Bishops Castle Auction store cattle show judge Antony Kitson with Wendy Morgan, representing Messrs E. H. Pennie & Son, with the champion heifer.
A heifer sold for £4,020 as records tumbled at a Shropshire store cattle show and sale on a landmark day for livestock trading in the region.
Many seasoned market-goers hailed the sale, conducted by Halls auctioneers at Bishops Castle Auction yesterday (Thursday), as “the finest show of cattle seen in years.”
With vendors travelling from across England and Wales, the sale attracted a strong line-up of quality stock that met fierce demand from a packed ring of buyers.
“Trade was brisk from start to finish and the atmosphere was electric, culminating in several records being shattered by the close of play,” said auctioneer James F. Evans, a director of Halls.
“It was one of the most impressive displays of quality store cattle that we have ever seen in Bishops Castle, a real showstopper of a day.
“One heifer sold for £4,020, 17 head made over £3,000, 37 exceeded £2,500 and 60 achieved more than 500ppk, with 18 topping 700ppk, making this the highest averaging sale ever held at Bishops Castle.
“The results have firmly cemented Bishops Castle’s position as one of the leading cattle centres in the country. With outstanding averages and unmatched quality, the sale will be remembered as a benchmark for future store cattle events.”
Prize show judge Anthony Kitson, of Five Houses Farmshop & Kitchen, North Yorkshire, awarded champion honours to Messrs E. H. Pennie & Sons, Gwern yr Ychain, Llandyssil, Montgomery for their exceptional heifer which sold for £3,600.
Reserve champion, the first prize steer, also came from the same farm, as did a superb Limousin heifer which claimed the day’s top price of £4,020 and 878ppk, a rare milestone at store level.
Messrs J. A. Wood & Sons, Kinnerton Farm, Ratlinghope, took second prize in the steer class, while the Owen family, Red House, Aberhafesp, was awarded second prize in the heifer section.
The record-breaking sale averages were: overall £2,053.43, steers £2,025 (458p per kilo), heifers £2,102 (511ppk) and feeding bulls £1,508 (370ppk).
In the steers, the Limousin section set a blistering pace from the outset, underlining the breed’s dominance in the store ring. With an average of £2,042 and an impressive return of 465ppk, the class was a clear favourite among buyers.
A standout entry from M. E. & G. E. Jones, Hafod, Mochdre, Newtown led the way on price, soaring to £2,580, while E. H .Pennie & Son delivered a show-stopping run, achieving 545ppk, the top price per kilo among steers and a real marker of quality.
Hot on their heels, the British Blue steers met strong and sustained demand, with buyers pushing the average to £2,045 at 458ppk. Trade was sharp and Messrs E. H. Pennie & Son once again rose to the top, producing a stunning steer that topped at £3,100 and 533ppk. The prices reflect the continued appetite for British Blues with depth, finish and style.
The Blonde d’Aquitaine steers added further firepower to the day’s trade, levelling at a healthy £1,998 and 438ppk. Messrs D. E. Morgan & Son, Brynelen, Welshpool produced a cracking steer, taking the top slot with £2,240 and dominating the ppk board with 478ppk, showing that blondes are still highly sought after when they combine carcass and shape.
If the steers impressed, the heifer trade simply dazzled. None more so than the British Blues, which headlined the sale with a remarkable average of £2,390 and 565ppk, prices that reflect both the depth of quality and intensity of competition ringside.
Top price of £3,600 was shared between Messrs J. A. Wood & Son, the Owen family, and Messrs E. H. Pennie & Son, testament to the calibre of entries on offer.
Limousin heifers also turned heads, averaging £1,889 and 483ppk. M. & A .Powell, Drefor, Kerry, impressed with a show potential heifer that reached 807ppk, further reinforcing the breed’s commercial appeal.
Completing a sensational heifer entry, the Charolais breed made its mark, averaging £1,655 and 434ppk. G. E. Davies & Son, Cwmbromley, Sarn, topped the money with £1,800, while M. & A. Powell, returned to the top table, recording 474ppk.
Next store cattle sale at Bishops Castle is on Thursday, May 15 with entries closing on May 8 at 5pm. More information from Halls on Tel: 01588 638639.
With vendors travelling from across England and Wales, the sale attracted a strong line-up of quality stock that met fierce demand from a packed ring of buyers.
“Trade was brisk from start to finish and the atmosphere was electric, culminating in several records being shattered by the close of play,” said auctioneer James F. Evans, a director of Halls.
“It was one of the most impressive displays of quality store cattle that we have ever seen in Bishops Castle, a real showstopper of a day.
“One heifer sold for £4,020, 17 head made over £3,000, 37 exceeded £2,500 and 60 achieved more than 500ppk, with 18 topping 700ppk, making this the highest averaging sale ever held at Bishops Castle.
“The results have firmly cemented Bishops Castle’s position as one of the leading cattle centres in the country. With outstanding averages and unmatched quality, the sale will be remembered as a benchmark for future store cattle events.”
Prize show judge Anthony Kitson, of Five Houses Farmshop & Kitchen, North Yorkshire, awarded champion honours to Messrs E. H. Pennie & Sons, Gwern yr Ychain, Llandyssil, Montgomery for their exceptional heifer which sold for £3,600.
Reserve champion, the first prize steer, also came from the same farm, as did a superb Limousin heifer which claimed the day’s top price of £4,020 and 878ppk, a rare milestone at store level.
Messrs J. A. Wood & Sons, Kinnerton Farm, Ratlinghope, took second prize in the steer class, while the Owen family, Red House, Aberhafesp, was awarded second prize in the heifer section.
The record-breaking sale averages were: overall £2,053.43, steers £2,025 (458p per kilo), heifers £2,102 (511ppk) and feeding bulls £1,508 (370ppk).
In the steers, the Limousin section set a blistering pace from the outset, underlining the breed’s dominance in the store ring. With an average of £2,042 and an impressive return of 465ppk, the class was a clear favourite among buyers.
A standout entry from M. E. & G. E. Jones, Hafod, Mochdre, Newtown led the way on price, soaring to £2,580, while E. H .Pennie & Son delivered a show-stopping run, achieving 545ppk, the top price per kilo among steers and a real marker of quality.
Hot on their heels, the British Blue steers met strong and sustained demand, with buyers pushing the average to £2,045 at 458ppk. Trade was sharp and Messrs E. H. Pennie & Son once again rose to the top, producing a stunning steer that topped at £3,100 and 533ppk. The prices reflect the continued appetite for British Blues with depth, finish and style.
The Blonde d’Aquitaine steers added further firepower to the day’s trade, levelling at a healthy £1,998 and 438ppk. Messrs D. E. Morgan & Son, Brynelen, Welshpool produced a cracking steer, taking the top slot with £2,240 and dominating the ppk board with 478ppk, showing that blondes are still highly sought after when they combine carcass and shape.
If the steers impressed, the heifer trade simply dazzled. None more so than the British Blues, which headlined the sale with a remarkable average of £2,390 and 565ppk, prices that reflect both the depth of quality and intensity of competition ringside.
Top price of £3,600 was shared between Messrs J. A. Wood & Son, the Owen family, and Messrs E. H. Pennie & Son, testament to the calibre of entries on offer.
Limousin heifers also turned heads, averaging £1,889 and 483ppk. M. & A .Powell, Drefor, Kerry, impressed with a show potential heifer that reached 807ppk, further reinforcing the breed’s commercial appeal.
Completing a sensational heifer entry, the Charolais breed made its mark, averaging £1,655 and 434ppk. G. E. Davies & Son, Cwmbromley, Sarn, topped the money with £1,800, while M. & A. Powell, returned to the top table, recording 474ppk.
Next store cattle sale at Bishops Castle is on Thursday, May 15 with entries closing on May 8 at 5pm. More information from Halls on Tel: 01588 638639.
