One of the strongest trades for a decade was reported by auctioneers Halls this autumn.

The Tom Gittins Cup was fiercely contested at the 14th annual prize show and sale of store cattle at Bishops Castle Auction in October.

The silverware went to Glyn Robinson of Cefndu, Cyfronydd, Welshpool, whose prizewinning bunch of eight steers also claimed the top price per kilo of 244p. The steers weighed 455 kilos and made £1,110.

The show was judged by Peter Vaughan from Kingsland and the cup was presented by Halls’ director Allen Gittins, son of the late Tom Gittins. Mr Robinson won the class for best bunch of eight or more steers, holding off the challenge of Messrs J A Wood and Sons, Kinnerton Farm, who also took first and second places in the heifers class.

Halls reported a superb entry of 550 top quality store cattle for the show and sale, which attracted buyers from all over the country.

A total of 315 steers sold to an average of £990 per head and 210p per kilo and 235 heifers sold to average £851 per head and 198p per kilo.

There was a show of strength among the steers, which sold to a staggering top price of £1,330 per head for a top quality Charolais cross steer owned by Messrs D A Jones and Co, Bronhaulwen.

Heifers were also keenly sought after and sold to a top price of £1,125 per head, again from Messrs D A Jones and Co, who had a fantastic run of cattle.

Top priced heifer per kilo was 222p per kilo owned by Messrs J A Wood and Sons, weighing 345 kilos and selling for £765 per head.