The January Fair Sale at Tavistock saw a small entry this year but there was "pleasing trade".

Stags auctioneers report that there were 85 cattle and 260 sheep at the annual sale at Tavistock Livestock Centre.

The sale started with a dispersal of Belted Galloway cattle on behalf of Mr David Howard, who had the cattle grazing down on the Dartington Hall Estate.

His prices topped at £1150 for an 8yo Hereford x Gloucester cow with her 6mo Galloway x heifer calf at foot.

The Belted Galloway cows and calves topped at £1080 for a 7 ½ yo cow with her 8mo heifer calf at foot.

All the Belted Galloway cows and calves made £900 plus and a heifer sold running with the bull made £960.

In the store cattle section, prices topped at £950 for 2 21mo Aberdeen Angus steers from Messrs H & M Retallick, Newton Abbot.

Younger cattle sold to £930 for a 9mo Charolais x steer from Messrs G Abel & Son, Peter Tavy; the same vendor also selling a bunch of 3 8mo South Devon steers to £900.

Older heifers sold to £900 for 2 25mo Hereford x from Messrs G Cole & L Robson, Launceston.

Younger heifers sold to £795 for 2 11mo British Blus x from Mr C J Hagar, Ashreighney.

A small entry of sheep for the first sale of the year met a pleasing trade.

A entry of mostly hard bred and kept store hogs were as sought after as ever with some, in particular, the hill bred sorts looking "very well sold" report Stags.

There were no big flashy prices but loyal supporter Mr R Radmore, of Meavy was pleased to reach £100 for shorn Suffolks and mules.

Mr K Watson, of Postbridge had a clear up of his last remaining hogs and topped at £96.50 for Cheviots while his best Scotch Ram hogs topped at £78. Mr R J Glanville of Milton Abbot sold three Mule x hogs to £93.50.

Regular supporters R J M Osborne & Sons of Newton Abbot also had a productive day with their best Suffolk x long keep lambs making £83 with other Scotch and Scotch Mules making £79.50 and £78.50.

An entry of ewes, which had something for everyone with strong meat ewes, grazers and light ewes presented.

The best was for Tamar Farms LLP who sold a nice run of Suffolk Mules and North Country Mules with the best to £121.50 and £112 for Suffolks and Mules topping at £108 and £98.

Young staff member Miss G A Rogers of Sydenham Damerel sold empty Texel Shearlings to £120.

I W Doidge of Whitchurch sold his best Suffolk to £93 while the best hill bred ewes were Scotch for R J M Osborne & Sons and topped at £60, with leaner sorts for the same vendor to £51.