Stags, auctioneers at Tavistock Livestock Centre, report all classes of stock meeting very strong demand throughout the sale at their December Fair Sale.

The day’s sale began in the cattle pens with the herd dispersal of In Calf Suckler Cows on behalf of Taviton Farms Ltd, Tavistock.

The cows were Charolais x and Hereford x being mainly 8 – 12 years old and PD in calf 3 – 6 months primarily to a Charolais Bull.

Trade topped at £960 with others at £920. £880, £860(twice), £850, £830(twice), £820(twice) and £810(four times).

Store cattle topped at £940 for a 19mo Beef Shorthorn x heifer from Mr Tom Roskilly, Tavistock who also had similar aged South Devon heifers to £910.

The younger stores were a very strong trade topping at £885 for 2-13mo Simmental x steers from Messrs W A Cole & Sons, Sampford Spiney who had other pens of 12mo Maine Anjou steers to £880 and £860. Mrs J Littlejohns, Peter Tavy had 10mo Beef Shorthorn x steers to £880 and Charolais x steers to £835. Mr E M Dodd, Peter Tavy had a nice run of 18mo Charolais x heifers which topped at £815; and Messrs W K J & M R Harding, Throwleigh saw £750 for 2 17mo Aberdeen Angus x steers.

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There was a very short entry of Suckled Calves, which topped at £765 for 8mo Aberdeen Angus steer from Messr B E & G Palmer, Sheepstor. There were a few Galloway cattle on offer, which topped at £860 for 2 30mo steers from Mt Tom Roskilly, Tavistock; and included £770 for a 19mo steer from Mr H F A Forbes, Princetown.

An electric trade seen throughout the sheep sections on a day where double the amount could have comfortably been sold with no detriment to trade.

Just over 200 Store Lambs continued the highs seen in recent markets with the best presented topping at £87 and £86 for Messrs G & R Cundy, Lamerton. Mr T D Vallance, Horrabridge sold well presented Cheviots to £85.50 and £84. Cheviots for Mr K J Watson achieved £79.50 while long keeping Suffolks from Mr H T Davis, Chagford sold exceptionally well at £75.50. Long keep lambs have never looked so dear with barely anything under £50 and most healthy running lambs trading between the £68 - £75 bracket.

Just shy of 200 Grazing Ewes met an improved trade with new buyers active with the best to £89 for Texels from Mr A J Eggins, Roborough with his others selling to £80 and £73.50. 120 Scotch x Ewes for Mrs R Dance of South Brent topped at £66 with other pens to £64 twice and £62 six times.

Rams topped for a Texel at £104for Messrs J & G Nankivell, Tavistock.