Stirling trade defies Basic Payment hold-up

The Stirling bull sale trade was a lot better overall I thought, as plenty of folk had been talking the sales down on the run-up. Simmental trade was flying, topping at 22,000gns, and a number of bulls selling for over the 10,000gns mark. The clearance was 80 per cent, and the average was £5,675. We were lucky and got our bull away. Salers were a good trade too, topping at 8,000gns.

The Charolais trade was a tad sticky in parts, but still topped at 26,000gns with no fewer than 14 bulls into five figures. British Charolais Cattle Society chief executive, David Benson, discounted concerns over abattoir weight restrictions. "I take a positive view on carcase weight," he said. "If Charolais cattle are fed properly they just get to the weight quicker."

What a cracking sale the Brecon show potentials was, with records broken all round. I wonder how the next few sales of these future show cattle will turn out?

The prime hogg trade is still producing averages in excess of 180p/kg in most markets, although most say it has slipped a little from last week, not least because of increased numbers put forward by the big store lamb finishers.

Sales to look out for this week:

Saturday, February 20 – Mart's the Heart supported show and sale of show potential cattle at Ruthin Farmers Mart
Saturday, February 20 – Sale of poultry, waterfowl and pigs at H&H Carlisle.
Saturday, February 20 – 1,500 lots of poultry, also laying hens, eggs and miscellaneous items at Selby Auction Mart
Monday, February 22 – The ‘Day 53’ Prize show and sale of suckled calves and store cattle at Darlington Farmers Mart
Tuesday, February 23 – Price show and sale of haltered show potential cattle at Barnard Castle Auction Mart.