Good store cattle trade at Bishops Castle

An excellent entry of more than 500 cattle went under the hammer at Bishops Castle and District Quality Cattle Association’s annual Spring Sale on February 17, with a virtual clearance of all lots and a better than expected trade reported.

Around 40 different purchasers took cattle away to farms as widespread as Derby, Bedfordshire, Mid Glamorgan and Leicester.

Overall steers averaged 173p per kilo and £765 per head with highs of £1,088 for a pair of 615-kilo Limousins from R. E. Beedles of Dorrington and 275p per kilo for a 320-kilo British Blue from W. R. B. Jones of Sarn.

Heifers averaged 155p per kilo and £633 per head and a peak of £898 for a Blonde from Messrs Probert and Probert of Sarn and 196p per kilo for a bunch of five 320-kilo Limousins from W. R. B. Jones. Stronger cattle attracted a good trade with a dozen making in excess of £1,000.

The Perpetual Challenge Cup in memory of past chairman Andrew Edwards, with £200 prizemoney donated equally by the Edwards family and auctioneers Halls, is awarded to the bunch of four Charolais steers and heifers achieving the highest price per head at the sale.

The cup and prize for the highest priced steers will be awarded at the May sale to A. and J. Speke of Bishops Castle for four Charolais cross steers that fetched £1,030, whilst the heifer prize was won by P. Cound of Lower Trefeen for four Charolais cross heifers, which fetched £808 per head.

Other leading prices per kilo for steers were: Welsh Black: 183p for two 350 kilo steers from Messrs F. J. Owens and Co, Llettygynfach. Charolais:199p for four 360 kilo steers from Mr. N. K. Davies, Central Farm. Simmental: 173p for one 480 kilo steer from Mr. R. E. Beedles, Middle Shadymoor. Limousin: 255p for three 310 kilo steers from Messrs Bowen and Bowen, Penthryn. Blonde D’Aquitaine: 168p for one 450 kilo steer from Messrs Probert and Probert, Lower Hill. British Blue: 196p for fice 320 kilo steers from Messrs W. R. B. Jones, Brynawelon

Steers per head: Charolais: £1,030 for four 640 kilo steers from Messrs A. and J. Speke, Upper Woodbatch. Simmentals: £915 for one 540 kilo steer from Mr R. E. Beedles, Middle Shadymoor. Limousin: £1,088 for two 615 kilo steers from Mr R. E. Beedles. Blonde D’Aquitaine: £932 for two 580 kilo steers from Messrs Probert and Probert, Lower Hill, British Blue: £890 for three 590 kilo steers from Messrs T. and S. and G. Jerman, Tynyrwtra.

Heifers per head: Charolais:£855 for three 580 kilo heifers from Coleg Powys, Fronlas Farm. Limousin: £830 for three 440 kilo heifers from Messrs S. J. C. Morris and Sons, Whitcott Evan. Blonde D’Aquitaine: £898 for one 590 kilo heifer from Messrs Probert and Probert, Lower Hill. British Blue: £800 for one 415 kilo heifer from Messrs Bowen and Bowen, Penthryn.

Heifers per kilo: 169p for eight 360 kilo heifers from Mr. N. K. Davies, Central Farm. Limousin: 194p for three 345 kilo heifers from Messrs M. and A. Powell, Drefor. British Blue: 196p for five 320 kilo heifers from Messrs W. R. B. Jones, Brynawelon.

Bishops Castle Auction is holding sales of store cattle and store sheep on Thursday, March 3 and Thursday, March 24 followed by a prize sale of store cattle on April 21, when the Barclays Bank Silver Salver will be at stake.