'Excellent trade' for quality store cattle at Bishops Castle

An excellent trade was reported by auctioneers Halls at just under 250 store cattle went under the hammer at Bishops Castle & District Quality Cattle Association’s auction yesterday.

All cattle are inspected association stewards prior to sale by, giving purchasers added confidence in what they were buying. “There was a good attendance of buyers from as far away as the East Yorkshire ensuring an excellent trade for all sorts, with a premium on top quality, of which there was plenty,” said David Bryan-Jones from Halls.

Overall, steers averaged £1,030 per head with 74 cattle, well over half, fetching above the £1,000 mark. Top price per head was £1,450 for a 760 kilo Limousin from F. G. Jones, Lower Down who quickly followed this with a bunch of three 700 kilo Limousin steers at £1,430. The average per kilo was a pleasing 230p with a high of 287p for a Limousin from I. E. and M. Gittins, Lower Ucheldre.

Heifers also sold well to average £900 per head and 212p per kilo, with a maximum of £1,190 for a 560 kilo Limousin from W. D. and M. E. Parry, Caetwp and 274p per kilo for a 340 kilo Limousin from I E. and M. Gittins.

The annual prize for the best bunch of four or more Charolais cross bred steers and heifers, in memory of a past association chairman, was keenly contested. The Andrew Edwards Perpetual Cup was won by Mr P. Cound of Trefeen with four 510 kilo Charolais heifers fetching £1,030. The steer class was won by Mr J. E. Williams, Lake House with his bunch of six 445 kilo Charolais steers which made £995.


Leading prices for steers were: Charolais cross: £1,220 for a 550 kilo steer from Messrs W. D. and M. E. Parry and 236p per kilo for a 360 kilo steer from Messrs B. W. and E. G. Griffiths, Gilfach. Limousin cross: £1,450 for a 760 kilo steer from Mr F. G. Jones and 287p per kilo for a 380 kilo steer from Messrs I. E. and M. Gittins . Blonde D’Aquitaine: £1,120 for a 490 kilo steer from Messrs H. M. Powell & Son, White House and 262p per kilo for a 305 kilo steer from Mr C. J. Thomas, Ty Draw. British Blue cross: £1,155 for a 550 kilo steer from Messrs A. and J. Speke, Upper Woodbatch and 230p per kilo for a 395 kilo steer from Messrs D. W. and L. E. Morgan, Lower House.

Heifers: Charolais cross: £1,075 for a 690 kilo heifer from Mr P. Cound and 216p per kilo for a 280 kilo heifer from Messrs B. W. and E. G. Griffiths. Limousin cross: £1,190 for a 560 kilo heifer from Messrs W. D. and M. E. Parry and 274p per kilo for a 340 kilo heifer from Messrs I. E. and M. Gittins. Blonde D’Aquitaine: £940 and 221p per kilo for a 425 kilo heifer from Messrs Probert and Probert, Lower Hill. British Blue cross: £940 and 254p per kilo for a 370 kilo heifer from Messrs I. E. and M. Gittins.