Published: 10/03/2026 By Richard Miller
Symonds & Sampson are proud to be joint auctioneers at Frome Livestock Market, which is recognised as one of the South’s largest livestock centres, with regular buyers attending from the south of England and beyond. The original Candlemas Fayre is in full swing, with exceptional trade reported from the early February sales.The early February sales at Frome Livestock Market delivered two outstanding weeks of trade, with firm demand across all sections and some exceptional top prices achieved in both prime and store rings.
Friday 6th February - Candlemas Strength
The Candlemas atmosphere was evident from the outset, with 2,431 head sold during the week.
In the prime cattle section, trade remained remarkably firm despite easing deadweight prices. Top call went to a superb Limousin steer, reaching 369.5p/kg, while the leading heifer, an Angus, topped at 364.5p/kg. Plenty of well-finished cattle exceeded £2,000, with the best surpassing £2,500.
Cull cows also met a strong demand, topping at 314.5p/kg, with heavy well-fleshed type, particularly Charolais and Angus, attracting keen bidding. Holstein Friesians regularly achieved 260–275p/kg, reflecting sustained confidence in the cull trade.
The sheep ring saw over 750 prime hoggs forward, peaking at 345p/kg and £170.50, while cull ewes surged to £200.50, an exceptional trade by any measure.
Store cattle were the bright highlight of the week. Steers reached £2,480, with heifers to £2,325. Forward Angus, Charolais, Hereford, and Simmental cattle dominated the headlines. Continental-bred young stock proved especially sought-after, with Limousins and Blues commanding blistering returns. The Candlemas sale once again demonstrated the strength of the store market, with buyers travelling from across the country.
Calves were equally impressive. Continental bulls sold to £685, heifers to £560, while native Angus bulls topped at £502.
Friday 13th February - Trade Lifts Again
A week later, numbers totalled 2,114 head, and if anything, trade sharpened further in several sections.
Prime cattle topped at 357.5p/kg, achieved by quality Angus steers, with Limousins close behind at 355.5p/kg. Heifers sold to 347.5p/kg, with Blue and Angus types leading. Although overall numbers were tighter, demand for well-fleshed butcher cattle remained strong.
The cull cow trade rose notably, peaking at 327.5p/kg and £2,752, with export-grade Friesian Holsteins and a standout Blue cow drawing fierce competition. Beef cows in particular enjoyed a buoyant market.
Sheep once again excelled. Prime hoggs climbed to 367p/kg and £180, while cull ewes reached £199, reflecting robust buyer attendance and confidence.
The store cattle ring delivered the week’s standout figures. Steers soared to £2,560, with heifers to £2,500. Top honours went to exceptional Angus and Hereford cattle, while Continental breeds, including Charolais, Limousin, and Simmental, continued their electric run. Blue steers achieved £2,290, and Charolais steers reached £2,200, underlining the strength of forward Continental types.
The Angus section proved particularly remarkable, with multiple pens exceeding £2,000 and tremendous demand for both single-suckled and dairy-cross cattle.
In the calf ring, Continental bulls sold to £615, native Angus bulls to £550, and reared Angus steers peaked at an impressive £895.
A Market in Confident Mood
Across both weeks, the message was clear: quality sells. Well-finished prime cattle, strong forward stores and meaty sheep met fierce bidding from a wide buyer base. The Candlemas sales truly shone brightly and once again reinforced Frome’s reputation as a premier livestock centre, with exceptional returns achieved across Limousin, Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Simmental, Blue and Friesian lines.
With continued strong demand and buyers actively seeking numbers, the outlook remains positive as we enter spring. For further information, or to enter livestock, please contact:
Frome Market Office 01373 830033
Trevor Rowland 07968 480401
Lester Williams 07778 646031
Will Wallis 07833 453482
Tom Rogers 07384 462288
Ross Whitcombe 07815 985737
Andrew Frizzle 07977 136863
Clive Peach 07970 620859