Auctioneers Halls reported a “sparkling trade” at the first prize sale of store cattle in October at Bishops Castle Auction on Thursday last week.

An entry of 375 store cattle met a fast trade from start to finish with a total clearance to a crowded ring of buyers.

The Tom Gittins Cup for the winner of the prize classes, judged by Roger and Lawrence Jordin of Enville, went to Vic Morris of S. J. C. Morris & Sons, Whitcott Evan Farm, Clun for five 470 kilo Limousin steers which sold at £1,570.

First prize heifers were a bunch of 380 kilo British Blues which sold at £1,500 from J. A. Wood & Sons of Kinnerton who also won second in both classes with an excellent run of Limousins.

Steers averaged £1,316 and 300p per kilo to 356p per kilo from the Wood family and £1,750 from M Owen Cold Hill. Heifers averaged 295p per kilo and £1,240 to a staggering maximum of 465p per kilo and £2020 for Belgian Blue cross, again from the Wood family.

Prize winners were: Steers: 1, S. J. C. Morris & Sons for 470kg steers which sold for £1,570; 2, J. A. Wood & Sons, Kinnerton for 415kg steers which sold for £1,350. Heifers: 1, J. A. Wood & Sons for 385kg heifers which sold for £1,500; 2, J. A. Wood & Sons for 380kg heifers which sold for £1,250.

Other leading prices were: Steers: Blonde cross: £1,595 for a steer from Messrs B.O. & C. E. Roberts, Forge Farm and 316.90p per kilo for two steers from the same vendor.  British Blue cross: £1,750 for a steer from Mr M. H. Owen, Cold Hill     and 324.30p per kilo for a steer from Messrs J. A. Wood & Sons. Aberdeen Angus cross: £1,060 for a steer from Messrs F. G. & A. M. Windsor, Pentre Farm and 235.60p per kilo for a steer from the same vendor. Charolais cross: £1,615 for a steer from Messrs  E. D. & H. J. Roberts, Pantgwyn and 323.10p per kilo for a steer from Mr R. Llewellyn, Lynwood Farm. Simmental cross:  £1,190   for a steer  from  Messrs  C. J. Davies & Sons, Amblecote      and 220.40p per kilo for a steer from the same vendor. Limousin cross: £1,600 a head for two steers from Mr R. Llewellyn, Lynwood Farm and 356.20p per kilo for a steer from Messrs J. A. Wood & Sons.

Heifers: Blonde cross: £1,390 for a heifer from Messrs B.O. & C. E. Roberts and 298.90p per kilo for a heifer from the same vendor. British Blue cross:  £2,000      for a heifer from Messrs J. A. Wood & Sons and  465.10p per kilo for a heifer from the same vendor. Charolais cross: £1,570    for a heifer from Messrs E. D. & H. J. Roberts and 310.90p per kilo for a heifer from the same vendor.  Limousin cross: £2,020 for a heifer from Messrs J. A. Wood & Sons and459.10p per kilo for a heifer from the same vendor.

Bishops Castle Auction is holding a suckled calves and weanlings show and sale with an excellent entry of 225 for Bishops Castle and District Quality Cattle Association on Thursday, October 19, starting at 10.30am.

The Jack Bedell Cup will be on offer to winner of the prize classes. For a catalogue, contact Halls on Tel: 01588 638755.

The next sale of store cattle at the market will be on November 2, with entries closing on October 26 at noon. A special sale of suckled calves and weanlings will be held on November 16, with entries closing on November 9 at noon.