Whitland Livestock Market Report — July 3

A special entry of good commercial Holstein Friesian cows from Davies, Maesyrhaf, Meidrim, met a strong trade throughout with the best cows topping at £1,750 for a 2007-born, freshly calved Holstein Friesian with other leading prices as follows:

Dairy cows: £1,610 for a 2006-born Holstein Friesian which calved in February, £1,590 for a 2006-born, freshly calved Holstein Friesian, £1,510 for a 2003-born, freshly calved Holstein Friesian, £1,490 for a 2006-born, Holstein Friesian which calved in February, £1,450 for a 2006-born, freshly calved Holstein Friesian, £1,390 for a 2005-born, freshly calved Holstein Friesian, £1,210 for a 2003-born Holstein Friesian, £1,130 for a 2002-born Holstein Friesian. Cows sold to a very good overall average of £1,003 considering the fact that there were one or two older cows on offer.

In calf heifers: Peaked at £1,370 for a March 2007-born Holstein Friesian with other leading prices at £1,090 for a February 2007-born Holstein Friesian, £9,90 for a June 2007-born Holstein Friesian, £950 for a June 2007-born Friesian.

Bulling Heifers: Topped at £780 for a May 2007-born Holstein Friesian with others at £650 for a March 2008-born Holstein Friesian.

Heifer calves: Another special entry of 11 Friesian and Ayrshire heifer calves from Harry, Lanfro, St Clears topped at £435 for a February 2009-born British Friesian with other leading prices at £395 for a July 2008-born Ayrshire X, £355 for a March 2009-born British Friesian, £345 for a February 2009 Ayrshire X, £315 for a February 2009-born Ayrshire X whilst selling to an overall average of £324.

Whitland Livestock Market — July 4

A moderate entry of 231 store cattle forward, which saw steers reach £1080 with heifers topping at £905 and store bulls peaking at £750. A Limousin cow with a Limousin calf at foot sold to the days top price of £1,440, an in calf BB heifer topped at £915, while breeding bulls peaked at £1,500.

Grazing Cows and Overage Cattle: A good entry of cows was seen selling to an average price p/kg of 117.80p or £732/head an improvement of 18p/kg and £190/head on the previous sale due to a good entry of continental cows forward. Cows peaked at 141p/kg for a 690 kilo Limousin.

A smaller entry of cattle was seen compared to previous sales selling to a good trade throughout which was reflected in the prices achieved which saw steers reach over £1,000 for good quality Limousins, while heifers peaked at over £900 with the best of the sore bulls reaching £750. Steers sold to an average of £620 while heifers and bulls averaged £552 and £385 respectively.

Suckler Cows and an In Calf Heifer: A smaller entry of cows and calves forward which sold to an overall average of £1,033/head, the quality of the calves at foot was the best seen for a while. Coming out on top was Wilson, Middle Pool who sold a Limousin cow and calf at £1,440. Other leading prices included £1,260 for a BB with a BB calf at foot. An excellent in calf BB heifer served to a Limousin sold at £915.

Bulls: A 2002-born Charolais bull sold at £1,500.

Cardigan Livestock Market — July 6.

Another excellent entry for the time of year. Store cattle saw a fast trade throughout, with the best steers peaking at £880, and heifers at £840. Cull cows were slightly easier, but on the whole a good trade was achieved, with a maximum price of £1,020. Calves, once again, sold well with the best continental bulls topping at £262, and heifers at £290. The sheep section again sold to a fast trade, Prime lambs were in good demand with a top price of 149.2p per kilo, and averaging 141.8p per kilo, which was on par with national trends. Cull ewes met a stronger trade to previous weeks with the best peaking at £80.

Sheep Section: Prime lambs — Light max 132.2, avg. 132.2; Standard 146.1, 138.5; Medium 149.2, 143.8; Heavy 140.0, 137.6; overall average 141.8p.

Crymych Sheep Market — July 8.

Another seasonal entry with a total entry of 467 head of sheep. Cull Ewes sold to a good trade throughout with the best ewes peaking at £80.00. Store lambs were in good demand with a large number of buyers present a fast trade was had with the best topping to £57.50.