Auctioneers Halls reported a "fantastic" trade and a total clearance at a prize sale of 575 quality store cattle at Bishops Castle Auction on Thursday last week.
Buyers from all parts of the country were attracted to the sale, which produced an overall average per head of £805. Eleven cattle sold for more than £1,100 per head and an additional 43 cattle made in excess of £1,000 per head.
The prize classes were judged by Kevin Scott of Stottesdon and Charlie Jones of Leicester. After much deliberation the silver salver, sponsored by Halls Auctioneers, was awarded to Wyn Jerman, of J. Jerman and Co, Rhiwbrongelly, Llanidloes for his 500 kilo Limousin steers that sold for £1,080.
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Mr Jerman, a loyal supporter of Bishops Castle auction, also took second place with 420 kilo Limousin steers that sold for £945 and third was Frank Jones, Lydbury North with 620 kilo Limousin steers for £1,145.
The heifer section was won by Brian Williams, Hill End, Plowden with 360 kilo Belgian Blue heifers for £740. Second was Philip Turner, Stone Acton with 425 kilo Simmental heifers for £920 and third was Keith Meddins, Lynwood, Churchstoke with 340 kilo heifers for £960.
Strong steers averaged 200p per kilo and £880 per head, with top price of 323p per kilo for a 280 kilo Charolais steer from Philip Bowen and Bowen and Bowen, Brooks whilst heifers averaged 185p per kilo and £715 a head, with a top price of 255.4p per kilo from Philip Turner.
Bulls averaged £702 per head, with a top price of £710 or 186.8p per kilo for a 380 kilo Limousin from Aston Hall Farms, Churchstoke.
Bishops Castle and District Quality Cattle Association will be holding its next sale at the market on May 7 followed by Halls’ sale of store cattle and store sheep on May 21.