McCartney’s Brecon Market saw a short entry on Tuesday, April 7, with 300 finished Hoggets and 210 cull ewes and rams offered for sale.

Despite the smaller show, trade remained strong throughout. The sale returned a standard quality quotation (SQQ) of 417p per kilogram, with an overall average of 408.9p/kg.

Among finished Hoggets, weights of 35kg–42kg were in particular demand. Cheviot Hoggets weighing 37.5kg from T Thomas & Son topped at 423p/kg, while export weights sold to 417p/kg from T J E Jones & Son. Heavier Hoggets were slightly softer compared with recent weeks, though Messrs Higgins of Lampeter achieved a top price of £227.20.

“Numbers wanted weekly with all types easy to handle here at Brecon,” the market reported.

Cull sheep were in strong demand again, with ewes trading “another gear up” on the week. The best ewes sold for over £200, reaching a top of £279. Leaner sorts generally sold between £110 and £130, leaving an overall average of £163.58, described by the market as “simply outrageous.” Hill ewes reached £199 from LG & RJ Jones, with others at £185 from D H Thomas & Co.

The market noted that there is no shortage of stock and all types are wanted weekly.

Brecon Market continues to host primestock sheep sales every Tuesday, with weighing from 7am and sale at 9:30am.

The next store cattle sale, including a Spring Show and sale of store cattle, breeding stock, cull cows, and feeding bulls, is scheduled for Friday, April 24, with entries closing Thursday, April 16. Late entries will be welcomed on the day.

For more information, auctioneers can be contacted: Lloyd Humphreys for store cattle and cull cows on 07534 532468, Tom Pritchard for sheep on 07903 618253, and Jenny Layton Mills for store cattle on 07867 522859.