Plainer ones though are more difficult to sell, resulting in a huge gulf between the prices of a good-quality and poor-quality animals.

We get a good share of runner calves through at this stage of the year and plainer calves and Angus calves are being met with weak demand and poor prices, leaving little to no margin for farmers who bought them and reared them through the summer.

The sheep trade has taken a good lift again this week, with factory agents more eager for fleshed lambs.

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