Ashford Market Report – Tuesday 9th December 2025

Sheep Sales Reports

New Season Lambs – 858 Sold

Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903

Top price per kilo – 407p – R J Parsons, East Sussex.
Top price per head – £173.00 – L E Humphreys & Sons, Kent & C Watkins, Kent.

A few extra than maybe we expected on the day as the supply of finished lambs has gone very tight around the country and with the unbelievable trade that has been seen in the store ring, it is difficult to find lighter weight lambs for the finished pens. Today’s trade was improved on last week and SQQ averages returned at 335p kg, with the lighter sheep certainly the best sold on the day. Heavier lambs have come under pressure this week with a large amount of product coming in from outside the UK which is filling the already limited wholesale orders. The thoughts suggest that demand will lift as we near the Christmas week, as many consumers are watching the pennies this year in the run up to the Christmas period. Top weighted sheep this week topped at £173 head from both Mr Colin Watkins and LE Humphreys & Sons, with Harvey Rivers a close second at £172 head. Lighter lambs are commanding a considerably higher price per kilo, with the underlying store trade boosting this to exceptional levels at times and over £4 kg being common, with a top of 407p kg for R J Parsons.

30 – £122.00 (407p kg) – R J Parsons
31 – £114.00 (368p kg) – R J Parsons
32 – £120.00 (375p kg) – G L Harris
33 – £114.00 (345p kg) – D M Brown
34 – £121.00 (356p kg) – G L Harris
35 – £119.00 (340p kg) – Wey Street Farm
36 – £139.00 (386p kg) – A Town
37 – £139.00 (376p kg) – A Town
38 – £137.00 (361p kg) – E J Clough
39 – £136.00 (349p kg) – Wey Street Farm
40 – £139.00 (348p kg) – D M Brown
41 – £136.00 (332p kg) – Langdon Farms
42 – £151.00 (360p kg) – C Watkins
43 – £159.00 (370p kg) – L Stevens & Sons
44 – £169.00 (384p kg) – H Rivers
45 – £161.00 (358p kg) – W G Watkins & Sons
46 – £160.00 (348p kg) – C Watkins
47 – £166.00 (353p kg) – H Rivers
48 – £165.00 (344p kg) – C Watkins
49 – £173.00 (353p kg) – C Watkins
50 – £172.00 (344p kg) – H Rivers
51 – £159.00 (312p kg) – C Watkins
52 – £151.00 (290p kg) – E J Stanford & Sons
53 – £157.00 (296p kg) – H Rivers
54 – £157.00 (291p kg) – H Rivers
59 – £173.00 (293p kg) – L E Humphreys & Sons

Averages (p/kg)

Light 25.6 to 32 kgs – 51 – Top 407, Ave. 363.0
Standard 32.1 to 39 kgs – 161 – Top 386.0, Ave. 343.7
Medium 39.1 to 45.5 kgs – 254 – Top 384.0, Ave. 333.1
Heavy 45.6 to 52 kgs – 336   – Top 353.0, Ave. 323.0
Others 52.1 + – 55 – Top 306.0, Ave. 281.2

Cull Sheep – 294 Sold

Auctioneer: James Cook-O’Connell 07780133678

Top price: £260.00 – H F & J H Glover, Kent – Ave. £131.62.

A super trade for all grades once again with a few less of the leaner sorts on offer this week.
The best ewes regularly £140 – £170 and to a top price of £208 from J Heathcote for smart purebred Suffolk ewes. Texel rams to £260 from H F & J H Glover taking overall top spot on the day. Medium sorts plentiful and £110 – £140 on most occasions with leaner grazing types £80 – £110 throughout.
Customers present for all grades every week with more ewes wanted to satisfy buyers demands.
Upcoming sale dates for cull ewes are as usual on Tuesday 16^th December with the last once before Christmas on Monday 22^nd December.

Top prices included:

Suffolks to £208 – J Heathcote, Texel cross to £185 – H F & J H Glover, Suffolk cross to £169 – K & P M Sinden, Beltex cross to £165 – A & H Edmonds, Romneys to £154 – G Homewood, Mules to £147 – L E Humphreys & Son.

Cattle Reports

Finished Cattle –  55 Sold
Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357.

Rates have eased a little as Christmas slaughter work is completed. They are still, however, at a historically very good place and we cannot expect not to have these adjustments as the New Year period is, and always will be, quieter than our busy Christmas festival.
Few best types forward with a smart Limousin heifer 396p, £2136 from W Alexander topping the day, whilst other good continental heifers from W S Furnival and G L Boulden & Sons around 375p. Good fleshed Limousin x Friesian steers from A J Down 355-365p, £2361, Herefords to 354p, £2185.
A big show of native heifers this week with several good runs of handyweight Angus selling well to 375p, £2127 A C Hulme & Sons, 366p, £2376 S Marsh.
A few young bulls forward with quality Charolais from Highfields Park to 348p, £3214; Angus to 336p, £2281 J Boomaars; older (30m+) Hereford bulls 309p, £2406 C Baseley.

Top Steers

A J Down – Limousin cross – 364p (£2272)
A J Down – Limousin cross – 364p (£2217)
A J Down – Limousin cross – 364p (£2090)
A J Down – Limousin cross – 361p (£2361)
W S Furnival Ltd – Limousin cross – 361p (£2001)

Top Heifers

W Alexander (Shoreham) – Limousin cross – 396p (£2136)
A C Hulme & Sons – Aberdeen Angus cross – 377p (£2127)
A C Hulme & Sons – Aberdeen Angus cross – 377p (£1977)
W S Furnival Ltd – Limousin cross – 376p (£2028)
G L Boulden & Sons – Blonde D’Aquitaine cross – 375p (£2490)

Average prices

Steers 200 to 550 kg – 2 – Top 346p – Ave. 343p
Steers 551 to 650 kg – 11 – Top 364p – Ave. 354p
Steers 651 kg + – 2 – Top 361p – Ave. 352p
Heifers 300 to 500 kg – 9 – Top 375p – Ave. 351p
Heifers 501 to 590 kg – 16 – Top 396p – Ave. 354p
Heifers 591 kg + – 8 – Top 375p – Ave. 353p

OTM Cattle and Cull Cows – 110 Sold

Another big show of cattle for late in the year met a brighter trade than expected suggesting that, despite the antics of the big processors who undoubtedly are taking advantage of the price crisis within the milk sector, manufacturing meat is in short supply. Christmas does throw up some logistical challenges for all but with the New Year always a strong market for cow beef, home and abroad, this a bump in the road rather than a significant issue. Feeders remain positive, and though there were few of the best younger continentals on offer the sound, older beef cows remain a very good trade.
The few best meat and feeding cows 300p plus with heavyweights grossing well over £2000 head, up to £2707 for Herefords from Jan Boomaars. Commercial meat 250-288p with again very little under 200p. Continue strong interest in the minority breeds.
Simmental 306p, £2108 W Pynn; Beef Shorthorn 302p, £2020 Burden Bros, 275p, £1749 H S Nicholls, Billingshurst; Angus 288p, 265p, £2095, £2070 J Boomaars, 266p, 256p, £2215, £2064 J S & M I Tilley, Redhill, 258p, £1764 Burden Bros, 248p (2) £1757 Horton Park; Sussex 289p, £1861 Salbstein Ltd, 258p, 246p, £1693, £1648 Brookside Garden Centre; Limousin 280p, £1453 H & J Noakes, 279p, £2019 P N & C Burden; Hereford 270p, 266p, £1792, £1617 C Baseley, 262p, £1870 R C & J L Pickering, 251p, 250p, £2707, £2029 J Boomaars; White Park 256p, £1571 Dr A Martin, Cowfold; British White 250p, £1621 J S & M I Tilley; Longhorn 232p, £1389 Mrs M.C.V Purves; Irish Moiled 200p, £1077 H S Nicholls.
Dairy culls have taken more of a knock than the beef sector but rates a shade firmer this week with sound competition. Certainly, cows, in general, are not carrying flesh as feed concerns bite hard in places but younger, dry bagged cows regularly taken for feeding and coming to so much more than an abattoir route. Arla are you watching; are you listening; do you care? Drier fed cows close to 250p and £2000 with a lot of lean boners generally 160-200p, whilst tidy feeders as high as 268p, £1739.
Holstein Friesian 268p, 260p, £1739 Plurenden Ptnrs, 250p, 238p, 230p, £1996 JW Boyd & Sons, 238p, 237p, £1948 D Murdoch & Sons, 219p, £1770 P J Forknall; Danish Red 218p, £1294 R C & J L Pickering; Ayrshire 196p, £1114 N W Russell; Jersey 184p, £963 G R Edgar & Son, 176p, £913 Hickson Bros, 150p, £710 S E Lane & Ptnrs.
Stock Bulls (1) A shade easier along with the killing cows. Longhorn 194p, £1625.
Overage (16) Strong interest with a few well fleshed OTM heifers selling at standard finished rates 376p, £2253 from S Marsh. A fine run of aged, strong, horned White Park steers sold regularly over 270p, to a top of 298p, £2618 from Dr A Martin

Beef Cows – 64 Sold – Top 306, Average 236.7
Dairy Cows – 28 Sold – Top 268, Average 189.7

Store & Breeding Cattle – 399 Sold

Auctioneer: James Cook-O’Connell 07780133678

A big show for the second week in December with over 400 store and breeding cattle penned with a huge variety in the pens but to suit every customer present.
The breeding cattle section was on fire with a herd dispersal on behalf of J & A Lyon with their Angus cross cows scanned in-calf to the Angus bull topping at £2200 per head with the majority of the run £1900 – £2150 per head.
On with the stores and Hope Bros Limousin cross steers 4 mths to £740 and Limousin cross steers 8 mths to £1320, and Limousin steers 7 mths from A Boyd & Co to £1290. A super run from Betchworth Estate with their Angus heifers 8 mths to £1150 and Simmental heifers 9 mths to £1250. South Pickenham Estate had forward, a run of Angus 8 – 9 mths with the steers to £1200 and heifers to £980. Stronger cattle from E Chantler & Sons saw Simmental cross steers 11 mths to £1720. Smart cattle from F Pearce & Sons topped at £1580 for 8 mth Simmental steers with Angus cross steers 9 mths to £1480 from the same home. Super Limousin steers 11 mths from T Hope to £1350 and hard Stabiliser steers 18 mths from A & N Bullen to £1140. A run of dairy bred Angus and Blues 11 – 12 mths from H O Champneys topped at £1150 with other £1000 and £940. Sussex heifers from Earl de la Warr 18 – 20 mths  at £1140. Strong Hereford steers 20 mths from J Monnington Farms to £1950 with the heifers to £1490 followed by S Salbstein Angus steers 19 mths to £1790. I D Machin had Angus cross heifers 20 mths topping at £1460, and superb British Blue x Friesian steers 20 mths from J Carden taking top spot at £2070 followed closely by B Sutton with Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steers 20 mths to £2040. Oncoland had Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steers 21 mths to £1860, and Hereford cross heifers 22 mths from G & R Bailey to £1540.
If you have cattle to sell this side of Christmas, then Tuesday 16^th December is the last date available for this however do not hesitate to get in contact if you have cattle to sell going forward.

Principal prices include:

Native:
Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steers 21 mths – £2040 – B Sutton
Hereford steers 21 mths – £1950 – J Monnington Farms
Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steers 22 mths – £1860 – Oncoland Ltd
Aberdeen Angus x Friesian heifers 22 mths – £1730 – Oncoland Ltd
Sussex cross heifers 31 mths – £1700 – Trenchmore LLP
Aberdeen Angus cross heifers 21 mths – £1650 – A C Hulme & Sons

Continental:
British Blue x Friesian steers 21 mths – £2070 – J Carden
British Blue cross steers 25 mths – £1900 – J Hodson
Limousin cross steers 20 mths – £1850 – P M Langridge
Limousin cross heifers 21 mths – £1680 – P M Langridge
Simmental cross heifers 12 mths – £1660 – E Chantler & Sons
British Blue x Friesian heifers 27 mths – £1650 – C Kearl

Calves –  39 Sold
Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357.

There are simply not enough calves to go around! A few more forward today but more customers around the ring driving prices to terrific levels.
Hereford bull £520; Angus bulls £500, £420, heifer £400, P J Forknall.
British Blue bulls £460, £440, heifer £320; Angus bulls £510, £480 (2), £460; Holstein Friesian bulls £195, £180 J W Boyd & Sons
Angus bulls £410, heifers £365, £355, £345, £335, £330; Holstein Friesian bulls £245, £200, £195 J Warnock & Sons
British Friesian bulls £200, £195 R & J Ledger
Angus bulls £470, £390, £385; British Friesian bulls £245, £190 Parrett & Son
Angus x bulls £165, £90, £80, heifers £150, £120 S E Lane & Ptnrs.
A handful of weanlings selling well. Montbeliarde cross steer £520; Traditional Hereford bull £380, heifers £375.

Ashford Primestock Show Report 2025

The Ashford Primestock Show took place on Monday 1^st December followed by the sale on Tuesday 2^nd December 2025. We saw a fantastic turnout of livestock, competitors and spectators with 58 classes entered comprising 69 cattle, 64 pairs of lambs, 16 pens of five lambs and 22 pigs.

The champion beast was an impressive Limousin cross heifer produced and shown by Jason and Sarah Wareham, Heathfield. The heifer weighed 735kg and sold for 500p per kg (£3,671.33) to Ben Whiting. The reserve champion beast was another remarkable heifer, this time a British Blue cross produced and shown by Sean Marsh, Dover weighing 720kg and selling for 570p per kg (£4,100.40) to N G Beveridge.

The champion lambs were a superb pair of Beltex cross lambs produced and shown by Amy Hedges, Staplecross. The lambs weighed 51kg and sold for £280 per head to Gibson’s Farm Shop Ltd. The reserve champion lambs were another pair of Beltex cross lambs presented by Andy Town, Sittingbourne weighing 38kg and selling for £158 per head to Beredens Farm.

The champion pig was a smart Pietrain cross gilt presented by Lucketts Farm, Canterbury weighing 116kg and selling for 400p per kg (£464.00) to the show president, Mr Andrew Laver. The reserve champion pig went to The North School YFC with another Pietrain cross gilt weighing 106kg achieving 235p per kg (£249.10) to Husk Farms Ltd.

Championships

Cattle

Judge: Mr Steven Howell, Dereham

Champion Beast – J & S Wareham
A Limousin cross heifer achieving 500p per kg (£3,671.33) to Mr B Whiting

Reserve Champion Beast – Mr S Marsh
A British Blue cross heifer achieving 570p per kg (£4,100.40) to N G Beveridge

Champion YFC Beast – Homewood School YFC
A Limousin cross heifer achieving 430p per kg (£3,006.50) to Beredens Farm

Champion Penned Cattle – B J Baker
A Limousin cross heifer achieving 432p per kg (£3,236.25) to Beredens Farm

Lambs

Judge: Mr Trevor Head, Dover

Champion Lambs – Miss A Hedges
A pair of Beltex cross lambs weighing 51kg achieving £280/head to Gibson’s Farm Shop Ltd

Reserve Champion Lambs – Mr A Town
A pair of Beltex cross lambs weighing 38kg achieving £158/head to Beredens Farm

Champion YFC Lambs – Mr W Bull
A pair of Southdown cross lambs weighing 45kg achieving £151/head to Mr B Wilson

Pigs

Judge: Mr Michael Gibson, Canterbury

Champion Pig – Lucketts Farm
A Pietrain cross gilt achieving 400p per kg (£464.00) to Mr A Laver

Reserve Champion Pigs – The North School YFC
A Pietrain cross gilt achieving 235p per kg (£249.10) to Husk Farms Ltd

A fantastic entry of 42 young handlers came forward this year and once again a great performance was shown by all. In the cattle class, 1^st place was awarded Miss Chelsea Collins. In the lamb classes, 1^st place for 6-12 years was awarded to Master Harry Lucas and 1^st place for 13-17 years was awarded to Miss Mia Grace. Harry then went on to win champion young handler in the lamb section.

Over the 4 wool classes there was a total of 60 entries with the champion fleece awarded to J Saunders & Son and the reserve champion fleece awarded to S G & G T Orpin, both of whom exhibited Romney wool.

The creative and culinary classes were extremely well supported with 18 individual classes entered from Christmas biscuits and wreaths to sausage rolls, lemon drizzle cakes, jams and liqueurs. We saw another fabulous entry of 15 traditional and novelty iced Christmas cakes which were auctioned on the Monday evening alongside 15 Christmas trees which were kindly donated by the show president, Mr Andrew Laver. The cakes and trees raised an impressive £5,560 for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

The Ashford Primestock Show Dinner was held on Wednesday 3^rd December with 262 farmers, professionals and industry associates in attendance enjoying a fantastic meal with locally sourced food and drink. A further £10,445 was raised at the dinner, £6,650 of which came from the charity auction and £3,795 from the charity raffle.

Hobbs Parker Auctioneers LLP would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the operation and running of the show to include all judges, stewards, staff, sponsors and purchasers.

A total donation of £18,414 will be presented to the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance in early in 2026. We look forward to seeing you at the show again next year.

Ear Tags

Producers are reminded that all cattle require two ear tags with at least one large distance readable tag. Please inspect stock in good time to order replacement tags as, regrettably, any stock that are incorrectly tagged may not be offered for sale. Local authority inspectors will be taking note as stock comes to market.

Tuesday Livestock 16th December

Regular Weekly Market with a sale of Store and Breeding Cattle

For our Auction Calendar and Catalogues click here