McCartneys report a desperately short entry of 309 prime cattle at Ludlow Market on Monday with a combination of the drought and harvest reducing farmer's ability to be able to sell. All sorts were keenly competed for. Several buyers just went without. Look at the prices against deadweight quotations locally.

Bulls: An excellent trade on the bulls. Friesians especially dear. Medium Bulls to 134.5p av. 106.4p; Heavy Bulls to 139p av. 115.6p.

Cull Cows and OTMS Cattle (38): A very good trade indeed. Best over thirty month's cattle well over a pound. Slip heifers sold to 104.5p average 102p. Grade 1 cows sold up to 90p to average 83p, grade 2 cows to 73.5p average 69p, grade 3 cows to 65p average 63p, grade 4 cows to 57.5p average 50p. Steers up to 106p average 78p, old bulls to 50p (very plain) averaged.

Finished Sheep (3,532): Another good trade. Quality was at a market premium again with best continental lambs well over 120p. More needed.

Export quality lambs sold up to 131.0p and averaged 116.2p with home trade lambs up to 113p averaged 111.1p

The killing ewes were a firm trade. Plenty of plain ewes in this week's entry and these are getting more difficult to clear, meat was at a premium. Well covered ewes sold up to £55.00 and all sorts averaged £27.50 to include some £2 specials. Rams £48 average £39, wethers to £31 and hoggets £32.50.