This week's Truro Livestock Market by Lodge and Thomas reported an entry of 43 UTM & OTM prime cattle, 23 cull cows & bulls, 160 store cattle, 82 rearing calves & stirks and 372 finished & store sheep.

It saw a new all-time record set in prime cattle, with a massive 866kg steer selling at just a fraction under £1,800. 

UTM PRIME CATTLE
Auctioneer – Andrew Body
A larger entry of excellent quality prime cattle topping at a fraction under £1,800 met with a flying trade from a strong contingent of butcher, local and regional buyers with quality in abundance Truro’s impressive prices reflect the continuing demand for all on offer.

Top price per kilo was 239p (£1,699) for a Limousin x steer from Messrs. W.T. Bryant & Sons of St. Martin purchased by Chris Dale of Dales Family Butchers, Helston. Two heavier Limousin x steers from Messrs. Bryant even dearer, with a 735kg bullock at 235p/kg realising £1,727 to Chris Dale, and massive 866kg steer hitting an all-time record selling at £1,793 to R.J. Trevarthen Ltd of Roskrow.

Top heifer was a 622kg Limousin x from Mr. R.E. Richards of St. Keverne selling at 227p/kg and £1,412 also to R.J. Trevarthen Ltd.
20 Steers – top 10 prices
Limousin x to 239p (711kg) for Messrs. W.T. Bryant & Sons of St. Martin, Helston
Limousin x to 237p (691kg) for Mr. T.H. Lobb of Ruthernbridge, Bodmin
Limousin x to 235p (735kg) for Messrs. W.T. Bryant & Sons of St. Martin, Helston
Limousin x to 230p (732kg) for Mr. T.H. Lobb of Ruthernbridge, Bodmin
South Devon x to 229p (643kg) for Mr. I.C. Lobb of St. Ewe, St. Austell
Limousin x to 228p (699kg) for Messrs. W.T. Bryant & Sons of St. Martin, Helston
South Devon x to 226p (632kg) for Messrs. W.T. Bryant & Sons of St. Martin, Helston
Limousin x to 213p (688kg) for Messrs. T.B. & M.B. Osborne of St. Eval, Wadebridge
Limousin x to 213p (628kg) for Mr. W. Maxfield-Coode of St. Allen, Truro
Limousin x to 211p (697kg) for Mr. W. Maxfield-Coode of St. Allen, Truro
19 Heifers – top 10 prices
Limousin x to 227p (622kg) for Mr. R.E. Richards of St. Keverne, Helston
Limousin x to 224p (545kg) for Messrs. W.T. Bryant & Sons of St. Martin, Helston
Limousin x to 214p (559kg) for Messrs. J. & J. Sawle & Son of Beacon, St. Agnes
Limousin x to 212p (511kg) for Mr. R.E. Richards of St. Keverne, Helston
Limousin x to 210p (641kg) for Messrs. J. & J. Sawle & Son of Beacon, St. Agnes
South Devon x to 205p (685kg) for Mr. I.C. Lobb of St. Ewe, St. Austell
South Devon x to 200p (675kg) for Mr. I.C. Lobb of St. Ewe, St. Austell
Limousin x to 199p (665kg) for Messrs. J. & J. Sawle & Son of Beacon, St. Agnes
Charolais x to 199p (552kg) for Messrs. J. & J. Sawle & Son of Beacon, St. Agnes
Charolais x to 199p (522kg) for Messrs. J. & J. Sawle & Son of Beacon, St. Agnes

OTM PRIME CATTLE
A top price of 168p/kg and £1,270 for a British Blue x steer from Messrs. E.P. & P.A. Jenkin of Helston bought by David King of Exeter.
2 Steers
British Blue x to 168p (756kg) for Messrs. E.P. & P.A. Jenkin of Helston
British Blue x to 156p (755kg) for Messrs. E.P. & P.A. Jenkin of Helston
2 Heifers
Devon x to 165p (551kg) for Messrs. A.J. Pellowe & Son of Nancekuke, Redruth
Aberdeen Angus x to 149p (731kg) for Mrs. B.M. Uren of Blackwater, Truro

CULL COWS & BULLS
Auctioneer – Andrew Body
Trade remains similar to previous weeks but a greater proportion of plainer, out of parlour cows. The quality Friesians outselling the suckler cows this week, with a top price of 135p/kg and £1,069 for a 792kg cow from Messrs. C.N. Thomas & Son of St. Wenn, and next best black and white from Messrs. A.D. & J.A. Bray of St. Martin at 133p/kg and £1,013, both bought by Dawn West Devon of Hatherleigh. An Aberdeen Angus bull from Messrs. Brewer & Brewer of St. Merryn selling well at 119p/kg and £1,259 to David Ellis of Lelant.

20 Dairy & 2 Beef Cows – leading prices
Friesian to 135p (792kg) for Messrs. C.N. Thomas & Son of St. Wenn, Bodmin
Friesian to 133p (762kg) for Messrs. A.D. & J.A. Bray of St. Martin, Helston
Friesian to 127p (571kg) for Mr. T.F. Sampson of St. Newlyn East, Newquay
Montbeliarde x to 125p (804kg) for J.O. Nightingale Ltd of Whitecross, Wadebridge
Friesian to 122p (757kg) for Messrs. C.N. Thomas & Son of St. Wenn, Bodmin
British Blue to 118p (656kg) for Messrs. Osborne Bros. of St. Just, Penzance
Friesian to 109p (726kg) for Messrs. C.N. Thomas & Son of St. Wenn, Bodmin
Friesian to 105p (682kg) for J.O. Nightingale Ltd of Whitecross, Wadebridge
British White x to 105p (635kg) for Messrs. A.R. & T.S. Hooper of Shortlanesend, Truro
Friesian to 104p (573kg) for Messrs. D.C. & W.A. Thomas of Tresillian, Truro

1 Cull Bull
Aberdeen Angus to 119p (1058kg) for Messrs. Brewer & Brewer of St. Merryn, Padstow
Overall Averages:
Dairy Cows to 135p/kg av. 101.1p/kg
Beef Cows to 118p/kg av. 11.50p/kg
Cull Bulls to 119p/kg
STORE CATTLE
Auctioneer – Patrick Dennis
A slightly reduced entry with a higher proportion of younger cattle but trade remains just as firm with more buyers attending with the prospect of improved weather conditions. Hereford x steers from Mr. R.J. Vercoe of Fraddon saw bunches top at £1,180 and £1,155. A big entry of 36 British Blue and Hereford crosses from Messrs. R.M. & C.D. Rundle of Mevagissey saw bunches of 16 month old steers to £1,050 and £1,020. A 21/22 month old Whitebred Shorthorn pair for Messrs. Reskelly Bros. of Rumford led the heifers at £970.

104 Steers – leading prices
2yo
Hereford x to £1,180 for Mr. R.J. Vercoe of Fraddon, St. Columb
Limousin x to £1,045 for Messrs. W.H. Tripconey & Sons of Coverack, Helston
Shorthorn x to £1,025 for Messrs. Reskelly Bros. of Rumford, Wadebridge
South Devon x to £1,000 for Messrs. R.G.T. & G.E. Gilbert of Ruan Minor, Helston
1½yo
British Blue x to £1,050 for Messrs. R.M. & C.D. Rundle of Mevagissey, St. Austell
Hereford x to £1,050 for Messrs. R.M. & C.D. Rundle of Mevagissey, St. Austell
South Devon x to £955 for Messrs. R.G.T. & G.E. Gilbert of Ruan Minor, Helston
Aberdeen Angus x to £865 for Messrs. M.C. Bone & Son of Madron, Penzance
Limousin x to £815 for Messrs. W.H. Tripconey & Sons of Coverack, Helston
Friesian to £740 for Messrs. M.C. Bone & Son of Madron, Penzance
1yo
British Blue x to £995 for Messrs. R.M. & C.D. Rundle of Mevagissey, St. Austell
Hereford x to £905 for Messrs. R.M. & C.D. Rundle of Mevagissey, St. Austell
South Devon x to £730 for Messrs. J.H. & L.D. Dunne of St. Ewe, St. Austell
Limousin x to £600 for J. & S. Farms Ltd of Penzance
50 Heifers – leading prices
2yo
Whitebred Shorthorn to £970 for Messrs. Reskelly Bros. of Rumford, Wadebridge
Aberdeen Angus x to £795 for Mr. E.B. Estlick of Idless, Truro
1½yo
Aberdeen Angus x to £860 for Messrs. M.C. Bone & Son of Madron, Penzance
South Devon x to £805 for Messrs. R.G.T. & G.E. Gilbert of Ruan Minor, Helston
Hereford x to £755 for Messrs. M.C. Bone & Son of Madron, Penzance
Limousin x to £680 for J. & S. Farms Ltd of Penzance
1yo
British Blue x to £775 for Messrs. R.M. & C.D. Rundle of Mevagissey, St. Austell
Hereford x to £765 for Messrs. A.J. Pellowe & Son of Nancekuke, Redruth
South Devon x to £600 for Messrs. J.H. & L.D. Dunne of St. Ewe, St. Austell
Aberdeen Angus x to £560 for Messrs. J.R. Semmens & Son of St. Levan, Penzance
3 Cows & Calves
A Charolais 8yo cow with young Hereford x calf at foot from Mr. C. Rowe of Dobwalls, Liskeard topped the few sucklers on offer at £1,070.

REARING CALVES & STIRKS
Auctioneer – Patrick Dennis
The volume is short and the demand is great, with a full ringside of bidders hotly contesting all on offer resulting in an extremely buoyant trade. Top price of the day was £355 for a month-old British Blue x bull from a good entry of calves from Mr. D.J. Heller of Blackwater. Aberdeen Angus crosses also selling well with a same age pair from the same farm each £290, and further Angus bulls from J.O. Nightingale Ltd of Whitecross, Wadebridge at £288 and £285.

Friesian bulls to £210 for a 10wo calf for Mr. A. Giles of Paul with a fortnight old Friesian bull £65 for Messrs. Parnell & Kent of St. Minver, Wadebridge. Well-over half the heifer entry £200+ to a top call of £285 for a month-old British Blue x for Messrs. J.M. & A.J. Laity of Rosudgeon. An entry of half a dozen Nov/Dec-born Limousin x male stirks from Messrs. A.D. & J.A. Bray of St. Martin realised £465.

43 Bulls
British Blue x to £355 for Mr. D.J. Heller of Blackwater, Truro, av. £226
Limousin x to £325 for Mr. A. Giles of Paul, Penzance, av. £259
Aberdeen Angus x to £290 twice for Mr. D.J. Heller of Blackwater, Truro, av. £239
Hereford x to £280 for Messrs. R.M. & C.D. Rundle of Mevagissey, St. Austell, av. £247
Simmental x to £280 for Messrs. R.M. & C.D. Rundle of Mevagissey, St. Austell
Friesian to £210 for Mr. A. Giles of Paul, Penzance, av. £99
25 Heifers
British Blue x to £285 for Messrs. J.M. & A.J. Laity of Rosudgeon, Penzance, av. £212
Limousin x to £268 for Messrs. J.M. & A.J. Laity of Rosudgeon, Penzance, av. £243
Hereford x to £230 for Messrs. R.M. & C.D. Rundle of Mevagissey, St. Austell
Aberdeen Angus x to £210 twice for Mr. D.J. Heller of Blackwater, Truro, av. £136
8 Male Stirks
Limousin x to £465 (x6) for Messrs. A.D. & J.A. Bray of St. Martin, Helston
Aberdeen Angus x to £350 for Messrs. W. Marsh & Son of St. Stephen, St. Austell, av. £328
6 Heifer Stirks
British Blue x to £365 twice for Messrs. W. Marsh & Son of St. Stephen, St. Austell, av. £354
Aberdeen Angus x to £350 twice for Messrs. W. Marsh & Son of St. Stephen, St. Austell

FINISHED & STORE SHEEP
HOGS (201)
Auctioneer – Ed Harris
Quality more mixed this week, with several pens of borderline hoggets; however, demand every bit as strong as last week’s flyer. Setting the premium to 288p/kg were a smart pen of well-finished 41.2kg handyweights from Mr. R.G. Hawkey of St. Mawgan purchased by H.R. Jasper & Son Ltd of South Petherwin. Top prices for Mr. J.D. Couch of Couch’s Mill with a fine pair of 50kg Charollais hogs selling to £132, and his 46.5kg Suffolks selling to £128; both pens bought by J.V. Richards Ltd of Perranwell Station. Producers are urged to market remaining finished hogs on the current strong trade.

South West Farmer:

Steven Hawkey’s premium pen of hogs at 288p/kg. Picture: Lodge and Thomas

Leading Averages:
288p/kg for 41.2kg hogs from Mr. R.G. Hawkey of St. Mawgan, Newquay
284p/kg for 40.1kg hogs from Mr. R.A. Coad of Cubert, Newquay
282p/kg for 42.2kg hogs from Messrs. S. & S.A.J. Rickard of Devoran, Truro
282p/kg for 39.9kg hogs from Mr. R.A. Coad of Cubert, Newquay
281p/kg for 38.8kg hogs from Messrs. P.T.R. & P.E. Jones & Son of Crantock, Newquay
279p/kg for 44.3kg hogs from Messrs. S. & S.A.J. Rickard of Devoran, Truro
278p/kg for 41.0kg hogs from Mr. R.A. Coad of Cubert, Newquay
277p/kg for 37.6kg hogs from Mr. R.A. Coad of Cubert, Newquay
276p/kg for 41.6kg hogs from Mr. R.A. Coad of Cubert, Newquay
275p/kg for 46.5kg hogs from Mr. J.D. Couch of Couch’s Mill, Lostwithiel
275p/kg for 43.8kg hogs from Messrs. S. & S.A.J. Rickard of Devoran, Truro
275p/kg for 41.8kg hogs from Messrs. S. & S.A.J. Rickard of Devoran, Truro
Top Price Hogs:
£132.00 (50.0kg) from Mr. J.D. Couch of Couch’s Mill, Lostwithiel
£128.00 (46.5kg) from Mr. J.D. Couch of Couch’s Mill, Lostwithiel
£125.00 (47.0kg) from Messrs. S.J. & S.M. Ward of Grampound Road, Truro
£123.50 (44.3kg) from Messrs. S. & S.A.J. Rickard of Devoran, Truro
£120.50 (43.8kg) from Messrs. S. & S.A.J. Rickard of Devoran, Truro
£119.00 (42.2kg) from Messrs. S. & S.A.J. Rickard of Devoran, Truro
£118.50 (41.2kg) from Mr. R.G. Hawkey of St. Mawgan, Newquay
£116.00 (42.7kg) from Mr. R.A. Coad of Cubert, Newquay
£116.00 (45.3kg) from Messrs. A.J. & S.T. Richards of St. Keverne, Helston
£115.50 (47.0kg) from Mr. S. Turriff of Tregavethan, Truro
Averages:
Standard (32.1kg-39kg) to 281p/kg av. 270.4p/kg
Medium (39.1kg-45.5kg) to 288p/kg av. 272.0p/kg
Heavy (45.6kg-52kg) to 275p/kg av. 258.0p/kg
Overweight (52.1kg+) to 214p/kg av. 206.0p/kg
SQQ Hog Average 271.2p

NEW SEASON LAMBS (12)
Two pens of new season lambs forward this week. A pen of 47.3kg butchers’ lambs from Mr. D.J. Lobb of Little Polgooth, St. Austell sold to £129.50 with 45kg lambs from Mr. W.T. Jasper of South Hill, Callington realising £125; both pens purchased by R.J. Trevarthen Ltd of Roskrow.

CULL EWES (145)
Auctioneer – Ross Collins
A sizeable entry forward and lively trade across the board. The big-frame ewes were particularly sought after selling to £103 for a single Texel ewe from Mrs. S.A. Scholes of North Country. Cull rams topped at £109 for Mr. W.T. Jasper of South Hill.
Leading Prices:
£109.00 for a ram from Mr. W.T. Jasper of South Hill, Callington
£105.00 for a ram from Mr. W.T. Jasper of South Hill, Callington
£104.00 for a ram from Messrs. Parnell & Kent of St. Minver, Wadebridge
£103.00 for ewes from Mrs. S.A. Scholes of North Country, Redruth
£97.50 for ewes from Messrs. T.B. Mitchell & Partners of Idless, Truro
£97.00 for ewes from Mr. W.T. Jasper of South Hill, Callington
£96.50 for ewes from Messrs. T.B. Mitchell & Partners of Idless, Truro
£95.00 for ewes from Messrs. W. & R. Taffinder of Ruan High Lanes, Truro
£95.00 for ewes from Messrs. S.J. & S.M. Ward of Grampound Road, Truro
£94.00 for ewes from Messrs. A.J. & A.C. Kingdon of St. Newlyn East, Newquay
£94.00 for ewes from Messrs. W. & R. Taffinder of Ruan High Lanes, Truro
Averages:
First quality ewes to £103.00 av. £88.50
Second quality ewes to £85.00 av. £70.00
Cull rams to £109.00 av. £102.00

STORE HOGS (15)
Auctioneer – Ross Collins
A light entry, but no shortage of demand with all keenly contested. Prices peaked at £96 for Mr. C.J. Benney of Porkellis.
Leading Prices:
£96.00 for stores from Mr. C.J. Benney of Porkellis, Helston
£83.00 for stores from Messrs. P.T.R. & P.E. Jones & Son of Crantock, Newquay
£80.50 for stores from Messrs. M. & J. Stacey of Polbathic, Torpoint
£79.00 for stores from Mr. B. Lugg of Cury Cross Lanes, Helston
Averages:
Best store hogs to £96.00 av. £86.00
Medium store hogs to £80.50 av. £79.50
Small store hogs to £45.50