A new fortnightly ‘red market’ at Shrewsbury Auction Centre launched by auctioneers Halls to sell cattle from TB restricted farms has been declared a big success.

The ‘red market’, to be held at 3.30pm on Wednesday every other week, attracted 37 cattle from 10 vendors which sold to eight buyers.

“Trade was spirited throughout, ensuring a trade comparable to our Tuesday open market,” said Halls’ cattle auctioneer Jonny Dymond. “I will confidently say that more cattle could be sold to the vendors’ advantage.

“The red market is a new service for farmers to provide them with more marketing opportunities for their cattle. Previously, they had to sell their cattle directly from the farm or take them to other markets to sell.

“When a farm is under TB restrictions, there are limits to how they can sell their cattle. Everyone associated with the farming industry would all like to see the back of TB but, due to the increasing incidence of the disease, I fear that red markets are going to grow.”

Nine prime cattle attracted a competitive trade as they sold to a peak of £1,310.40p or 208p per kilo. A 24-month-old Angus heifer from Dave Everall claimed the top price as his four heifers sold from 180p to 196p per kilo. G. E. Morris of Tushingham recorded the top price per kilo with a 14-month-old 462 kilo Limousin heifer that sold for 208p per kilo or £960.

Over 30-month-old Friesian store type steers also sold very well for C. R. and D. Evans to 156p per kilo or £848.64.

Mr Dymond appealed for more cow entries, emphasising that liveweight is the best way to sell them. A total of 28 barren cows sold to £1,263.92 or 154p per kilo, with an average of £749.98 or 116p per kilo.

A couple of sucklers from G. E. Morris included a 10-year-old Charolais at 148p per kilo while the other made 154p per kilo or £1,096.16.

A third of the dairy cows entered were on foreign tags, which made no difference to the buyers. Top dairy cows achieved £1,096.16 for D. P. Mottershead 146p per kilo for D. M. and V. A. Everall.

The second highest price was for a foreign cow from N. C. Bowdler Ltd at 127p per kilo or £939.80. Out of parlour and plan cows were all sold for more than 78p per kilo.

Farmers seeking advice about selling cattle at Shrewsbury Auction Centre can contact Mr Dymond on 07803 412617.