’Extraordinary’ sale of store cattle at Bishops Castle

Auctioneers Halls reported an "extraordinary sale" for their last store cattle sale of the year at Bishops Castle on Thursday as 35 cattle sold for in excess of £1,000 to buyers who travelled a great distance.

Several potential buyers went home empty handed due to the competitive bidding for the 170 cattle on offer, with steers averaging £915 per head and 206p per kilo, while heifers averaged £740 per head and 185p per kilo.

"Demand remains very high with quality lots in short supply," reported David Bryan-Jones, manager of Halls’ Bishops Castle office. "I would encouraged farmers to take advantage of the market by entering store cattle for the first sale of 2012 at Bishops Castle on Thursday, January 19."

Top priced steer at £1,210 was a cracking 560 kilo Limousin from A. Bloor, The Whymn, while the highest priced heifer at £1,160 was a 550 kilo Charolais from R. J. and S. M. Burgoyne, Rhos Farm, who had an outstanding run of cattle, which all sold for more than £1,000 apiece.

It was also good to see Messrs S. J. C. Morris of Whitcott Evan back in harness with all but two of their fantastic shaped animals selling above £1,000 a head and the top priced bunch of four 475 kilo Limousins made 243p per kilo. Top priced heifers per kilo were from D. M. Jones, Geseilfa at 215p for three 375 kilo Limousins.

A small entry of bulls averaged 180p per kilo and £585 per head.

Leading steer prices were: Charolais: £1,100 per head for two 470 kilo steers from Messrs R. J. and S. M. Burgoyne, Rhos Farm and 241p per kilo for two 230 kilo steers from Mr E. C. O. Owen, Beach Farm. Simmental: £915 per head and 187p per kilo for two 490 kilo steers from Messrs W. J. Roberts and Co, Hollies Farm. Limousin: £1,210 per head for one 560 kilo steer from Mr A. Bloor, The Whymn and 243p per kilo for five 475 kilo steers from Messrs S. J. C. Morris and Sons, Whitcott Evan. Blonde D’Aquitaine: £1,180 per head and 223p per kilo for one 530 kilo steer from Messrs M. E. and G. E. Jones, Hafod. British Blue: £1,210 per head and 242p per kilo for five 500 kilo steers from Messrs S. J. C. Morris and Sons, Whitcott Evan. Welsh Black: £605 for one 415 kilo steer from M/s D. S. Humphreys and Co, New Hill Farm.

Heifers: Charolais: £1,160 per head and 211p per kilo for one 550 kilo heifer from Messrs R. J. and S. M. Burgoyne, Rhos Farm. Simmental: £895 per head for one 540 kilo heifer from Messrs R. and L. Reynolds, Stone House and 176p per kilo for two 455 kilo heifers from Messrs W. J. Roberts and Co, Hollies Farm. Limousin: £920 per head for one 525 kilo heifer from Messrs A. G. Williams and Son, Plassau and 215p per kilo for three 375 kilo heifers from Mr D. M. Jones, Geseilfa. British Blue: £925 per head for two 505 kilo heifers from Mr D. J. Evans, Boycott Farm.