers and bulls averaged 99p/kg, 96.1p/kg and 97.4p/kg respectively, report auctioneers McCartneys.
ABERDEEN-ANGUS: A major reduction of Mr and Mrs Richard Dibbens Shade Pond Aberdeen-Angus herd at Woodlands, Dorset, saw a top price of 5000gns, according to Southern Counties Auctioneers. This was paid for the homebred Jan 1996-born heifer Shade Pond Victoria. She was by Samurai and out of Victoria of Muirmouth, a 10-year-old cow which earlier in the sale had made 2200gns. The heifer headed back to Co Antrim with W Porter, who had flown over that morning.