Whitland Mart, Saturday January 8th (From Western Telegraph)

Whitland Mart, Saturday January 8th

Despite the atrocious weather and the ongoing uncertainty regarding CAP reforms, there was an entry of 135 store cattle, 6 suckler cows and some 289 sheep at the first sale of 2005 at Whitland Livestock Market.

There were plenty of buyers around the sale ring with trade on store cattle being similar to the autumn trade, with steers selling to a top price of £652 for a pair of Belgian Blues presented by Thomas & Son, Cildywyll, Llanddowror and heifers selling to £578 for a Limousin from Rees, Llwynihirion, Brynberian.

Young bulls sold to £475 for a Charolais from Duggins, Dantwyn Farm, Pontardulais and averaged £235 with steers averaging £470 and heifers averaging £375.

LEADING PRICES - STEERS - £652 x2 (BB) from Thomas & Son, Cildywyll, Llanddowror also £595 x2 (BB), £540 (BB) & £540 x2 (Her); £622 (Lim) from Harris & Son, Ffosddu Fach, Whitland; £620 (Sim) from Garnon, Aelybryn, Spring Gardens also £578 x2 (Her) & £565 (Sim); £588 (Sim) from D. Thomas, Cildywyll, Llanddowror; £555 (WB) from Davies, Meadow View, Heol Llaindelyn; £515 x4 (Lim) from Harries, Trefgarn Owen Farm, Penycwm.

HEIFERS - £578 (Lim) from Rees, Llwynihirion, Brynberian also £420 (BB); £548 (Lim) from Rees, Avola Farm, Red Roses; £512 x5 (Lim) from Phillips, Esgerddeugoed, Cwmfelin Mynach; £478 x4 (Lim) from Lloyd, Trellan Farm, Llanychaer; £448 (Lim) from Morris, Fron Isaf, Cwmbach; £428 (BB) from Beynon, Tirbach, Ferryside; £415 x3 (MRI) from Tremellen, Tremoilet Farm, Pendine.

YOUNG BULLS - £475 (Char) from Duggins, Dantwyn Farm, Pontardulais; £380 (Lim) from Rees, Tafarnscawen, Plwmp.

SUCKLER COWS: As seasonal entry of 7 forward sold to a top price of £645 from Bowen, Upper North Hill, Treffgarne and averaged £526 with other leading prices at £600 from Thomas, Lanygors, Llysonnen Road and £595 from Jones, Blaengwyn Farm, Felinfoel.

SHEEP SECTION: A large entry of in-lamb ewes drew a good company of buyers with a steady trade throughout, with younger ewes meeting a very good demand. Top price was £112 for a pen of Suffolks from Jones, Blaenpant, Trelech Road who sold others at £93 and £81. Other leading prices from other vendors included £64 & £62 paid for ewes from Scale, Treberth Farm, Sardis together with £61 from Brown, Llysyronnen, Clarbeston Road.

The first ewe and lamb couples of the season sold to a top price of £81 from Brown, Llysyronnen, Clarbeston Road with others at £69 & £66.

In-lamb ewes and ewe and lamb couples will be sold throughout the season.