Weekly Sales News – 12th October 2021

Top price per head – £140 – Miss Amy Hedges: Top price per kg – 278p- Jamie Watt

Report on trade: Another smaller entry of lambs this week as is the case at most centres nationally. Numbers generally run tight at this time of year as many farmers opt to sell in the stores but this year the prices of the finished sheep have been very strong and have managed to hold a few vendors back to selling on a Tuesday. The returns for well finished and heavier lambs are certainly not to be ignored with a larger portion of these selling over £100 hd and up to a great £140 this week for Miss Amy Hedges for some heavy Charollais crosses. With Mr D Claffey and Jamie Watt in close second with lambs at £135.50 and £135 respectively. It is nice to see those who travel long distance to Ashford well rewarded with runs from all across the south of the country on offer with lambs to £123 from Ed Gingell and Chris Ballard and Jamie Watts run all selling over £120. Best export grades were selling form 250-270p kg for the lighter weights with Jamie Watt, C A Worley Farming Ltd and Miss Amy hedges taking the podium places.

Auctioneer: James Cook O’Connell

Report on trade: Once again a solid trade for all grades of ewes on offer with buyers still competing very well for grazing ewes, however this week we did see a few more pens of stronger well fleshed ewes in the entry. Just a few runs to mention in the well fleshed department are H F & J Glover who sold some very strong well fleshed Suffolk cross ewes which topped at £121 and their 2 Charollais rams following behind making £146. C A Worley Farming Ltd sold smart Beltex ewes which made £110 and £113, and H V Link Partnership sold Texel ewes to £117 and Romneys to £90. H G Tompsett and Sons sold a run of grazing ewes today with their Texel’s making £77 and Romneys topping at £76 another run of Romneys to mention were J Saunders and Son with ranged from £66-£78.

Top Prices Included Suffolk x to 121 from H F & J Glover, Continentals to £125 from J Walker, Mules to £85 from D & J Murray and Romneys to £96 from Horne and Son

Average Prices

Store lambs

Beltex cross                                          201                         £93.50   to £70     (Av £88.20)

Charollais cross                                   1,297                      £102.00 to £28     (Av £88.50)

Texel cross                                           1,566                      £98.00    to £2       (Av £88.30)

Suffolk cross                                         1,116                      £94.00   to £10     (Av £87.70)

Crossbred                                             552                         £93.50   to £44     (Av£77.70)

Romney                                                 1,259                      £97.00   to £10     (Av £86.50)

Suffolk cross Mule ewe                       278                         £120.00 to £75     (Av £100.00)

Continental cross Mule ewe               101                         £98.00   to £87     (Av £93.60)

Ewe tegs

Mule                                                       486                         £199.00 to £165  (Av £188)

Suffolk cross Mule                               135                         £181.00 to £148  (Av £178)

Continental cross                                 76                           £168.00 to £122  (Av £145)

Ewes                                                      309                         £128.00 to £50     (Av £85)

For a full report – https://www.hobbsparker.co.uk/auctioneers/livestock-marketing/sheep-sale-reports/

Top Continental cross

Limousin cross steer                           £1509 (250p)        W Alexander (Shoreham)

Limousin cross heifer                         £1349 (260p)        J & H Robinson (Iford Farms) Ltd

Top Native bred

British Friesian heifer                          £1382 (222p)        T Castle & Son

Aberdeen Angus heifer                      £1274 (248p)        W Alexander (Shoreham)

Report on trade: Another increase in the numbers forward and with eleven individual buyers trade was again brisk and probably as dear as we have seen. The very best Continental cross selling readily around 250p and second quality looking even better sold in the 220 to 230p bracket.

Smart Continental cross heifers from J & H Robinson (Iford Farms) Ltd took the top honours with the best £1349 (260p), £1336 (257p) and £1406 (254p) with top quality Limousin steer £1509 (250p) from W Alexander (Shoreham) and Limousin cross £1433 (248p) from Gallagher Farm. Another run of mainly Continental cross Friesian steers from A J Down sold at similar levels around 230p up to 241p and grossing favourably from £1340 up to £1496.

A relatively high percentage of native bred cattle on offer this week were well received with the best in the 220p to 240p bracket and topping at £1274 for superb Aberdeen Angus cross heifer from W Alexander (Shoreham). Other top prices included Aberdeen Angus cross steer £1290 (231p) from Mrs A Farris and £1147 (230p) from B W C Brooks, Sussex steer £1235 (238p) from A H Hoad & Son, Hereford cross heifer £1294 (238p) and £1265 (237p) from M J & C W Barnes and fleshed British Friesian heifers £1262 (228p) and £1382 (222p) from T Castle & Son.

More cattle wanted to satisfy exceptional demand.

Report on trade: Numbers strong this week as outdoor cattle start to make a mess and indoor cattle particularly the dairies settle into their winter regime. Trade remaining at outstanding levels throughout and whilst there are few old and leaner coming through at less than 100p kg there overall returns still appear remarkable

Meat is short and fleshed beef cows and short-term feeders remain regularly 150-180p kg with competition intense amongst buyers. Farm Assurance does make a difference on slaughter cows but feeding cows with 3 months of intense feeding in front of them there is not a lot of difference.

Angus cross 179p, 174p, 167p, 158p, 157p, £1210, £1186, £1164, £1151, £1092 A C Hulme & Sons; 179p, £1035 (Non-FA) Mrs B Britton; 175p, £1082 M & C Farms; Simmental cross 177p, £1130 A C Hulme & Sons; 147p, 145p, £1098, £1091 E Chantler & Sons; 137p, £1010 (Non-FA) J D Frost; Hereford cross 173p, £1052 (Non-FA) A Wicken; Limousin cross 167p (2), 161p, £1190, £1182, £1130 A C Hulme & Sons; 161p, £1276 (Non-FA) Gallagher Farms; British Blue cross 154p, 147p, £1144, £1062 M & C Farms; Lincoln Red cross 157p, £1197 (Non-FA) P & A Love; Sussex 134p, £956 (Non-FA) Mrs B Britton; 126p, £1180 K & P M Sinden.

Not the fleshiest of dairy entries with no runs of dried-up fed cows and perhaps mostly cows that don’t want to spend another winter in the cubicles. Good meat still 130-140p kg but generally better types 115-130p kg and only the plainest lightest below100p kg.

Dairy Shorthorn 139p, £1066 Parrett & Son; British Friesian 138p, £922 Debden Court; Holstein Friesian 129p, £1034 M A & F W Owen; 128p, £918 W S Furnival Ltd; 124p R & J Ledger; 123p, 120p Huddlestone Farmers.

Quite a clear out of stock bulls this week with mostly lean types forward. A little more difficult as abattoirs recognise the added complication of dealing with carcase weights and processing. Simmentals 104p (2), £1180, £1170; Angus 112p, 111p, 98p, 88p; Hereford 92p, £1075.

Principal prices include  

Continental cross                                                                                                                              1   10 mths Limousin cross steer             £900       L Palmer & Son

10 mths Limousin cross heifer                 £770               L Palmer & Son   

12 mths Limousin cross steer                 £1025             Messrs Gardeners

12 mths Limousin cross heifer                 £760               Messrs Gardeners

15 mths Blue cross heifer                         £995               Miss L Townsend

15 mths Charolais cross steer                  £960               Goodsell Farm Ptnrs

16 mths Simmental cross heifer              £1050             F S Husk

18 mths Limousin cross heifer                 £1070             J E C Farrant

18 mths Continental cross steer               £1270             J & H Robinson (Iford Farms) Ltd

18 mths Continental cross heifer             £990               J & H Robinson (Iford Farms) Ltd

18 mths Blue cross steer                           £1270             M Worssam

18 mths Blue cross heifer                         £1060             M Worssam

18 mths Simmental cross steer                £1150             M Goddard

20 mths Blue cross heifer                         £1290             D J Miles

20 mths Limousin cross steer                   £1200             E Chantler & Son

20 mths Limousin cross heifer                 £1100             E Chantler & Son

26 mths Blue cross steer                        £1540              P R Baylis

Native Bred                                                                         

15 mths Hereford cross steer                 £1065               Mrs K Butt

16 mths Angus x Friesian steer              £1145               Wood Farm Partnership

16 mths Angus x Friesian heifer            £1000               Wood Farm Partnership

18 mths Angus cross steer                      £1095               R & H Vincent

18 mths Angus cross steer                      £1290               J & H Robinson (Iford Farms) Ltd

18 mths Angus cross heifer                    £1190               J & H Robinson (Iford Farms) Ltd

24 mths Friesian steer                           £990                  K Kearl

Report on trade: A tremendous days trading in the calf ring. Continental bulls on fire, Blues lead the way with a top of £490 & £425 from J E Scutt & Sons, £430 & £410 from Hickson Bros, and £405 from T Castle & Son. Simmental bulls equally as strong topping at £475 from Parrett & Son with H O Champneys Ltd not far behind at £440 & £415. Native bulls lacking in numbers but certainly not price, Angus’ only today topping at £405, with other to £295 & £270 from J E Scutt & Sons, Kingcott Dairy deserve a mention with their top of £300.

Continental heifers flying again today with Blues leading the way with tops of £435 from J E Scutt & Sons & P J Forknall, other notable prices include £410 from Hickson Bros, and £405 from T Castle & Son. A nice selection of Simmental heifers from H O Champneys sold to £360 (x2) and £330 (x2). One single Limousin from T Castle and Son traded at £360. Native heifers few and far between with a top of £230 from J E Scutt & Sons for an Angus.

Dairy bulls a stand on trade with a top of £240 for a very strong British Frisian from Parrett & Son, younger Frisians well sought after in the £80-£100 region. More run of the mill Holstein types generally around £70.

Weanlings – 14 sold

Strong demand once again this week with two consignments sold. Angus’ from S E Lane & Partners topping the trade at £505 for their steers, heifers to £450 all around the 6 months mark. Continentals with a little more age from Barfrestone Court sold to £465 for Blue steers, the Blue heifers made £440.

A reminder that we are able to offer calves from Arla vendors under 56 days old subject to a declaration being signed by the purchaser, any queries on this please do get in touch.

Forthcoming store and breeding sheep sales

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

News from the East Sussex Farmers’ Benevolent Fund

The Benevolent Fund charity was created in 1935 by a local farmer and its purpose is to support farmers, farm staff and those involved in the wider land-based industries. Support can also be given to family dependants.  Beneficiaries are normally resident in East Sussex or neighbouring counties.

Income from property and investment legacies help to finance the fund in addition to generous donations. The fund is overseen by five local trustees with strong agricultural connections.

Help can be for those currently in work, or who have retired or who are unable to work due to illness or disability. The fund can also assist those entering land-based education and help with relevant CPD for furthering their land-based careers.

If you feel that we can help you or you are aware of someone who might benefit from help, please let us know and we will be pleased to support. To contact the Honorary Secretary of the Benevolent Fund Des Lambert – 07912 464746, 01273 890841 or email des.lambert@btinternet.com

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

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

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

Mark Cleverdon (Pigs) 07741 845230

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

Auction announcement

We are pleased to announce a collective machinery sale of farm and garden machinery and equipment and many other items on Friday 5th November. Entry forms are now available

Miscellaneous livestock and general goods and services for sale and wanted ex farm

For Sale – Stock feed potatoes on a Romney Marsh farm. Ring 07867 52753

Other stock sales reports

Help and support from The Farming Community Network

A recent report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that agriculture has the worst rate of fatal injuries of all the major industrial sectors.

Just three weeks after Farm Safety Week, the HSE has reported it has been notified of a further 4 fatalities on farms, including the death of a 3-year-old boy.

Usually there are simple actions workers can take to reduce risk, for instance.

1. Making sure to switch off the power to vehicles or machinery before attempting to carry out repairs.

2. Keeping people, especially children, away from moving vehicles.

3. Using the right equipment for working at height.

4. Ensuring, where possible, that cows with calves are not in fields with well used footpaths.

Risk management is a vital part of all work on farms, every job needs to be thought though and correct safety measures put in place.

Guidance about managing livestock, reducing the risks to children and the public and maintaining farm vehicles and machinery is available on the HSE website.

If you have been affected by a farm accident or are worried about farm safety in general or perhaps struggling with the pressures of a delayed harvest this year, please contact FCN via our telephone Helpline (03000 111 999) or e-Helpline (help@fcn.org.uk) or perhaps speak to one of our volunteers in the market.