AROUND THE SALES
AROUND THE SALES
HOLSTEIN FRIESIANS: Visitors travelled to Upper Bearfield Farm, Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts from as far as Aberdeen to attend John Painters dispersal last Thursday. The dairy herd, which averaged 7706 litres at 3.94% butterfat and 3.25% protein, sold to a top price of 780gns, with cows averaging £463. Youngstock went to 535gns. In the machinery and equipment section, a four-year-old 12×12 Alfa Laval herringbone parlour made £5000.
FINISHED CATTLE: Prices at Ludlow on Monday were slightly down on the previous week. Auctioneers McCartneys says wholesalers, concerned there will a lot of cattle coming off retention and hitting the market in March, do not want large stocks. Overall averages for lights, mediums and heavies were 89.4p/kg, 88.3p/kg and 91.2p/kg respectively.
PRODUCE: Straw was in demand at Uttoxeter, Staffs, last Wednesday but the hay trade was quieter, say auctioneers Bagshaws. Barley straw in small bales made to £52/t, wheat straw to £42/t. Oat straw in round bales topped at £34.50/t.