C&D AUCTION Marts Ltd report that continued hot weather with grass growth suffering had put buyers in a more cautious mood at their sale of store cattle in Dumfries yesterday. The 45 heifers forward sold to 245.9p per kg and averaged 186.2p (-20p on the fortnight), while 60 beef-bred bullocks peaked at 247.8p and levelled at 206.3p (-10.9p). Thirty-four B&W bullocks sold to 161p and averaged 146p (+8.4p), while nine bulls peaked at 268p and levelled at 230.7p (+31.8p).

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1,210 prime lambs at Ayr yesterday to a top of £105 per head and 209.3p to average 183.8p (-24.5p on the fortnight).

Cast sheep were also harder to cash with 349 heavy ewes selling to £126.50 for Texels and averaging £76.40, while 189 light/export-type ewes peaked at £72.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £51.40.

Harrison & Hetherington Ltd sold 49 prime heifers in St Boswells yesterday to a top of 257p and an average of 230p (+4p), while 28 prime bullocks peaked at 248p and levelled at 232p (+7p).

In the rough ring 40 beef cows sold to 181p and averaged 148p (-1p).

There were also 1,172 prime lambs that sold to £113 and 225p to average 198.6p (-15p).

The 321 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £110 for Suffolks and average £89, while light ewes peaked at £79 for Cheviots and levelled at £63.

The firm also sold 13 prime heifers in Carlisle to a top of 229.5p and an average of 198.2p (-5.2p), while 25 prime bullocks also peaked at 229.5p but levelled at 209.6p (-2.7p). Sixty-three prime, beef-bred bulls sold to 229.5p and averaged 193.5p (-0.7p), while 48 prime, dairy-bred bulls peaked at 177.5p and levelled at 153.7p (-11.4p).

In the rough ring 177 beef cows sold to 227.5p and averaged 135.5p (-15p), while 187 dairy cows peaked at 158.5p and levelled at 103.3p (-13.5p). Eight bulls sold to 192.5p and averaged 136.2p (+4.2p).

There were also 1,658 prime lambs that sold to £109.80 and 259.4p to average 199p (-16.8p).

The 165 heavy cast ewes forward sold to £119.50 for Texels and averaged £73.32, while 38 light ewes peaked at £61.50 for Hill Cheviots and levelled at £35.05.