Improving dairy trade see heifer prices rise

Dairy cattle trade at Shrewsbury Auction Centre continues to improve well ahead of the spring turn out, with prices peaking at £2,180 during February.

Auctioneers Halls report a consistent improvement in trade every week during the month, with an Enchmarsh heifer by Shottle from Messrs J. Allsop and Sons realising £2,180 on February 15.

Another Enchmarsh heifer by Boss Iron sold at £2,100 on February 22, while a new milched heifer from Messrs D. and J. B. Taylor by a son of Mtoto made £2,000 and a heifer from Mr S. J. Pickering, Shrewsbury sold for £1,980.

"This rise in trade is obviously well ahead of the spring turn out and no doubt underlines the dearth of cattle coming through," said Shrewsbury Auction Centre chairman David Giles, Halls’ dairy specialist. "Unsurprisingly the large number of inseminations to Black and White sires in recent times has failed to bring forth the number of replacements required by the industry."