Saturday, February 18

Total Store Stock: 6192 Head

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report an exceptional stirk trade to £1045 for a BB steer others to £1035 10m.

Wednesday, March 29, at 4.30pm. Orange Market dedicated Sale For Btb Restricted Cattle Licences to be applied for by March 22 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 (81): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report another very large entry of dairy cattle for our weekly sale, ahead of another large sale of 400 head on Tuesday, saw a level trade when no outstanding cows or heifers were forward. A handful of grade 1’s and a lot of good quality on offer. Middle of the road heifers attracted considerable interest. Plainer cows and heifers more difficult to sell. Mr M Powell’s non pedigree heifer topped the sale at £1740, when others sold to £1730 and £1550 from Messrs M & K Churchill; £1630 Ham Farm Partners; £1620 from Messrs A & W Vigus; £1600 from Messrs RL & ME Trott and £1600 from Mr CJ Morgan.

Medium cows to £1400 x2 from Messrs A & W Vigus and J Snook Ltd. Others to £1360 Ham Farm Partners and £1350 J Snook Ltd.

A large entry of non pedigree incalf heifers served 6-8m sold to £1170, £1130 and £1100 all for Messrs BW & GJ Gray, Bristol. Bulling heifers to £700 x2 Messrs CJ White & Partners.

Want to know in advance how many dairy cattle are entered each week on our Saturday dairy market? Receive email updates on a Friday afternoon by emailing market@gth.net or check http://www.gth.net/sedgemoor/pre-entered-stock.

1st Quality Heifers min £1600, max £1740, ave £1653; 2ndQuality Heifers £1050 £1550 £1360; 2nd Quality Cows £1000 £1400 £1180.

Store Cattle, Sucklers & Stirks (961): Store Cattle and Grazing Cows (721): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report another large entry of 961 stores and stirks, when 721 stores of all classes were on offer. Trade on par compared to last week’s when well reared and fed types made premium prices. Top price was £1385 for a tremendous 27m Limousin cross steer from Mr PA Strawbridge, Honiton. A pair of well fleshed Blue cross steers from Messrs DG & RH Matravers, Pitminster were close behind at £1360, when other Blues from the same farm sold at £1300. Other Limousin cross to £1355 and £1280, also from Messrs Strawbridge. A fit 25m Limousin cross at £1260 from Messrs FG Payne & Son, Wellington and a pen of 4 at £1255 (19/20m) Messrs Habberfield & Priscott. Some super Charolais cross on offer this week. A cracking run of 12 suckler bred steers (19/21m) from Mr JC Smallwood, Bratton Clovelly sold to £1268, £1255, £1235 and £1225. A good pen of 6 (21/22m) from Mr PJ Betty shot to £1250. This week’s entry from Messrs RH & GA Morrish Ltd, Torrington (16-22m) sold to £1250 and others to £1230 and £1215. 3 big framed Charolais cross from Hutton & Sons (25/26m) at £1170, others (19/25m) to £1162 from Messrs Habberfield & Priscott. Best Simmental cross to £1120; also Messrs Betty, when others sold to £1085 (20m) from Messrs B & P Horsey, West Hatch. Blonde steers to £1095 (32m) from Mr K Procter, Dunkerswell.

Native steers well competed for and topped at £1195 for a single large frame Hereford (21m) from Messrs GJ & PC Perry of Dalwood, others from the same farm to £1120. A pair (21/22m) from Messrs HV Counsell & Son, Rooksbridge sold well at £1075. A large number of Angus cross on offer and topped at £1185 (22m) also Messrs Counsell and a good pen of 21m from Messrs RR & J Symons shot to £1150. Others 19/22m from Messrs LF, AJ & LJ Bartlett, Gittisham at £1100 and from Messrs J & D Board, Lottisham (22/23m) close behind at £1085. Some good South Devons forward topped at £1250 (20m) Mr SA Lloyd, Langport, when 6 from the same farm (18/20m) sold at £1200. Younger types (19m) to £1070 from Mr JP Matthews & Son, Torpoint.

173 Friesians of all shapes and sizes met a strong trade for all forward and peaked at £1055 (28m) from Messrs G & EG Tucker, Upottery. Others sold to £960 (26/27m) from Mr RWG Chilcott, Pawlett; £940 (19/22m) Mr TH Beaty, Walton. Also £900 from Mr RWG Chilcott and £870 Mr RH Beaty. Pen of Montbeliarde (25m) at £1155 Messrs Habberfield & Priscott. Norwegian (19m) at £970 Mr RH Beaty. Other good bunches of Friesian at £820 and £800, Messrs CJ Burrough, Axminster.

Tom Jeanes from North Curry led the heifers again for the third week running with 28m BBx at £1220. A run of butchers heifers from Messrs MP & DM Hine, Combe St Nicholas (18/20m) Limousin and Charolais cross at £1190, £1145 and £1120. Limousin cross from Messrs FG Payne & Son (24/25m) £1105 and £1075. A price of note was a strong 20m BBx at £1200 from Messrs RT & CV Perrett, Stoke Trister. 24m Charolais cross at £1070 Messrs FH Arscott & Son, Upottery and South Devon cross at £1065 (21m) Mr GB Tuttiett, Lympsham. Other 22/25m at £980 and £950, also Messrs Matthews. Good runs of Charolais cross and Simmental cross heifers from Mr PJ Betty (21/23m) at £1050, £1048 and £1020 and from Messrs Morrish to top at £1035 (20m).

Native heifers saw Angus sell at £1060 (22/24m) from Messrs EJM & ME Williams, Rhos, when others from the same farm sold at £970 and £950. Herefords to £1030 (26m) also Messrs Hutton & Sons. Continuing firm trade for smaller stores with 18m Simmental cross steers £1135 and £1020 and 19m Charolais cross heifer £925, all EMC Bax, Wadebridge. 15m Angus cross steers at £980 from Twose Farms Ltd, Whitland; 15m Limousin cross steers £1100 Mr CA Churchill, Hawkchurch and £960 from Mr AR Habberfield, Isle Abbots.

Steers Max £1385, Ave £874; Heifers Max £1220, Ave £840.

Charolais steers £1268 £1255; heifers £1145 £1125; Limousin £1385 £1355 £1190 £1145; Simmental £1120 £1085 £1048 £970; B/Blue £1360 £1300 £1220 £1200; Hereford £1195 £1120 £1030 £875; Angus £1185 £1150 £1060 £970; S/Devon £1250 £1200 £1065 £980; Blonde £1095 £985 £850 £795; Friesian £1055 £960 £732 £715.

Suckler Cows, Calves & Stock Bulls (2): Saturday, March 11, Monthly Sale of Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers & Bulls. Sale to commence at 12.30pm approx. Ring 1.

For more information please contact Jess Maynard on 01278-410278.

Busk Calves & Stirks (238): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a slightly reduced entry and an exceptional trade throughout. Quality continues to attract strong competition, when many premium prices were achieved. Top price of £1045 for a British Blue from Messrs WJ Acreman & Sons who also sold another at £955. Other Blues to £1035 (10m) from Mr AGF Lockyer; £775 (8m) from Messrs G & EG Tucker; £665 (10m) and £640 (12m) from Messrs JH & ACL Williams. Limousins to £1040 (9m) from Messrs MD & KE Lanfear. Others to £915 from Messrs WJ Acreman & Sons; £885 (12m) from Mr PR Nicholls; £820 (11m) from Mr RAS Pattenden; £735 (12m) from Mr A Kift; £660 (10m) from Mr CA Churchill and £630 (13m) from Mr SM Godfrey. Charolais to £920 (10m) from Messrs W Hilborne & Son, who also sold others to £760 x2 (9/13m). Others to £920 x2 (10m) £815 (8m) and £775 (9m) from Messrs NJ Cooke & Co and £780 (9m) from Mr CJ Wyatt. Blondes to £820 (9m) from Mr A Kift, who sold another at £745 (9m). Others to £705 (12m) from Messrs PA & CE Edwards. Angus to £665 (11m) from Messrs JH & ACL Williams, when others sold to £640 x5 (10m) and £595 x5 (9m) from Small Bros and £640 x3 (9m) from Messrs RP & JA Brendon.

Bulls to £685 x2 (6m) for Limousins from Mr WA Williams, who sold another at £655 (6m). British Blues to £570 (10m) from Mr CP Prouse.

Heifers to £960 (9m) for a Limousin from Messrs MD & KE Lanfear, who also sold others at £845 (9m) and £815 (9m). Other Limousins to £900 from Messrs JE & LP Reason; £810 (13m) from Mr A Worsley; £670 (10m) and £580 (9m) from Mr DR Biss; £660 (5m) from Messrs EH & RL Leyshon; £575 (4m) from Messrs PA & DE Wyatt and £535 (9m) from Mr RAS Pattenden. British Blues to £898 x2 from Mr PR Nicholls. Others to £880, £850 and £760 from Messrs WJ Acreman & Sons; £700 (12m) from Mr A Worsley; £700 (10m) from Mr BK Hockey; £680 (14m) from Messrs EH & RL Leyshon; £650 x4 (14m) from Messrs PA & CE Edwards; £595 (8m) from Messrs G & EG Tucker; £580 and £555 from Mr RE Brittain; £560 (11m) x2 and £555 x3 (11m) from Messrs JH & ACL Williams. Charolais to £645 (9m) from Messrs EH & RL Leyshon, when others sold to £640 x4 (10m) from Mr CJ Wyatt; £600 (9m) from Messrs NJ Cooke & Co and £550 x2 (15m) from Hutchings & Sons. Angus to £600 (14m) from Mr BD Elworthy. Herefords to £560 x2 (12m) from Messrs JH & ACL Williams.

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 £1045 Ave £558; Heifers Max £960 Ave £535.

Charolais steers £920 £815; heifers £645 £640; Limousin £1040 £915 £960 £900; Simmental steers £535; heifers £255; B/Blue £1045 £1035 £898 £880 Hereford £660 £605 £560 £500 Angus £665 £640 £600 £530 S/Devon heifers £255; Devon steers £555 £435; heifers £410; Blonde £820 £745 £470 £425 Friesian steers £570 £388.

Non-Export Calves (461): Beef Breeds (357) – not able to be exported from market.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a cracking entry met a very lively trade. More medium calves on offer that sold readily as quality attracted purchasers to the ring. Top young calves £464 for an outstanding Charolais bull from Messrs DJ & SE Bristol. Others £400 from Messrs G & C Jones, Winkleigh; £382 and £365 from Mr G Chugg. Other Charolais to £335 from Messrs E Down & Son; also £325, £320 and £315 from Messrs DWJ Raffill & Partners. Simmentals to £290 from Mr DG Bartlett and Limousins £295 part of an excellent entry from Messrs JC & MJ Mayo, Sherborne and £288 from Messrs RJ & JM Dobson. Medium bulls very keen at £240-£280 and the smaller types £180-£240, up on the week.

Heifers well sought to £390 for a superb Blue from Messrs E Gay & Son, Musbury. Others £385 Mr ES Triggol, Chedzoy and £372 from Y Farms Partnership. Others £355 Finefarm Ltd. Charolais heifers £310 from Messrs GA Quick & Sons. Others £284. Many continental heifers £180-£240, mediums from £150 and smaller types £120 plus. Strong consignments of native breeds, mainly medium and smaller calves, saw fresh Angus bulls to £292 from Y Farms Partnership and Mr ES Triggol. Heifers to £210 from Messrs N & C Holland, West Anstey. Hereford bulls to £335 from Messrs FS Cross & Sons; £302 Twose Farms Ltd and heifers £200 from Dallyns Dairy. Young calves sold well all day.

12-10 week Blues to £478 from Mr NF George and £470. Others to £445 from Finefarm Ltd. Simmentals £422. Limousins £425. Older heifers to £355 Mr JLG Dorse. Thanks to all Vendors for a fine entry.

Blue Bull £445 Finefarm Ltd £442; Hfr £390 E Gay & Sons £385; Charolais Bull £464 DJ & SE Bristol £335; Hfr £310 GA Quick & Sons £284; Limousin Bull £295 JC & MJ Mayo & Son £288; Hfr £355 JLG Dorse £212; Simmental Bull £290 DG Bartlett £275; Hfr £236 TK Farms £230; Hereford Bull £335 FS Cross & Sons £330; Hfr £200 Dallyns Dairy Ltd £180; Devon Bull £142 MS & NM Hebditch £95; Hfr £95 MS & NM Hebditch; Angus Bull £292 Y Farms Partnership & ES Triggol £288; Hfr £252 Twose Farms Ltd £218; Shorthorn Hfr £116 TE Pocock & Co; Fleckvieh Bull £210 AJ & ES Maltby; Norwegian Bull £168 RA Plowright; B/White Bull £288 Y Farms Partnership.

Friesians (104) – not able to be exported from market.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report more forward and a very strong trade, when plenty of customers were present for all types. The best British Friesians at £144 and £140 (x2) from Messrs FS Cross & Sons. Others £138 from Messrs SR Curtis & Partners and £136 from Y Farms Partnership. Holstein Friesians to £172 from Messrs GA Quick & Sons and £172 from Twose Farms Ltd (12 weeks). Others £168 and £150. Younger types £125 from Messrs Davies and many over £100. Mediums £60-£100. Small calves £20-£60 on size with very little under £20. Reared Friesian (4m) to £355 from Mr NF George.

BVD Free England Sign up to eliminate BVD. Tag & test to monitor. Vaccinate to protect. Enhance your sale value. Visit: www.bvdfree.org.uk Email: help@bvdfree.org.uk Telephone: 03332-413113.

Sheep (4495): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report the following sheep trades:-

Store Lambs (2136): A similar number entry of 2136 store lambs sold to an overall slightly dearer trade. The best sold to £85.50 from Messrs FD Pearse & Sons. Others £84 from Messrs J & G Howieson; £80 from Messrs PD & SA Godfrey; £74.50 from Mr THJ Denbee and Temuka Ltd; £72 from Mr DG Harris, Messrs HG Geen & Son and Mr DA Downton and £70 from Mr G Busk, Mr JH Knight, Mr MJ Ashman and Mr JC Burdge. Mediums ranged £57-£67, very small nearly all £25 plus. Overall average £60.07.

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 (1561): A huge entry of 1561 grazing ewes and rams due to a lift in the trade, which has led to a flood of ewes at all centres across the Country over the past few weeks. The best remained a very strong trade when rams sold to £117 from Mr JD Barnard. Others £110 from Mr SL King; £105 from Mr J White; £100 from Mr DH Turner and £99 from Messrs BAV & JE Scriven. Ewes sold to £110 from Messrs MD & KE Lanfear. Others £105 from Mr SJ Govier; £100 and £86 from Messrs NJ Tucker & Son; £94.50 and £94 from Mr K George; £94.50 from Messrs RJ & LA Mitchell & Voke; £94 from Messrs G & J Chorley & Son; £93.50 from Messrs DW & PA Retter; £90.50 from Mr H Garrett; £90 from Mr AJ Stanbury and £86.50 from Messrs RH & GA Morrish Ltd. Mediums and plainer ewes met a more difficult trade with mediums £58-£68. Plain £45-£58, boners nearly all £17 plus. Overall average £55.72.

Couples (219 Ewes & 309 Lambs)

A larger entry of 219 ewes with 309 lambs at foot sold to a similar trade, when a larger proportion of plainer ewes were forward. Best doubles to £188 (£62.67/life) from Mr T Parris, who sold others at £170 (£56.67/life). Other best types to £180 (£60/life) from Miss AL Popham and £172 (£57.33/life) from Messrs EJ Collins & Son. Singles to £160 (£80/life) from Mr T Parris. Others to £152 (£76/life) from Messrs MD & KE Lanfear; £150 (£75/life) from Messrs MC & NJ Ford and £142 (£71/life) from Messrs DE & SJ Cheacker, Messrs MC & NJ Ford and Mr DH Turner. Overall average £51.62/life.

Breeding Ewes (173)

A good entry of 173 inlamb ewes on a non sale week sold to a strong trade throughout. Lleyn cross Texels from Mr JC Salmon to £95, £94 (x2) and £90 (x2). Mules to £88 from Mr SJ Symons. Overall average £75.90. ***More expected next week***

Goats (68)

A very mixed quality entry saw billies to £103 from Messrs EH & RL Leyshon and nannies sold to £77 from Messrs DCW & DA Verney & Sons.

Orphan Lambs (29)

A smaller entry of orphans sold to a stronger trade which averaged £23.76. The best sold to £35 for Messrs MD & KE Lanfear followed by £32 (x3) for Messrs GE & EJ Nicholls.

Pigs (194): The Next Pig Market is on Saturday, March 4.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report the following pig trades: Cull Sows & Boars (25): A small entry, many more could have been sold to advantage. Good trade. Top price £256 and £236 from Peckmoor Farming Ltd. Cull boars to £182 from Mr R Smith. Average £153 per head.

Weaners (71): Again another small entry sold to a good trade. Top price £37 from Messrs J & R Hopkins and £32 for good Saddlebacks from Mr WG Edwards. Average £17.89 per head.

Forward Stores (85): Good trade, more required to satisfy buyers demand. Top price £132 Peckmoor Farming Ltd and £126 from Messrs RE Fewings & Son. Average £78.67 per head.

Breeding Pigs (13): Breeding sow to £200 from Mr R Smith and sow with 8 piglets to £230 from Mr J Parry.

FODDER Commencing 1:00pm.

Auctioneer: James Wotton Tel: Office 01278 410250 Mobile 07899-955935.

The Next Fodder Auction is Saturday, March 18.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a massive entry of fodder met a selective trade, when lower value fodder exchanged hands (hay in particular) and there was more limited interest in the best quality produce.

Prices of note: Hay Conventional to £3/bale (delivered). Squares to £13/bale. Rounds to £5/bale. Quadrant to £28/bale (delivered).

Silage/Haylage Square Bales to £15/bale. Round Bales to £14/bale.

Straw: Quadrant Wheat to £36/bale (delivered). Round Bale Wheat to £12/bale.

Please Note – The February poultry sale has been cancelled due to the Avian Flu restrictions. Please ring Lorna in the Market Office for up to date information on 01278-410278.

Monday, February 20

Total Stock: 1071 Head

UTM (75) & OTM Prime Cattle (11): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report an increased entry of 86 prime cattle met another very fast trade. An exceptional run of superbly presented steers and heifers from Mr PJ & Mrs BM Coles, Spaxton topped the sale at 225ppk for a Limousin heifer (23m & 547kg). Further best Limousin heifers from the same farm at 203.5 (23m & 587kg) and 202.5ppk (21m & 650kg). Tremendous Limousin steers from Mr PJ & Mrs BM Coles at 222 (22m & 604kg) 213.5 (23m & 616kg) 213 (28m & 667kg) 209.5 (24m & 630kg) 209 (26m & 646kg) and 202ppk (27m & 680kg). A quality suckler bred Limousin steer from Messrs W Moore & Sons, Rackenford rose to 206ppk (26m & 635kg). A run of smart Limousin steers from Messrs AJ Hepper & Son, Blue Anchor saw leading prices of 204.5 (23m & 674kg) 204 (20m & 578kg) and 201.5ppk (23m & 652kg). All top steer prices under 680kg. It is more profitable to sell steers leaner and lighter, rather than keep them to their maximum and exceed weight requirements.

Further better heifers at 194.5 (22m & 500kg) and 192ppk (21m & 528kg) for Limousins from Mrs MJ Tuckett & Partners, Exeter; 192.5ppk, Charolais (23m & 607kg) from Mr HWC & Mrs JM Butler, Bristol; 191.5 (25m & 567kg) and 190.5ppk (22m & 577kg) for Charolais from Mr L & Mrs F Maddock & Son, Wiveliscombe and 190.5ppk for a Limousin (29m & 648kg) from Mr ML & Mrs EE Edwards, Weston Super Mare. Again most saleable heifers all sub 650kg.

Steers sold to £1,453.50 for a grand 765kg Charolais from Mr AJ Hepper & Son, who sold others at £1,436.40 (Limousin, 22m & 760kg) and £1,378.33 (Limousin, 23m & 674kg). Limousin steers from Mr PJ & Mrs BM Coles returned at £1,420.71 (28m & 667kg) £1,373.60 (27m & 680kg) £1,350.14 (26m & 646kg) £1,340.88 (22m & 604kg) and £1,319.85 (24m & 630kg). Further Limousin at £1,328.40 (25m & 738kg) from Messrs W Johnson & Son, Dalwood. Native steers sold to £1,387.44 for an exceptional Angus (28m & 752kg) from Messrs W Moore & Sons.

Heifers sold to a tremendous £1,316.25 for a Limousin (21m & 650kg) from Mr PJ & Mrs BM Coles, who sold others at £1,230.75 (23m & 547kg) and £1,194.55 (23m & 587kg). £1,234.44 was realised by Mr ML & Mrs EE Edwards for a 29m and 648kg Limousin, when a 29m, 662kg Blue from the same farm returned at £1,141.95. A 24m (635kg) Blue from Messrs Ellicott Bros, Chilton Trinity hit £1,200.15. Native heifers rose to £1,104.45 for an Angus (24m & 597kg) from Mr MH Rossiter, Salway Ash.

Steers (55): Top Price: UTM 222.0p/kg, OTM 180.0p/kg; Average: UTM 184.4p/kg, OTM 147.2p/kg; Top price per head: UTM £1,453.50, OTM £1,171.80.

Top Vendors: Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 604 222.0; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 616 213.5; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 667 213.0; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 630 209.5; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 646 209.0.

Top Vendors: Messrs AJ Hepper & Son CHX £1,453.50; Messrs AJ Hepper & So n LIMX £1,436.40; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX £1,420.71; Messrs W Moore & Sons AA £1,387.44; Messrs AJ Hepper & Son LIMX £1,378.33.

Heifers (30): Top price: UTM 225.0p/kg, OTM 178.5p/kg; Average: UTM 182.8p/kg, OTM 174.7p/kg; Top price per head: UTM £1,316.25, OTM £1,013.88.

Top Vendors: Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 225.0; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 203.5; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX 202.5; Messrs HWC & JM Butler CHX 192.5; Messrs MJ Tuckett & Partners LIMX 192.0.

Top Vendors: Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX £1,316.25; Messrs ML & EE Edwards LIMX £1,234.44; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX £1,230.75; Messrs Ellicott Bros BRBX £1,200.15; Messrs PJ & BM Coles LIMX £1,194.55.

Limousin Steers Ave 197.5, Top 222.0, Heifers Ave 187.6, Top 225.0;B/Blue 174.0, 174.0, 178.0, 189.0; Charolais 186.1, 195.5, 183.2, 192.5; Simmental 175.0, 175.0, 178.5, 178.5; Angus 185.0, 186.5, 182.8, 185.0; Hereford Steers 186.5, 186.5; Devon x 178.0, 178.0, 164.1, 174.5; H/Friesian Steers 134.1, 139.5; Fleckvieh Steers 171.3, 179.5.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report an increased entry of cull cattle at 115 head met a flying trade. All classes dearer as numbers remain tight regionally.

Top was 164.5ppk for a young Blue first calver from Mr TS & Mrs ND Stevens, Wells, who sold another Blue (60m) at 156.5ppk. An exceptionally shapely Limousin from Mr MH Rossiter, Salway Ash, rose to 154.5ppk, who also sold a shapely Charolais at 146.5ppk. A well fleshed Blonde from Mr JM Darby, Bishops Lydeard also broke the 150ppk mark at 153.5ppk. 146.5ppk was also bid for a young Limousin from Mr J & Mrs DJ Cotterill, Monksilver. Better type continental sucklers around 130ppk. Native sucklers to 124.5ppk and 123.5ppk for Devons from Mr V & Mrs A Gibbs, Bristol and 124.5ppk again for a Hereford from Mr MH Rossiter.

Sucklers sold to £1,322.43 for the 845kg Blue from Mr TS & Mrs ND Stevens. The Charolais (862kg) Limousin (814kg) and Hereford (825kg) all from Mr MH Rossiter returned at £1,262.83, £1,257.63 and £1,027.13 respectively.

Dairy breeds exceptionally well sought to 157.5ppk for a Friesian heifer from Mr DJ Bray, Parracombe, who sold another at 128.5ppk. Holstein heifers at 152.5 and 129.5ppk from Messrs AE Vile & Son, North Curry, when a further Holstein heifer, this time from Messrs Arscott Partners, Upottery achieved 124.5ppk. Cows rose to 126.5ppk for a young Holstein (56m & 742kg) from Messrs Arscott Partners again. Further best cows at 125.5ppk (HF, 81m & 777kg) Mr JG & Mrs WE Down & Son, Chard; 124.5ppk (HF, 74m & 809kg) Mr LC Curtis, Beaminster; 123.5ppk (HF, 73m & 675kg) Mr PW, Mrs MA & Mr RJ Bell, Westhay; 121.5ppk (HF, 95m & 811kg) Mr SJ Perry, East Worlington and 120.5ppk (HF, 130m & 713kg) Mr P & Mrs C Wyatt, Dalwood. Many good meat cows 115 to 119.5ppk. Steakers 100 to 110ppk. Plain 90ppk. Only very plain below.

Dairy breeds sold to £1,007.21 for a 809kg HF from Mr LC Curtis. Many cows £900 plus. Weight is not an issue with cows and they are going to be short all the first half of the year at least. Fed cows are realizing a distinct premium, so if young enough to improve and sufficient fodder to spare, this Spring will be a good time to maximize weight. Bulls sold to £990.60 for a good Hereford from Messrs EV Tranmer & Sons, Claverham.

Barren Cows (107): Top Price: Continental Beef 164.5p/kg, Native Beef 124.5p/kg, Dairy 126.5p/kg; Average: 123.0ppk, 114.4ppk, 104.0ppk; Top price per head: £1,322.43, £1,007.21, £1,027.13.

Grade 1 Ave (ppk) 143.5, Top (ppk) 164.5, Ave (£) £993.08, Top (£) £1,322.43; Grade 2 116.9, 126.5, £842.97, £1,027.13; Grade 3 106.5, 146.5, £707.09, £954.27; Grade 4 79.7, 115.5, £486.59, £861.63.

Top Suckler Vendors: Messrs TS & ND Stevens BRBX 164.5; Messrs TS & ND Stevens BRBX 156.5; Mr MH Rossiter LIMX 154.5; Mr JM Darby BAX 153.5; Messrs J & DJ Cotterill LIMX 146.5.

Top Dairy Vendors: Arscott Partners HF 126.5; Messrs JG & WE Down & Son HF 125.5; Mr LC Curtis HF 124.5; Messrs PW & MA Bell HF 123.5; Mr SJ Perry HF 121.5.

Suckler Vendors: Messrs TS & ND Stevens BRBX £1,322.43; Mr MH Rossiter CHX £1,262.83; Mr MH Rossiter LIMX £1,257.63; Mr MH Rossiter HE £1,027.13; Mr JM Darby BAX £1,002.36.

Dairy Vendors: Mr LC Curtis HF £1,007.21; Mr SJ Perry HF £985.37; Messrs CJ & JC Pine HF £981.13; Messrs JG & WE Down & Son HF £975.14; Messrs JG & WE Down & Son HF £954.27.

Finished Lambs & Hoggs (852): Lambs (10), Hoggs (842):

Top price p/head: £73.00, £84.50; Top price p/kg: 178.0p/pk, 179.0p/pk; SQQ Average: 176.76p/pk, 169.61p/pk.

Standard (32.1-39.0kg): Hoggs 171.52; Medium (39.1-45.5kg): 176.76, 169.44; Heavy (45.6-52kg): 174.36, 162.68; Others (Over 52kg): Hoggs 146.52.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a smaller entry of 842 hoggs sold to an overall slightly dearer trade for all forward. The best handy weights sold to 179 and 173ppk from Cleave Farm Partnership. Others 179 and 175ppk from Miss T Lockyer; 179ppk from Messrs AJ & WL Turner Ltd; 178ppk (x2) from Mrs LJ Vowles; 174ppk from Messrs CD & BH Persey and 173ppk from Mr GS Brown and Mr P Hounsell.

Heavier hoggs sold to £84.50 (x2) and £83 from Messrs RH & GA Morrish Ltd. Others £84.50 from Messrs AA & JM Churchill & Son; £83.50 from Messrs MP & DM Hine and £82 from Messrs J Sprake & Partners (x3), Messrs AF & RD Tucker & Sons and Messrs SJ & RWJ Rawson. Overall average £76.67.

10 lambs sold to 178ppk and £73/head from Messrs J & D Board & Son to average £69.81.

Lambs: 40.0 £70.00 Messrs J & D Board & Son; 41.0 £73.00 Messrs J & D Board & Son.

Hoggs: 38.0 £68.00 Miss T Lockyer; 38.0 £68.00 Messrs AJ & WL Turner Ltd; 39.0 £67.50 Cleave Farm Partnership; 40.0 £71.00 Mrs LJ Vowles; 40.0 £70.00 Miss T Lockyer; 42.0 £75.00 Cleave Farm Partnership; 43.0 £74.50 Mr P Hounsell; 44.0 £75.50 Mr JE Quick; 45.0 £76.00 Messrs RJ & LA Mitchell & Voke; 45.0 £76.00 Messrs AA & JM Churchill & Son; 46.0 £79.50 Mr GS Brown; 46.0 £79.00 Mr S Conio; 47.0 £80.50 Messrs CD & PH Persey; 48.0 £80.00 Mr GW King; 49.0 £80.00 Mr GW King; 49.0 £80.00 Messrs CD & BH Persey; 51.0 £82.00 Messrs SJ & RWJ Rawson; 53.0 £82.00 Messrs J Sprake & Partners; 55.0 £84.50 Messrs RH & GA Morrish Ltd; 57.0 £84.50 Messrs AA & JM Churchill & Son; 58.0 £84.50 Messrs RH & GA Morrish Ltd.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a small entry sold to £104 for a Texel from Messrs CD & BH Persey and £85 for Suffolk cross from Messrs AF & RD Tucker & Sons.

Forthcoming sale dates

FEBRUARY

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

MARCH

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

Saturday 4, Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am.

Friday 10, Starlight Show & Sale of High Health Pedigree Beef Cattle Judging 1pm.

Friday 10, Starlight Show & Sale of Show Potential Cattle Judging 1pm/Sale 3.30pm.

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

Thursday 16, Spring Sale of Registered Shetland Ponies & Collective Catalogued Horse & Pony Sale Shetlands 11am/Horses & Ponies 12pm.

Wednesday 29, 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 22nd March. Licences to be obtained from Truro Trading Standards on 03000 200301 or swenglandtblicensing@apha.gsi.gov.uk Sale commences 4.30pm.