THE MARKET report from Sedgemoor Auction Centre for Monday, March 30, is as follows. The total stock was 556 head.

Much improved lamb trade, hoggs a shade dearer.

(59) UTM & (4) OTM Prime Cattle Auctioneer’s Comments:

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report a reduced entry of 63 prime cattle met an easier trade. Reduced demand due to the closure of schools, restaurants and food outlets being cited as the reason for prices slipping.

Top was 183ppk for a very shapely, red Limousin heifer from CJM Shackleton, Wiveliscombe. Smart continental heifers at 175 (Limousin) 174.5 (Blue) 169.5 (Limousin) and 169ppk (Charolais) all from DJ Cossins, Taunton. Good Charolais heifers at 171ppk from L & A Maddock & Co, Wiveliscombe and 170ppk (2x) from BA Richards, Williton.

Steers rose to 175ppkk for a good black Limousin from MJ Tuckett & Partners, Exeter. Leaner Limousin steers at 173, 170 and 169.5ppk from GI Ware, Skilgate. Very shapely Limousin steers at 173 and 169.5ppk from RW Darby, Bridgwater. Good, gold Limousin at 170ppk from A Roppert, Burlescombe. Well fleshed Angus steers at 169.5, 167, 166, 163.5 and 162.5ppk from GG Dyer, Whitestaunton.

Steers sold to £1,283.12 for a 757kg Limousin from RW Darby again, who sold a 740kg Limousin at £1,280.20 and a 743kg Hereford at £1,199.95. Blue steers £1,206.90 (810kg OTM) from RC Loveridge & Son, Axminster. Other Blue steers at £1,166.40 (720kg) £1,139.62 (719kg) and £1,132.20 (680kg) from JM Cload & Partners, Westport and £1,158.08 (752kg) from RC Loveridge & Son, Axminster. Angus steers at £1,148.96 and £1,141.23 from GG Dyer & Partners again.

Heifers sold to £1,071.00 for a 630kg Charolais from BA Richards, who sold another at £1,006.40. Handyweight 581kg Limousin at £1,063.23 from CJM Shackleton. Simmental heifer (598kg) at £1,013.61 from TE Pocock & Co, Stringston. Further Charolais at £1,010.61 from L & A Maddock & Co.

51 Barren Cows and Cull Stock Bulls. Auctioneer’s Comments:

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report an identical entry of barren cows met a shade easier trade. Cow trade not as affected as the clean trade.

Top was 123.5ppk for a good meat Fleckvieh from AJ & ES Maltby, Aller. Best meat Holsteins at 119.5ppk, DC Dennis & Son Ltd, Ivybridge; 115.5ppk JWO Marsh & Partnes, Bridport; 112.5, 110.5 and 108.5ppk from D & I Dyer, Yarcombe and 108.5ppk again from LG Heal & Son, Andersea.

Dairy breeds sold to £881.02 for a 812kg Holstein from D & I Dyer, who sold others at £796.50 (708kg) and £784.06 (788kg). Further heavy Holsteins £878.85 (810kg) and £797.58 (756kg Swedish) from LG Heal & Son; £829.29 (718kg) JWO Marsh & Partners and £747.25 (751kg) DC Dennis & Son Ltd.

Sucklers rose to 120.5ppk for a feeding Simmental from V Young & Sons, Bristol. Shapely Charolais steer at 115.5ppk from P Sweet, Yatton. Empty Angus at 112.5ppk from GW & RI Parsons, Chilton Polden.

Sucklers sold to £887.15 for a Hereford (833kg) from IJ Jennings & Son, Ilminster. Blue cow at £801.85 from SJ Crossman, Pibsbury.

442 Finished Lambs and Hoggs. Auctioneer’s Comments:

Greenslade Taylor Hunt report an entry of 127 new season lambs sold to a much improved very competitive trade for all presented. The best quality sold to 286 and 260ppk from DA Kidner & Son. Others 274 and 253ppk from D Day and 255ppk from DJ Cheacker and HT & ME Quick.

Top prices per head were £115 from MW Bowles. Others £114.50 from DA Kidner & Son; £112 and £110 from HT & ME Quick and £109.50 from D Day. Overall average £99.68.

315 hoggs also sold to a much improved trade for all forward. Top prices per kilo were 193 (2x) and 190ppk from RD Burrough & Son and 189, 187, 186 & 185ppk from MB & KN Crabb.

Top prices per head were £105 and £104 from RS Lovell. Others £102, £101 and £99 (2x) from MB & KN Crabb and £100 from JG & WE Down & Son (2x) and Milborne Wick Farms Ltd (2x). Overall average £86.80.

READ MORE: Sedgemoor Livestock Market report, Monday March 23