Market round-up

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart incorporated their annual spring sale of organic cattle into its fortnightly in Dumfries yesterday. Organic stores were in short supply with the 21 heifers forward selling to 277.1p per kg and averaging 216.2p, while 31 bullocks peaked at 290p and levelled at 245p. In the non-organic section 148 heifers sold to 272.7p and averaged 216.1p, while 162 bullocks peaked at 303.8p and levelled at 229.7p. Eighteen store, B&W bullocks sold to 174.2p and averaged 163.6p, while 4 store bulls peaked at 234.5p and levelled at 205.8p.

John Swan Ltd sold 65 prime heifers in St Boswells yesterday to a top of 245p and an average of 213p (+1.5p on the week), while 34 prime bullocks peaked at 227p and levelled at 208.5p (+0.5p).

In the rough ring 30 beef-type cows averaged 134.1p and 5 dairy cows levelled at 98.1p.

The firm also sold 1887 prime hoggs to a top of £104 per head and 216.7p per kg to average £80 and 178.4p (-16.6p).

The 224 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £142 for Texels and average £89.60, while light ewes peaked at £97 for Cheviots and levelled at £64.53.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1857 prime hoggs at Ayr yesterday to a top of £95 and 200.1p to average 172.9p (-18.1p), while 28 prime lambs peaked at £105 and 248.8p to level at 227.1p (+17.2p).

There were also 258 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £141 for a pen of Texels and £80.50 for Blackfaces.

Lawrie & Symington Ltd sold 14 prime heifers in Lanark yesterday to a top of 243p and an average of 230.9p (+7.2p), while four prime, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 219p and levelled at 208.1p (+7.5p). A couple of prime B&W bullocks averaged 135.5p.

In the rough ring 42 beef cows averaged 132.6p (+2.5p) and 42 dairy cows levelled at 105.5p (-0.9p).

The firm also sold 1887 prime hoggs to a top of £112 and 217.1p to average 184.9p (-9.2p).

The 220 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £156.50 for a Texel and £62.71 for Blackfaces.

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 24 prime heifers in Carlisle yesterday to a top of 211.5p and an average of 185.6p (no change), while 36 prime bullocks peaked at 214.5p and levelled at 184.5p (-12p). Twenty-eight prime, beef-bred bulls sold to 212.5p and averaged 174.6p (-15p), while 41 dairy-bred bulls peaked at 168.5p and levelled at 140p (-17.5p).

In the rough ring 227 dairy cows averaged 108.4p (-1.2p) and 76 beef cows levelled at 136.3p (0.2p).

The firm also sold 1356 prime hoggs to a top of £100 and 237p to average 173p (-15.2p), while 14 prime lambs peaked at £110 and 232.5p to level at 196.8p).