Chelford’s well known senior auctioneer, Roy Waller, is retiring at the end of this month (he’s been there more than 50 years) but I gather he will still handle the market’s monthly machinery sale.

Despite some warnings of pressure on the beef market last week, it doesn’t seem to have been too bad and, surprise surprise, the lamb trade has held up and even increased a penny or two in some markets.

Some sales coming up this next week are:

Meanwhile, the beef market is under pressure again, with plenty of meat from abroad, skins worth less and abattoirs’ waste disposal charges increasing again.

Sales to look out for this week:

I managed to get to a couple of sales this week, nothing too exciting to report on the pedigree side. In-lamb sales are starting – Beeston Suffolks were better than expected; a good Ayrshire sale at Carlisle, although the commercial dairy trade generally is weak; a strong Aberdeen-Angus dispersal, a record top at Castle Douglas Salers and at Beeston’s suckled calf sale.

The week’s good news has got to be a generally sharper trade for prime lambs – there’s hope for those dear store lambs yet!

Some sales coming up this next week:

Have a grand week,

Steph Ryder

Head of Commercial Sales & Development, Farmers Guardian

A number of Mart's the Heart sales are coming up this weekend:

Have a grand Guy Fawkes night!