Saturday, January 14

Total Store Stock: 5631 Head

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report store cattle outselling deadweight finished quotes. 400kg at 360ppk totals £1440. Store Cattle to £1475. Wednesday, February 22 at 4.30pm. Orange Market dedicated Sale For Btb Restricted Cattle. Licences to be applied for by 15TH February from DEFRA on 03000 200301 or email swenglandtblicensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk. Store Cattle , Prime Cattle, Barren Cows, Feeding Cows & Cull Bulls. Cattle to be herd, SIT or PMT tested in the last 90 days.

Dairy Cattle (131): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report after last week’s difficult trade a smaller, better quality entry saw a much improved trade when many more buyers were in attendance. The increase in the cost of imported heifers saw volume buyers around the ring, some of whom we have not seen for several years.

Top of the day in the commercial section was £1730 and £1560 for Messrs A & JE Fewings. Others £1620 Messrs A & W Vigus; £1540 Mr RH Webb; £1540 for Graham Heard’s British Friesian heifer; £1530 Mr MC Powell; £1510 Mr AP Ractliffe and £1500 Messrs RJ Goss & Son.

Cows to £1400 Mr NC Taylor. Others £1300 Ham Farm Partners.

Ayrshire heifers to £1000 Messrs RL & ME Trott. Calves to £220 x2 Mr E Davis.

Dispersal sale cows to 1700gns, calved heifers 1780gns and incalf heifer to 1550gns all from Messrs J & J Maidment, whose non recorded cows and heifers averaged £1307 and incalf heifers averaged £1310. 9 month old heifers bred by Messrs J & J Maidment to 640gns x2 to average £566.

1st Quality Heifers min £1500, max £1730, ave £1590; 2ndQuality Heifers £1000 £1440 £1260;

1st Quality Cows £1300 £1400 £1350; 2nd Quality Cows min £960, max £960.

Store Cattle, Sucklers & Stirks (1011): Store Cattle & Grazing Cows (558): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report lightening does strike twice! They say never follow a good trade but this week disproved the old adage, when trade was again exceptional. A weekly regional high was again achieved at £1475 for two outstanding (U+3) red Limousin steers (23m & FA) from Mr B Williams, North Newton. Further quality Limousin steers at £1380 (20m & FA) from Mr JC & Mrs PA Chapple, Musbury; £1275 (24m & FA) Messrs FG Payne & Son, Wrangway; £1202 (x7, 18/23m & FA) £1180 (18m & FA) and £1145 (26m & FA) Messrs Habberfield & Priscott, Nunnington; £1165 (21/24m & FA) Mr AR Habberfield, Isle Abbotts; £1145 (21m & FA) Mr PA Kingston; £1130 (18/21m & FA) Mr RG Goaman, Reading and £1100 (21m) Ms CN Burrough, Wambrook. Charolais steers peaked at £1395 (20/22m & FA) from Messrs Habberfield & Priscott, who sold others at £1180 (18/22m & FA). Further good feeding Charolais at £1350 (20/21m & FA) Mr JC & Mrs PA Chapple, Musbury; £1250 (27m & FA) Messrs Stowell Bros, Churchstanton; £1120 (23/27m) Messrs SJ Proll & Son, Burlescombe and £1100 (20m & FA) Mr PD & Mrs SA Godfrey, Lopen. Blue steers also topped at £1380 (20m & FA) from Mr JC & Mrs PA Chapple. Further feeding Blues £1295 (22/23m & FA) and £1180 (19m & FA) Messrs Habberfield & Priscott; £1185 (26/27m & FA) Messrs Ellicott Bros, Chilton Trinity; £1180 (18m & FA) Mr PA Kingston, Crewkerne; £1175 (24m & FA) Mr GJ & Mrs PC Perry, Dalwood; £1105 (23m & FA) Mr RT & Mrs CV Perrett, Stoke Trister and £1100 (22/25m & FA) Mr F & Mrs S Aplin, Buckland St Mary. Simmental steers also over £1300 at £1320 (24m & FA) Mr PA Kingston. Others £1295 (20m & FA) Mr SJ Williams, North Newton and £1095 (21m & FA) Mr N Morrow & Partners, Truro. Blonde steers at £1270 (20m & FA) Messrs Habberfield & Priscott.

Native steers equally well sought to £1295 for an Angus (30m, FA & sire) from Mr SJ & Mrs MG Payne, Knowstone, who sold others at £1090 (18/22m, FA & sires) and £1070 (23/27m, FA & sires). Further Angus at £1202 (19m & FA) Messrs Habberfield & Priscott; £1170 (24m, FA & sire) Mr PA Kingston; £1100 (22m, FA & sire) Mr DW Hewlett; £1085 (19/22m, FA & sire) Messrs AE Vile & Son, North Curry and £1075 (28m & sire) Mr DR & Mrs VM Kilburn, Arlington. Hereford steers to £1290 for well fleshed types from Messrs Stowell Bros, Churchstanton. Feeding Herefords at £1085 (21m & FA) Messrs Habberfield & Priscott and £1080 (25/27m & sires) from Mr ASE Bradford, North Petherton.

Dairy bred steers continue in a massively improved vein to £1175 for Montbeliardes (19m & FA) from Mr CA & Mrs MA Ralph, Trull, who sold another at £1115 (19m & FA). Fit Friesian at £1145 (28m & FA) Messrs FG Payne & Sons. An extreme frame Holstein at £1070 (28m & FA) Mr PA Kingston. Fleshed Holsteins at £1055 (19/20m & FA) and £1015 (20/22m & FA) Messrs Blewett & Partners, St Austell; £1035 (25/27m & FA) £1035 (25/27m & FA) and £1000 (23/25m & FA) Mr S & Mrs J Willis, Dunball. £1000 again (27m & FA) £940 (24m & FA) and £910 (22/24m & FA) Mr AJ & Mrs GD Bond & Son, Monkton; £1000 again (25/29m & FA) and £895 (24/29m & FA) Mr IJ & Mrs SA Bell, Cossington; £885, Fleckvieh (25m & FA) Mr DR House, Burrowbridge; £870 (24m) Mr P Willis, Dunball and £870 again (31/34m & FA) Mr AJ & Mrs WL Turner Ltd, Holditch.

Heifers an amazing trade for feeders and flesh. A regional high of £1280 was achieved by Mr R Jones & Son, Dulverton for well grown, quality, near pure red Limousins (28m & FA). Fleshed 26m and FA Limousin from Messrs Stowell Bros at £1210. Fleshed Blues at £1110 (25/26m & FA) Mr GJ & Mrs PC Perry; £1100 (20/23m & FA) Mr SJ Williams and £1065 (27m & FA) Messrs RE Fewings & Son, Littleton. Butchers type Charolais at £1090 (20m & FA) from Mr TJ & Mrs PR Tucker, Barnstaple, who sold others similar at £1082 (19m & FA). Shapely Simmental (20m & FA) at £1090 and Limousin (19m & FA) at £1050 from the same farm. Fed Simmentals (23m & FA) at £1055 Mr PA Kingston, who sold others at £1050 (17m & FA) and £940 (21/23m & FA). Quality, feeding Limousin suckler bred heifers at £1050 (20/23m & FA) Messrs RW Tapp & Son, South Molton; £1045 (21m & FA) Mr RG Goaman, Reading and £995 (22/27m & FA) Mr AR Habberfield.

Fleshed Hereford heifers at £978 (21/22m, FA & sire) Messrs Blewett & Partners, St Austell. Others £955 (21/24m, FA & sire) Mr RH & Mrs AM Turner, Stockland. Angus at £970 (20/22m, FA & sire) Messrs AE Vile & Son. Others £970 (31m, FA & sire) Mr SJ & Mrs MG Payne, South Molton. Friesian heifer at £965 (26m & FA) from Messrs Blewett & Partners.

Young stores (17m & FA) at £998 for Charolais steers from Mr G Heal, Umberleigh. 17m and FA Hereford steers at £990 from Mr RW & Mrs JE Tucker, Westbury Sub Mendip. Trade is good. Now’s the time to sell.

Steers Max £1475, Ave £934; Heifers Max £1280, Ave £839.

Charolais steers £1395 £1350; heifers £1090 £1082; Limousin £1475 £1380 £1280 £1210; Simmental £1320 £1295 £1090 £1055; B/Blue £1380 £1295 £1100 £1065;; Hereford £1290 £1085 £978 £955 Angus £1295 £1202 £970 £895; S/Devon steers £1060 £965; Devon steers £990; Blonde steers £1270; Friesian steers £1145 £1070; heifers £965 £870; Shorthorn steers £840 £775; Montbeliarde steers £1175 £1115.

Suckler Cows, Calves & Stock Bulls (46): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a short entry of 46 sucklers to start the year’s catalogued sales met a bright trade. Top was £1170 on two occasions. Firstly for a younger Devon with Charolais heifer calf (3m) from Mr HT & Mrs ME Quick, Ashill. £1170 was also bid for the best of a run of milky Angus cross cows with really well grown calves at foot from Mr RJ & Mrs J Tully, Brixham. Steer calves at £1170, £1160 and £1140 and with heifer calves at £1120, £1100 (x2) and £900. £1070 was bid for a younger South Devon with smart 5m Limousin heifer calf from Mr DR Biss, Oake. £1010 was bid on three occasions for incalf (6-7m pd+ve) to British Blue and Limousin cows from Mr RJ Turner & Partners, Hardington Mandeville. Incalf pure bred Hereford heifers (pd+ve 4 & 7m) to Hereford at £930 from Mr RJ Sparshott.

Of interest on Saturday 1st April there will be a catalogued pedigree sale and on Saturday 8th April there will be a catalogued commercial suckler sale. Entries to Jess Maynard on jess.maynard@gth.net.

Saturday, February 11, Monthly Catalogued Sale of Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers & Bulls. Please contact Jess Maynard on 01278-410278.

Busk Calves & Stirks (407): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a massive entry, more than double the equivalent market last year, sold to another strong trade. Quality continues to be rewarded when some outstanding prices were achieved.

Top price of £930 (9m) for a Limousin steer from Mr J Popham. Other Limousins to £890 (8m) £870 (8m) £810 (8m) and £780 (8m) from Messrs J & S Creed & Doyle; £890 (9m) from Mr B Williams, who also sold another at £850 (8m); £800 (9m) £795 (6m) and £755 (6m) from Mr AJ Barrett; £800 (9m) £790 (8m) and £770 (9m) from Messrs BR & MS Pike and £750 (9m) and £745 (9m) from Mr PJ May. Charolais from Messrs W Hilborne & Son x8 (11m) to £905, when others sold at £810 (9m) from Messrs NJ Cooke & Co, who also sold others at £752 (10m); £780 (9m) from Mr B Calder and £780 x4 (8m) from Messrs KJ & LC Popham who also sold others at £735 x5 (6/8m). British Blues to £810 (12m) from Finefarm Ltd who also sold others at £735 x6 (9/10m). Others to £790 from Mr G Chugg and £765 (9m) from Messrs KJ & LC Popham. Herefords to £755 (11m) from Messrs MJ & KJJ Prettejohn. Angus to £750 x6 (8/9m) from Messrs PB & SE Dibble. Others to £750 (9m) from Messrs RJ & SR Bunn. Devons to £750 (11m) from Mr S Salter. Simmentals to £750 (9m) from Mr AJ Barrett.

Heifers to £830 (12m) for a Limousin from Messrs RP & JA Brendon. Other Limousins to £785 (7m) £690 (8m) x2 and £655 (9m) from Messrs J & S Creed & Doyle; £705 (6m) and £670 (6m) from Messrs G French & Son; £685 (9m) and £680 (9m) from Mr AJ Barrett; £680 (10m) from Messrs BR & MS Pike; £600 from Mrs K Lock and £595 (8m) x3 from Messrs KJ & LC Popham.

British Blues to £800 (11m) from Messrs AH & LR Read, who also sold others at £752 (9m). Others to £775 from Finefarm Ltd who sold others at £635 (13m) and £600 (9m) from Mr PJ May. Charolais to £700 (10m) from Messrs NJ Cook & Co. Others to £645 (8m) from Mr J Popham and £640 (8m) and £610 (9m) from Messrs KJ & LC Popham. Herefords to £600 (11m) from Mr PJ May. Many thanks to all Vendors for a fantastic entry. January 21 2017. 15 3/4 British Blue Stirks 9/10m. Ref B1406.

Please try and register all named sires on the passport and detail sire on the entry form. Please can Vendors make every effort to pre-book by email market@gth.net or by phone 01278 410278. Buyers do look at our website pre-entered stock page.

Steers Max £930, Ave £631; Heifers Max £830, Ave £462.

Charolais steers £905 £810; heifers £700 £645; Limousin £930 £890 £830 £785; Simmental £750 £615 £535 £515; B/Blue £810 £790 £800 £775; Hereford £755 £605 £600 £540; Angus £750 £735 £595 £570; Devon £750 £590 £430 £345; Friesian steers £560 £350; Shorthorn heifers £275 £260.

Non-Export Calves (463): Beef Breeds (345) – not able to be exported from market. Greenslade Taylor Hunt report another good entry of 345 beef calves met a selective trade where good quality remains in demand. The day topped at £472 twice for 16 week old Blues from Mr D Blanch and Mr NF George. Mr George also sold to £470, £462x2 and £455. Younger Blues to £338 for MC Powell; £330 and £325 frm Messrs DW Rowe & Son and £310 from Messrs CJ & JC Pine. Charolais to £452 and £440 (16 weeks) from Mr NF George. Younger bulls to £350 and £342 twice for Messrs SM & DM Turner. Limousins to £436, £418 and £410 (12-20 weeks) from Mr NF George. Younger Limousins £318 from Mr DR Clapp. Reared Simmentals to £380 and £350 from Ireosa Ltd, Younger bulls to £310 from Mr KP Silverthorne and £304 Mr DC Bartlett. Best continental bulls £280 plus, mediums harder to place at £220-£280.

Heifers sold to £410 and £408 for 16 week old Blues from Mr NF George. Others £372 from Messrs D Walwin & Son; £342 from Dallyns Dairy and £312 from Cleave Farm Partnership. Younger Blues £270 from Higher Farm (Manston) Ltd and £252 from Mr MC Powell. Charolais to £268 from Messrs SM & DM Turner. Others £205 from Messrs JV & RC Pidgeon. Limousins to £238 from Mr DR Clapp. Others £205 from Messrs SR Curtis & Partners. Simmentals to £226 and £225 from Messrs JV & RC Pidgeon. Others £225 from Mr R Angell and £195 Mr DG Bartlett. Best Heifers £220 plus. Mediums £180-£220 Plainer types harder to place.

Natives – Angus bulls to £450 and £390 from Mr NF George. Others £355 Messrs HJ Masters & Son. Younger bull £248 from Mr MC Powell; £242 from DH Creed Ltd and £232 from Mr S Durston. Reared Herefords to £400 and £350 from Mr NF George. Younger types £250 from Messrs FS Cross & Sons, £200 House & Sons, £200 Dallyns Dairy Ltd. Native Angus heifers £345 (20 weeks) from Messrs HJ Masters & Son. Others £200 and £190 from Y farms Partnership. Herefords to £174 from Messrs BS & SG Kingston and £168 Mr S Durston.

Blue Bull £472 Mr D Blanch £472; Hfr £410 Mr NF George £408; Charolais Bull £452 Mr NF George £440; Hfr £268 Messrs SM & DM Turner £205; Limousin Bull £436 Mr NF George £418; Hfr £238 Mr DR Clapp £205; Simmental Bull £380 Ireosa Ltd £350; Hfr £236 Mr DG Bartlett £226; Hereford Bull £400 Mr NF George £350; Hfr £174 Messrs BS & SG Kingston £168; Angus Bull £450 Mr NF George £390; Hfr £345 Messrs HJ Masters & Son £200; Devon Bull £230 Mr OJ Howley £200; Fleckvieh Bull £212 Messrs HJ & ES Maltby £200.

Friesians (118) – not able to be exported from market. Greenslade Taylor Hunt report 118 dairy bred bulls met another similar trade where strong young rearing types topped at £140 and £114 from Messrs GJ & JM Boyer. Others £128 from Messrs SR Curtis & Partners and £120 Margaret Scribbins. Best types £80 plus mediums sticking around the £40-60 and mostly over £20. Reared Freisians to £180 for Y Farms. Others £170 from Mr D Blanch; £170 and £150 from Messrs HJ Masters & Sons.

Sheep (4026): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report the following sheep trades: Store Lambs (2716): A much larger entry of 2716 store lambs, after last week’s flyer, sold to an overall slightly easier trade. However, averages were not helped by a higher proportion of very small/hill types. The best sold to £79.50 from Messrs W & S Bougourd. Others £72 and £69 (x2) from Mr RE Webber; £72 from Hopcraft Ltd; £71.50 from Somerset Lamb Ltd; £70.50 from Messrs DH & KM Edwards and Mrs FA Ford; £70.50 from Mr WJ Rawlings; £70 from Mr PR Rawle and Mr DJ Cheacker; £69.50 from Messrs WG Heal & Son and Messrs J & P Prideaux and £69 from Mr AJ Kiff and Mr MR Swain. Mediums ranged £55-£65, very small nearly all £20 plus. Overall average £57.84.

Ram Lambs sold as store lambs are to be declared. Those lots so declared to not contain any ram lambs, which are found post sale to contain undeclared ram lambs, will attract a 25% reduction in the sale price of any ram lambs found. Similarly Cryptorchids are to be declared.

Grazing Ewes & Rams (920): A much larger entry of 920 grazing ewes and rams sold to an easier trade for all but the very best, which remain very strong. The best sold to £104, £93 and £91.50 from Mr K George. Others £95.50 from Mr J Harding; £89.50 from Mrs PJ Holloway; £89 from Mr I Palmer; £88 from Messrs PB & LM Doble; £87.50 from Messrs PH & ME Buckingham & Son; £85 from Mr R Bowles and £84 from Mr AAJ Bown. Mediums ranged £55-£68, plain £45-£55 and boners nearly all £20 plus. Overall average £59.54.

Couples (95 Ewes and 143 Lambs): Couple numbers starting to grow when 95 ewes and 143 lambs were forward. Trade held firm from start to finish, however second quality and plain types were harder to place. Best doubles to £209 (£69.67/life) from Messrs DE & SJ Cheacker, who sold others at £203 (£67.67/life) and £200 (£66.67/life). Miss AL Popham sold her doubles well again to £208 (£69.33/life). Messrs BG & DE Howell sold their best to £198 (£66/life). Singles keenly sought and sold to £160 (£80/life) from Miss AL Popham. Others to £148 (£74/life) from Mr DJ Cole; £140 (£70/life) from Mr CA Churchill and £130 from Mr C Popham and Messrs BAV & JE Scriven. Overall average £58.19/life.

Breeding Ewes (12): A handful of breeding ewes sold well to £126 for inlamb Suffolk Mule shearlings from Mr J Jarman. Overall average £113.33.

Goats (118): The largest ever entry at Sedgemoor Market of 118 goats sold to a firm but generally easier trade. Nannies sold to £89.50 and £88.50 from Bagborough Farm Ltd and £81 from Mr DJ Yeatman.

Orphan Lambs (22): 22 orphan lambs forwards sold to a very variable trade. Larger types to £22 (x2) from Mr T Williams and £20 (x8) from Mr M Monkhouse and Mr AJ Green. Overall average £14.68.

Pigs: The Next Pig Market is on Saturday, January 21. The Next Fodder Auction is Saturday, January 21.

Poultry: Please Note – The January and February poultry sales have been cancelled due to the Avian Flu outbreak. Please ring Lorna in the Market Office for up to date information on 01278-410278.

Monday, January 16

Total Stock: 825 Head

PRIME & Untested Forward Cattle (111):UTM (103) & OTM Prime Cattle (8): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a good sized entry of 111 prime cattle, when again some superb types were on offer. Trade again very, very strong to a top of 218.5ppk for a top drawer Limousin heifer (22m & 585kg) from Mr PJ & Mrs BM Coles, Bridgwater, who sold other proper butchers heifers at 216 (Limx, 27m & 575kg) 214.5 (Limx, 21m & 593kg) and 209.5ppk (Limx, 28m & 580kg). Some wonderful butchers heifers on offer at 216 (Limx, 23m & 503kg) 206.5 (Limx, 23m & 544kg) and 206ppk (Limx, 22m & 548kg) from Messrs JF Walker & Partners, North Petherton; 213.5ppk (Limx, 25m & 534kg) Mr MJ Chilcott, Catcott; 209.5ppk (Chx, 28m & 578kg) Mr J & Mrs BD Prescott, Clayhanger and 205.5ppk (Limx, 22m & 531kg) from Mr RW Fry, Long Sutton. Better type heifers 190ppk plus.

Steers rose to 208.5ppk for an exceptional Limousin (23m & 660kg) from Mr PJ & Mrs PM Coles again, who sold other very well bred and fed types at 207.5 (Limx, 17m & 661kg) 201.5 (Limx, 25m & 670kg) 200 (Limx, 22m & 658kg) and 199ppk (Limx, 24m & 658kg). A classy Blonde (29m & 660kg) from Mr J & Mrs J Meaker & Son, Langport met a call of 205.5ppk, when a smart Charolais (28m & 650kg) from the same farm 197.5ppk. Other best types at 198.5ppk being a Limousin and (21m & 554kg) from Mrs MJ Tuckett & Partners, Ide and 198ppk for a Limousin (23m & 588kg) Mr JF Walker & Partners, North Petherton.

Again better type steers 190ppk plus. Angus steers to 197ppk (23m & 583kg) from Mr RC Loveridge & Son, Axminster.

Steers topped at £1,431.57 for a grand 802kg Limousin from Mr RJ, Mrs HA & Mr MR Popham, Highbridge, who sold other well fasted and clipped out steers at £1,404.00 (Angus, 30m & 780kg) and £1,388.40 (Limousin, 30m & 780kg). Several heavier steers £1300 plus.

Heifers sold to £1,311.86 for an outstanding Angus (29m, 737kg & sire details) from Mr PRS & Mrs EB Scott, Axbridge. The exceptional heifers from Mr PJ & Mrs BM Coles returned at £1,278.23, £1,271.99, £1,242.00, £1,215.10 and £1,214.73. £1,236.90 Simmental from Mr J & Mrs J Meaker & Son; £1,210.91, Charolais, Mr J & Mrs BD Prescott.

Traditionally the end of January can be poor due to “credit cards” but as with recent years there appears to be no abatement in the trade.

Steers (49): Top Price: UTM 208.5p/kg, OTM 135.0p/kg; Average: UTM 181.0p/kg, OTM 125.2p/kg; Top price per head: UTM £1,431.57, OTM £983.03.

Top Vendors: Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 208.5; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 207.5; Messrs J & J Meaker & Son BAX 205.5; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 201.5; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 200.0.

Top Vendors: Messrs RJ, HA & MR Popham LIMX £1,431.57; Messrs RJ, HA & MR Popham AA £1,404.00; Messrs RJ, HA & MR Popham LIMX £1,388.40; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX £1,376.10; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX £1,371.58.

Heifers (62): Top price: UTM 218.5p/kg, OTM 181.5p/kg; Average UTM 184.5p/kg, OTM 154.4p/kg; Top price per head: UTM £1,311.86, OTM £1,067.48.

Top Vendors: Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 218.5; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 216.0; Mr JF Walker & Partners LIMX 216.0; Mr MJ Chilcott LIMX 213.5; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 209.5.

Top Vendors: Messrs PRS & EB Scott AA £1,311.86; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX £1,278.23; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX £1,271.99; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX £1,242.00; Messrs J & J Meaker & Son SIMX £1,236.90.

Limousin Steers Ave 191.1, Top 208.5, Heifers Ave 204.2, Top 218.5; B/Blue 184.1, 186.5, 190.8, 194.5; Charolais 183.9, 197.5, 189.0, 209.5; Blonde 197.5, 205.5, 193.5, 193.5; Simmental 179.0, 179.0, 196.7, 199.5; Saler Heifers 182.0, 182.0; Angus 189.5, 197.0, 176.4, 189.5; Hereford Heifers 159.5, 159.5; Devon 189.5, 189.5, 152.0, 154.5; Devon x Heifers 163.0, 163.0; B/Friesian Steers 148.5, 148.5; H/Friesian 126.2, 149.5, 124.6, 146.5.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report the barren cow trade is currently hotting up. More forward at 128 head and no stopping the demand.

Top was 149.5ppk for a very smart, pure Limousin cow from Mr WJ Bown, Catcott. Further good Limousin cows at 141.5 and 138.5ppk from Messrs RW Tapp & Son, South Molton and 134.5ppk from Mr PJ & Mrs BM Coles, Bridgwater. Fleshed Blue at 132.5ppk from Mr DP Leaney, Heale. Native Hereford cows at 129.5ppk from Mr PJ & Mrs BM Coles and 127.5 and 123.5ppk from Mrs CJ & Mr J Lang, Moorland. South Devon cows at 125.5ppk from Mr D Rusher, Timberscombe and 124.5ppk, Mr DP & Mrs MG White, Axminster. Better sucklers 120ppk plus.

Sucklers sold to £1,290.14 for the tremendous 1028kg South Devon from Mr D Rusher. Limousins at £1,159.25 and £1,105.12 from Messrs RW Tapp & Son around £1,136.20 from Mr WJ Bown. Angus at £1,081.00 for a pedigree from Mr A & Mrs Denning at Temple Farm Chedzoy Ltd, Bridgwater.

Dairy breeds in great demand, even bags of bones. Top was 134.5ppk for a young (34m) Holstein from Mr RM & Mrs HJ Herrod, Axminster. Another young Holstein (48m) at 123.5ppk from Messrs RH Drew & Son, Clayhidon. Best black and whites up to 120ppk. Good meat 110ppk plus. Steakers 105ppk plus. Plain cows 85ppk plus. Very plain 70ppk plus.

Dairy cows sold to £1,034.00 for an 880kg. Holstein from Mr NW Doble & Sons, Crewkerne. Other strong 830 and 865kg Holsteins at £1,000.15 and £990.45 from Mr R Lucas & Son, Isle Abbots.

Dairy heifers to 138.5ppk (34m) from Mr F & Mrs EJ Strawbridge, & Sons, Axminster and £888.09 from Mr JM & Mrs SN Faun, Holford.

The best of the non UK cows sold to a top of 104.5ppk (697kg).

Barren Cows (124): Top Price: Continental Beef 149.5p/kg, Native Beef 129.5p/kg, Dairy 134.5p/kg.

Average: 119.1ppk, 116.4ppk, 100.7ppk; Top price per head: £1,159.25, £1,290.14, £1,034.00.

Grade 1 Ave (ppk) 130.1, Top (ppk) 149.5, Ave (£) £1,016.91, Top (£) £1,159.25; Grade 2 116.8, 134.5, £847.86, £1,290.14; Grade 3 100.1, 121.5, £665.81, £903.00; Grade 4 78.3, 113.5, £461.26, £845.58.

Top Suckler Vendors: Mr WJ Bown LIMX 149.5; Messrs RW Tapp & Son LIMX 141.5; Messrs RW Tapp & Son LIMX 138.5; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 134.5; Mr DP Leaney BRBX 132.5.

Top Dairy Vendors: Mr RM & HJ Herrod HF 134.5; Messrs RH Drew & Son HF 123.5; Messrs F & EJ Strawbridge & Sons BF 122.5; Mr RB Bowditch & Son BS 121.5; Messrs R Lucas & Son HF 120.5.

Suckler Vendors: Mrs D Rusher SD £1,290.14; Messrs RW Tapp & Son LIMX £1,159.25; Mr WJ Bown LIMX £1,136.20; Messrs RW Tapp & Son LIMX £1,105.12; Temple Farm Chedzoy Ltd AA £1,081.00.

Dairy Vendors: Messrs NW Doble & Sons HF £1,034.00; Messrs R Lucas & Son HF £1,000.15; Messrs R Lucas & Son HF £990.43; Messrs R Lucas & Son HF £972.78; Messrs RH Drew & Son HF £969.48.

Finished Hoggs (586): Hoggs (586): Top price p/head: £90.00; Top price p/kg 190.0p/pk; SQQ Average 171.51p/pk.

Standard (32.1-39.0kg) 178.73; Medium (39.1-45.5kg) 170.08; Heavy (45.6-52kg) 162.55; Others (Over 52kg) 158.64.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a much smaller entry sold to a much stronger trade, particularly for the heavier hoggs, which were much improved on the week. The best handyweights sold to 190 and 176ppk from Cleave Farm Partnership. Others 186ppk from Mr GR Williams; 180ppk from Messrs GB & AE Pearce; 179ppk from Mr T Stead; 177ppk from Captain P Hall and Messrs WGF Chave & Son; 175 and 174ppk from Messrs CG, J & D Pulsford and 174ppk from Messrs CHJ Atwell & Sons.

Heavier hoggs sold to £90 from Mr MJ Chilcott. Others £88.50, £86.50 and £83 from Messrs WGF Chave & Son; £87.50 and £85.50 (x2) from Mr AR Henson; £85 and £84 from Mr RJ Langford; £85 from Milborne Wick Farms Ltd and £83 from Mr JF Walker. Overall average £75.12.

Hoggs: 35.0 £66.50 Cleave Farm Partnership; 39.0 £68.50 Cleave Farm Partnership; 40.0 £70.00 Messrs CG, J & D Pulsford; 41.0 £74.00 Messrs GB & AE Pearce; 41.0 £73.50 Mr T Stead; 41.0 £72.50 Captain PJ Hall; 42.0 £73.00 Messrs CG, J & D Pulsford; 44.0 £75.50 Mr GS Brown; 45.0 £76.00 Mr S Drayton; 46.0 £80.00 Messrs CHJ Atwell & Sons; 47.0 £83.00 Messrs WGF Chave & Son; 49.0 £80.50 Messrs JF Walker & Partners; 52.0 £84.00 Mr RJ Langford; 53.0 £88.50 Messrs WGF Chave & Son; 53.0 £86.50 Messrs WGF Chave & Son; 54.0 £85.50 Mr AR Henson; 55.0 £87.50 Mr AR Henson; 62.0 £90.00 Mr MJ Chilcott.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a small entry saw lean Suffolk cross to £74.50 from Messrs WN Chick & Sons to average £63.10.

Forthcoming sale dates:

January:

Saturday 21, Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am.

Saturday 21, Collective Fodder Auction 1pm.

Tuesday 24, The Annual Winter Warmer Collective Dairy Sale of Freshly Calved Cows & Heifers,Youngstock & Dairy Bulls 11am Ring 1.

Wednesday 25, Orange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB Restricted Cattle. Store Cattle – 15 Months & Over, Prime Cattle & Barren Cows. Stock to be booked in with the market office by 18th January. Licences to be obtained from Truro Trading Standards on 03000 200301 or swenglandtblicensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk Sale commences 4.30pm.

Saturday 28, Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am Ring 2.

February:

Saturday 4. Monthly Catalogued Sale of Organic Store Stock 10am Ring 2.

Saturday 4, Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am.

Saturday 11, Monthly Catalogued Sale of Suckler Cows 12.30pm Ring 1.

Saturday 11, Monthly Seasonal Catalogued Sale of In Lamb Ewes 12 Noon.

Thursday 16, Collective Machinery Sale 10.30am.

Thursday 16, General Household Effects Sale 11am (Tel 01278 410250).

Saturday 18, Special Sale of Continental Store Cattle 10am Ring 2.

Saturday 18, Special Sale of Busk Calves 11am Ring 3.

Saturday 18, Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am,

Tuesday 21, Collective Dairy Sale 11am Ring 1.

Wednesday 22, Orange Market Dedicated Sale for bTB Restricted Cattle. Store Cattle – 15 Months & Over, Prime Cattle & Barren Cows. Stock to be booked in with the market office by 15th February. Licences to be obtained from Truro Trading Standards on 03000 200301 or swenglandtblicensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk. Sale commences 4.30pm.

Saturday 25, Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am Ring 2.

Saturday 25, Collective Fodder Auction 1pm.