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Tuesday, November 10

A DRIZZLY day was no encouragement for rounding up sheep. It was obvious that sheep sellers hadn't realised trade is much improved.

Competition resulted in a market average of a whisker under 153p per kg – a sharp jump from last week and looking back 12 months, it is a clear 35p (30 per cent) ahead of last November.

Clean Cattle (15)

Plenty of competition this week produced medium steers to 147p per kg for Herefords from Brian Kirkham with Friesians from Julian Goodwin at 130p. Heavy steers topped 142p for Prime Simmentals from Alan Williamson, who sold Charolais to 138p and Friesians to 137p. Light heifers were of commercial grade to 112p per kg with heavy heifers to 152.5p for a Prime Simmental from Brian Kirkham with Limousins from the same vendor to 147p and Commercial Angus to 128.5p. Top price steer £835.70, top price heifer £837.90.

Over 30-Month Stock (75)

Best Continental Cows to 109.5p from Joe Ede with Herefords from Glyn Redfern to 98.5p and Friesians from Brian Mycock to 97.5p. Average for Grade One cows 91.5p. Grade Two to 85p, average 81p. Grade Three to 77p. Overage Clean to 127.5p for smart Continentals with Angus to 110p and Friesian heifers to 97.5p. Market average just shy of 80p per kg to average £544.

Another good entry of dairies saw prices peak at £2,300 for a Bomaz Homestead daughter shown by Mick Bailey, of Alkmonton. She was clinched by Mr M Hollingsworth, of Swythamley.

First quality heifers to £2,300, average £1,969. Second quality heifers to £1,780, average £1,487. First quality cows to £1,710, average £1,710.

Store Cattle (47)

An entry of principally older cattle sold particularly well with 28 month old Simmental steers to £960 and £885 to average £864. Herefords 23 months to £812, average £566. Charolais 22 months of age £745, average £572 with Angus 19 months of age £590.

Heifers produced Belgians 20 months old to £800, average £683. Herefords 23 months old £680, average £527. Limousins 28 months £502, average £477.

Butchers Lambs (541)

A much-improved demand took standard weights to 174p per kg, average 161p. Medium lambs 175p with others at 174p to give an average of 153p with heavy lambs to 172p, average 149p Overweights to 147p. Top price lambs £80.75.

Cull Ewes (299)

A marvellous trade for the time of year topping £88 from Alan Lancaster and Roger Ardern to average £60.80 with rams to £100, average £96.

Calves (122)

Bulls to £358 for Belgians to give an average for 10 of £272. Limousins to £354 with 13 to average £237. Simmentals £295, Charolais £265, Herefords £208, average £176. Friesians £175 with 38 calves averaging £47.

Heifers saw best Limousins to £271 with 10 calves averaging £199. Blues to £265 with nine calves averaging £203. Simm-entals to £238, average £207, Herefords £158, Angus £142.