Saturday, May 21

Total Store Stock: 5715 Head

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a roaring store cattle trade & another record entry of grazing ewes.

Wednesday, June 29 at 4.30pm. Orange Market dedicated Sale for BTB Restricted Cattle.

Licences to be applied for by 22nd June 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 (142): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a massive weekly entry of dairy cattle when 68 milkers were penned and 74 followers of all age groups made up the numbers.

A large gap between the best and the second best saw best heifers to over £1600, whilst those not making the grade back in the £800’s!!!

Top of the day for the second week running was a pedigree heifer from Messrs M & K Churchill & Son, giving 39kgs she realised £1660. Other heifers to £1490 Mr MC Powell; £1480 and £1320 Mr AW Vigus; £1470 Mr NC Taylor; £1470 Mr RH Webb; £1450 Mr A Ractliffe; £1420 Messrs DA & AP Gillbard; £1400 and £1320 Messrs KJ Waldon & Partners.

Cows to £1290 Mr NC Taylor and Messrs RL & ME Trott. Others £1200 for a Friesian 2nd calver from Messrs JD & SA Fear & Son; £1100 Messrs DA & AP Gillbard. Jersey cow to £900 from Mr AP Ractliffe.

A good run of incalf heifers from Alan Creed to £1170 and £1040. British Friesians to £760 from Messrs A Cleall & Son.

Bulling heifers continue to look excellent value for many to £550 x3 Messrs TG & MG Wooff. Others to £520 x4 from Messrs BG Newman & Partners, Romsey.

5 month old heifer calves to £340 x5. Younger ones to £280 (Feb born) from Mr R Plowright. Crossbred calves to £150 from Barrowlands Farm Partners.

1st Quality Heifers min £1320, max £1660, ave £1475; 2ndQuality Heifers £1000 £1310 £1105; 1st Quality Cows £1200 £1290 £1245; 2nd Quality Cows £800 £1100 £1010.

Store Cattle, Sucklers and Stirks (1027): Store Cattle & Grazing Cows (771): Sedgemoor’s trade begins to roar. Another grand entry of 1027 strong stores and stirks sold to a top of £1295 for a smart (-U) feeding, red Limousin steer (25m & FA) from Mr AM Doble, Hemyock, who also sold a well grown Charolais (23m & FA) at £1130. Further Charolais at £1265 for a shapely 27m and FA steer from Mr RM Ashman, Redhill, who also sold quality Blondes at £1260 (32/33m & FA) £1200 twice (25 & 26/27m & FA) £1192 (25m & FA) £1160 (21m & FA) and £1118 (24m & FA). A fantastic run of Blues from Mr R & Mrs E Baker & Son, Cannington met calls of £1262, £1255, £1245, £1228 and £1212, all 19 to 21m and FA. Further Blues at £1205 (29m & FA) Mr RJ Ware, Skilgate; £1175 (32m & FA) Mr GW & Mrs GM Long & Son, Chardstock; £1150 (26/27m & FA) £1140 (27/28m & FA) and £1100 (28m & FA) Mr DG & Mrs RH Matravers, Pitminster. Further Limousin steers to £1190 (16m) Mr LR House, Dunwear; £1140 (27m & FA) Mr KD Browse, Sampford Peverell and £1125 (23/24m & FA) Mr C Jones, Stogursey. Simmental steers peaked at £1175 (30m & FA) also from Mr KD Browse. Further Simmentals at £1130 (22/26m & FA) for the best of a good run from Mr FA, Mrs LG & Mr JF Williams, Berkeley. Further Charolais again at £1110 (18m & FA) Messrs EJ Collins & Son, Chard and £1100 (27m & FA) Mr KD Browse again.

Native steers a fast trade to £1150 for Angus steers (34/35m) from Mr RC & Mrs LA Gale, Litton Cheney, who sold others at £1050 and £1020 (34/35m). Further Angus £1090 (23/24m & sire) Mr NM Phippen, Portishead; £1080 (25/26m & FA) Mr T Vining, Draycott and £1050 again (18/20m & sire) Mr C South, Lynton. Well bred South Devon steer at £1125 (21m & FA) Messrs LE Walters & Son, Broadhembury. Hereford steers rose to £1090 (18m & FA) Messrs Latham Partners, Ilfracombe. Further Herefords £1035 (23m, FA, sire & outwintered) from Mr KR House, Glastonbury and £1030 twice for both Messrs A Male & Sons, Kingsbury Episcopi (22m, FA & sire) and Mr GN Langley, East Compton (24m & FA).

Dairy bred steers faster across the board to £900 for Holsteins (30/34m & FA) from Mrs CM Parker & Mr IF Burnett, Templeton. Others at £880, Holsteins (23/24m & FA) Messrs Quick & Sons, West Monkton; £875 (26m) Mr NM Phippen again; £872 (29/30m & FA) Mrs CM Parker & Mr IF Burnett again and £855 (26m) Mr J Gooding, Pawlett. Not too many smaller Friesians on offer which were £50 per head dearer.

Heifers peaked at £1120 for a young, very shapely (U+) lean Blue (19m) from Mr R Langley, Spreyton. Another from the same farm sold at £945 (21m). Fit heifers at £1110 (22/23m & FA) Messrs RC Rowe & Son, Upottery; £1085 (32m & FA) Mr GW & Mrs GM Long & Son; £1055 (25m & FA) and £1018 (22/24m & FA) Mrs FG Payne & Sons, Wellington. Best feeding heifers £1105, Charolais (24/25m & FA) Mr KD Browse again; £1040, Blue (25m & FA) £1025, Blues (24/28m & FA) and Simmentals (22/23m & FA) Mr FA, Mrs LG & Mr JF Williams, Berkeley; £1020 Blondes (24/26m & FA) Mr RM Ashman, Redhill; £1010 (30m & FA) Messrs RM Sparks & Sons, Wellington; £1000, Charolais (19/23m & FA) Messrs EJ Collins & Son again; £1000, Blues (22/23m & FA) Messrs Quick & Sons, West Monkton; £995 (14m & FA) and £955 (13/14m & FA) Charolais Messrs B & T Baker, Alverdiscott; £995 again Limousins (32/33m & FA) Messrs ML & EE Edwards, Wick St Lawrence and £990, Blue (31m & FA) Mr AM Doble again.

A cracking trade from start to finish. Purchasers are in the mood to buy. Now’s the time to sell.

Steers Max £1295, Ave £894; Heifers Max £1120, Ave £825.

Charolais steers £1265 £1130; heifers £1105 £1000; Limousin £1295 £1190 £1110 £1055; Simmental £1175 £1130 £1000 £850; B/Blue £1262 £1245 £1120 £1085; Hereford £1090 £1035 £965 £935; Angus £1150 £1090 £965 £955; S/Devon steers £1125 £800; heifers £685; Devon £810 £785 £785 £710; Blonde £1260 £1200 £1020 £880; Friesian £900 £880 £845 £700; Shorthorn heifers £915.

Suckler Cows, Calves and Stock Bulls (11): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report sold to £880 for a Blonde cow (05.10) from Mrs RE Prouse.

Private Treaty 15/16m Pedigree Angus Stock Bulls, BVD, Lepto, IBR Vaccinated & Johnes Tested. 5 very thick 2 Year Old Pedigree AA Bulling Heifers.

BVD, Lepto, IBR & Johnes Tested 12 Pure Bred Limousin Heifers (12-14m). BVD, Lepto & Johnes Tested Please contact Robert Venner 07889-006503.

Saturday, June 11, Monthly Catalogued Sale of

Suckler Cows, Calves, Heifers & Bulls

To commence at 12.30pm Ring 1, entries being taken. Please contact Jess Maynard on 01278-410278.

Busk Calves and Stirks (245): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a smaller entry of good quality stirks saw no let up in the good trade as a large complement of buyers were ringside.

Top price of £995 (14m) for a British Blue steer from Messrs EA & DA Ellis. Other Blues to £780 (9m) from Mr RJ Gooding; £730 x3 (10m) from Mr R Langley and £720 x2 (12m) from Brookfield Livestock Marketing Ltd. Limousins to £905 (15m) from Mr P Holland. Others to £895 (11m) from Messrs EA & DA Ellis; £785 (11m) from Mr RJ Gooding; £755 (10m) from Mr PWJ Land; £750 (14m) and £700 (13m) from Messrs Cradock & Son; £730 x3 (12m) from Messrs AH & A Cole and £700 x2 (8m) from Brookfield Livestock Marketing Ltd. Charolais to £900 (12m) from Mr EG Holland. Others to £875 x2 (11m) and £820 x2 (15m) from Mr P Holland; £822 x4 (11m) from Messrs MP & DM Hine; £820 (13m) from Messrs Cradock & Son; £785 (11m) from 6m from Mr CJ Love; £760 (12m) and £730 (13m) from Mr PWJ Land and £710 x3 (12m) from Mr P Attwell. Blondes to £800 (9m) from Mr RJ Gooding who also sold another at £760 (8m). Angus to £760 (8m) from Messrs RW & JE Tucker. Devons to £740 (13m) from Mr WJ Powers. Simmentals to £730 (8m) from Mr DH Cottle who also sold others at £720 (7m) and £710 x2 (7m).

Heifers to £750 x3 (9m) for British Blues from M Harrison Partners. Other Blues to £670 (10m) from Mr R Langley. Others £630 from Messrs TJ Davies & Sons; £625 x2 and £570 from Mr CG Stanbury; £590 from Mr IJ Hall and £560 x2 (12m) from Mr SJ Williams. Charolais to £745 x2 (12m) from Mr EG Holland. Others to £690 (6m) £640 (9m) and £580 (9m) from Mr PWJ Land; £675 x4 (10m) from Messrs N & B Hutton; £650 x2 (9m) from M Harrison Partners; £625 x2 (11m) from Mr P Holland and £570 x2 (15m) from Mr GN Langley. Limousins to £735 x2 (12m) from Mr P Holland who also sold another at £610 (12m). Others to £710 x2 (11m) from Mr SJ Cheacker; £700 x3 (11m) and £650 (11m) from Messrs AH & A Cole; £690 (12m) from Mr EG Holland; £665 x2 (10m) from Brookfield Livestock Marketing Ltd; £665 x3 (9m) from M Harrison Partners and £590 (14m) from Messrs Cradock & Son. Blondes to £600 x2 (10m) from Mr RM Prouse. Simmentals to £590 x2 (8m) from Mr DH Cottle when others sold at £570 x2 (10m) from M Harrison Partners. Angus to £590 (14m) from Mr P Webber.

Many thanks to all Vendors for a great show of stirks when many more could have been sold to advantage.

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 £995, Ave £576; Heifers Max £750, Ave £559. Charolais steers £900 £875; heifers £745 £690; Limousin £905 £895 £735 £710; Simmental £730 £720 £750 £650; B/Blue £995 £780 £750 £670; Hereford £720 £560 £445 £435; Angus £760 £715 £590 £555; Devon steers £740 £635; Blonde £800 £760 £665 £600; Friesian steers £465 £370.

Non-Export Calves (497): Beef Breeds (392) – not able to be exported from market. Greenslade Taylor Hunt report an excellent entry of 392 beef calves for May met a good trade throughout where all types of calves were keenly sought by a ringfull of buyers. The trade topped at £448 for a Blue bull from Messrs H & NM Wall & Sons. Others £442 from Messrs RW Sheldon & Son; £398 from Cleave Farm Partnership. Charolais to £442 from Messrs DJ & SE Bristol. Others £432, £418 and £400 from Messrs SM & DM Turner. Simmentals to £368 and £365 from Messrs N & J Ham & Sons; £360 from Mr DC Bartlett and £358 from Messrs AA & JM Churchill. Limousins to £352 from Messrs H & NM Wall & Sons and also for Messrs EA & DA Ellis, same Vendor £342. Best continental bulls £320 plus. Mediums £270-£300 and plain types £240-£260.

Heifers to £358 x4 for Limousins from Woodbridge Farm. Other Limousins to £322, £315 and £312 from Messrs EA & DA Ellis; £320 Messrs RH Drew & Son. Charolais to £355 and £350 for Messrs DJ & SE Bristol and £316 from Messrs SM & DM Turner. Blues to £350 x2 from Messrs RW Sheldon & Son. Others £328 from Messrs D & B Croton and £324 from Snook Ltd. Simmentals to £295 from Messrs N & J Ham & Sons and £285 and £280 from Mr RW Sheldon. Best continental heifers £280 plus. Mediums £240-£260. Smaller types around £200.

Natives to £330 for Angus from Mr JN Wyatt. Others £306 from Messrs EA & DA Ellis and £300 from Mr EJ Wooldridge. Herefords to £323 from Messrs PB & LM Doble and £320, £300 and £288 from Messrs House & Sons.

Heifers to £260 for Herefords from Messrs House & Sons. Others £240 from Mr MC Powell; £238 from Messrs PB & LM Doble. Angus to £258 from Messrs EA & DA Ellis; £254 from Mr LC Curtis and £245 from Messrs R & E Rabjohns.

Reared calves to £474 for Blue bulls from Messrs D & B Croton. Other Blues £460 x2, £450 and £442 from Mr N George. Same Vendor had Charolais bulls to £460 and £442 and Herefords to £435. Limousins to £435.

Blue Bull £448 H & NM Wall & Sons £442; Hfr £350 RW Sheldon & Son £350; Charolais Bull £442 DJ & SE Bristol £432; Hfr £355 DJ & SE Bristol £350; Limousin Bull £352 H & NM Wall £352; Hfr £358 Woodbridge Farm £358; Simmental Bull £368 N & J Ham & Son £365; Hfr £295 N & J Ham & Son £285; Hereford Bull £323 PB & LM Doble £320; Hfr £260 House & Sons £240; Angus Bull £330 JN Wyatt £300; Hfr £258 EA & DA Ellis £254; Devon Bull £278 MJ Vincent £145; Fleckvieh Bull £170 Seaborough Manor £168; Hfrs £132 LJ & SF Gould £115; Shorthorn Hfr £160 MJ Vincent; S/Devon Bull £290 EA & DA Ellis; Hfr £272 EA & DA Ellis £255; Mont Bull £150 R & J Cottey; Welsh Black Hfr £220 A Ingram.

Friesians (105) – not able to be exported from market.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report another good entry met a lively trade to £161 from Messrs Cavill & Sons, Others £152 x2, £141 x3 for Messrs GA Quick & Sons: £150 Messrs J & D Tilbee; £131 from Messrs CJ Mear & Sons; £130 from Messrs GJ & JM Boyer £130. Older types £214 x3 from Mr A Ingram. Best rearing calves £100 plus. Mediums £60-£90. Very few under £40.

Sheep (3717): Greenslade Taylor Hunt report the following sheep trades. Store Lambs (502): A larger entry of 502 store lambs and hoggs sold to a similarly firm trade for all forward. Hoggs sold to £92 and £90 from Mr GJ Painter. Others £91.50 and £88.50 from Mr AE Warren; £88.50 from AH Farming; £83.50 and £80 from Mr GR Withers and £80 from Foxhollow Farm Ltd. Lambs sold to £82 from Mr K Payne. Others £72 from Messrs TE & J Middleton & Son and £70 from Messrs T & I Collard. Overall average £62.06.

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.

Grazing Ewes & Rams (1897): The largest ever entry again at Sedgemoor Market with 1897 grazing ewes and rams, which smashed last week’s record of 1719 head. Trade was surprisingly strong and at a similar level to last week, even though many other centres in the week reported much lower prices. Rams sold to £130 from Mr RJ Whitcombe. Others £119 from Messrs NJ Tucker & Son; £114 from Mr A Ford Farming; £109 from Mr SJ Tratt; £108 from Mrs JM Hoddinott and Mr T Coney; £107 from Messrs PJ & LA Veysey and £100 from Mr S Fry. Ewes sold to £107.50 from Mr RW Brunt. Others £106.50 from Mrs P Green; £105 and £98 from Mr GJ Cottrell; £96 from Mr JJ Hathway and Mr C Rowe; £95.50 from Miss E Bright; £95 from P Coombs Ltd and £94.50 from Mr J Bath and Messrs R & F Barrow & Son. Mediums ranged £65-£85. Plain £55-£65. Boners nearly all £25 plus. Overall average £70.01.

Couples (574 Ewes and 713 Lambs): An even larger, huge entry of 574 ewes with 713 lambs at foot sold to an improved trade for all forward, particularly for singles. 11 ewes with 20 lambs sold at £176 (£62.45/life) from Messrs CA Cox & Son. Others 29 ewes with 41 lambs sold at £170 (£70.43/life) from Messrs JH & HJ Diment; 2 ewes with 3 lambs sold to £160 (£64/life) from Mr C Rowe. Doubles sold to £158 (£52.67/life) from Miss E Davis and £155 (£51.66/life) from Mr AJ Willcox, Mr JH Coombes and Mr D Takle. Singles sold to £165 (£82.50/life) from Mr D Taylor. Others £158 (£79/life) from Mr S Haskins; £155 and £140 (£77.50 & £70/life) from Messrs K & J Heard; £140 (£70/life) from Messrs PD & SA Godfrey and £138 (£69/life) from Messrs NF Clothier & Sons, Messrs K & J Heard and Mr J Hannam. Overall average £56.79/life.

Breeding Ewes (11): A small entry saw ewes to £118 for Suffolk 2T from Mr P Webber and rams to £145 for a young Exmoor Horn from Mr WG Attwell.

Orphan Lambs (20): A small entry sold to £35 from Mr WHG Warmington. Others £26 from Mr JP Tolley and £25 from Mr L Kenchington to average £19.35.

The Next Fodder Auction is Saturday, November 19.

The Next Poultry Market is Saturday, June 18.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a smaller entry of bantams and larger fowl met a good trade for all on offer. A large number of buyers present and more would have sold to advantage.

A good entry of chicks and sitting eggs sold to a solid trade throughout. Top price was £150 for an 11 week old Emu from Mr C White.

Other prices of note: £90 for pair of Silver Pheasants from Mrs R Wilson; £60 for pair and 6 Goslings from Mr SJ Harper; £60 for 3 Vorwerk from Miss H Peach; £50 for trio of Red Golden Pheasants from Mrs R Wilson; £50 for 3F Indian Runners from Mr J Freeman; £48 for quintet of Guinea Fowl from Mr SJ Harper; £45 for pair of Golden Pheasants from Mrs R Wilson.

Champion 2 White Call Ducks from Miss H Peach. Reserve Champion trio New Hampshire from Mr D Williams.

The Next Pig Market is Saturday, May 28.

Monday, May 23

Total Stock: 2079 Head

PRIME Cattle UTM & OTM Clean & Young Bulls (105): UTM (90) & OTM Prime Cattle (15).

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a slightly increased entry of 105 cattle met another very strong trade. Supply is running tight as all 15 buyers fired to secure numbers. Top was 209.5ppk for a Limousin heifer (25m, 561kg & U+4L) from Mr DGV & Mrs RG Crossman, Walton, who also topped the steers at 208ppk with a Limousin (24m, 560kg & U+3) and further sold another Limousin heifer (24m, 544kg & U-4L) at 196.5ppk and another Limousin steer at 184ppk (25m, 620kg & U-3). Super Show. Top drawer heifers from Mr J & Mrs S Vinnicombe & Son, Ottery St Mary sold well at 202ppk (30m, 507kg & U-4L) 201.5ppk (23m, 580kg & U+4L) 188.5ppk (22m, 626kg & U+4L) and 187.5ppk (30m, 512 & U+4L). Other best steers to 193ppk for a red Limousin (24m, 523kg & U-2) from Mr HWC & Mrs JM Butler, Flax Bourton. Barley Blue heifers peaked at 189ppk (15m, 540kg & U-4L) from Mr SER Hunt. 185ppk was bid for a Blue steer (25m, 523kg & U-2) from Mr J & Mrs J Meaker & Son, Pitney. Good steers and heifers around 170ppk.

Steers sold to £1,183.82 for a 28m, 711kg and O+4L Simmental from Messrs DM Jones & Partners, East Huish. £1,182.21 and £1,176.03 was bid for Blues from Mr CJ Radford & Son, Tiverton.

Heifers sold to £1,197.16 for a Charolais (25m, 692kg & U-4L) from Mr JR, Mrs LM & Mr AJ Hutchings, Broadoak, who sold another at £1,177.98. Other strong heifers £1,180.01 and £1,168.70 for Limousins from Mr J & Mrs S Vinnicombe & Son and £1,175.30 for a Limousin from Mr DGV & Mrs RG Crossman, Street.

Steers (51): Top Price UTM 208.0p/kg, OTM 150.5p/kg; Average

UTM 164.7p/kg, OTM 129.8p/kg; Top price per head UTM £1,183.82, OTM £1,072.33.

Top Vendors: Messrs DGV & RG Crossman LIMX 208.0; Messrs HWC & JM Butler LIMX 193.0; Messrs J & J Meaker BRBX 185.0; Messrs DGV & RG Crossman LIMX 184.0; Messrs MJ Tuckett & Partners BAX 184.0.

Top Vendors: Messrs DM Jones & Partners SIMX £1,183.82; Messrs CJ Radford & Son BRBX £1,182.21; Messrs CJ Radford & Son BRBX £1,176.03; Messrs DGV & RG Crossman LIMX £1,164.80; Messrs J & J Meaker & Son LIMX £1,164.47.

Heifers (51): Top price UTM 209.5p/kg, OTM 135.0p/kg; Average UTM 164.3p/kg, OTM 121.0p/kg; Top price per head UTM £1,197.16, OTM £932.43.

Top Vendors: Messrs DGV & RG Crossman LIMX 209.5; Messrs J & S Vinnicombe & Son LIMX 202.0; Messrs J & S Vinnicombe & Son LIMX 201.5; Messrs DGV & RG Crossman LIMX 196.5; Mr SER Hunt BRBX 189.0.

Top Vendors: Messrs JR, LM & AJ Hutchings CHX £1,197.16; Messrs J & S Vinnicombe & Son LIMX £1,180.01; Messrs JR, LM & AJ Hutchings CHX £1,177.98; Messrs DGV & RG Crossman LIMX £1,175.30; Messrs J & S Vinnicombe & Son LIMX £1,168.70.

Limousin Steers Ave 177.7, Top 208.0, Heifers Ave 181.4, Top 209.5; Simmental Steers 169.0, 180.0; B/Blue 169.8, 185.0, 177.0, 189.0; Charolais 180.2, 183.0, 171.6, 188.0; Blonde 184.0, 184.0, 176.0, 176.0; A/Angus 152.6, 171.5, 143.0, 165.0; Hereford Steers 135.4, 138.0; H/Friesian 129.5, 134.5, 118.1, 124.0; Mont, Steers 150.5, 150.5.

Eurogrid Liveweight Averages: All weights, sucklers and dairy, assured and not, corn & grass fed. R4L equivalent of Steers 323.8ppk deadweight at 53%

U+3 Steers Ave 208.0, Max 208.0, Heifers Ave 171.5, Max 171.5; U+4L 184.0, 184.0, 185.4, 201.5; U-2 182.2, 193.0, 180.5, 180.5; U-3 182.5, 184.0, 187.5, 187.5; U-4L 177.5, 183.0, 187.9, 209.5; R2 Steers 181.0, 181.0; R4L Steers 168.4, 180.0; R4H Heifers 163.9, 170.5; O+2 Steers 150.5, 150.5; O+4L 155.7, 168.5, 162.7, 184.5; O+4H Heifers 161.4, 176.0; O-2 Steers 171.5, 171.5; O-3 Steers 169.5, 169.5; O-4L 145.3, 160.5, 146.2, 165.0; O-4H 139.5, 139.5, 144.0, 144.5; P+2 Steers 127.0, 127.0; P+4L Heifers 123.5, 123.5; P+4H Heifers 136.5, 136.5; P-2 110.5, 110.5; P-4L 126.5, 126.5, 124.0, 124.0.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report the trade just keeps improving. Tight entry again at 92 when once more 292 could have been sold well. At a time of year when barren cows are in very short supply the trade cannot meet its requirements.

Top was 138ppk for an Angus from Mr J Stott, Westbury Sub Mendip which also topped the pounds per head list at £1152. Further Angus at 122.5ppk from Messrs J & W Welland, Berrow and £989.35 from Mr PRS & Mrs EB Scott, Axbridge.

Herefords rose to 123ppk from Mr MJ & Mrs IM Parkhouse, Marwood. A Devon achieved 122.5ppk from Mr NJ Higgins, Pitney. South Devons sold to £1,011.50 from Mr E Hawkins, Trull.

Black and whites on fire. Top was 121ppk for a Holstein from Messrs A & R Hembrow, Stoke St Gregory. Other best Holsteins 119.5, 119 and 116ppk from Messrs GH Cavill & Sons, Shoreditch; 116.5ppk twice from MD Pyle Ltd, Broadhembury; 115 & 113.5ppk, Mr R & Mrs S Turner Ltd, Puncknowle; 114.5ppk, Messrs NW Doble & Sons, Clapton and 114.5ppk again, Mr J & Mrs D Tilbee, Blackford. British Friesians rose to 115.5ppk, Mr MB & Mrs KRJ Boley, East Huntspill and 113.5ppk Mr GJ Boyer, East Huntspill again.

Many, many meat cows 108 to 113ppk. Better steakers to 107ppk. Not much under 100ppk, except absolute bone shakers at 65 to 72ppk.

Cows sold to £1,001.88 for a grand 828kg Holstein from Mr A & Mrs R Hembrow, Stoke St Gregory. Other best cows £990.64 and £976.32, Holsteins, Messrs GH Cavill & Sons and £979.77, Holstein, MD Pyle Ltd, Broadhembury.

Over 36m heifers rose to 162.5ppk for a Charolais from Mr O & Mrs K Cook, Langport who sold another at 146.5ppk.

Cull bulls the best trade for many months to 118.5ppk and £1,167.23 for a Charolais from Messrs TV & E Wotton, Moretonhampstead. A price of note was 107.5ppk and £1,077.15 for a proper British Friesian from Mr GJ Boyer, East Huntspill.

Barren Cows (84): Top Price Continental Beef 121.0p/kg; Native Beef 138.0p/kg; Dairy 121.0p/kg.

Average: 108.7ppk, 115.3ppk, 98.7ppk; Top price per head £847.77, £1,152.30, £1,001.88.

Cows Only Grade 1 Ave (ppk) 126.3, Top (ppk) 138.0, Ave (£) £998.76, Top (£) £1,152.30; Grade 2 111.5, 123.0, £806.33, £1,001.88; Grade 3 103.2, 122.5, £666.32, £838.16; Grade 4 80.1, 50.5, £473.07, £989.35.

Top Suckler Vendors: Mr J Stott AA 138.0; Messrs MJ & IM Parkhouse HE 123.0; Mr NJ Higgins DEVX 122.5; Messrs J & W Welland AA 122.5; Messrs MJ & IM Parkhouse CHX 121.0.

Top Dairy Vendors: Messrs A & R Hembrow HF 121.0; Messrs GH Cavill & Sons HF 119.5; Messrs GH Cavill & Sons HF 119.0; MD Pyle Ltd HF 116.5; MD Pyle Ltd HF 116.5.

Suckler Vendors: Mr J Stott AA £1,152.30; Mr E Hawkins SD £1,011.50; Messrs PRS & EB Scott AA £989.35; Messrs MJ & IM Parkhouse HE £949.56; Mr MJ Jenkins CHX £847.77.

Dairy Vendors: Messrs A & R Hembrow HF £1,001.88; Messrs GH Cavill & Sons HF £990.64; MD Pyle Ltd HF £979.77; Messrs GH Cavill & Sons HF £976.32; Messrs GH Cavill & Sons HF £921.06.

Bulls (2): Top price 118.5p/kg, Average 113.0p/kg, Top Price Per Head £1,167.23.

Top Vendors: Messrs TV & E Wotton CHX 118.5.

Messrs TV & E Wotton CHX £1,167.23.

Heifers (4): Top price 162.5p/kg, Average 131.6p/kg, Top Price Per Head £1,048.94.

Top Vendors: Messrs O & K Cook CHX 162.5.

Messrs O & K Cook CHX £1,048.94.

Steers (2): Top price 121.5p/kg, Average 119.1p/kg, Top Price per Head £1,004.81.

Top Vendors: Messrs EW Clarke & Son HF 121.5.

Messrs EW Clarke & Son HF £1,004.81.

Finished Lambs & Hoggs (1863): Lambs (1625), Hoggs (238): Top price p/head Lambs £92.50, Hoggs £91.00; Top price p/kg 205.0p/pk, 178.0p/pk; SQQ Average 193.37p/pk, 172.01p/pk.

Standard (32.1-39.0kg) Lambs 195.44; Medium (39.1-45.5kg) Lambs 192.63, Hoggs 172.01; Heavy (45.6-52kg) 187.17, 162.94; Others (Over 52kg) 171.70, 152.45.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a larger entry again of 1625 lambs sold to an easier trade on the week but much better than expected with far lower prices reported at other centres later on last week. The best were 200ppk plus and sold to 205 and 201ppk from Mr R Norman and 205ppk from Messrs F Dening & Sons, Mr KJ Seymour and Messrs HK Hebditch & Son. 203ppk from Miss AM Bastable; 202ppk from Messrs JR & RH Williams, Mr RW Biss and Messrs JG & WE Down & Son and 201ppk from Mrs D Day, Mr GR Norman, Mrs K Roberts and Mr D Hutchings.

Heavier lambs sold to £92.50 from Messrs RR & PJ Lowman. Others £91 from Mrs S Webber, Mr PT Gothard and Mr G Nichol; £90.50 and £88.50 from Mrs S Coles; £90 from Mr RAC Burton; £89.50 from Mr E Clapp and £88.50 from Messrs DJ & J Burrough & Sons and Mr DJ Howells. Overall average £79.48.

A much smaller but good quality entry of 238 hoggs sold to a similarly competitive trade. The best sold to 178ppk from Messrs DJ & PS Osborne. Others 174 and 173ppk from Mr RB Cox; 172pp from Messrs DA Kidner & Son and 171ppk from Messrs MB & KN Crabb (x2), Mr AJ Crabb and Messrs DJ & J Burrough & Son.

Heavier hoggs sold to £91 and £87.50 from Mr WAM Lee. Others £90 from Messrs DR & PS Osborne; £89 from Foxhollow Farm Ltd and Messrs EJ & ACM Lockyer; £89 and £87 from Mr J Baker and £85 from Mr RB Cox. Overall average £79.72.

Lambs: 38.0 £77.00 Miss AM Bastable; 38.0 £76.50 Mr GR Norman; 38.0 £76.00 Messrs CW Ashford & Son; 38.0 £76.00 Mr J Buckle; 39.0 £78.50 Mrs K Roberts; 39.0 £78.00 Mrs S Coles; 39.0 £78.00 Messrs AF & RD Tucker & Sons; 40.0 £82.00 Messrs F Denning & Sons; 40.0 £82.00 Mr R Norman; 40.0 £82.00 Messrs HK Hebditch & Son; 41.0 £83.00 Messrs JR & RH Williams; 41.0 £82.50 Mrs D Day; 41.0 £82.50 Mr R Norman; 42.0 £85.00 Mr RW Biss; 42.0 £85.00 Messrs JG & WE Down & Son; 42.0 £84.50 Mr D Hutchings; 43.0 £85.00 Mr RD Willcox; 43.0 £84.50 Mrs S Webber; 44.0 £86.50 Mr PR Nicholls; 44.0 £86.00 Mrs S Webber; 44.0 £86.00 Messrs H & DC Besley Ltd; 45.0 £86.50 Mrs S Webber; 46.0 £91.00 Mrs S Webber; 46.0 £88.50 Mr DJ Howells; 46.0 £88.50 Messrs DJ & J Burrough & Son; 48.0 £91.00 Mr PT Gothard; 49.0 £90.50 Mrs S Coles; 50.0 £92.50 Messrs RR & PJ Lowman.

HOGGS: 41.0 £70.00 Messrs DJ & J Burrough & Son; 43.0 £75.00 Mr RB Cox; 44.0 £78.50 Messrs DR & PS Osborne; 44.0 £75.50 Messrs DA Kidner & Son; 45.0 £77.00 Messrs MB & KN Crabb; 45.0 £77.00 Mr AJ Crabb; 48.0 £80.50 Foxhollow Farm Ltd; 49.0 £85.00 Mr RB Cox; 49.0 £82.50 Messrs MB & KN Crabb; 50.0 £84.00 Messrs MB & KN Crabb; 52.0 £84.50 Foxhollow Farm Ltd; 56.0 £89.00 Foxhollow Farm Ltd; 57.0 £90.00 Messrs DR & PS Osborne; 67.0 £91.00 Mr WAM Lee.

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a small entry of 19 cull ewes sold to £80 from Mrs AM Bastable and to £75 from Messrs J & JM Hurford and Mr M Olof to average £71.89.

Forthcoming sales:

May:

Saturday 28, Monthly Sale of Native Store Cattle 10am Ring2.

Saturday 28, Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE NO MARKET ON BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY.

Monday 30, May - No Market. Office Closed.

Tuesday 31, May - Market for Prime Cattle, Barren Cows, Prime Lambs & Killing Ewes at usual times.

June:

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

Saturday 4, Special Catalogued Early Sale of Breeding Ewes 12pm.

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

Saturday 11, Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am.

Thursday 16, General Household Effects Sale 10.30am (Tel 01278-410250).

Saturday 18, Collective Catalogued Sale of Purebred Poultry 12 Noon.

Tuesday 21, Mid Summer Collective Dairy Sale of Freshly Calved Cows, Heifers, Youngstock & Bulls 11am Ring 1.

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

Saturday 25, Fortnightly Sale of Pigs 11am.