Weekly Sales News – 15th May 2018

New season lambs Top price per head – £146 – S J Reeve; Top price per kilo – 351p – D Isaac

Report on trade: A bigger entry of lambs were on offer again this week with a similar trade to last week but less top quality on offer which certainly affected the averages. Some super Beltex cross lambs from D Isaac sold to 251p per kg (37kg at £130) and some heavy weight Suffolk lambs from S J Reeve sold to £146. More lambs will come out every week from now on and prices will be dictated by this. As always please let us know what you will be sending week on week.

Hoggets Top price per head – £156 – I Strang; Top price per kilo – 286p – R H Smith

Report on trade: Once again a similar trade to last week, these prices appear to be  becoming the norm, long may it continue! Just under 2000 penned this week but many suppliers are clearing up their hoggets now and numbers do seem set to fall in the coming weeks. There were still some good quality sheep on offer this week with the heavier sorts making in excess of £150 and several of the handier weight sheep selling around the 250p mark but a pen to mention from J Smith selling to 286p for 52kg (£148.50). Demand is still strong so please let us know what you have and our advice is to sell at these levels before the hogget trade inevitably will slide.

Producers please note – For top results please present well fleshed lambs which are preferably dry and clean. Lairage facilities and dagging 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 similar trade to recent weeks but we have now entered the Ramadan fasting period and we may see a drop in demand for the ewes until the end of this period. Meated ewes will certainly still be in demand in the coming weeks but it is usually the “also rans” that suffer in these times so as always, we would appreciate you letting us know what you are sending to market in the coming weeks.

Best ewes were once again making in excess of £100 to a top price of £135 from I Strang once again.

Top prices this week included crossbred ewes to £135 form I Strang, Suffolk crosses to £123 from S W Batch, Mules to £99 from T Tilley and Romneys to £97 from G L Boulden & Sons.

Report on trade: Stores are still a fantastic trade, following on from the finished price but this is sure to take a drop in the coming weeks with only the complete long termers left on the market. What were sold today were a flying trade thoughout. Suffolk x Mule ewe tegs made to £110 from A C Hulme & Sons and most longer term sorts were making between £75-85.

Report on trade: We had another strong trade for finished cattle with the pick making up to £1304 (229p) and £1222 (229p) for smart British Blue cross heifers and steers from S Marsh while other butcher type handy weights sold well at £1070 (219p) for a Limousin cross heifer from Burden Bros and £1276 (208p) for a Blonde cross heifer from G L Boulden & Sons.

The weekly consignment of continental x Friesian steers and heifers from A J Down again sold very well at 190p plus and up to £1163 (199p). A very small entry of native bred cattle sold exceptionally well up to £1260 (190p) for a purebred Sussex steer from A H Hoad & Son.

A larger entry of OTM were well received with heavyweight continental cross steers grossing well up to £1491 (178p) from Beslee Farms and a run of South Devon and Limousin cross steers up to £1096 (156p) from M R & A V Adams.

Report on trade: Outstanding numbers were penned for the time of year with over 70 cattle in the section. With prices having been so strong for so long it is clear that more cows have been fed intensively to advantage this winter and we again saw some marvellous meat cows from both the beef and dairy sectors.

Trade was again impressive with buyers as keen as ever to secure flesh. Best beef cows made 150- 180p and readily over £1300 with the best handy weights pushing towards £1500. Grazing and feeding demand remains outstanding with forecast supplies remaining tight and young keeping cows readily made over 150p.

Dairy culls with weight and flesh made 130-140p and over £1100. A few less lean plain cows from the dairy reflecting turn out and the demand for milk in the tank.

More overage clean cattle and though they have been around for a few years they are now being sold at the top of the trade.

Top calls in the beef section included Limousin cross, 181p, £1399 W S Furnival (Brookland) and 172p, £1422 M B Farms; British Blue cross 176p, £1448 M B Farms; Simmental cross 166p, £1135 W S Furnival (Brookland); Charolais cross 163p, £1259 W S Furnival (Brookalnd); Sussex 163p, £1129 D W Page & Son and 160p, £1101 Earl de la Warr; Hereford cross 161p, £1228 W S Furnival (Brookland); Aberdeen Angus cross 159p, £1046 Garuara Estates and 155p  W S Furnival (Brookland)  with Blonde crosses, 150p, £1024 W S Furnival (Brookland).

In the dairy lines British Friesian 146p, 136p, 135p, £1229, £1084, £1063 G D & E E Field; Holstein Friesian 141p, 137p, 134p A E Daw & Sons; 135p, £1063 W S Furnival Ltd and 132p, 130p, 129p (2), £1177, £1105, £1080, £1026 R Torrance & Son.

Holstein steers (48 mths plus) 157p, 153p ( 2), 150p, 147p, £1253, £1229, £1205, £1129 R W Jones & Son; Charolais cross steer (36 mths plus) 161p, £1035 R W Jones & Son and Welsh Black cross steer (36 mths plus) 163p, £1164 R W Jones & Son.

Stock bulls wanted with flesh. Limousin 139p, £1627 and124p, £1186.

Report on trade: A good entry of store cattle for the time of year and with several more customers in attendance trade was brisk and competitive throughout. An abundance of feed, good recent grass growth and firm prices for finished cattle are boosting buyers confidence around the store ring with prices as good as we have seen all spring. The best of the younger cattle sold readily in the £700 to £900 bracket while stronger sorts to finish short term made £1000 plus and up to £1130 for Simmental cross steers from R Coleman & Son.

Native bred cattle were again keenly sought after with a good selection of Aberdeen Angus crosses on offer while strong Friesian steers looked well sold at £715 from E & J H Maylam.

Remember if you have cattle to sell please ring any of our team of auctioneers and fieldsmen for advice and to ensure cataloguing and proper advertising within our sales.

Principal prices include:                                                                                                                  

Report on trade: British Blonde bulls made the headlines with G L Boulden & Sons selling 2 purebreds born in 2016 for £3050 and £3150 while the Limousins on offer were led by a Black model making £2700 (2014 born) from W A Ketley & Sons. M A Piper & Sons sold 2 purebreds by Wealden bulls for £1950 and £2000.

Cows and calves made to £1070 for an Aberdeen Angus cross cow (born 2009) and December born steer calf from Gallagher Farms.

Romney Sheepbreeders News

The Romney High Index Group invite you to their open day where sheep and science meet on Tuesday 5^th June 2018, 3pm at Pickney Bush Farm, Newchurch, Romney Marsh. TN29 0BZ. The open day will allow you to view the scheme rams, see their offspring, learn about progressive sheep breeding and hear a talk by Peter Bates on creepy crawlies, what’s moving ..  or what makes a sheep tick.

There will be a short talk by Norbrook Animal Health and an update on the R.I.S. scheme by Emma Steele.

Please join us for refreshments and a chat afterwards – R.S.V.P. by 22^nd May 2018 by e-mail to emma.steele@ahdb.org.uk or call 02476 478721.

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

British Wool News

On 29^th May the British Wool Ashford depot will be moving to Walnut Tree Farm, Church Road, Smeeth, Ashford. TN25 6SA.

Trevor Richards, British Woll Chairman and Board member for the English Southern region says “British Wool’s new Ashford depot underlines our commitment to providing a quality, reliable and effective service to all producers in South East England. With increased capacity, we will also be able to offer producers greater flexibility to get their wool off farm sooner.”

On clearing the Brundrett House depot ready for this move a set of 1899 to 1967 Romney Sheep flock books have been found. If anyone has and interst in these please ring Janet Mills on 01233 622444

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The May edition of this popular regional farming magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are regular contributors to the editorial content.

In addition our Property Consultants Outlook for Summer 2017, is included with this months publication and again are available hare in the market. Articles from our Property Consultants team and James Hickman’s commentary on the agricultural land market makes interesting reading for all landowners and occupiers.

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

For Sale – 16 Beef cross heifers with Limousin cross (April / May born) calves at foot in Kent. Ring 07885 968077

For Sale – 25 Aberdeen Angus x British Friesian heifers, 18-20 mths – West Sussex. Ring Elwyn on 07710 803901

For Sale – 6 Farm bred Collie puppies (4 bitches and 2 dogs). Ready in mid May – East Kent. Ring 07595 830165.

Wanted – Experienced full time farm worker for a mixed livestock and arable farm in the Reigate area. Accommodation available. Ring 07885 649666

**CALLING ALL EX AND PRESENT ASHFORD YOUNG FARMERS** Your invited to celebrate the clubs 75th Birthday at Burnt Oak Farm, Bethersden, TN26 3BQ. Saturday 30th June from 3pm onwards with a young farmers bash from 8pm, camping available. We only ask if you could contribute a sweet or savoury plate to add to our table. Please RSVP to Amy 07733 481473 or Jenny 07876 695872

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

RABI

Future fundraising events

Wednesday 23^rd May – Meet the Chairman Event at Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, Lewes. BN7 3AE. Please advise intention to attend to Sally Field – sally.field@rabi.org.uk

Wednesday 27^th June – Champagne, Strawberries & Jazz at the Kent County Showground, Detling. ME14 3JF

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

Ashford Young Farmers Club

Sunday 15th April  – All are welcome to join them at their Lambing Open day at Hope Farm, Wittersham TN30 7NP from 10am to 4pm

If you would like more information please contact Amy Langdon 07733 481473

Calling all ex and present Ashford Young Farmers – Your invited to celebrate the clubs 75th Birthday at Burnt Oak Farm, Bethersden, TN26 3BQ. Saturday 30th June from 3pm onwards with a young farmers bash from 8pm, camping available. We only ask if you could contribute a sweet or savoury plate to add to our table. Please RSVP to Amy 07733 481473 or Jenny 07876 695872

Please contact Amy Langdon 07733 481473 or Jennifer Hope 07876 695872 with your contact details to receive your invite.

Kent County Young Farmers

Homewood School YFC finished a creditable 8^th place in the National Final of the Disco Dancing competition held at the National Convention in Blackpool recently.  Kent YFC were there in numbers, providing noisy support throughout their performance!

Two members will be representing Kent in the Area round of Stockman of the Year at the South of England Show soon – Megan Clifford from Swan YFC and Suki Squibb from Ashford YFC. Good luck to all Kent YFC competitors.

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