Henry H Bletsoe & Son take great pleasure in reporting that marvellous support was received at this year’s Christmas Primestock Show & Sale which also attracted a large crowd of both exhibitors as well as on-lookers - irrespective of the atrocious weather conditions - with excellent stock prices being achieved which were well in line with most other outlets at this time of year. This, coupled with great sponsorship of the show and an array of stallholders selling their Christmas Fayre, helped create a terrific atmosphere once again here at Wincot Lands. Many thanks to the judges, stewards, etc plus those who ran the raffle for Cancer Research UK which raised £615 on the day, and to Show Co-ordinater Angela Russell for assisting in the organisation of such a successful event.

The sale of un/dressed turkeys, geese, cockerels, ducks, etc will be held on Tuesday 21st December at approx 11.45am – NOTE: there will be NO market on December 28.

SHEEP – 1,124 head. An excellent offering – including over 200 show lambs – met a flying trade from go to woe as the full company of buyers competed fiercely throughout the aisles. Lamb judge Mr Andrew Mutch of Mutch Meats, Witney duly awarded the Lodders Solicitors’ Grand Championship to James Walters’ pen of bonnie Beltex sired lambs whilst the Wynnstay Group plc Reserve Champions went to Tom Sammons’ top Texels. Nick Butcher won the Suffolk sired class, and James was also successful in winning the class for Charollais. Mr Ben Coulton judged the Ewe Class which was duly won by Roger Righton’s super pen of Suffolks (which later realised £109 per head).

*New Season Lambs (816) sold to 201p/kg *SQQ* averaged 171.9p/kg liveweight. Great support in both quantity and quality which was duly reflected in the fast trade. Premium finished/conformation, export type handy-weights (36 to 43kgs) sold in the main from 170 to 184p to average 178.2p topping at 201p for the Champion Beltex lambs – which were purchased by Peter Amor – 192p for the Texel Reserves, and 187p for James Walters’ Charollais. Prime quality same plus most Middle-weights (44-47.5kgs) were also very firm selling to 170p and over £80 for Paul Edwards’ Texels, whilst Heavier lambs sold to 162.5p for Jerry Gaydon’s Charollais and £85.80 for Tom Fudge’s Texels.

*Cull Ewes & Rams (259) averaged £61.60 per head. Another great entry plus trade to match. Heavy frame/well fleshed Suffolks to £109 for R. Righton, strong mediums to £83 with others to £78.50 and light mediums to £70. Best of the Mules topped at £76 for Messrs Dancer, with most mediums with meat but lean from £60 to £70 per head.

*Store Lambs (49) averaged £57.76 per head. Excellent returns and plenty of enquiry as small to medium frame Texels from T. Sammons sold to £59.60.

CATTLE – 46 head. Good to see more stock in the market even though the on-going threat of bovine TB plays havoc in the district. Judge of the 25 unhaltered finished cattle Mr Ben Nicholls awarded the Lodders Solicitors’ Grand Championship to P&M Careless’ top Limousin steer - which later sold for 190p/kg and over £1,200 to Mutch Meats – with the Lower Quinton Garages’ Reserve ribbon being awarded to JE. Lea & Son’s Blonde heifer. Winners of the pairs went to M/s Careless - who also sold heifers to 170p - whilst M/s Dancer received over £1,200 for their Blonde heifer.

Premium finished/conformation steers averaged 175p and heifers 167.5p; the Primes sold to 158p to average overall 144.2p, whilst any lesser shaped/over-fat types were quoted below 125p. Stores were also keenly sought after, with John Ingram selling 16/17 month old Charolais steers to £755 and heifers to £652.