Weekly Sales News – 14th August 2018

Top price per head – £107 – G H Dean & Co ; Top price per kilo –  242p – C A Worley Farming Ltd

Report on trade: A big entry of lambs were penned in anticipation of the upcoming religious festival period and what a show of well finished and top quality stock we had on offer. The entry was a credit to all our vendors who were patient and helpful during the peak time of sorting and weighing in the morning and apologies to any of those vendors who had a long wait.

Trade was brisk and on a similar level to last week with the best end of the lambs on offer selling on a slightly improved trade with the grass finished offerings a stand on trade from last week. Top quality Beltex export grade lambs sold to £97 (242p per kg) from C Worley Farming  with further pens making 234p and 230p from the same vendor. Prime trade on the day was taken by the heavier offerings with several pens of 45kg plus lambs selling in excess of  200p to a top price of £107 for a pen of very heavy lambs from G H Dean & Co with joint second place taken at £104 by C & J Georgetti & Sons and Michael Keeley (Agri Services).

Producers please note – For top results please present well fleshed lambs which are preferably dry and clean. Lairage facilities are available every Monday evening.

Sheep sales here in Ashford are supported by buyers representing a large cross section of abattoirs throughout the country. Please ensure your FABBL status is up to date and if you are not FABBL assured seriously consider becoming so – certain buyers are restricted to the purchase of only farm assured stock.

Report on trade: Another big entry of ewes this week with the weaning season in full swing, lack of grazing available and this being the last sale before the festival next week. Over 1200 ewes penned with a huge number of leaner sorts on offer again, as a reflection of the current farming conditions.

Meated ewes were wanted and are selling well as this is what is required for next weeks festival with the leaner ewes generally finding homes for further finishing. Best ewes traded up to £100 with several pens in the £75-100 price bracket. Please advise of the ewes you wish to send for next weeks market.

Top prices included crossbred ewes to £100 from Churchfields Farm, Suffolk crosses to £89 from Dan Mackelden Ltd, Mules to £76 form the same vendor and Romneys to £70 form W A Groombridge & Sons.

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: A decent entry of finished cattle with mostly well fleshed yarded cattle on offer met a similar trade to recent weeks with a total clearance achieved. Wholesale rates have eased during this summer period with the high temperatures and holiday period affecting demand but supply issues surrounding keep shortages has meant  cattle in some regions have been sent into the abattoirs too early. Kill throughputs will start to increase in September which should help demand and a shortage of the right cattle with enough finish might yet be an issue this autumn.

Highlights included smart heifers from S Marsh, D W Ferguson Ltd and W S Furnival (Brookland) regularly making 204 – 212p per kg with a smart lightweights topping at 220p from S Marsh whilst the best of the heifers from Furnival’s grossing at £1297.  Aberdeen Angus heifers made to 205p from J B Marshall and Sussex heifers from C D & J Bishop 190p and £1015.

Very few steers were on offer with fed continental x Friesians from A J Down to 194p, Sussex from C D & J Bishop 192p and black and white heavyweights to 149p(2) and £1024 from PJ Forknall. Overage Limousin crosses made 164p and 158p and Hereford crosses 141p from J Wickens.

Please  contact us if you have finished cattle to sell. We have regular customers keen for cattle every week. Competitive prices available.

Report on trade: Considering we are in the harvest season this was another decent entry of cows and we saw another very firm trade with flesh remaining very much in demand. Whilst feed is in generally short supply those assured producers who can spare feed on cull stock are well advised to continue feeding as well fleshed cows are surely going to be in short supply this autumn. Non assured farmers will wish to sell their culls into the feeding live market upon weaning but segregating early and treating a little better might be a real advantage, even with the calves still on them.

Simmental crosses made  to 145p and then 142p grossing £980 from D W Ferguson and 138p A J Thompson & Sons; Aberdeen Angus x 145p, 142p, 139, 137p £1040 D W Ferguson; Blonde cross 144p £1184 DW Ferguson; Limousin cross 143p £926 R J Husk and Hereford cross 141p £1023 A J Thompson & Son.

Holstein Friesians 136p (2) £1023, £955 PJ Forknall; 135p, 133p, 127p and £1244, £968 J E Scutt & Son and 131p, 128p, 126p and £1096, £1064 Oncoland Ltd.

Simmental bulls made 122p and 118p grossing  £1289 and £1027.

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: A typical mid harvest entry of store cattle with too few nice smart well bred cattle on offer and several runs showing the effects of a dry hot summer. Never the less we had a surprisingly good attendance of customers and trade was very respectable. Whilst our summer sales have certainly been quiet we will see the cattle and buyers once we get into September.

Continental bulls at 7mths made £655 and £515 from M Goodsell with Limousin bulls 15mths £670 from E W & R E Hanks. Charolais cross steers 10-12mths  £810 and heifers 10mths  £675 fromS Goodsell; Limousin cross steers 7mths £730 and heifers £500 from M J Goodsell; Blonde cross steers 12mths £590 R J Stickland; Aberdeen Angus cross steers 10mths  £540 and heifers 20mths  £540,  Simmental x Friesian steers 14mths  £640 and heifers £520 from T Benson; Sussex  x Friesian steers 12mths £440 and heifers £370 plus Hereford x Friesian steers12mths £710, £610 M Gammons; British Blue cross steers 22mths £755 C Kearl; British Blue x Frisian steers 22mths £770 P R Lanham and Charolais x Friesian steers 23mths £940 from T  Lanham.

Report on trade: Another good sized entry and competitive trade through the whole sale. There were plenty of bidders for both beef crosses and dairy bulls on offer and a large crowd to watch them being sold.

Examples of the trade included Oncolands 17 black and white bulls, june and July born, making to £54 and averaging £35; HSG Farms 2 Friesian bulls, born May, making £190 and £120; D Murdoch & Sons British Blue heifer, May born, £295 and Aberdeen Angus bull, July born,  £220; J E Scutt & Sons British Blue bulls, June and July born, £280 twice and £255, heifers to £260 and Aberdeen Angus heifers to £260; P J Forknalls Aberdeen Angus bulls, July and early August born, to £240 with 5 averaging £220 with heifers to £200 and Friesian bulls to £88 and finally W S Furnivals Blonde heifers to £255.

In the stirk pens early 2018 born Simmental cross heifers made $400 and older modles £455.

Remember we sell calves once a fortnight all through the year and have regular customers for all breeds and sexes.

Report on trade:  Strong demand for good pigs and generally these were in short supply, cull sows again an exception trade while store pigs look well bought.

S J M Evans offered well bred finished pigs (with weight) which made to 126p per kg and £126 and B G & M A Tomsett 132p and £110. The rest sold were 60p to 102p.

The entry of cull sows and boars again saw good local demand pushing prices to and exceptional 72p and £187 with a young Pietrain boar 40p and £92.

 In the store pig pens Pietrain crosses made to £36 from D Pope with younger pigs £4 to £15.

Sheep Tagging

All sheep sent to market require to be correctly tagged.

Sheep under 12 mths – Single electronic batch tag and ewes and over 12 mths – Double tagged

Incorrectly tagged sheep may have to be returned home. Single electronic batch tags are not acceptable for ewes and sheep over 12 mths.

Hobbs Parker and Ashford Livestock Market

We are the South East’s principal livestock market selling around 250,000 head of cattle, sheep and pigs in 2017.

Weekly sales throughout the year of all classes of stock, principally on Tuesdays, run by a fully professional team of auctioneers and support staff, they provide an unmatched level of service and commitment to the livestock farmers in the area. Come and see us on market day soon and bring your livestock for us to sell.

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) 07741 845230

John Rossiter (Cull ewes & store sheep plus commercial vehicles) 07557 392903

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) 07741 845230

John Rossiter (Cull ewes & store sheep plus commercial vehicles) 07557 392903

RABI, Young Farmers Clubs and Kent Herdsmans Club news

RABI – Future fundraising events

Saturday 29^th September – Annual Harvest Supper – Amos Hall, Ashford Market, Ashford. TN24 0HB

For further information on all RABI events in Kent ring Charles Tassell – 01622 858733, 07973 412179 or email charles@tassell.co.uk

Kent Herdsmans Club

For September the club celebrate being 50 years old with a BBQ at Coach House Farm, Egerton on Sunday 9th September at 12 noon for 1pm food.

For all details on Herdsman’s Club events contact Chairman Alan Jull 07708283220 or Jo Masters 01580 240568.

Ashford Young Farmers Club

Saturday 29th September at 7.30pm – The club celebrate their 75th anniversary with a special dinner dance at the Weald of Kent Golf course, Headcorn. Dress code – Black tie and evening dresses with an added sparkle. Tickets £35

For more information or to buy tickets contact Callum 07933 213617 or Amy 07733 481473

Notices – Stephen J Weller, Woodchurch

The family have advised that Stephen very sadly passed away after a hard fought battle with illness over recent years. Stephen will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday 23^rd August at Charing Crematorium at 10am.

Events / Meetings in the area of interest to farmers

Tackling TB here in the South East

The TB Advisory Service have organised 2 meeting in the area to update livestock farmers on policy and progress. These will be on Wednesday 5^th September at 7pm at the Kings head, Lower Horsebridge BN27 4DL and Thursday 6^th September at 10am at Westpoint Vets, Dawes Barn, Bognor Road, Warnham RH12 3SH

For more details and to register to attend please phone 01306 628086, visit website www.tbas.org .uk or email info@tbas.org.uk

Hobbs Parker Auctioneers and Car Auctions run over 200 auction sales every year

Our next Auction Sales include……..

Special Sports, High Performance, 4 x 4 and General Cars plus Commercial Vehicle Sale

Monday 27^th August at 10am

This auction of vehicles is one of our largest vehicle sales of the year with upto 500 vehicles on offer.

Sale of Boats and Maritime items at Ramsgate Harbour

Saturday 15^th September

A good large entry of boats and other maritime items is expected for this sale

Birchen Knoll Farm, Fairlight, Hastings

Saturday 22^nd September

Farm dispersal sale of arable machinery and equipment. Entries immediately please

Chilli Farm Machinery sale

Saturday 29^th September at 9.30am

Large entries of tractors, trailers, vehicles, arable equipment, haymaking equipment, tractor attachments & spares, livestock kit, garden machinery, workshop tools and a large and varied selection of rural bygones. Entires close Saturday 8^th September

Romney Sheepbreeders News

The recent edition of the breeders Society newsletter, produced by breed secretary Julie Lukehurst, is available here in the market. For all society information Julie can be contacted on 07538 938425

Friday 31^st August – a summer social event giving members and friends the opportunity to view the Aragon flock and visist the Cranbrook Museum.

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The June editions of these popular regional farming magazines are now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are regular contributors to the editorial content.

The National Beef Association – Beef magazine

The summer 2018 copy of this magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are pleased to be associated with the NBA who are doing good work to support beef cattle producers.

National Sheep Association news

South Sheep 2018 – This bi annual event, promoted by the National Sheep Association is this year being held on Saturday 8^th September at South of England showground, Ardingley. RH17 6TH. For more details please contact event organiser Bob Blanden  01666 860308 or enquiries@southsheep.org.uk

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

For Sale – 3 Kelpie x Collie puppies. East Sussex. Ring 07403931695

Fodder Crop for sale and / wanted

For sale – Large quantity of maize silage available in the Cranbrook area, excellent analyse and quick loading. Please ring 07860623196/01580 240479.

For sale – 50 2018 and 40 2017 season wrapped 4’ round bales of hayledge in West Sussex. Ring 07718 532971

Something different ……

Sunday and Monday 26^th and 27^th August – Edenbridge & Oxted Show.  Ardenrun Showground, Tandridge Ln, Tandridge, Surrey RH7 6LL. For more info ring 01737 645843. www.edenbridge-show.co.uk

Monday 27^th August – Aylsham Show.  North Norfolk. https://theaylshamshow.co.uk/

Saturday 1^st  September – Moreton in Marsh Show, Gloucestershire. www.moretonshow.co.uk

Sunday 2^nd September – Romney Marsh Ploughing Match at Kent Ditch Corner, East Guildford, Romney Marsh, TN31 7PB – Ploughing starts at 10am, Fun dog show at 12pm and also sheep shearing, local hounds and  craft stalls. For more information 07785 783662 or email: romneyploughing@yahoo.co.uk

Saturday 8^th September – Swale & District Ploughing Match at Home Farm, Borden, Sittingbourne, ME9 8JR. For more information ring Chris Hildyard 01795 470556 or Andrew Mew 07759 320496

Sunday 9^th September – Charity Tractor Run and Family Fun day at The Jolly Farmer, Whitewood lane, Godstone. RH9 8JR. Proceeds to Brooklands School for children with additional needs. For more information 07974 668306 or 07484 664011

Saturday 15^th September – Weald of Kent Ploughing Match at Four Oaks Farm, Plumtree Road, Headcorn. TN27 9PB. Full details available from secretary Karen Wheeler 01580 753206 or on www.wkpma.co.uk.

Sunday 16^th September – The Southern Rover Owners Club are holding a family and friends off road open day at Copford Farm, Dern Lane, Horam, TN21 0PN. We welcome anyone to come along to our annual charity day where once again all money raised will be going to RABI.

If you have a 4×4 give it a go on our scenic route or passenger one of our club members in theirs and see what they get up to. Commencing at 11am donations are £2 per lap or £10 to ride all day.
The SROC are always looking for severe land such as old quarry workings on which to test their Land Rovers to extremes. For more information www.sroc.co.uk.

Wednesday 26^th September – East Kent Ploughing Match -, Malmains Farm, Waldershare, Dover CT15 5BG by kind permission of E.I Overy & Sons. For more information www.ekpma.co.uk or 07802 974 838