‘Buzzing’ breeding sales show livestock market is still impressing

The culmination of another busy breeding sales season through to late autumn has seen a familiar theme reported across England and Wales, with lower numbers resulting in phenomenal trade, and averages consistently up on the year.

Trade took off at a fast pace at Hawes Auction Mart, renowned for its mule gimmer lamb sales, with its opening sale attracting customers from across the UK. A very strong trade saw averages up £40 a head on the year, at an overall market average of £167.74.

At Welshpool, a similar pacey start back in August saw averages generally £20-£30 a head up, and by mid-autumn, the trend was set fair for the two-day Welsh Mule Sheep Breeders Society sale, with around 11,000 sheep sold.

“We probably saw some 1400 yearling ewes less than the year before, but they were averaging around £50 a head more,” explains Tom Davies, store and breeding sheep auctioneer at Welshpool Livestock Sales.

“Likewise, we were probably around 200 lambs less, but again they averaged £30 more on the year,” he adds.

In the South West of England, Exeter Livestock Centre saw trade follow a similar pattern, right through to the end of the autumn sales.

“Our clear up sale in October went far beyond anyone’s expectations. Even those clearing out the last of their shearlings and older ewes were well rewarded and seemed very pleased with the trade,” explains Russell Steer, director and auctioneer for Kivells, running Exeter Livestock Centre.

“Shearling ewes were a good £30-£40 in front of where they were last year, particularly for the better end, and the older ewes some £15-£20 in front. There really was a great buzz to the last breeding sale of the season, with rams also a very good trade,” he says.

The breeding show and sale season represents an important time both for trading and purchasing breeder replacements, but also from a social aspect.

“Generally speaking, we see more people on the ground during the breeding sales and show season,” says Mr Davies.

“It’s good from a social element, but also to be able to benchmark against other businesses, to see what other people are doing, seeing what works for others and if there are options for doing things differently,” he says.

Mr Atkinson agrees, commenting, “This highlights the importance of auction markets, in that like-minded people can come together from across the country, with many developing good friendships. 

“The pre-sale shows also continue to play an important part, and it is wonderful to see so many proud stockmen and women showcasing their livestock.”

It is of course the trade that draws both buyer and vendor to the live sales ring, and those averages have piqued interest, even for those that had moved to different marketing platforms.

“I had a farmer selling sheep with us for the first time during the breeding sales, and he was that impressed he called me the next day to thank me for what we had done for him,” says Mr Steer.

“He had been selling his fat lambs deadweight, but on the basis of the trade he saw, and having kept his eye on our market reports, he is now trying live again, after many years.

“It just goes to show, the livestock market is still impressing, and people are moving over and back to the live sales ring,” he concludes.

Photography Credit: Hutchinson Photography