AROUND THE SALES
AROUND THE SALES
HOLSTEIN FRIESIANS: "One of the best trades of the year," said Cooper and Tanner after the dispersal of the 140-head herd for Sutton Veny Estate, Warminster, Wilts. There were 10 cows and heifers topping the £1000-mark, with a top of 1150gns for a second-calved cow by Moet Kari Beehive. Another second-calver by Tangimati President made 1100gns. Youngstock was also keenly sought, with two bulling heifers making 505gns. Averages: £758 for first-calved heifers; £795 for second-calvers; £626 for third-calvers; £551 for fourth-calvers; and £421 for fifth-calvers.
SUFFOLKS: The granddaughter of the Fyvie ewe K19/F40 made the top price of 2600gns at the dispersal of the Peakland flock for Chris Bowler at Buxton, Derbyshire, last weekend. Making this money was a shearling ewe, sired by Kirkton Gold Bar, in-lamb to Pexhill Punch. The 11 daughters and three granddaughters of the Fylvie ewe K19/F40 grossed £13,482 to average £963. She, herself, sold for 800gns as a one-quartered seven-crop ewe. Leading average was £910 for 10 shearling ewes. Overall average for the 85 head was £566. The sale was held at the Buxton farm of Steve and Louise Buckley and the top price from the consignment from their Sitlow flock was 1000gns for a ewe lamb by Boreland Bob.
CATTLE: The entry of 1276 stores at Banbury, Oxon, last Wednesday included the autumn show and sale of suckled calves. Averages were 121.2p/kg for steers, 129.2p/kg for bulls and 84.9p/kg for heifers. "The predominant mood throughout the country with regard to winter feeding of cattle is one of pessimism," said auctioneers Midland Marts. At Longtown, Cumbria, last Saturday saw the annual hillbred suckler calf offering. An excellent entry of calves in great bloom – but caution was evident among buyers, said auctioneers Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart. Bullocks averaged £407, down £7 on the year and heifers levelled £260, down £38.
FINISHED SHEEP: According to auctioneers McCartneys at Ludlow, Shrospshire, lambs were more evenly drawn on Monday than the previous week, but there were still some too heavy and fat which were difficult to clear. Best export-quality lambs sold at a marked premium. Averages were 102p/kg for lights; 105p/kg for standards; 104.7p for mediums and 98.3p/kg for heavies.
MACHINERY: Penhallow Farm, Truro, was the venue for a machinery and equipment auction for Messrs Julyan Bros last week, following the sale the previous week of the pedigree and purebred Limousin cattle. Of the 240 lots on offer, leading prices taken by Lodge and Thomas included £13,400 for a 1994 Ford 50/30 4wd tractor with Tanco loader; £9800 for a 1988 Case International 856 XL 4wd tractor; and £4000 for a 1987 Case International 585 XL 2wd.n