LUDLOW MARKET MONDAY, APRIL 19 Finished Cattle – 366 A slightly stronger trade with increased buying support present. A lot of over aged cattle in the entry again and some very strong animals on offer. As regards the bull trade, this was similar but again there were a lot of plain bulls in the entry. Some really well bred bulls but just lacking enough finish.

Prices were as follows: Medium steers: Best quality to 170.5p, ave 161.7p, standard quality to 149.0p, ave 143.5p, also rans to 134.0p, overall ave 155.2p; Heavy steers: Best quality to 167.5p, ave 155.7p, standard quality to 150.5p, ave 141.9p, also rans to 134.5p, overall ave 144.0p; Light heifers: Standard quality to 139.5p, ave 135.0p, also rans to 131.5p, overall ave 135.3p; Medium heifers: Best quality to 165.0p, ave 157.4p, standard quality to 143.0p, ave 138.7p, overall ave 146.0p; Heavy heifers: Best quality to 185.0p, ave 163.3p, standard quality to 149.5p, ave 142.1p, also rans to 132.5p, overall ave 148.0p.

Light bulls: To 154.0p, ave 154.0p; Medium bulls: To 155.5p, ave 142.2p; Heavy bulls: To 159.5p, ave 144.0p.

Barren vows and old bulls – 54 A very strong trade indeed. Some best cows up to 151.5p per kilo. Prices were as follows: Grade 1 cows to 151.5p, ave 130.6p; Grade 2 cows to 119.5p, ave 116.1p; Grade 3 cows to 108.5p, ave 104.5p; Grade 4 cows to 99.5p, ave 85.4p; Old bulls to 123.0p, ave 107.7p. Overall average 111.8p/kg.

Finished Sheep – 2,982 A hogget trade which would be back on last week, but plenty of competition. The same is true of the spring lamb trade. Prices were as follows: Standard lambs to 235.0p, ave 225.7p; Medium lambs to 230.0p, ave 221.0p; Heavy lambs to 215.0p, ave 210.0p.

Export quality lambs sold up to 235.0p per kilo (ave 228.8p per kilo) and home trade lambs sold up to 223.0p per kilo (ave 220.1p per kilo).

Hogget prices were as follows: Light hoggets to 187.0p, ave 185.0p; Standard hoggets to 195.0p, ave 186.0p; Medium hoggets to 207.0p, ave 188.5p; Heavy hoggets to 199.0p, ave 174.8p; Overweight hoggets to 178.0p, ave 166.5p Export quality hoggets sold up to 207.0p per kilo (ave 195.2p per kilo) and home trade lambs sold up to 187.5p per kilo (ave 181.0p per kilo).

The killing ewes on offer were a very strong trade again, up to £118.50 and an overall average of £78.10. Killing rams up to £107.50 and an overall average of £78.80.