Ashford Market Report – Tuesday 10th March 2026

Sheep Sales Reports

Finished Hoggets – 1,812 sold.

Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903

Top price per kilo – 443p – O’Neil Smith Ltd, West Sussex.
Top price per head – £204.00 – O’Neil Smith Ltd, West Sussex.

More on offer today and what a trade!
The imminent end of the Ramadan fasting period and the related festivities that it brings has added a real boost to prices across the board. A countrywide shortage of good finished hoggets in the right weight bracket has ultimately created this perfect storm, which not many of us, were forecasting earlier this year.
In a very positive but cautious tone, I would say that today’s trade was almost in line with the dizzy heights of the spring of 2024, and the exact corresponding week two years ago. The average price per head of finished hoggs was up by £5 head at £172, with all included. Many pens were well in excess of 400p kg today, with the top honours going to vendors from across the South East and East Anglia, namely Ian Lucas, S B & A E Martin, O`Neill Smith Ltd, AB Jones & Partners and Miss Michelle Lakey. One tremendous pen of Beltex from a grand run from Matt O` Neill topped the day at £204 head and 443p kg.
More hoggets wanted for next week with the feast day commencing next Tuesday evening. Please get in contact to let us know what numbers you plan to send.

Finished Hoggets

33 – £140.00 (424p kg) – S B & A E Martin
35 – £144.00 (411p kg) – S B & A E Martin
37 – £152.00 (411p kg) – S B & A E Martin
38 – £155.00 (408p kg) – A B Jones & Partners
39 – £156.00 (400p kg) – I Lucas
40 – £164.00 (410p kg) – S B & A E Martin
41 – £169.50 (413p kg) – O’Neil Smith Ltd
42 – £173.00 (412p kg) – I Lucas
43 – £187.00 (435p kg) – I Lucas
44 – £187.00 (425p kg) – Miss Michelle Lakey
45 – £179.00 (398p kg) – B & M Coleman Ltd
46 – £204.00 (443p kg) – O’Neil Smith Ltd
47 – £191.00 (406p kg) – O’Neil Smith Ltd
48 – £184.50 (384p kg) – H Rivers
49 – £194.00 (396p kg) – H Rivers
50 – £193.00 (386p kg) – W Mandry Ltd
51 – £189.00 (371p kg) – H Rivers
52 – £189.00 (363p kg) – I Lucas
53 – £194.00 (366p kg) – R F & E A Simmons
54 – £198.00 (367p kg) – S B & A E Martin
55 – £195.00 (355p kg) – W Mandry Ltd
56 – £191.00 (341p kg) – R F & E A Simmons
58 – £192.00 (331p kg) – Freshfield Mill Farm
62 – £200.00 (323p kg) – B & M Coleman Ltd

Averages (p/kg)
Standard 32.1 to 39 kgs – 115 – Top 424, Ave. 404.2
Medium 39.1 to 45.5 kgs – 555 – Top 435, Ave. 384.3
Heavy 45.6 to 52 kgs – 860 – Top 443, Ave. 369.2
Over 52.1 kg + – 281 – Top 389, Ave. 342.4

Store Hoggets  565 – Sold

Auctioneers: John Rossiter 07557 392903.

Top price per head: £152.50 – J Worsfold, Kent.

Continuing on from the finished pens, this was only ever going to go in one direction and that was skyward. A trade that cannot be rivalled anywhere.
Store hoggets averaged £137 head and topped on the day at £152.50 from J Worsfold. Every pen but one on the day sold in excess of £100 head and most above £125. A run of 200 NZ bred Romneys from W A Groombridge topped £140 and averaged at £136 head.
More wanted to satisfy demand but I am coming to the realisation that they are not out there now…

Cull Sheep – 409 Sold

Auctioneer: James Cook-O’Connell 07780133678

Top price ewes: £220.00 – Kingswood Farmers Limited, Kent. – Ave. £156.83

An absolute flyer from start to finish with every grade looking very well sold.
The best regularly £150 – £180 and to a top price of £220 for Texels from Kingswood Farmers Limited.  C Woodhead not far behind with a Texel tup at £218. Medium sorts in high demand and £120 – £150 on most occasions. Very few leaner grazing types in the pens and these £90 – £120 throughout.
Please inform me of any large consignments you have to sell in the coming weeks with strong demands for all grades.

Top prices included:

Texels to £220 – Kingswood Farmers Limited, Texel cross to £201 – C Woodhead, Suffolks to £200 – A Buttle, Norfolk, Suffolk cross to £199 – S T Phillips, Rouge de L’Ouest to £190 – J Metianu & S Aspital, Romneys to £188 – W T Kemp, Mules to £170 – E & M E Brundrett.

Ear Tags in Sheep
Please be aware of your responsibilities with regard to the tagging of sheep of all ages and in all sections of the market.

Cattle Reports

Finished Cattle –  53 Sold

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357.

Trade brighter and stronger this week, though concerns and difficulties still lie in the wholesale trade as consumers and caterers are unsure of the Middle Eastern ramifications. Supply is certain to remain tight for years to come, and supplies, often to the catering sector, from around the world will be affected not only by logistical problems in the Middle East but also a weaker Pound which makes imports more expensive, and exports more competitive abroad.
A better show overall this week with a little more cover in general. Still a high proportion of dairy bred cattle but good to see more beef bred smart heifers in the entry. A few more customers around the ring.
Best beef bred cattle can still scale 400p with a high quality Limousin heifer from D W Ferguson Ltd clearly topping at 416p, £2161, but a handyweight Bazadaise heifer from W Alexander (Shoreham) also up there at 397p, their other Bazadaise led the steers selling at 380p, £2220. Better end cattle generally 365-385p with some heavyweights forward seeing Blonde steers to £2748 from G L Boulden & Sons, and Angus heifers to £2513 from Leggat Farming.
Quite a range in the dairy bred sector but generally crossbreds this week. Friesian bred Limousin steers from A J Down 367p, 366p, 364p (2) £2485, £2362, £2283; Angus x Holstein Friesian from W F Farms 354p, £2280; Charolais x Holstein Friesian 341p, £2588 R C & J L Pickering. Hereford x Friesian heifers to 361p, 357p, £2157 R C & J L Pickering whilst well fed Blue x Jersey heifers to 303p, £1830 Hickson Bros.
Mostly Angus amongst the natives with steers to 370p, £2217 W S Furnival Ltd matched in the heifers at 370p, £2143 from Birt Bros. Sussex steers to 369p, £2322 from Dan Mackleden Ltd; South Devon heifers to 366p, £2083 D W Ferguson Ltd.
Minority breeds represented with White Park heifers to 361p, £1965 from R F & E A Simmons; British White steers to 318p, A B Jones & Partners.
A Wagyu x 30 month bull at 313p, £2188 from Trenchmore LLP.

Leading steer prices

W Alexander (Shoreham) – Bazadaise cross – 380p (£2220)
R F & E A Simmons – Limousin cross – 378p (£2057)
W S Furnival Ltd – Aberdeen Angus cross -370p (£2217)
Dan Mackleden Ltd – Sussex – 369p (£2322)
R F & E A Simmons – Limousin cross – 368p (£1911)

Leading heifer prices       

D W Ferguson Ltd – Limousin – 416p (£2161)
W Alexander (Shoreham) – Bazadaise cross – 397p (£1824)
W Alexander (Shoreham) – Limousin cross – 382p (£2251)
W Alexander (Shoreham) – Bazadaise cross – 378p (£1737)
D W Ferguson Ltd – British Blue cross – 376p (£2460)

Average prices

Steers 200 to 550 kg – 4 – Top 378p – Ave. 342p
Steers 551 to 650 kg – 15 – Top 380p – Ave. 358p
Steers 651 kg + – 6 – Top 366p – Ave. 347p
Heifers 300 to 500 kg – 2 – Top 397p – Ave. 387p
Heifers 501 to 590 kg – 11 – Top 416p – Ave. 361p
Heifers 591 kg + – 15 – Top 376p – Ave. 347p

OTM Cattle and Cull Cows – 93 Sold

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357.

Good numbers forward with a wide variety on offer meeting a wonderful trade with all grades dearer, but demand for the hard beef cows for grazing and feeding taken to another level. Buyers out in force and if you have empty cows of any age then there can be no better time than to make some space for those now calving with turn out still some way ahead.
Meat cows and feeders stronger with 23 up over 300p with smart white Charolais from Bull Bridge Farm topping the day at 358p, £2395 but plenty of rough coated cows, even of age, selling well over 300p. Meat cows to 320p, £2141 for Angus from A C Hulme & Sons with plenty 260-280p grossing up to £2594 from J & A Lyon. A big show of minorities and an outstanding trade for all ages.
Charolais 358p, 330p, £2395, £2322 Bull Bridge Farm, 264p, £2003 C Kearl; Beef Shorthorn 338p (2), 306p (2), 298p, £1654, £1497, £1451 J Muscat, 328p, 312p, 290p, £2063, £1884, £1824 S J M Evans; Angus 320p, 280p, £2141, £1957 A C Hulme & Sons, 302p, £2065 Gallagher Farms, 267p, £1905 Llewellyn Farms; Blonde 320p, £1502 G F Hawkins; Limousin 314p, £2226 P N & C Burden, 308p, £2306 W F Kirk; Sussex 300p, £1707 H W Richards, 294p, 288p, £2142, £1805 Thorsons Farms, 292p, £1312 J Muscat, 290p, £1401 West Court Farm; British Blue 275p, 242p, £2594, £2318 J & A Lyon; Hereford 258p, £1918 Ross Southey, 251p, £1961 R C & J L Pickering; Belted Galloway 257p, 247p, £1321 Surrey Wildlife; Dexter 248p, 246p, £1374, £1252 Miss A Elvy.
A day of generally lean cows in the section but competition fierce for all grades. Younger calved types to 268p; better fed Holstein Friesian cows to 247p, £2090; stronger Jerseys to 240p, £1341; only lighter weights under 200p.
Holstein Friesians 247p, 238p, £2090, £1886 D Murdoch & Sons; Holsteins 268p, 240p, 237p, 228p, 226p (2) £1740, £1690, £1657, £1635, £1593 Appleton Farms; Jersey 240p, £1341 Hickson Bros, 190p, 188p, £853, £844 S E Lane & Ptnrs.
Stock Bulls (3) Strong trade again for 3 bulls all under 48 mths. Wagyu 290p, £2446; Limousin 285p, £2774; lean Sussex 220p, £1756.
Overage (15) As with the cows, both meat and feeding types stronger than of late. Generally good quality flesh and hard outdoor grazers.
Limousin OTM steer 375p, £2191 R F & E A Simmons; Limousin OTM heifer 369p, £2119 D W Ferguson Ltd; Sussex OTM steer 350p J Muscat; Holstein Friesian OTM heifer 341p, £2247 R C & J L Pickering; Hereford OTM heifer 339p, £2183 J Berryman; Beef Shorthorn OTM steer 325p, £1821 J Muscat; Blue x Jersey OTM heifer 314p, £1944 Hickson Bros; Belted Galloway 3+ heifers 303p, 301p, 296p, 290p, £1558, £1487, £1433, £1380 Surrey Wildlife.

Beef Cows – 53 Sold – Top 358, Average 274.6
Dairy Cows – 21 Sold – Top 306, Average 224.4

Store & Breeding Cattle – 436 Sold

Auctioneer: James Cook-O’Connell 07780133678

A cracking day in the store & breeding cattle section with buyers from near, far, and wide looking to fill their orders, and a good selection of cattle penned to suit every preference.
Top call on the day went to P M Thomas with a strong Simmental steer 22 mths old at £2380 with Gallagher Farms in close attendance with Limousin cross steers 17 mths reaching a high of £2340.
To start we had G D K George`s hard Hereford cross steers 10 mths to £850, followed by Mrs J Fuller with Aberdeen Angus crosses 9 – 11 mths topping at £1440 for the steers with her heifers to £1200. A superb Limousin cross heifer 10 mths from Karen Husk at £1890 and Angus steers 12 mths from M W Goddard to £1760. Llewellyn Farms forward again with Angus cross steers 10 mths to £1410 A run of smart Limousin crosses 10 – 11 mths from K T D Axell topped at £1870 for the steers, the heifers to £1730. Friday Street Farmers had forward Sussex cross steers 18 mths to £2180, their leaner Limousin cross steers 18 mths to £2000. S J M Evans topped at £2070 for Limousin steers 19 mths, heifers to £1730. A well put together run from C & J Georgetti of Limousin and Simmental cross heifers reached £2060 with others £1980 and £1940. Well done homebred Angus cross steers 17 – 18 mths from R Haydon & Partners topping at £2000 with harder Angus cross steers from J & S Baldwin to £1680, £1430 for the heifers. A big run from P J S farms looked a picture in the pens and sold like hot cakes with the Blue x Friesian steers 17 – 20 mths topping at £2090, the Blue x Friesian heifers to £1950 helped on by bulling demand. Angus x Friesian steers as part of the same run to £2070, heifers again helped by bulling demand to £1950. A slightly different breed to usual from Springate farm with Wagyu cross steers 27 mths to £1770 and £1660 and 14 mths steers from the same run to £1530. R T J B & I Lockwood had hard Limousin cross steers 12 mths to £1680 and British Friesian steers 17 mths to £1340. Similar sorts from I D Machin topped at £1550 for hard Blue x Friesian steers. Plenty in interest seen for West Court Farms hard out wintered Sussex 20 – 22 mths old which topped at £1620 for the steers and £1500 for the heifers. Ross Farms saw £1870 for 23 mth Angus x Friesian steers.
This trade is one not to be missed so do not hesitate to get in touch if you have store or breeding cattle to sell with our next larger catalogued sale being held on Tuesday 24^th March followed by a Show and Sale of store cattle on Tuesday 7^th April.

Principal prices include:
Native:
Sussex cross steers 18 mths – £2180 – Friday Street Farmers
Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steers 17 mths – £2070 – P J S Farms
Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steers 18 mths – £2000 – R Haydon & Partners
Aberdeen Angus x Friesian heifers 17 mths – £1950 – P J S Farms
Aberdeen Angus cross heifers 24 mths – £1690 – J & A Lyon
Aberdeen Angus heifers 13 mths – £1650 – M W Goddard
Continental:
Simmental steers 22 mths – £2380 – P M Thomas
Limousin steers 17mths – £2340 – Gallagher Farms
British Blue x Friesian steers 20 mths – £2090 – P J S Farms
Limousin cross heifers 14 mths – £2060 – C & J Georgetti & Sons
British Blue x Friesian heifers 19 mths – £1950 – P J S Farms
Limousin cross heifers 11 mths – £1890 – K Husk

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.

Store & Finished Pigs – 22 Sold

Auctioneer: James Cook-O’Connell 07780133678

A good trade seen for all well finished sorts with top call going to C K Guest for 100kg gilts to 135p per kg.
Other well finished sorts from C Watkins to 128p per kg and £135.68 per head for coloured boars and smart gilts from P J & P B Wade to 130p per kg and £128.70 per head. Majority of the others 100p – 125p per kg with the best results seen for continental sorts 85 – 100kg that are well finished.
Please do inform me of pigs you have to sell in the next sale on Tuesday 24^th March.  

 

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