Sale of Pedigree Dexter Cattle

[Jac]

Just a reminder that there is a sale on Friday, 21st September, 2012 at
Exeter Livestock Centre, Matford Park Road, Exeter, EX2 8FD, Tel: 01392 276668
I have been told that there are a substantial number of animals entered especially heifers.

[strawberriesclint]

Hi

I have been told the same, i have entered 5 heifers so hopefully there will be a good tun out.

cyndy

[M Blake]

Just a comment really.
I see the Kivells site has some indication regarding numbers but I would like to have seen a proper catalogue fitting for a pedigree sale. Devon and Cornwall covers a large area, it would be encouraging to know more before traveling.
Mark

[strawberriesclint]

Hi

As i have some in the sale i have recieved catalogue and there is 84 lots, quite an impressive number, a good selection of cows with calves at foot, maiden heifers, bulls, incalf heifers and a few steers. hope this helps.

cyndy

[carole]

hi all

this is what you will be wanting
http://www.kivells.com/agriculture/cata ... p%2012.pdf

this is now available on the kivells site
Carole

[M Blake]

My wife has just informed me the catalogue is on the Kivells website. It isn't linked through the main market page you need to go through the cattle link on the forthcoming fixtures.
My apologies must try harder next time, now off to digest the catalogue ! Mark

[strawberriesclint]

Hi

Went to sell and was dissapointed at the prices, alot went for less than meat value. The sale definately didnt do the Dexter breed any favours which was a great shame, alot people i talked to, agreed.

[carole]

Sorry to hear this news, we have used Holsworthy market in the past, but often the general state of the stock was shocking and the prices paid were equally poor, I had hoped for better from a society sale in Exeter.

So why the poor value then, poor condition of the stock ?? that would be odd given the breeders selling.

Not enough buyers ?? and if they were sold below meat value that is a real concern. Can someone give some idea of prices paid, for cows , heifers etc.

This is a concern to me and should be for all of us who keep Dexters. I have for some time been concerned at the costs of keeping the herd, bearing in mind when we were buying cattle some seven years ago they were much the same price as this year, but every other cost as gone up over seven years, as have prices for other Breeds, as an example the Ruby Red Devon.

Now I look at the sheep which we also run and 3 lleyn ewes = 1 dexter cow . A breeding ewe is currently worth about £130 so a cow I reckon to be worth around £400?? But the costs for sheep are so much less and the return over 2 years is about the same, 1 steer is worth?? Against 6 lambs which has been on average about £70 each over the last couple of years. I should add that all of our stock are sold direct to a local butcher and we are paid the r4l price in FW.

I understand that sheep are not cows and cannot be directly compared, but the value of the Dexter Cattle is not being maintained in the general livestock market and this trend does not seem to change. It wont be long before the Dexter becomes a rare breed again.

Carole

[strawberriesclint]

Hi

The stock generally were good, in good health and clean and you could not blame to auctioneer, he was brilliant and worked very hard at getting the prices that were paid, and the market was well run and nothing was too much trouble. People were just not willing to pay alot. The sell was well attended with plenty of buyers, cows with calves at foot were lucky to get £400 some were considerably less, which should really have fetched at least £600 because some of the calves at foot were weening age. I was terribly dissapointed, after all the posts being made on the discussion board about animals being sold for less than meat value i had high hopes but unfortunately nothing has changed.

[Jac]

Hi

People were just not willing to pay alot. The sell was well attended with plenty of buyers, cows with calves at foot were lucky to get £400 some were considerably less, which should really have fetched at least £600 because some of the calves at foot were weening age.

No people are not willing to pay alot because people keep selling them for £400. Can you blaim them? No.

I have just sold a weaned heifer calf (6 months) for £400. If you think your stock is worthless so will other people.

[Mark Bowles]

Just come back from Carlisle sale, the prices were high, when i left the top price was £2000 for an 18/20 month old bull and around £700/£800 for a non short cow and calf. The differnce between this and Exexter is probably the number of buyers, i did not see the end of the auction but i would guess at least 75% of ther stock was going to Ireland.

[Jac]

Not high Mark, just realistic given the cost of production.

[domsmith]

I missed some of the cattle at Carlisle but i saw some. the good animals were getting good money. fit well prepared stock did ok. there was at least 1 irish buyer there who bought anything up to a certain value. there where other buyers having a go a friend of ours bought 6 cows with calves, and he paid sensible money for them.

it was i think quite a success.

the top price bull went to a man with deep pockets...... i believe our very oen Duncan. well done!

my bull made £860 i was disapointed on the day but with time to reflect i have never sold a pure dexter of any description, even close to that figure before so maybe shouldnt be too upset.

dominic

[Rob R]

That sounds like a good price Dom, you should feel you've done well, especially considering the average market prices.

[strawberriesclint]

Hi all

Great to hear some good news with regards to prices. I hate to say it but sale prices in the southwest at auctions are rarely like sales in other parts of country, maybe one day. Fingers crossed.

Well done to those who sold at carlisle sounds like you did well