MESSRS Craig Wilson Ltd sold 286 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1300 per head and 226.8p per kg to average £767.90 and 194.2p, while 345 store, beef-bred bullocks also peaked at £1300 but had a top price per kg of 277.3p and levelled at £858.25 and 206.8p. Fifty-three store, B&W bullocks sold to £860 and 160.7p to average £635.85 and 137.1p.

C&D Auction Marts Ltd had a much smaller show of 1953 prime lambs in Longtown on Thursday due to vendors becoming hesitant to market sheep as a result of the rapid decline in values seen at other centres this week.

Top prices on the day were £95 per head and 224p per kg with the final average levelling at 157.8p (-10.7p on the week). The firm also had 5094 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £139 for Texels and averaged £65.65 (+£1.87), while light ewes peaked at £64 for Blackfaces and levelled at £35.84 (+£1.92). Rams sold to £140 for a Suffolk and averaged £88.53.