Weekly Sales News – 15th January 2019

Top price per kilo – 222p – Miss H Challis: Top price per head – £103 – P Gorringe

Report on trade: We had a big entry of finished hoggets this week with sheep coming from all across the south east of England from Norfolk down to Brighton and even further a field. With over 5000 sheep penned across the market it was a full house with very few spare pens available. The trade that we saw after Christmas and in the first week back trading was unable to be sustained with the bigger numbers now on offer across the country. As written here several times, the standard laws of supply and demand rule the price levels nationally with big numbers of sheep now being drawn from root crops and winter keep.

A good quality entry of hoggets were on offer with super runs from I Strang, S J Reeve & Son, C H Ellis Ltd, O G Lee, T H Carnaghan to name but a few. Pole position on the day was taken by P Gorringe at £103 for some tremendous heavy hoggets at 48kgs which almost made him smile! Best continental export grade lambs sold in excess of 200p to a top of 229p from Miss H Challis.

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: A big entry of ewes again this week with over 800 penned. There was little change in the trade that we have now become used to in recent months with the best meated sorts selling around the £70 – £80 mark. Grazing ewes still being traded from £35 – £55.

Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07757 392903

Report on trade: A big entry of over 1500 stores on offer this week which sold on a tremendous trade with buyers battling to secure numbers for further finishing despite the slight drop in the finished price. Genuine stores sold to £76.50 from Scott and Montgomery with J E Wickens in close second at £76. Most strong stores sold in excess of £70 with medium termers £60-70 and only the smallest types selling below £50.

Averages 1,505 sold to £76.50 and aver’ £66.89.

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: More numbers in the prime section than we have seen for some time and whilst quality was somewhat variable there were customers for all grades. Trade was thoroughly respectable at a time when the major processors are drawing prices backwards as gloom hits the retail sector post Christmas.

At the top end we are very fortunate to have a number of high quality producers that consistently produce a very smart steer or heifer in the right weight range to satisfy our demand from quality butchers and wholesalers. D W Ferguson Ltd  sold Limousin steers to 219p per kg and grossing £1256 and 210p; S Marsh sold Limousin steers to 216p and Limousin heifers to 221p £1166 then 217p and 215p. W Alexander (Shoreham) Ltd sold Limousin steers at 210p, 205p and 204p £1278 with heifers to 209p £1126.

Commercial grades were a decent competitive trade throughout with a good attendance of buyers both to slaughter and further feed. These cattle generally made 180p to 200p with good runs from R F & E A Simmons, Gillshaw Farms, A & M Lyon and R Winstone.

A few more cattle at the bottom end of specs this week but still a good trade between butchers seeking a lighter weight carcase in January and the further feeders. Prices from 140p to 170p don’t sound too glamorous but you have to see the cattle!!

Report on trade: This was certainly better today with noticeably more interest in the better fleshed cows. Numbers are dropping nationally but with considerable amounts of processed beef in store from the end of last year the processors are more interested in clearing their decks at a strengthening price rather than lifting their kill numbers by chasing after cows. Chase they will have to again soon and prices will rise with numbers in the second half of the winter certain to be tight.

Best meat was in short supply today but a younger South Devon’s from Gardners made to 140p per kg and grossed £865 and a smart Blonde cross made 130p £808 from P Court. More cows made 90p to 110p and the interest in long term keeping cows is now helped by the drier ground conditions.

Other highlights included Simmental crosses 120p £801 A J Thompson & Sons; Sussex 107p, 104p £715(Non FA) J Paine Farms; Aberdeen Angus 102p £715 (NonFA) Harker & Hogben and Charolais cross 100p £866 (Non FA) Dr R J & C S Wratten.

There was a bit more life at the top end but lean and plain cows met a similar trade for the dairy culls. Weight and flesh is going to remain hard to find with food targeted at milk production in this testing year! Holstein Friesian 108p WF Farms and Holstein 105p P J Forknall.

Lean stock bulls still difficult but fleshed types a little better.

Please do not hesitate to ring at anytime for marketing advice.

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: Only a light show of stores but a lot of people in the sale ring and a good trade for mixed quality offering. In this early period buyers will be after stronger types for late yard finishing and the hard coated yearlings that can be put together for turn out a little later. Interest in the named Aberdeen Angus and Hereford sired cattle fully maintained and the Sussex breed will continue to remain regionally very popular.

Highlights included Sussex steers 8-10mths £510 and £490 J Paine Farms; Norwegian Red steers 11mths £570 and Aberdeen Angus cross steer 14mths £835  M Gammons; British Blue cross steers 8-12mths £640, £605 G Husk; Limousin cross steers 12-13mths £780 L Palmer & Son; Aberdeen Angus cross steers 20mths  £875 R & H Vincent; Charolais cross steers 20mths £860 H F Brown & Son; Simmental cross heifers 18mths £750 D M Brown and Aberdeen Angus cross steers 24mths £1005 and  a Hereford cross steer 27mths £925 from J Rye.

Please enter cattle early for forthcoming sales to ensure proper cataloguing and marketing.

On day of sale please ensure cattle arrive at the market early to ensure proper sorting and accurate administration of paperwork.

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

Martin Crowhurst (Cattle & Sheep) 07710 803903 or 01797 343936

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

Mark Cleverdon (Rams, Breeding Cattle, Pigs & Calves) 07741 845230

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

Tom Hamplett (Calves) 07966 104532

Notices – Brian Bromley, Charing

The family and friends of Brian have advised that he very sadly passed away last weekend. Brian, with his family, had farmed under the trading title of E & M E Brundrett for the majority of his life. He was a well known and prominent member of the wider farming community in the Ashford area as well as an Ashford market supporter.

Funeral arrangements will be published as soon as available.

Notices – Robert Palmar, Shottenden, Canterbury

The family and friends of Robert of A A Palmar & Son died unexpectedly at home in December. Robert and the family are strong supporters of the market and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A thanksgiving service for his life will be held at St. Mary’s Church, Chilham on Thursday 24th January at 2.30pm.

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The January editions of these popular regional farming magazines are now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are regular contributors to the editorial content. This month’s edition includes a full Ashford Cattle Show report.

Fodder Crop for sale and / wanted

For Sale – a quantity of 7’ long 6 string bales of 2018 made meadow hay on a farm in the Tenterden area. Local delivery available. Ring 01580 761009

For Sale – 25 double wrapped 4’ round bales of 2018 made hayledge on a farm East of Ashford. Ring 07778 057902

For Sale – 100 4’ round bales of Pea Straw, 100 4’ round wrapped bales of whole crop wheat silage, 100 4ft round bales of winter oat straw on a Romney Marsh. Ring 07976 553752

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

Wanted – general farm worker for a mixed farm in the Reigate area. Work will include supporting a beef calf rearing unit. Accommodation available. Please ring 07885 649666

For Sale – 130 Romney in lamb ewes due to Romney rams from the 2^nd week of March on a Romney Marsh farm. Ring Simon Husk on 07885 968077

Wanted – a reliable young man in the Maidstone area is looking for part or full time agricultural employment. He can be recommended for both livestock and tractor work.  Please ring 07787 566080

For Sale – 2 sheepdogs on a North Kent farm – a 6mth Collie bitch and 12mth Kelpie dog. Ring 07850 224330

RABI, Young Farmers Clubs, Kent Herdsmans Club and FCN news

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI)

Farmhouse Breakfast season

Wednesday 23^rd January. Greenfield Shooting School, Sturry, Canterbury, Kent. CT2 0NG at 8.30am. Ring Rollo Parsons: 07879 641611 or Anthony Hyde: 01795 830355 or

anthony.hyde@farm-line.co.uk

A full list of breakfast dates will be published here next week

Kent Herdsmans Club

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