Cameron Robertson, Auctioneer, Harrison & Hetherington

As we move further into spring, the buoyant mood in the livestock markets is showing no signs of slowing, and I’m delighted to report continued strong trade across both calves and store cattle.

 

At Carlisle, the calf ring has seen exceptional support, with vendors clearly taking advantage of a thriving trade. We’ve seen calves sell to a top of £1,080, including very young baby calves, which is a remarkable sign of confidence. Through April alone, we sold over 760 more calves than during the same period last year, a clear signal that the live ring is booming and that vendors are responding to demand. Our May show brought further highlights, with both the champion bull and heifer achieving a healthy £960 apiece.

 

Up at Lockerbie, the story is much the same with store cattle. Trade has remained consistently strong, with prices reaching as high as £2,930, and a standout top of £6.80 per kilo, figures that reflect the growing momentum in the live ring. Importantly, we’re seeing new vendors and fresh buyers entering the market, drawn by the quality of stock on offer and the consistent results being achieved fortnight after fortnight. It’s encouraging to see that Lockerbie is developing a well-earned reputation as a centre for quality cattle, and we’re proud to be at the heart of that.

 

May also brought with it a hugely successful pedigree bull sale at Carlisle, with a clearance rate of 96% and an average price of £9,496.77. These figures are not just impressive—they’re a real testament to the confidence underpinning the current beef market. Buyers are clearly willing to invest in top-end genetics, and for breeders, it underlines one important message: quality pays. The investment in breeding stock today is a strong vote of confidence in the long-term future of UK beef farming.

 

All in all, the outlook across the board is very positive. The live auction system continues to offer a transparent, competitive platform where farmers can see real value for their stock. For me as an auctioneer, there’s nothing better than watching the ring in full flow, helping to match the right stock with the right buyers, and ensuring that everyone goes home with confidence in the trade.

 

With summer just around the corner, there’s every reason for optimism. Long may this strong trade continue.