Whitland

January 28th

J. J. Morris reports: Another good entry of approved hoggets sold to a slightly improved trade, with the better quality heavier hoggets also meeting a good trade. Cull ewes and rams sold to a similar trade to previous weeks.

Hoggets: Light maximum 154, average 139.04; standard maximum 184, average 177.34; medium maximum 195, average 184.13; heavy maximum 179, average 170.36; others maximum 160, average 148.36.

Overall average: 180.03p/kg. Leading prices per kilo: 195p, 39.5 kilos, John & Sons, Manselfold Farm: 192p, 40 kilos, John, Pensarn: 190p, 42 kilos, Bussell, St Kennox Farm: 190p, 40 kilos, Phillips, Deers Park Farm: 187p, 39.5 kilos, Davies, Morfa Farm.

Top prices per head: £85, 53 kilos, James Great Pale: £84, 51.50 kilos, Davies, Gelligroes Farm; £84, 54 kilos, Thomas, Clungarthen: £83.50, 47.5 kilos, Price & Griffiths, Pencraig: £83.20, 46.5 kilos, Davies, Morfa Farm.

Non-approved hoggets: Overall average 160p/kg.

Cull ewes and rams (162): Heavy ewes overall average £48.90, lighter types overall average £23.25.

Leading prices: £79, £78, Scurlock & Sons, Solbury Farm: £76, Brodie, Yerbeston Mountain: £75, Brown, New Bungalow: £73 Rogeston Farm Ltd, Rogeston Farm.

Rams overall average £68, top £94, Scurlock & Sons, Solbury Farm, Dale Road.

Barren cows: Overall average 96.5p/kg or £672 per head. Top prices: £825, 740kg Friesian, Windsor & Son, Fforest Farm; £740, 720kg Friesian, Beynon, Blaenwaun; £735, 760kg Friesian, Brown, Lower Llantydwell.

Fat cattle: £900, 530kg Hereford, Nicholas, Dynaston.

Haverfordwest

January 28th

BJP Marts reports: Tested barren cows (2):

Average £598, maximum £655, Phillips, Gwndwngwyn.

Calves (29): Overall average £54.38.

Bulls: Hereford (4) average £136, maximum £275, Owen, The Holmes; Limousin (1) £185, Riggs, Goree; Friesian (18) average £28, maximum £118, Owen, The Holmes.

Heifers: Hereford (6) average £57, maximum £86, James, Hendrewen.

Store cattle (61): Overall average £544.26. Steers: Limousin (11) average £675, maximum £1120, Thomas, Mount Joy; British Blue (15) average £490, maximum £850, Thomas, Mount Joy; Friesian (7) average £460, maximum £640, Davies & Williams, Troedyrhiw; Hereford (4) average £475, maximum £625, Taylor, Upper Hill Moor; Ayrshire (1) £470, Willimas, Tregwynt.

Heifers: British Blue (12) average £548, maximum £945, Thomas, Mount Joy; Limousin (2) average £845, maximum £845, Thomas, Mount Joy; Friesian (2) average £738, maximum £740, Harvey, Paternoster; Hereford (7) average £441, maximum £510, Davies, Treginnis Farm.

Newcastle Emlyn

January 28th

Dai Lewis Auctioneers reports: Another seasonal entry in all sections (108). Barrens saw a stronger trade for all categories in comparison with the previous mart and with the majority of the entry being of beef breeds. Weaned calves and store cattle sold to a brisk run throughout, with several buyers leaving empty handed. More need now to quench demand.

Barrens/overage cattle (48): Overall average £659.48. Leading prices: £850(2), £840, £805, £800(2), £680, £590, Thomas, Nantyconstable, Ffostrasol, Llandysul; £815, £755, £680, 3615, Jones, Nantypele, Nanternis, New Quay; £720, £700, Currado, Meribah, Tanglwst, Newcastle Emlyn; £720, Joynson, Brynllewellyn, Llanllwni, Pencader; £680, Jones, Triol Brith, Rhos, Llandysul; £645, Mitchell, Oakleigh, Llanarth, Abereron.

Overage steers: £980, £945, Evans, Blaenpant, Bryngwenith, Henllan, Llandysul.

Weaned calves steers: Hereford maximum 552, average 552; Charolais maximum 880, average 858; Simmental maximum 780, average 739.

Heifers: Simmental maximum 555, average 553; Saler maximum 595, average 595.

Steers: Overall average £784.22. Leading prices: £880(2), £848, £840(2), Jukes, Tanralltddu, Pentrecwrt, Llandysul; £780(2), £658, Alcock, Waunllwyd, Hermon; £552, Davies, Tafarnscawen, Plwmp, Llandysul.

Heifers: Overall average £575. Top: £595, Jones, Blaenbowi, Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn; £558, Alcock, Waunlwyd, Hermon.

Store cattle steers: Hereford maximum 795, average 770; Simmental maximum 745, average 745; Limousin maximum 1130, average 947; Blonde maximum 1150, average 1098; British Blue maximum 828, average 828.

Heifers: Simmental maximum 900, average 598; British Blue maximum 945, average 727; Saler maximum 710, average 682; Jersey maximum 405, average 405; Aberdeen Angus maximum 600, average 478.

Steers: Overall average £887.19. Leading prices: £1150, £1130, £1065, £1045, £100(2), Lewis, Tyngwndwn, Dihewyd, Lampeter; £970, Jones, Pantydefaid, Prengwyn, Llandysul; £900(2), Davies, S?nynant, Waungilwen, Felindre, Llandysul; £828(2), £740, £730, Griffiths, Tredafydd, Sarnau, Llandysul; £795(2), £785(4), Rogers, Berthyfedwen, Llandyfriog, Newcastle Emlyn; £745, Davies, Tafarnscawen, Plwmp.

Heifers: Overall average £626.94. Leading prices: £945, £900(2), Jones, Triol Bach, Rhos, Llandysul; £710, £695, £640, Jones, Blaenbowi, Capel Iwan; £650, £600, £545, Bernardi, Llwyngog, Penrherber, Newcastle Emlyn; £595, £500, £490, Davies, Blaendyffryn, Horeb, Llandysul; £580(3), Griffiths, Tredafydd, Sarnau.

Carmarthen

January 29th

BJP Marts reports: After a normally quiet January so far, as far as numbers were concerned, the monthly Holstein South Wales club show and sale saw 22 entries, as well as 32 commercial cows and heifers, two Holstein bulls a Hereford bull and a special entry of 30 cows and heifers from A. H. Prichard & Son, Rhosmaen, Newport. The trade from the previous two weeks showed great promise and the quality that filled each section ensured a continued improvement.

Judge Elwyn Thomas (Gatrog) had his work cut out in the show with nine cows and 13 heifers presented. The overall champion was Ramshill Bolton Flora 103 VG86 from Thomas Partners, Cornhwrdd, a third generation second calver giving 36kg of milk daily. The reserve champion was heifer Caer Shottle Flora 128 VG85, from Caerlleon Farms Ltd, giving 32kg of milk daily. They both sold to the Plas herd, Llangynog for £2700 and £2550 respectively.

Show overall average £2009. Leading prices: £2350, £2300, £2100, Wilson, Tregibby; £2050, Caerlleon Farms; £2050, Hughes, Gilfachafael; £2020, Shepherd, Garnwen; £2000, Thomas, Gelliddu; £2000, Cilfeithy Farm Services.

Commercial heifers: £2180, Davies, Cwm Farm.

Special entry: £2100, A. H. Prichard, Rhosmaen.

Dairy cattle (87): Cows (20) average £945, maximum £1820; heifers (12) average £1682, maximum £2180; recorded cows (8) average £1976, maximum £2700; recorded heifers (13) average £2029, maximum £2550; bulls (3) average £1473, maximum £1800.

Calves (360): Bulls overall average £222.27. Charolais (12) average £293, maximum £468, Thomas, Pantyffynnon; Limousin (30) average £229, maximum £382, Windsor, Fforest Farm; British Blue (45) average £220, maximum £340, Voyle, Churchlands; Aberdeen Angus (12) average £193, maximum £340, Davies, Pencwarre; Hereford (22) average £218, maximum £322, Hughes, Hafod; Simmental (3) average £266, maximum £305, Smith, Cwmtawel; Welsh Black (5) average £93, maximum £158, Davies, Tynlofft; Friesian (132) average £36, maximum £122, Lewis, Tyddyn Du; Beef Shorthorn (3) average £48, maximum £78, Thomas, New Inn.

Heifers overall average £170.72. British Blue (33) average £178, maximum £322, Thomas, Ffynnonlas; Aberdeen Angus (6) average £195, maximum £298, Davies, Pencwarre; Limousin (19) average £174, maximum £238, Law, Pantllyn; Hereford (20) average £150, maximum £225, Hughes, Hafod Farm; Friesian (5) average £144, maximum £220, Lewis, Tyddyn Du; Charolais (2) average £202, maximum £212, Jones, Maesymeillion; Welsh Black (5) average £186, maximum £210, Bailey, Tymawr.

Newcastle Emlyn

January 30th

Dai Lewis Auctioneers reports: Similar numbers in all sections. Hoggets met a comparable run for all categories, but with a lot of medium sorts presented. Stores sold to a fluid run for the quality presented. Similar prices for culls, as in previous weeks.

Hoggets: Light maximum 166, average 163.3; standard maximum 179, average 173.9; medium maximum 183, average 179.9; heavy maximum 171, average 170.9; others maximum 158, average 147.9.

Overall average 177.04p/kg. Leading prices: 183, Morgan, Bwlchclawdd, Llangrannog, Llandysul; 180, 179, 178, Thomas, Cwmdyllest, Pontsian, Llandysul; 180, 177, 175, 170, Jones & Son, Nantypele, Nanternis, New Quay; 176, 167, Davies, Llettyprys, Llandysul; 175, Rees, Tydi Vale Caravan Park, Cwmtydu, Llandysul; 174, 173, Lambourne Cottage Product, Pencoed Farm, Pencader; 171, Jones, Trenewydd, Trawsmawr, Carmarthen; 170, Davies & Son, Panteryrod, Llwyncelyn, Aberaeron; 169, 166, Alban, Hafan Peris, Llanrhystud.

Store hoggets: Overall average £44.98. Top prices: £56, McFazdean, Pwllyrheirn, Newcastle Emlyn; £42, Gearing, Llain Farm, Felindre, Llandysul; £40.50, Jones & Sons, Nantypele, New Quay.

Cull ewes: Overall average £48. Leading prices: £70, Francis, Pantyrhebog, Drefach Felindre, Llandysul; £54, £49, Gearing, Llain, Felindre; £49, £40, Lambourne, Pencoed, Pencader.

Carmarthen

January 30th

BJP Marts reports: Barren and overage cattle (78): Tested barren cows (11) average per kilo 102.63p, average per head £638, maximum per kilo 141.30p, maximum per head £980; untested barren cows (57) average per kilo 99.05p, average per head £644, maximum per kilo 137.78p, maximum per head £1020; bulls (4) average per kilo 128.40p, average per head £1108, maximum per kilo 128.40p, maximum per head £1250; overage heifers (6) average per head £643, maximum per head £900.

Fat cattle (1): Heifer 485kg+, £192.

Store cattle (160): Steers: Up to 18 months (30) average £838, maximum £1260; 18-24 months (61) average £900, maximum £1335; 24+ months (11) average £851, maximum £995.

Heifers: Up to 18 months (18) average £626, maximum £955; 18-24 months (27) average £753, maximum £1040; 24+ months (7) average £951, maximum £1170.

Steers overall average £876.47. Limousin (48) average £971, maximum £1335, Davies, Pantyffynnon; Charolais (13) average £1078, maximum £1335, Davies, Pantyffynnon; British Blue (6) average £966, maximum £1260, Jones, Capel Farm; Welsh Black (1) £995, Thomas, New Inn; Simmental (1) £990, Thomas, Gorllwyn Uchaf; Friesian (22) average £731, maximum £985, Jones, Triol Mawr; Dairy Shorthorn (1) £775, Jones, Plas Uchaf; Blonde D'aquitaine (1) £770, Rees, Clyne; Hereford (2) average £700, maximum £740, Thomas, Godregarth; Aberdeen Angus (1) £735, Griffiths, Brynteg Farm; Highland (6) average £205, maximum £205, Morgan, Blaengorlech.

Heifers overall average £735.67. British Blue (4) average £1048, maximum £1170, Rees, Clyne; Charolais (14) average £779, maximum £1040, While, Abertrinant; Blonde D'aquitaine (4) average £798, maximum £995, Rees, Clyne; Limousin (23) average £700, maximum £865, Evans, Arthach; Hereford (2) average £730, maximum £730, Harries, Brynhawc; Aberdeen Angus (4) average £525, maximum £540, Griffiths, Brynteg Farm; Welsh Black (1) £320, Davies, Wernlas.