Weekly Sales News – 10th August 2021

New Season Lambs – Top price per head – £127 – C Woodhead: Top price per kilo – 274p – G H Dean & Co

Report on: We had less lambs on offer this week with some of the larger finishers beginning to get through their numbers and also we had a larger than average entry last week. Trade was however boosted by this and averages were up by about 10p per kg to return the SQQ of 244p all included.

Better fleshed and heavier types were best sold on the day and most of these made over £100 and to a top price of £127 from “The Super Serious Farmer” C Woodhead and closely followed by C & J Georgetti & Sons at £126. Best continental sorts for export topped this week at 274p from G H Dean & Co with C A Worley Farming Ltd at 270p for Beltex crosses.

More grass finished lambs were in the entry this week with wet conditions drawing them out before many producers get busy with harvest operations when the weather improves.

Please keep the lambs coming and contact us with numbers so we can notify the buyers.

Report on trade: A few more ewes were penned this week with once again the weather most likely finding these along with the strong trade we have been seeing in recent times. All the best meated ewes made in excess of £100 but these types were maybe not at the very high levels of the last couple of weeks, but were a tremendous trade all the same with the top prices all over £130 to £134 from G H Dean & Co with G Lawrence & Sons tying for top spot also at £134. Grazers were more buyable for those wishing to farm on today with many selling from £50 to £75.

Keep the ewes coming. Fantastic trade throughout.

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: Good numbers were forward for the time of year with the quality from our regular supporters again fully maintained and meeting a terrific trade for all grades. A few cattle for further feeding within the entry also very well sold.

Headlines included light weight Limousin steers for feeding from A J Husk, 225p, 270p, 269p per kg and grossing £1259 and heifers 248p, £1211. Leading the ranks for the slaughter cattle W Alexander (Shoreham), sold Limousin heifers to 255p and £1362 whilst A J Down sold his British Blue x Friesian steers to 230p £1400. Quality continental heifers from W S Furnival (Brookland), 245p,239p, 235p, 233p (2), 231p, £1369, £1342, £1324, £1323 (2); R F & E A Simmons, 239p, 227p, £1216; A J Thompson & Sons, 235p (2), 229p, 228p, £1405; G L Boulden & Sons, 229p, 228p, £1154 with Limousin x Friesian heifers, 213p, 210p, £1163, A J Down.

Fewer steers were forward this week with British Blue x Friesian to 230p, £1400 and Limousin x Friesian 226p (2) £1364 from A J Down.

Natives were all very well sold with Aberdeen Angus cross and Hereford cross steers from H G Tompsett & Sons to 219p (2), £1387 and 208p, £1152 respectively. Sussex heifers from The Montreal Estate made to 204p, £1279.

Sussex young bulls, bn late 2019 made to 199p, 195p, £1268 from The Sussex Herd Company.

More cattle wanted to satisfy strong demand.

Report on trade: This week’s entry was short on numbers and had a little more variation in overall quality with some very good younger feeders but more Channel Island and light weight plain cows from the dairy. Trade was every bit as dear, if not stronger for the medium fleshed types from beef and dairy.

Best beef cows included Limousin cross 196p, 161p, £1140, £1073 Burden Bros; Aberdeen Angus cross 216p, 213p, 182p, £1169, £1164, £1025 Burden Bros and 163p, £1146 The Montreal Estate with Sussex 164p, 153p, £930, £867 J D Hickman (Non-FA).

In the dairy lines we had only a few heavy fleshed cows and medium types regularly made 120p to 130p. Best included Holstein Friesian 143p, 140p, 139p, £1154, £1039, £1025 W G & T A Manford and 138p (2), £1348, £1018 J F Forknall with Guernsey 106p, £612 W G & T A Manford;

Cull bulls were a Limousin 118p, £1157 and Aberdeen Angus 110p, £1122.

Keep feeding them! They are certainly wanted! Many thanks.

Report on trade: It was good to see more pigs on offer for this sale and demand for the best quality finished pigs shone through. The cull trade was more difficult as it is nationally and demand for stores a little sluggish.

In the finished pig pens Mrs P Banks and K Perkins took top honours with pigs making 146p and 144p per kg (grossing £119.70 and £136.80). Brooker & Son sold white pigs to 125p and £100 with Saddleback gilts from East Sutton Park made 113p and £87. Further white pigs made to 109p and £87 from T Russell.

Cull pigs penned were a wide selection of weight and flesh with the best a heavy and good shape model from Mrs P Banks making £89.60.

Store pigs were a selection of young whites and Saddlebacks. D J Cole sold white boars to £30 with the biggest Saddlebacks to £20

Please note if you do not wash out at Ashford.

Drivers of vehicles leaving Ashford empty without cleansing and disinfecting MUST complete a declaration form obtainable from the Market Office.

You must then cleanse and disinfect as soon as possible and within 24 hours, or before using again for livestock. This is a LEGAL responsibility and are subject to checks by Local Authority Animal Health and Welfare Officers

For up-to-date information on all livestock sales please contact

Elwyn Davies (Cattle & sheep) 07710 803901 or 01233 861263

Peter Kingwill (Cattle & sheep) 07795 200357

Simon Husk (Cattle & sheep) 07885 968077 or 01304 842393

Mark Cleverdon (Pigs) 07741 845230

John Rossiter (Sheep, machinery plus commercial vehicles) 07557 392903

Tom Hamplett (Calves, weanlings, breeding cattle & rams) 07966 104532

The Stockpot Café at Ashford Market – reopening fully

Normal service has now resumed with the usual full range of eat in meals, snacks and drinks.

It was good to see the “Seniors” breakfast club meeting reconvened on Tuesday!

We would respectfully ask that masks are still worn when queuing and away from a table in this area.

Auction of Boats and Marine related items

Hobbs Parkers car auctions team have arranged an online auction to be held on Tuesday 7^th and Wednesday 8^th September.

Entries invited and for more information on entering your vessel, or for the Auction process please contact Hobbs Parker auctioneers or enquire at Ramsgate Harbour Office.

Coronavirus Policy Update

The Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) welcomes the Government announcement that Step 4 of the Covid-19 road map will proceed as planned in England on Monday 19^th July. As the majority of legal restrictions end in England the Government guidance emphasises personal responsibility.

We have been extremely grateful of the support of buyers, vendors, hauliers and staff during this difficult and challenging period while restrictions have been in place over the last 15 months.

While we are delighted to welcome back farmers to the market, we encourage all our clients to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to continue to help protect public health. At Ashford Market, we will be following Government recommendations as from Monday 19^th July.

In particular we ask that you:

• Wear face masks in enclosed spaces and crowded areas including the cattle ring, sales office counter, reception and while queuing for or being served at the Stockpot counter.
• Use of sanitising and hand washing facilities

This policy will continue to help keep everyone safe and reduces the risk of our customers and staff having to self-isolate and will help to make sure we can keep the market and Stockpot open.

Thank you for your help with this

Notices – Bill Hyland, Staplecross

Family and friends have asked us to announce following the sad loss of Bill last year there will be a memorial service on September 9^th at 2pm at St James Church, Ewhurst TN32 5TD. Friends are also welcome to join the family after the service at the White Dog, Ewhurst Green for “drinks on Bill”. If you plan attending RSVP to Sarah 07708 821842 / 01797 252902 or sarahjanehyland@yahoo.co.uk.

Southern Shears UK

The committee and supporters of the Southern Shears UK report they held a very successful annual shearing competition on Saturday 17th July at Copford Farm, Waldron, Heathfield by kind permission of the Gingell Family. The Romney Marsh Shearing stands, after some renovation and a re-paint, appeared from hibernation where they had been for a good number of years. This was a welcome sight for the shearers, organisers and general public.

There was a tremendous amount of competitiveness and enthusiasm between all the shearers in the novice, junior, women’s, senior and open classes as well as the novice and open blades classes. The shearers came from far and wide as did the Judges.

A provisional date for next year is 16th July at the same place see you there.

Local Agricultural Show and ploughing match dates and news

Edenbridge & Oxted Show – Sunday and Monday 29^th and 30^th August – For further information contact the show office on 01342 832307 or visit www.edenbridge-show.co.uk

Moreton in Marsh Show, Gloucestershire – Saturday 4^th September – For all details go to www.moretonshow.co.uk

Romney Marsh Ploughing & Dog Show – Sunday 5th September at Ham Mill Lane, Hamstreet, Romney Marsh TN26 2QW (by kind permission of Charles and Ollie Furnival). – For all details contact Diana Wimble 07821 009693, Alan Higgs 07785 783662 or  romneyploughing21@gmail.com

Swale & District Ploughing Match – Saturday 11^th September at Greenway Court, Hollingbourne, Maidstone. For more information ring Chris Hildyard 01795 470556 (email chris@georgewebbfinn.com) or Andrew Mew 07759 320496

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match – Saturday 18^th September at Honey Farm, Munday Bois Road, Pluckley, Ashford, TN27 0SU (by kind permission of the Gwillim family). Full details available from Secretary Liz Copping 07872 501951or on www.wkpma.co.uk

East Sussex Ploughing Match – Saturday 25^th September at Priesthawes Farm, Nr Stone Cross, Pevensey (by kind permission of Mr Chris Wadham) – Full details available from Secretary Paul Croft 07752247469 or Croftjpcroft@aol.com

East Kent Ploughing Match – Wednesday 29^th September at Upper Venson Farm, Eastry near Sandwich CT13 0JH (by kind permission of the Ledger family. Full details available from joint secretaries Sarah Ledger on 07802 974 838 or Lorna Astbury on 07538 547 010 or www.ekpma.co.uk

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The August edition of this popular regional farming magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker is a regular contributor to the editorial content.

Help and support from The Farming Community Network

Farming Community Network (FCN) volunteers regularly attend local livestock markets and are planning to do so again soon. Their helpline is still open from 7am to 11pm every day, staffed by people who understand farming.

FCN is a charity and voluntary organisation that helps farmers to stay resilient. We provide practical and pastoral support to those experiencing difficulties in England and Wales.

During these challenging times we are encouraging everyone to think about their own physical and mental health and that of their families and staff.

We can help with contingency planning against the backdrop of the Corona virus outbreak and our Farmwell website (www.farmwell.org.uk) offers a wealth of free information about managing change and maintaining personal wellbeing.

The FCN helpline can be reached on 03000 111 999 or via email at help@fcn.org.uk. Confidentiality is assured.

Forthcoming store and breeding sheep sales

Friday 27^th August

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 3^rd September

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 10^th September

Store lambs and breeding sheep with a special show and sale of crossbred ewe lambs

Friday 17^th September

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Monday 20^th September

Catalogued ram sale and the annual show and sale of South East Texel Groups breeding females and rams at 3pm

Friday 24^th September

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 1^st October

Romney Day sale of ewe lambs, ewe tegs and breeding ewes together with Romney Sheep Breeders Society show and sale of pedigree rams

Friday 8^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 15^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep including catalogued ram sale

Friday 29^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 12^th November

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 26^th November

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 10^th December

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Sales generally commence at 11am unless advised otherwise