That’s it, the major shows are now over and we have gone straight into the important job of inseminating our pedigree Suffolk ewes. To give them the best chance of holding while they are out at grass, we supplement their diet with beet pulp and flushing supplement buckets to keep up their energy levels. Fingers crossed, we’ll experience a decent percentage hold.

Folk are focusing on getting stock ready for the forthcoming tup sales. Our first sale is mid-August, so we are pushing on our Beltex tups in an attempt to get them fitter. Frustratingly, we are the last lot in – we need a plan B!

With prime lamb prices in the doldrums, it could unfortunately temper some commercial buyers’ interest in the tup sales – the recent Suffolk sale at Shrewsbury being one example. Although commercial were willing to pay for quality, they were cautious about buying in volume.

Sales coming up this week are: on Friday there’s a pedigree Suffolk sale at United Auctions, Stirling; on Saturday, August 1, Malcom Harrison has a vintage auction sale of tractors and machinery in Prees, Shropshire; and the British White Cattle Society has its Super Suckler sale at Cirencester mart; on Monday, August 3, it’s the North Wales and Border ram sales, held at the Royal Welsh Showground.

The weather is a nightmare and is holding up combining, let’s hope we see improvement fast!

I'm about all showed out and I'm still on a high from our success at the Great Yorkshire. We we made a brief appearance at home, then on to the last of the major shows, the Royal Welsh. A slightly more relaxed atmosphere, maybe as I'm not showing here this time. A great show of superb quality stock and Defra Secretary, Liz Truss, made an appearance and was keen to grab the end of a Blue heifer's halter for a quick photo shoot.

The Welsh make the most of this show and are out in force, really getting behind exhibitors in the Welsh Cob ring in particular, the noise was deafening!

Not much change in the sales rings up and down the country this week – lambs eased a penny or two more in some markets; beef continued at a reasonable level - and I would not be surprised to see our Classified columns advertising more dairy herd dispersals unless there is a turnaround in milk prices, and sadly no-one expects that any time soon.

Sales to look out for this week: Friday 24, Suffolk sheep society sale at Shrewsbury; Saturday 25, Thame auction mart is running a dispersal sale of tractors, implements and grassland machinery; Monday 27, at Skipton auction mart, there's a Young Farmers prime lamb show; and on Wednesday 29, there's the monthly collective machinery sale at NWA, Kendal. 

Tight numbers of finished cattle are ensuring the price remains stable, with some markets reporting a significant lift in trade.

Last week's rise in the lamb price has proved unsustainable as bigger numbers are now hitting the markets - although some centres are still reporting a good trade for the smaller, better quality lambs.

A rather manic week, between even more sheep clipping, we've been getting the Suffolk sheep ready for the Great Yorkshire Show. The show, as usual, was really well attended. The weather was kind and Prince Charles and Camilla made an appearance too.

Sales to look out for this week: Saturday, July 18, Acklington mart is hosting a collective machinery sale. On Monday, July 20, Lancaster market is hosting a special sale to celebrate 50 years of the Lancaster dairy sale. On Wednesday, July 22, H&H is hosting a dispersal sale of the

Chapelford Holstein pedigree herd at Broughton market, and there is a farm sale through Border Livestock of arable machinery, vehicles, implements and workshop equipment. Maybe see you next week at the Royal Welsh Show.

With a few exceptions at the high end of the pedigree market, the dairy trade is now really beginning to react to the continuing downward pressure on milk prices, with one auctioneer saying the value of decent milky animals is now back at 2006 levels. Good job their calves are worth more.

The past week between the spectacular lightning displays, we've been pushing on making our new home fit for humans. Other than a handful of bulls, most of the stock is now in situ and settled in. The hens are obviously happier as they are laying well. The last trailer load consisted of pigs, the hand-reared calves and a few pet lambs - it was like loading the ark!

We launched our Mart's the Heart awards on Friday and, over the weekend, the nominations have already started to come in. Pleaseclick here to show your support to the marts and let us know who's got your bid.

Sales coming up this week are: H.J. Pugh's Ledbury machinery auction on Saturday, also on Saturday, the British Berrichon Sheep Society has a sale at Worcester market. On Sunday, Wright Marshall has a country store equine dispersal sale at Beeston. It will include tack, clothing and feed.
Finally, on Tuesday there's Ulverston mart's fortnightly sale of store and beef breeding cattle.

Good luck dodging the showers!