Strategically located on the outskirts of the historic town of Ludlow, McCartneys serves as the vital link for the farming communities of Shropshire, Herefordshire, and the Welsh Borders.

As the headquarters for one of the UK’s oldest firms of auctioneers, our Ox Pasture site is the regional benchmark for livestock trading, rural professional services, and agricultural valuations.

Market Office: 01584 872251

Livestock Entries: Speak to our specialist auctioneers for the latest market reports and entry deadlines.

Location: The Ox Pasture, Overton Road, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 4BH.

Livestock Auctions in South Shropshire

As the primary agricultural hub for the Marches, McCartneys Ludlow offers a high-liquidity trading environment. We bridge the gap between South Shropshire producers and a diverse buyer base, including national wholesalers, regional butchers, and specialist finishers, ensuring competitive & transparent price discovery for every head of stock.

Monday Primestock Market (The ‘Red’ Market)

Gates open 6.00am, sale at 9.30am
Our Monday sales are a vital pulse-point for the prime producer, specifically tailored for “finished” stock ready for the food chain.

Finished Lambs & Hoggets: We are a key collection point for high-quality Shropshire lamb. Buyers frequent our Monday sales because of the consistent conformation and finish provided by local breeders.
Cull Ewes & Rams: A high-volume section of the market providing excellent returns for draft ewes, drawing buyers specifically interested in the ethnic trade and processed meat sectors.
Prime Beef, Young Bulls & Cull Cows: Our auctioneers are specialists in grading clean cattle. Whether you are selling continental-cross heifers or native-breed steers, our Monday “Red Market” ensures your stock is seen by the UK’s major meat processors and local independent wholesalers.

Bi-Weekly Friday Store Sales

Gates open 6.00am, sale at 9.30am

The Friday Store Sales at Ludlow are legendary across the West Midlands. These sales focus on “store” animals, those destined for further grazing or finishing rather than immediate slaughter.

The Shropshire Advantage: The “Shropshire hills” are world-renowned for hardy, well-conformed store cattle. National buyers from the fattening lands of East Anglia and the Home Counties travel to Ludlow specifically for the Hereford, Angus and Continental-cross stores sold here.
Store Sheep & Seasonal Grazers: From store lambs in the autumn, in lamb ewes in late winter, to couples (ewes with lambs at foot) in the spring, our Friday auctions provide the necessary turnover for farm cash flow and livestock replacement.
Buyer Connectivity: By holding these sales bi-weekly, we ensure a “critical mass” of stock that justifies travel for the UK’s largest professional finishers, ensuring your animals aren’t just sold, but actively bid upon.

Livestock Auctions in South Shropshire

Shropshire TB Restricted ‘Orange’ Markets

Third Friday in every month – Gates open 6.00am, sale at 9.30am

Movement restrictions can be one of the most stressful aspects of modern farming. McCartneys Ludlow is a leading provider of TB Restricted Cattle Sales (Orange Markets), serving as a lifeline for farmers within the High-Risk Areas (HRA) of Shropshire, Herefordshire and beyond.

Regulated Excellence: These sales are held under strict APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) license on the third Friday of every month.
Approved Destinations: We connect restricted holdings with Approved Finishing Units (AFUs) and designated slaughterhouses. This creates a competitive marketplace for “restricted” stock that might otherwise be undervalued in private, farm-to-farm sales.
Expert Guidance: Our team provides full support with the necessary “TB202” licensing and paperwork, ensuring that your business remains compliant while achieving the best possible “restricted” market value.

Pedigree & Specialist Breed Sales in the Welsh Borders

Ludlow’s reputation as a national hub for pedigree stock is rooted in its location. Positioned where the lush pastures of Herefordshire meet the rugged uplands of Mid Wales, the market serves as the natural meeting point for the UK’s most prestigious breed societies.

These sales are not just auctions; they are major events in the agricultural calendar that draw buyers from as far as Scotland and Cornwall to South Shropshire.

Official Auctioneers for Native Sheep Societies

McCartneys is proud to be the designated official auctioneer for three of the UK’s most iconic native breeds. We provide a platform that preserves breed standards while facilitating high-value sales.

Kerry Hill Sheep: Known for their distinctive "spectacle" markings and hardy nature, the Kerry Hill is a Welsh Border native. Our sales attract top-tier breeders looking for elite genetics to improve flock conformation and fleece quality.

Ryeland Sheep: One of the oldest English sheep breeds, the Ryeland is prized for its high-quality wool and carcass. We host the premier society sales, catering to both commercial producers and "small-flock" enthusiasts.

Clun Forest Sheep: Originating from the hills surrounding the Clun Valley, this breed is the epitome of the "Marches" sheep. Our auctions are the primary marketplace for registered Clun Forest rams and ewes, known for their longevity and prolificacy.

Annual Autumn Ram Sales (The October "Must-Attend")

Our October Ram Sales are a critical event for commercial flock masters across the Midlands and Wales. This is the peak window for farmers to secure the "engine" of their future lamb crop.

Genetics for Profit: We showcase a vast range of terminal sires (such as Texel, Suffolk, and Charollais) alongside hardy hill rams.

Quality Assurance: Every animal is vetted to ensure it meets the rigorous health and structural standards expected of a McCartneys-approved sale, providing buyers with the confidence to invest in premium stock.

Fodder, Hay & Standing Straw Auctions

In a livestock-dense region like the Marches, the trade of winter forage is a vital secondary market. Our fodder auctions provide a transparent price index for the entire region.

Standing Straw Sales

During the summer months, we facilitate the sale of standing straw, allowing livestock farmers to secure bedding directly from arable neighbours.

Winter Fodder Auctions

From November through the spring, we hold regular sales of hay, haylage, silage, and fodder beet (alongside our store sales on a Friday)

Local Access & Accessibility for Agricultural Haulage

We understand that for heavy livestock transport, location is everything. Our site at The Ox Pasture is purpose-built for easy HGV and tractor-trailer access, avoiding the narrow streets of central Ludlow.

What3Words Location: ///lizard.lush.arose

Postcode for Sat Nav: SY8 4BH (Direct to Market Gates)

From the A49 (Ludlow Bypass)

We are located just 2 miles south of the main A49/B4361 junction. This provides a direct, high-capacity route for hauliers coming from Shrewsbury to the North or Hereford to the South.

From North Herefordshire

Easily accessible via the B4361 for farmers in Leominster, Wigmore, and Richard's Castle.

Other Departments

McCartneys provides diverse services, including estate agency, property management, fine art auctions, rural professional services, and planning and development. Our expert team offers tailored solutions to meet your specific needs, ensuring exceptional service across all our departments.

Property

Delivering expert guidance and support for all your property transactions and management needs.

Livestock

Providing comprehensive livestock services, including weekly primestock sales, store sales, pedigree sales, and private dairy cattle exchanges.

Fine Art & Antiques

We hold monthly auctions and offer free item valuations by appointment, with no obligation to sell.

Equine

Join our premier horse sales in Brecon and Worcester, featuring top facilities and convenient access for buyers and sellers.

Rural

Offering a wide and comprehensive range of services across the Midlands and throughout Wales, McCartneys has a large, dedicated team of professional experts specialising in all aspects of rural property, planning and business advice.

Planning & Survey

Delivering expert solutions for all your residential, commercial, agricultural, and rural planning and surveying needs.

Property

Property Sales

Lettings department

Livestock

Equine

Rural

Planning & Survey

Fine Art & Antiques

Ludlow Livestock Market

Livestock Auctions in South Shropshire

Monday Primestock Market (The ‘Red’ Market)

Bi-Weekly Friday Store Sales

Livestock Auctions in South Shropshire

Shropshire TB Restricted ‘Orange’ Markets

Pedigree & Specialist Breed Sales in the Welsh Borders

Official Auctioneers for Native Sheep Societies

Annual Autumn Ram Sales (The October "Must-Attend")

Fodder, Hay & Standing Straw Auctions

Standing Straw Sales

Winter Fodder Auctions

Local Access & Accessibility for Agricultural Haulage

From the A49 (Ludlow Bypass)

From North Herefordshire

Other Departments

Property

Livestock

Fine Art & Antiques

Equine

Rural

Planning & Survey

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