• Reduced EU demand for lamb

    UK sheep prices may be on the up in the UK due to reduced supplies, but it appears the opposite holds true on the Continent, where the economic problems being experienced by many countries in southern Europe are having a significant effect on the trading patterns of sheep and sheep meat.

  • Beef prices hit record levels again

    Beef prices are continuing to rise, with several centres setting new records almost on a weekly basis, due to the continued shortage of finished cattle plus the rise in demand for locally produced beef following the horsemeat scandal.

  • Return to the ring

    AUCTIONEER Willie Paterson has made the decision to return to the ring, joining the team at Mitchells, Cockermouth, Cumbria, this month.

  • Scots buy at Beeston

    The sole entry from the Ridgefield herd from Charley, Leicester, produced the lead sale at the Western Holstein Club's Monthly Focus Milk show and sale of fresh calved cows and heifers at Beeston, attracting the highest bid of 4000gns.

  • Beef Shorthorn records

    Female records were also smashed at the heifer sale at Stirling in October when Chapelton Honeysuckle set a high of 13,000gns whilst a record average of £2110 was set for 81.

  • Beef breeders hard to cash

    Despite a good show, beef breeding cattle proved hard to cash due to this year's late spring, the shortage of grass and lack of available keep, at Harrison and Hetherington's sale at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

  • Scotland herd tops Simmental sale

    Growing demand for the dual characteristics of the Simmental breed ensured a buoyant trade for bulls at a society show and sale at Carlisle, where the supreme champion, Scotland Hill Cairo 11, a 22-month-old bull selected by the pre-sale judge, Orkney beef producer, Terry Coghill, sold for the top price of 8800gns.

  • Skyhigh dairy cattle sell to 9200gns

    Prices literally did go 'Skyhigh' when Mark and Jane Shadwick, dispersed their Skyhigh herds of pedigree Holsteins, British Friesians and Swedish and Danish Red, at Beeston, with top prices achieved in all breeds and all age groups.

  • Boost for sheep farmers

    A LOWER than anticipated carryover of old season lambs combined with a long winter and extremely late spring, has bolstered the prime sheep trade in recent weeks and looks set to continue for the next month, according to those in know.

  • Consumer appetite for fresh beef and lamb increases

    CONSUMERS ARE increasingly buying fresh beef and lamb to cook with rather than ready meals, according to latest figures.