Stags, the auctioneers at Tavistock Livestock Centre, report an excellent entry of 325 cattle and 466 sheep at their August Fair sold to another strong trade throughout with a total 100 per cent clearance and more new purchasers in attendance. Topping the prices in the cattle section was £1,280 for a four year old pedigree beef shorthorn bull for Mr J Hodge, Okehampton.

An excellent quality entry of 314 store cattle topped at £1,190 for a 24 month old Belgian Blue x heifer for Mr R D Alford, Milton Abbot; who also sold three Aberdeen Angus x heifers to £1,085. Other heifer prices included £1,135 for 23 month old Limousin x for Mr A J Eggins, Roborough; £1,095 for 20 month old South Devon from Mr E Distin, Botus Fleming; £1,070 for a 23 month old Charolais x from Messrs W A & E J Uglow, Milton Abbot; £1,020 for five 26 month old Simmental x from Messrs N H & M J Cole, Yelverton and £1,020 for two 21 month old Simmental x from Messrs J H & J A Vanstone, Tavistock.

Store steers were again in keen demand selling to £1,160 twice; firstly for a bunch of three 16 month old Charolais x steers from Mr D J Luckett, Cornwood . Secondly for an 18 month old Saler x for Mr A J Eggins, Roborough; who also sold 16 month old Limousin x steers to £1,140. Other notable steer prices included £1,100 for two bunches of seven and five 15 month old South Devons from Messrs A H & B E Cole, Yelverton. £1,075 for a bunch of four 17 month old Aberdeen Angus x for Mr P E Crozier, Bere Alston; £1,060 for 16 month old Simmental x from Messrs W K J Harding, Throwleigh; £1,090 for 15 month old Charolais x from Messrs W A & E J Uglow, Milton Abbot and £985 for five 16 month old Charolais x from Mr A P Legassick, Tavistock.

Other notable prices included £735 for nine 13 month old Charolais x heifers for Mr R D Alford, Tavistock; £900 for eight 12 month old Charolais x steers for Mr G H J Medland, Tavistock; £860 for two 15 month old Charolais x heifers again for Mr G H J Medland; £670 for a bunch of five 14 month old Galloway x heifers for Messrs RA, LK & DR Cole, Lydford. Overall steers averaged £828 and heifers averaged £801.

In the sheep pens store lamb prices topped at £77.50 for a pen for Messrs J H & J A Vanstone, Tavistock; with several pens over the £60 mark. Grazing ewes sold to £84 for a pen from Mr T E Dawe, Chillaton and couples sold to £108 for Messrs J W & S R Dingle, Tavistock.

If you would like to enter stock in any forthcoming sales or would like a free on farm visit please contact the market office 01822 610080, or Chris Clapham 07968122198.