A special entry of 100 outlying store cattle from a North Shropshire farmer has been consigned to a catalogue sale at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on Thursday, March 15.
The entry of mixed breed cattle boosts the sale to 380 head, with auctioneers Halls expecting the strong recent trade to continue.
"Outlying cattle are what beef farmers are looking for at this time of year because they improve quickly on fresh grass," said Nick Hyne, Shrewsbury Auction Centre manager. "Under current regulations, all cattle have to be TB tested before they can be moved and our catalogue auctions provide an ideal opportunity to sell a large number in one go."
Some of the highest prices ever paid for store cattle at Shrewsbury were recorded at the catalogue auction on February 23. Top price of £1,300 went to a superb 630-kilo steer from Messrs Davies of Monksfield, while the top priced heifer achieved £1,155 for Messrs G. H. and Z. Brown and Son, Rock Farm.
"The quality of store cattle sold at Shrewsbury has gradually improved over recent years and we now welcome vendors from across Shropshire, Mid Wales, Staffordshire and Cheshire," said Mr Hyne. "We are also seeing a firming of the beef cattle trade.
"Prices are not only dictated by what is happening in Britain, but also the global meat market and demand from consumers in India and China is fast outstripping supply."
The auction centre’s first Easter spring lamb auction will be on Tuesday, April 3, when a strong trade is predicted, based on current sheep prices.
