Last week at Whitland Mart - possibly the last Mart for some time due to FMd restrictions -the sheep entry numbered 1,782, included 1,210 new season lambs and 572 cull ewes and rams. The average lamb price of 108.92p per kilo was above the Welsh average by over 3ppk. New season lambs sold to a top price of 120.0ppk for 39 kilo lambs Jones, Bromebyd, Maesybont. Other leading bids were 118.4ppk for 38.5 kilo lambs from Bill John, Pantyderi, which was the same price Vaughan, Upper Farm Woodstock had for 38 kilo lambs. Cull ewes and rams, numbering 572, saw the demand for the heavy, meaty ewes being sustained -top price received was £64.50 from Richards, Tegfryn, Pumpsaint. Other leading prices were £62 from Davies, Ffordd Uchaf, £54 from Davies, Brynygroes, Fawr, and £51.50 from Williams, Treddiog Fawr. Smaller ewes also sold well with a top price of £31.50 from Hughes and Butterfield, Pencraig. Cull rams peaked at £58 (twice) from Davies, Ffordd Uchaf and averaged £43.81. Trade was considered to be very good for the 22 cull cows forward achieving a top price of £690 for a 705 kilo Limousin from Davis, Lleinau, who also had three other Limousin cows that made £675 for a 715 kilo cow, £650 for a 695 kilo cow and £630 for a 690 kilo cows. Overage heifers also sold well with Friesian heifers from James, Westmead, making £580 for a 685 kilo heifer, £575 for 745 kilos, £405 for 670 kilos and 560 for a 665 kilo heifer. Local farmers continue to be looking for strong rearing calves and amongst the top prices were Limousin bulls from Reynolds, Sarland Farm which made £172 and £170. Heifer calves sold to a top price of £94 for a Limousin from Hughes and Butterfield, Pencraig. There were no markets this week. Auctioneers: J. J. Morris.
