Firm cattle trade as Morris family wins Tom Gittins Cup

An entry of 750 strong store cattle was sold at Bishops Castle Auction on Thursday last week as the trade held firm from start to finish supported by a ring full of buyers.

Despite variations in the trade at other centres, the overall average for steers was a pleasing 214p per kilo and £1,043 per head with highs of 278p per kilo for a pair of 400 kilo British Blues from S. J. C. Morris & Son, Whitcott Evan and £1,350 for a bunch of six, 575 kilo Limousins from J. A. Wood & Sons, Kinnerton.

Heifers averaged 200p per kilo and £895 per head and peaked at 297p per kilo for a bunch of three, 350 kilo Limousins from F. T. Bedell & Son, Linch House and £1,255 for a 560 kilo Limousn from G. M. & A. Jones, Cefn Dre.

Eight heifers and calves at foot from S. H. Hillage & Sons, Lower Whittingslow averaged £1,135 and included leading prices of £1,320, £1,200, £1,200 and £1,160.

The annual prize show and sale for the Tom Gittins Cup was judged by Robert Sharman of Colmworth and William Lyke of Leominster. Winner was Wynne Morris of H. I. Morris & Son for an outstanding bunch of 11, 515 kilo Limousin steers which sold for £1,200.

It proved a good day for the Morris family who had a clean sweep of first prizes after winning the heifer class with 10, 470 kilo Limousins for £1,035. J. A. Wood & Sons, Kinnerton were runners up in the steers and heifers classes.