Leek auction market report

Tuesday, November 3

A QUIETER day with sufficient rain early on to have soaked lambs if they had not been "got up" early.

Plenty of rumours floating around the wholesale meat industry with regard to one southern wholesaler, who has been pulled up sharp by Tesco.

The problem being accurate certification of 'Farm Assured' status. One problem we experience is where 'Dairy Assured' young stock are entered as Farm Assured, despite the fact the scheme doesn't cover youngsters under 30 months.

Please ensure the declaration you give us with assured stock is up to date and that you have beef status if you wish to sell store cattle, whether from a beef herd, suckler herd or dairy herd.

A sharper trade for all sorts of fat stock this week, especially noticeable in the clean section, where local butchers competed for a reduced entry.

Clean Cattle (15)

Plenty of competition this week with some grass-fed Herefords being 20p per kg dearer than last Tuesday. Medium steers topped 134p per kg for Prime Limousins from M J Brassington with heavy steers to 147p for Prime Limousins from Alan Williamson with commercial Friesians to 122.5p.

Heifers saw Premium Limousins to 160.5p from Alan Stubbs and 152.5p from Brian Hadfield. Prime Angus to 130p from J Jervis with Herefords to 123p from JB Proctor. Commercial animals to 118.5p. Top price steer £1,021.65, top price heifer £1,099.43.

Quality price reporting: Steers – Prime maximum 147p, average 138p. Commercial maximum 122p. Heifers – Premium maximum 160.5p, average 156p. Prime maximum 130p, average 128p. Commercial maximum 118p.

Over Thirty Month Stock (63)

A section dominated by over age Clean, which topped 123.5p for Belgians from F Weston & Son twice. Others from Alan Stubbs to 120p and Limousins from Messrs Twemlow to 119.5p. Average for over age Clean 114p. Cows to 108p for Continentals. Friesians from David Mayer to 97.5p and Angus to 92.5p. Grade One cows averaged 92p. Grade Two to 88.5p, average 83p with Grade Three a sharper trade to 76p. There was particular interest in Grazing Cows with several over a £1 per kg, despite the fact that some major abattoirs are drawing their horns in on Over Thirty Month Clean purchases.

Dairy cattle

Another good trade saw four heifers over £2,000, peaking at £2,180. Top call went to Mick Bailey's Lutz-Brookview Burt daughter. Sold giving 32.8kg, she went to Messrs Hollingsworth, of Swythamley.

Close behind at £2,110 was a Penn-England Garrison daughter shown by John and Ruth Lowe. She went to Mr R Backhouse of Leigh, who also took their second heifer by Gea Aaron Sheve at £2,100.

£2,070 clinched a stylish white heifer for Messrs Hollingsworth, shown by Messrs Bennett of Whiston.

First quality heifers to £2,180, average £2,053. Second quality heifers to £1,810, average £1,512.

Stores (40)

A slightly better entry but yet again not many young types about.

The best strong stores looked dear in comparison to the fat trade.

Best big Simmental steers from Reg Bould to £945 twice (Aug 2007) with others at £902. Simmental heifers from Messrs Redfern to £758 (Jan 2008).

Cows and calves from Mick Forrester to £960 (Dec 05 and September born Limousin Bull calves). Shorthorn steers August 07 to £468.

Stars of the sale £662 for Belgian heifers from Messrs Deaville at Moorland Cottage April 08.

Lambs (789)

Just a few less and a rising market produced increased returns. Standard weight lambs to 162p per kg from John Burton with others from Messrs Brough to 161p, average 147p. Medium to 163p from AT Brown with others at 159p returning an average of 140.8p. Heavy lambs lacking the quality of last week to 147p from Messrs Tomkinson to average 132p. Top price £72.80.

Ewes (83)

Scarcity prices with a sharp drop in supply saw a top price of £98 from Messrs Read with others at £92 from CRS Adams, giving a market average of £55. Rams to £69.

Calves (104)

Fewer about and overall prices reflecting the same. Bulls topped £318 for Blues from Richard Gould and £312 from Brian Goodwin, giving an average for 15 of £257. Limousins from Critchlow brothers to £295 and £285 from Derek Hulme, average £269. Simmentals from Harvey Day £294 and £282 from John Hawkins, average for ten £249. Charolais £278 from David Ball, average £255. Blondes £255, Angus £234 from John Hawkins, average £204. Herefords £195 from Peter Gilman with Friesians to £100 from the same vendor.

Heifers saw Simmentals from J W Campbell to £270 to average £238.