Bakewell Market report for March 4

632 cattle and 3,430 sheep at Bakewell and a spring in the step of most vendors as they left the market office.

Trade was significantly up in virtually all departments with OTM and finished cattle returning record results and store cattle continuing to confound any attempts at valuation.

In the sheep department bigger numbers and for the hoggs significantly bigger prices with the top call 225p/kg and the SQQ average very respectable at almost 180p.

To give a little more detail on the cattle results there were 315 store cattle with steers to £1,240, heifers to £1,260 and a Limousin cow and calf outfit producing a real highlight at £2,120. Whilst they all looked well sold the heifers purchased for suckler replacements were the hot spot of the day.

In the prime ring 128 OTM cattle were described as being as dear as they have ever been with a top price of 215p/kg and £1,681 per head and a remarkable average at 135p.

115 Finished Cattle peaked at 246p/kg and £1,621 per head.

The steers and heifers both returned averages of 206p/kg.

The High Peak Livestock Society March sale of 860 cattle is coming up on Friday 15th March, if you are after quality store cattle from the Peak District make sure you have the date in your diary.