Livestock & Dairy: Bakewell Market

Arctic conditions prevailed Sunday night/Monday morning and as a consequence a proportion of stock was unable to travel to Bakewell.  As is often the case, the majority of buyers who tend to come from sunnier climes did manage to attend and the combination of strong demand and reduced numbers resulted in an outstanding trade for those who had managed to brave the elements.

We ended up with 376 cattle and 707 sheep, rather more than anticipated bearing in mind the conditions at 6am.

There were 208 Store & Breeding cattle that maintained, if not exceeded recent outstanding levels of trade.

Even out of the reduced sample there were steers to £1,280, heifers £1,210 and feeding bulls to £840.

Several consignments that were unable to make it have already been rebooked for next week.

Some 83 Finished cattle forward found their way to Bakewell and were clearly in great demand.  Top figures 260p and £1,679, but our old friend the average for the 51 heifers was an astonishing 219.6p, a figure which speaks for itself.

We managed 64 OTM and Feeding cows and these were clearly wanted.  Top figures 192p and £1,546 with the average a very healthy 134.8p.  If you have cows to go, Bakewell buyers would like the opportunity to bid for them.

Calves rather thin on the ground, not surprisingly in view of the weather just 21 with bulls to £370 and heifers £215.

Sheep numbers well down, an indication of snowy roads and frozen pipes to deal with at home.

If you missed the boat and do not want to wait until next Monday there is always the Thursday market sale at 12 noon.

The 504 old season lambs hit the jackpot with top figures 370p/kg and £165.92 per head.

The SQQ average a remarkable 291.5p

Nothing more needs to be said.

203 Cull Sheep with ewes to £148 and an average of £95.48 completes the story.

Market Notices

We have been asked to inform you that,

Stan Furness of Wheston a regular around the store cattle ring until last year has passed away.

And also,

Philip Stone who farmed at Middleton by Youlgreave and was a regular at Bakewell over many decades has also passed away.

On a cheerier note, we are delighted to wish Stan Evans of Edwinstowe and buyer of top-quality store cattle congratulations on reaching his 90^th birthday last Wednesday.

Forthcoming Fixtures

Thursday 11^th February: Lunchtime Sheep Sale, See our Facebook page for special entries

Friday 19^th February: Open Catalogued Sale of Store Cattle.

Please Note

We are holding the catalogue open until the end of this week Friday 12^th February.

If you have suckler bred store cattle up to 12 months of age which would suit the above sale, speak to Oliver Hiles on 07801 530899 without delay.

64 Barren, OTM and Feeding Cows Overall Average 134.8p (Auctioneer Oliver Hiles).

A very snow affected entry and an absolutely remarkable trade throughout to average a superb 134.8p or £978.50 per life.  8 cows topped 170p with a high of 192p for a Limousin cow (1 calf) from Nigel & Julie Birch with strong Limousins at 190p (£1546) and 188p (£1519).  Stabilizer to 180p, Herefords to 179p and Angus to 162p.

21 Black & White and ex-dairy cows Ave 127p

Quite unbelievable the level of trade at present.  Big well fleshed Holsteins topped at 154p or £1179 with all the better sorts 140p plus and only a handful under £1.

Sample Results:

And Gross Prices:

2 OTM Bulls

4 OTM Steers

83 FINISHED CATTLE – overall average 212.7p (Auctioneer Oliver Hiles)

They have been getting dearer and dearer and they today they were certainly as strong as I have ever sold them.  Quite unbelievable the level of trade and I thank all vendors for turning out cattle on a wintry day.

11 Finished Bulls ave 190.7p/kg

Only a small entry but 2 different bidders at ringside for the bulls.  John Ottewell topped at 212p or £1679 with a run from Keith Harrop 200-211p. 3 B/W sold to 191p for Chris Beever.

Sample Results:

And Gross Prices:

21 Steers – overall average 207.99p/kg

Surely the best average ever for steers with all looking well sold.  Jack Blackshaw won the day at 250p (£1460) with Messrs Mann at 248 and James Blackshaw at 245p

Sample Results:

And Gross Prices:

51 Finished Heifers – overall average 219.6p/kg

Just like the steers, the best average and the dearest trade that we have seen.  Top 5 over 250p and plenty more 230-247p.  Michael Wynne was top of the pile with a trio of super sorts to 260p (£1528) with others at 255p and 246p (£1539).  Keith Harrop had 258,253,251p etc.  10 Natives had Herford to 197p, Angus to 218p and OTM Longhorns at 196p.

Sample Results:

And Gross Prices:

STORE & BREEDING CATTLE – (Auctioneer Alastair Sneddon)

Those who managed to find a shovel and a bucket of ashes to allow them to set off for Bakewell had a marvellous trade.  Those who found conditions impossible have rebooked for next week and we shall be delighted to see them then.

The sale commenced with a few Breeding Cattle

Feeding Cows

Then Followed by 13 Feeding Bulls:

114 Steers ave £923

Fantastic trade from start to finish with some grand bunches of strong cattle attracting fierce competition.

Angus and Hereford crosses much in demand.

Sample results:

68 Heifers ave £821

Some fine specimens within the modest entry.  All well bid for at prices well in excess of anticipation.

Sample Results:

 CALVES (Auctioneer Ivor Lowe)

A very small entry no doubt a result of the snowy weather conditions, but an excellent trade for all.

Best bulls saw a Limousin at £370 and heifers very light on numbers seeing a Saler at £215.

A large proportion of the entry where Black & White, these also selling well to a top of £108.

707 Sheep including 504 Finished Lambs & 237 Ewes & Rams

A wintry entry of 707 head of sheep included 504 finished lambs.  The quality of lambs on offer was generally very good with the very best Farm Assured to 370p/kg and non-assured  to 350p/kg with both lots topping at £165/head.  The top 10 pens averaged an amazing 342p/kg and an overall market average of 291.55p/kg which included several pens of mules and swales. A Staffordshire vendor with 5 pens of smart, well finished non assured lambs averaged £158/head.

Leading Prices: –

Averages:

Cull Sheep (Auctioneer Mark Elliott)

A snow bound market, but the vendors that ventured out were very well rewarded.

Bidders for all categories and the trade good.  Best Texels to £148 and £138 with others at £132, the big Mules well over £90.

All categories well bid for including tups to a top of £128 for a very strong Leicester.

More ewes needed to satisfy demand.

Cast Ewes        To: £148          Ave: £95.48

Cast Rams       To: £128          Ave: £74.30