Record breaking sale at Bishops Castle Mart, Shropshire
A heifer was sold for £4,020 at a Shropshire store cattle show and sale.
The sale, conducted by Halls auctioneers at Bishops Castle Mart on Thursday, was described by many as "the finest show of cattle seen in years."
The event attracted vendors from across England and Wales, all eager to showcase their quality stock.
Auctioneer James F. Evans, a director of Halls, said: "Trade was brisk from start to finish and the atmosphere was electric, culminating in several records being shattered by the close of play.
"It was one of the most impressive displays of quality store cattle that we have ever seen in Bishops Castle, a real showstopper of a day."
Mr Evans added: "One heifer sold for £4,020, 17 head made over £3,000, 37 exceeded £2,500 and 60 achieved more than 500ppk, with 18 topping 700ppk, making this the highest averaging sale ever held at Bishops Castle."
Prize show judge Anthony Kitson, of Five Houses Farmshop and Kitchen in North Yorkshire, awarded champion honours to Messrs E. H. Pennie and Sons, Gwern yr Ychain, Llandyssil, Montgomery for their exceptional heifer which sold for £3,600.
The reserve champion, the first prize steer, also came from the same farm, as did a superb Limousin heifer which claimed the day's top price of £4,020 and 878ppk, a rare milestone at store level.
The record-breaking sale averages were: overall £2,053.43, steers £2,025 (458p per kilo), heifers £2,102 (511ppk) and feeding bulls £1,508 (370ppk).
Mr Evans said: "The results have firmly cemented Bishops Castle's position as one of the leading cattle centres in the country.
"With outstanding averages and unmatched quality, the sale will be remembered as a benchmark for future store cattle events."
The next store cattle sale at Bishops Castle is on Thursday, May 15 with entries closing on May 8 at 5pm.
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