[ZaktheLad]

I was wondering if anyone visited Frome livestock market and if so, what it is like for sale or sheep.  I am looking at an alternative to Sedgemoor and have never visited Frome market so would welcome any knowledge anyone could pass on.  I am particularly interested in their special sale on 28th August for breeding ewes and rams - has anyone been to one of these sales and if so, is it mainly private buyers or is it like Sedgemoor where the supermarket buyers tend to buy up everything, regardless of what section the animals have been placed in?   Thanks!

[landroverroy]

In my opinion, you are better off going and seeing for yourself.
What one person considers a good market may not be what you are looking for. Every market day is different, even in the same market, and what may have been a good store market for buyers last year will have completely different entries in this year.
The supermarket buyers are not buying everything because they have quite tight specs to work to, so there is invariably something left for the small buyer.
So, if the market on 28th Aug is likely to have what you want, then go and have a good day out. Time spent in reconnaisance is never wasted.

[ZaktheLad]

Sorry, I should have mentioned it was on a sellers perspective rather than a buyers.  I usually take stock to Sedgemoor but get increasingly fed up with the same three supermarket buyers buying everything in sight, regardless of what you are trying to sell your stock as. 

[landroverroy]

Ok. I'd assumed you were selling. But if the supermarket buyers are purchasing in a store sale, then presumably the animals are fat and worth more for meat than as stores. Surely you want the best price for your stock anyway?
Are you sure that the buyers aren't just getting them to resell as stores? The supermarkets aren't going to want animals that don't match their specifications.
 

[SteveHants]

Salisbury is pretty much a meat buyers only market too - if you want breeding stock you wait until Wilton Sheep Fair. If you produce animals you want to sell as breeding stock, thats when you sell 'em. Usually other marts have breeding stock sales as a separate entity too.


If you are going to sell through the mart it pays to produce what the buyers want - even if Frome is more suitable than Sedgemoor, say - will the fuel cost of getting there negate your margin?


The fact that I sell through Salisbury has essentially dictated my choice of ram to a large degree - would you be better buying a different ram for next year so you do better at market?

[ZaktheLad]

Thanks SteveHants - going to consider Wilton Sheep Fair as not one I have heard of.  Will do a bit of internet research 

[SteveHants]

Check the sales reports from last year - they are downloadable on Salisbury Auction Centres website. They might give you a rough idea on how well various breeds do.