Weekly Sales News – 12 Apr 2016
Sheep sales reports
Finished Sheep – 1,852 Sold
Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903
Report on trade: A smaller entry of hoggets in the pens this week and a more difficult trade compared to the flyer we saw last week. Reports from around the country suggest that retail demand from the large wholesalers was very low for the end of last week, and in the last couple of days this lack of demand continued. This may only be short-lived and dictated by the numbers of sheep offered around the country.
Despite this dip in demand, the best continental crosses in the export weight categories were still making in excess of 200p per kg with a cracking run of from Mr L Colbourne which sold to 223p (42kgs @ £93.50), and 207p (46kgs @ £95). Strong Charollais crosses from Mr P Gorringe sold to 200p (44kgs @ £88) and top spots for the heavy weights went to N A Balcomb & Son with £109.50 for some heavyweight Suffolks and Mr Beau Keeley at £96 for some strong 56kgs Charollais.
A small entry of new season lambs sold to 228p from Mr J Farrant (36kgs @ £82) and 221p from the same vendor. More could be sold to the vendors’ advantage before the large consignments begin to come forward.
| New season lamb prices | ||||||||||
| Kgs | Top Price | Ave Price | Top Vendor | p per kg | ||||||
| 35 | 76.20 | 76.30 | Mrs V McDonald | 218.0 | ||||||
| 36 | 82.00 | 80.60 | Mr J Farrant | 228.0 | ||||||
| 38 | 84.00 | 83.98 | Mr J Farrant | 221.0 | ||||||
| 39 | 83.00 | 83.07 | Mrs V McDonald | 213.0 | ||||||
| New season lambs – pence per kg | ||||||||||
| Weight Range | Number | Top | Bottom | Average | National Averages | |||||
| Standard 32.1 to 39 kgs | 58 | 228.0 | 213.0 | 219.9 | 240.4 | |||||
| Hogget prices | ||||||||||
| Kgs | Top Price | Ave Price | Top Vendor | p per kg | ||||||
| 38 | 77.00 | 68.91 | Mr J Bull | 203.0 | ||||||
| 39 | 78.50 | 73.62 | R L Goodman & Son | 201.0 | ||||||
| 40 | 77.80 | 71.37 | Agripal Enterprises | 194.0 | ||||||
| 41 | 72.00 | 68.19 | R L Goodman & Son | 176.0 | ||||||
| 42 | 93.50 | 75.55 | Mr L Colbourne | 223.0 | ||||||
| 43 | 79.00 | 73.62 | Agripal Enterprises | 184.0 | ||||||
| 44 | 88.00 | 78.76 | Mr P Gorringe | 200.0 | ||||||
| 45 | 89.50 | 82.42 | R C & J L Pickering | 199.0 | ||||||
| 46 | 95.00 | 84.25 | Mr L Colbourne | 207.0 | ||||||
| 47 | 88.50 | 82.30 | Mr A Head | 188.0 | ||||||
| 48 | 88.00 | 84.20 | Mr P Gorringe, Agripal Enterprises | 183.0 | ||||||
| 49 | 85.50 | 83.74 | J Castle (Stoke), R C & J L Pickering | 174.0 | ||||||
| 50 | 88.50 | 85.96 | Mr P Gorringe | 177.0 | ||||||
| 51 | 87.00 | 85.50 | Mr W F Kirk | 171.0 | ||||||
| 52 | 91.00 | 87.43 | Mr P Gorringe | 175.0 | ||||||
| Hogget averages – pence per kg | ||||||||||
| Weight Range | Number | Top | Bottom | Average | National Averages | |||||
| Standard 32.1 to 39 kgs | 60 | 206.0 | 149.0 | 187.7 | 179.1 | |||||
| Medium 39.1 to 45.5 kgs | 735 | 223.0 | 49.00 | 178.2 | 181.1 | |||||
| Heavy 45.6 to 52 kgs | 542 | 207.0 | 117.0 | 175.7 | 171.9 | |||||
| Others 52.1kg + | 417 | 180.0 | 123.0 | 161.7 | 160.3 | |||||
Cull Ewes and Rams – 875 Sold
Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903
Report on trade: Today we saw a large entry following last weeks flying trade and several very good runs in the pens. There were a lot of meat and less leaner sorts on offer. Retail demand for ewe meat appears to be the opposite of the hoggets with low numbers on offer nationally and thus we saw a strong and competitive trade throughout the entry. Top spot of £120 was shared this week between Mr Beau Keeley and Mr J Hooker who we believe that they are our youngest and our most senior vendors, both being in attendance on the day. Other top spots were taken by Tottingworth Farms at £118 and J A Cox at £111.
Top prices by breed included continentals to £120 from Mr Beau Keeley and rams to £120 from Mr J Hooker, Blue Texels to £118 from Tottingworth Farms, Suffolk crosses to £98 from C & J Georgetti & Sons, Mules to £82 from A C Hulme & Sons and Romneys to £81 from Mr S Wickens.
Store and Breeding Sheep – 191 Sold
Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903
Report on trade: Once again a small late season entry of hoggets were on offer and sold to £71 from I M Gotts and a single entry of couples made £110 (£43 per life).
Sock Lambs – 82 Sold
Auctioneer: Mark Cleverdon 07748 202688
Report on trade: 80 lambs a week is consistently what we are selling and trade was again “stand on” with £5 to £20 covering most with 7 making above £20 and only 2 less than £5. Averages £30 to £2 Av £11.88.
Vendors please note – please ensure when bringing lambs to market your stock are all fit, healthy, not scouring with dry navels.
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For up to date information on all livestock sales please contact
Elwyn Davies (Sheep) 07710 803901 or 01233 861263
Peter Kingwill (Cattle & Sheep) 07795 200357
Martin Crowhurst (Sheep & Cattle) 07710 803903 or 01797 343936
Simon Husk (Sheep & Cattle) 07885 968077 or 01304 842393
Mark Cleverdon (Rams, Breeding Cattle, Pigs & Calves) 07748 202688
John Rossiter (Cull ewes & store sheep plus commercial vehicles) 07557 392903
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All sheep and cattle vendors should note that Anthrax declarations will not be required after the end of the month (unless we are advised to the contrary for any reason
Please continue to ensure all other paperwork is completed to accompany your livestock to market
Cattle sales reports
Finished Cattle – 61 Sold Auctioneer: Elwyn Davies 07710 803901
Report on trade: Despite good competition from 12 individual buyers the trade remains difficult with no shortage of numbers nationally and a general lack of demand.
Top prices included handy weight heifers (540kg & 525 kg) with a Blonde cross at 190.5p per kg from G L Boulden & Son and a smart Limousin cross at 189.5p from L E Humphreys & Sons. The heavier cattle in excess of 620kg grossed up to £1200 (180.5p) for a Blonde cross steer from G L Boulden & Sons. A Limousin cross steer made £1146 (183.5p) from W Alexander (Shoreham) and an Aberdeen Angus cross steer made £1113 (149.5p) from O & P Gower.
Heavy 2 yr old Limousin bulls looked relatively well sold grossing up to £1165 from E G West & Son.
| Finished cattle averages – pence per kg | ||||||||||
| Classification | No | Top | Bottom | Average | ||||||
| Light steers (370-550 kgs) | 9 | 188.5 | 136.5 | 169.4 | ||||||
| Medium steers (551-650 kgs) | 16 | 189.5 | 120.5 | 160.9 | ||||||
| Heavy steers (651+ kgs) | 8 | 180.5 | 102.5 | 134.4 | ||||||
| Light heifers (370-550 kgs) | 4 | 170.5 | 125.5 | 148.8 | ||||||
| Medium heifers (551-650 kgs) | 11 | 190.5 | 94.5 | 167.3 | ||||||
| Heavy heifers (651+ kgs) | 5 | 167.5 | 134.5 | 151.4 | ||||||
| Medium bulls (551-650 kgs) | 2 | 155.5 | 150.5 | 152.8 | ||||||
| Heavy bulls (651+ kgs) | 4 | 170.5 | 155.5 | 159.5 | ||||||
| 30 to 48 mth steers | 1 | 95.5 | 95.5 | 95.5 | ||||||
| 30 to 48 mth heifers | 2 | 155.5 | 132.5 | 144.0 | ||||||
| Leading steer prices | ||||||||||
| Vendor | Weight Kgs | Breed | P per Kg | Gross £ | ||||||
| Gillshaw Farms Ltd | 564 | 25 mths Limousin | 189.5 | 1068 | ||||||
| Gillshaw Farms Ltd | 519 | 25 mths Limousin | 188.5 | 978 | ||||||
| W Alexander (Shoreham) | 609 | 24 mths Limousin | 187.5 | 1141 | ||||||
| W Alexander (Shoreham) | 625 | 28 mths Limousin | 183.5 | 1146 | ||||||
| G L Boulden & Sons | 665 | 25 mths Blonde | 180.5 | 1200
| ||||||
| Leading heifer prices | ||||||||||
| G L Boulden & Sons | 540 | 19 mths Blonde | 190.5 | 1028 | ||||||
| L E Humphreys & Son | 525 | 24 mths Limousin | 189.5 | 994 | ||||||
| L E Humphreys & Son | 545 | 24 mths Limousin | 185.5 | 1010 | ||||||
| G L Boulden & Sons | 555 | 18 mths Blonde | 184.5 | 1023 | ||||||
| R Price & Son | 545 | 17 mths Limousin | 174.5 | 951 | ||||||
Cull Cows and Bulls – 89 Sold
Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill – 07795 200357
Report on trade: A very good entry met a first class trade with all buyers in competitive mood for meat cows and feeding stock. The entry was short of flesh overall and certainly more wanted to take advantage of the current prices. Feeding men were keen for yarding and grazing cattle this week and will be in the future. Whilst the vast majority of cattle are coming from the Low TB Areas, those from the High and Edge have buyers from high areas themselves. Those with the approved finishing units are not finding the new TB rules any inconvenience at all.
The entry was very short of meat amongst the beef cows with a Limousin from K Simmons making to 136p (£894); fleshed Sussex 119p (£766) from J C & C Lewis, 114p (£783) V MacDonald. Feeding cows tremendous with week and we would advise to sort your empty cows out now. Plenty 120-150p with younger types obviously at advantage. Out-wintered crossbred cows 150p & 146p A N Waters; Hereford 140p R J Southey (edge); Angus 136p Kingsbrook Farms (high).
Amongst the dairy culls it was certainly a day for the coloured cows. All grades in demand and the younger (under 48 mths) feeders with real potential. British Friesian 137p (£874) (2), 131p E P Knight; Holsteins 112p (£847)(Exempt) , 110p (£964) Huddlestone Farmers, 110p (£772) R Torrance; Ayrshire 109p (£792), 105p J Howie; Dairy Shorthorn 109p J Howie; Brown Swiss 101p D Murdoch & Sons; Guernsey 99p (£822), 91p, 88p W G & T A Manford; Jersey 88p (£482), 80p Hickson Bros.
Stock bulls better with a good British Blue crossbred to 118p; Limousin feeders 130p,120p, 116p.
| Cull cattle section – pence per kg | ||||
| Classification | No | Top | Bottom | Average |
| Beef cows | 30 | 139.5 | 69.5 | 109.3 |
| Dairy cows | 52 | 149.5 | 47.5 | 88.0 |
See later in this report for auctioneers comment on the effect of the new TB movement rules on trading toady
Breeding Cattle – 50 Sold
Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357
Report on trade: This section saw a good show of breeding bulls, cows and calves and in-calf cows with a good attendance of buyers.
Bull demand was selective this week to be honest but outstanding Limousin bulls from the Messrs Vaughan in West Wales sold to £2800 and £2600; a quality older (5 yr) Limousin, also Vaughan bred sold to £1950 from R E Thomson and a young Limousin made £1400 from J Smith.
The reduction of the commercial suckler herd at Quex Park Estate was well supported. Sussex and and a few Aberdeen Angus cows with March born Sussex calves generally made £800-£1000, a few autumn born couples to £1200 with in-calf Autumn calvers £550 to £680. Smart Sussex cows with Limousin March calves from W T Kemp made £990 and £980 (2). Finally a very genuine run of continental crosses with March calves from R E Thomson, only being sold due to the vendors ill health, made to £1160, £1100, £1070, £1020, £1000 and 10 average £1023.
Store Cattle – 282 Sold
Auctioneer: Elwyn Davies 07710 803901
Report on trade: Another good entry of store cattle met a firm trade with prices on a par with last week. Despite the difficulties in the finished sector there was a good attendance of buyers with 23 successful individual purchasers ensuring competitive returns throughout. The general quality on offer was not quite the high standard of last week with fewer beef bred sorts and more dairy bred cattle on offer.
The majority of the better beef bred yearlings made from £750 to £850 while strong stores, to finish short-term attracting prices in excess of £1000. 2 yr old Simmental cross steers and heifers topping at £1150 and £1010 respectively from P M Thomas.
The few native breeds on offer sold well with plenty of interest. The pick of these prices included 15mths Aberdeen Angus cross steers at £872 from G C Kirby & Son, a 13mths Shorthorn steer at £850 from D & J Murray and 11mths Hereford Cross heifers made to £750 Mrs S E Ginger.
Several pens of Friesian steers were on offer with 20mths topping at £660 from D J Cornforth and 18mths to £560 from R T, J B & I Lockwood.
| Principle prices in addition to those mentioned above | |||
| 10 mths Limousin cross steers | £790 | J A Cox | |
| 11 mths Blonde cross steers | £795 | T W Lawrence | |
| 12 mths Charolais cross heifers | £710 | H & S Nesfield | |
| 12 mths British Blue cross steers | £855 | Gallagher Farms | |
| 12 mths British Blue cross heifers | £790 | Gallagher Farms | |
| 13 mths British Blue cross heifers | £775 | High Chimney Farms | |
| 18 mths Charolais cross steers | £985 | R J Southey | |
| 18 mths Simmental cross steers | £900 | D Ward | |
| 12 mths South Devon steers | £850 | H & S Nesfield | |
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Other stock sales reports
Calves – 119 Sold
Auctioneer: Mark Cleverdon 07748 202688
Report on trade: It was good to see back over 100 calves in the pens and demand remained strong for the majority of calves offered. Diary bulls however are becoming a little more difficult to place unless they have been reared with size and flesh.
Reared calves made to £150 for a black Jersey cross steer (August born) from G H S Wilson and £115 for an Ayrshire steer (December born) from J Howie. In the beef lines T Castle & Son sold British Blue x British Friesian bulls to £365 and Aberdeen Angus cross bulls to £375 and M W Goddard a British Blue bull at £405. M W Goddard also had a heifer make £385. J E Scutt & Sons, H O Champneys Ltd and R Torrance & Son also sold British Blue crosses at £300 plus. Messrs Champneys Simmentals made to £345 and Aberdeen Angus bulls to £340 while W S Furnival Ltd sold Aberdeen Angus bulls to £268.
Please keep your entries of calves coming. At our fortnightly sales we expect to have plenty of enquiries for all shapes, sizes and ages of stock. Thank you all for texts and messages with early notice of your entries for forthcoming sales – it does help.
| Calf averages – £ per head | ||||
| Description | No | Top | Bottom | Average |
| Continental Bulls | 21 | 405.00 | 135.00 | 312.29 |
| Continental Heifers | 10 | 375.00 | 115.00 | 251.30 |
| Native Bulls | 15 | 375.00 | 85.00 | 245.40 |
| Native Heifers | 9 | 200.00 | 38.00 | 129.22 |
| Friesian Bulls 1st quality | 8 | 170.00 | 105.00 | 132.50 |
| Friesian Bulls 2nd quality | 21 | 88.00 | 38.00 | 62.05 |
| Friesian Bulls 3rd quality | 32 | 42.00 | 1.00 | 22.39 |
Store and Finished Pigs – 233 Sold Auctioneer: Mark Cleverdon 07748 202688
Report on trade: Trading for the pig producer is still very difficult and large numbers forward in both the finished and store pens were just about all sold but there is nothing to write home about in the prices achieved. Pundits suggest there are signs of prices edging up a little nationally so we all hope for better returns soon!
The best finished pigs made to 78p per kg from P W & P Sim and then 74p for P Green and M J Booth. Generally other good pigs made just either side of 70p. Many other lesser quality, over finished or coloured pigs made 30 to 60p.
Cull sows and boars made to 32p again for only 3 few and a good heavy boar made 27p grossing £86
In the store pig pens strong weaners made to £39 from M J Booth and P Green. Younger weaners were available at £7 to £16.
Our pig sales are held once a fortnight and with spring and summer on the way we all hope the trade and confidence in the pig sector will rise again (from the very low levels prevailing for about 3 months on more now!). Please keep in touch with us here in Ashford if you have pigs to sell.
| Pig averages | ||||
| Description | No | Top | Bottom | Average |
| 1st Quality finished – p per kg | 99 | 78.0 | 59.0 | 69.8 |
| – £ per head | 76.92 | 46.67 | 61.39 | |
| 2nd Quality finished – p per kg | 55 | 57.0 | 2.0 | 43.8 |
| – £ per head | 58.0 | 2.0 | 40.47 | |
| Cull sows – p per kg | 3 | 32.0 | 28.0 | 29.4 |
| – £ per head | 80.0 | 53.2 | 70.07 | |
| Cull boars – p per kg | 2 | 27.0 | 25.0 | 26.1 |
| – £ per head | 86.4 | 66.2 | 76.33 | |
| Strong stores – £ per head | 22 | 39.0 | 22.0 | 32.77 |
| Small stores – £ per head | 48 | 16.0 | 7.0 | 11.77 |
We remind all pig farmers of the information below
Identification of pigs – again we draw your attention to the fact that it is essential all pigs have permanent identification when offered for sale in a market ie slap mark or ear tag. Please ensure you comply with this regulation.
Auctioneers comment on the cattle trade following the introduction of new TB movement rules this week
There was certainly a growing awareness amongst buyers from all areas about the new TB rules. Undoubtedly the cattle from Low Areas have no obstacles to buyers from any area whilst cattle from Edge and High counties need more consideration.
For the buyers, themselves, from High areas it makes no difference; for those with approved finishing units it makes no difference; for short term cattle ready within 120 days it makes no difference but for the grazing man in Low counties he must now factor in the post movement test between 60 and 120 days if cattle from Edge or High areas are bought. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for discussion, reassurance or more information.
New TB movement rules as from 6th April 2016
DEFRA are introducing a Post-Movement Testing policy for cattle moving into any Low Risk Area from herds located in High Risk Areas, Edge Areas and Wales.
Low Risk Areas – where routine surveillance takes place every 4 years – Kent, West Sussex, Surrey, Essex, Greater London, Hertfordshire and Eastern Counties. Edge Areas – Parts of East Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
High Risk Areas – Parts of East Sussex, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and all Western Counties.
Bovines moving from High or Edge Areas to Low Risk Areas must be post-movement tested between 60-120 days of joining the new herd.
Animals will not be allowed to move off their destination holding until they have completed a negative post-movement test, unless the movement is directly to slaughter or to a licensed or approved finishing unit.
Hobbs Parker Auctioneers will identify in their catalogues and at the point of sale the status of the area from which cattle have been consigned.
All cattle of all ages are involved and young calves, whether pre-movement tested or not due to age, will require to be post-movement tested between 60-120 days. Costs of testing are the responsibility of the purchaser, though if a routine DEFRA surveillance test is due then this can be utilised.
Only cattle from the High and Edge Areas moved to Low Risk Areas will be required to be tested. This, in no way, affects other cattle on the destination holding.
Holdings on an annual testing routine in Low Risk Areas do not require stock to be post-movement tested following a sale/movement.
Failure to complete a post-movement test in the 60-120 day period will constitute an offence under the Animal Health Act and would result in a herd closure restriction.
If vendors or purchasers have any questions concerning the above please do not hesitate to contact our Market Office.
General news
Updated 12th April 2016
Kent Herdsmans Club dates – Monday 9th May 2016 at 7.30pm – visit to Lovejoy Farm Partnership, Hope Farm, Peening Quarter Road, Wittersham. TN30 7NP. For all details on Herdsman’s Club events contact Chairman Sandra Brown on 01233 502796 or Jo Masters 01580 240568
London Marathon – both Jenny and David Brightling are running in this years event raising money for VICTA (a charity supporting children with impaired vision) and the British Heart Foundation. Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/jennybrightling2016 or www.virginmoneygiving.com/davidbrightling2016 or by cheque made out to one of the two charities and sent to Jenny Brightling, Old Timbers, Rye Foreign, Rye. TN31 7UN
For Sale – 150 round, wrapped bales of 2015 made grass silage. Loading available in the Sandwich area. Ring 01304 812407
ForSale – mid aged pedigree South Devon bull. Essex farm
Local point to point fixtures – next fixture for the season is on Saturday 16th April at Penshurst, Tonbrisdge. Full details on www.pointing-se.com
Southern Shears – This years event will be held on Sunday 17th July at Holmbush Farm, Faygate, Crawley, West Sussex (RH12 4SE). this is a shearing competition which will be run on BISCA rules with open, junior, novice, ladies and blades. Full details available from Mary Masters mary.m@btconnect.com, Facebook and Twitter (@southernshears) or www.southernshears.weebly.com
South Sheep 2016 – This bi annual event, promoted by the National Sheep Association is this year being held on Tuesday 7th June at Pythouse Farm, Salisbury. SP3 3PA. For more details to follow please contact event organiser Bob Blanden 01666 860308 or enquiries@southsheep.org.uk
Hobbs Parker Auctioneers and Car Auctions run over 200 auction sales every year
Our next Auction Sales are ……
Collective machinery & equipment Friday 22nd April
Car auctions May Day extravaganza with up to 500 cars on offer Monday 2nd May
Headcorn Farm machinery sale – Saturday 14th May
Horses & Saddlery – Thursday 2nd June
Finished Sheep
Report Detail to go here
Finished Cattle
Report to go here