Auctioneer Gwilym Richards faced the Ross April Monthly Dairy Sale with nervousness following reports of falling trades at other dairy markets.  But it was not the case at Ross with buyers from Devon and Pembrokeshire swelling the local crowd resulting in a superfast trade where many more cattle could have been sold to advantage.

The top price was £2,048 (1,950gns) for a calved heifer from Brownswood Holsteins, Worcester, with their best five heifers averaged £1,886.

Geoff Morgan of Tewkesbury, Gloucester, averaged £1,953 for his two heifers with one at £1,964 (1,870gns) and the other at £1,943 (1,850gns).

Cows sold to £1,943 (1,850gns) for a 3rd calver giving over 40kgs daily from John, Ruth and Rob Hoggins of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, who are dispersing their herd as they calve.  Their heifers peaked at £1,911 (1,820gns) and their entry of 5 milkers averaged £1,831.

The crop of 10 in-calf heifers due in the Summer months from Malcolm and Lesley Meredith, Glewstone, Herefordshire, who dispersed their milking herd in December sold to 1,220gns twice and averaged £1,089.

Maiden heifers from Robin Lowe, Bristol, sold to 750gns averaging £707.

Averages:

Calved heifers

1st quality £1,908

2nd quality £1,595

4th quality £903

Calved cows

1st quality £1,785

3rd quality £970

In-calf heifers £1,089

Maiden heifers £707

Auctioneers:

GWILYM RICHARDS & CO 

(with R G & R B Williams)