Weekly Sales News – 16th March 2021

Auctioneer: Elwyn Davies 07710 803901

Top price per head – £170 – Miss M Friend; Top price per kilo – 341p – P Ashlee

Report on trade: Another big show of hoggets met a similar strong trade with best quality heavyweights making £140 plus and topping at £170 for a smart Beltex from Miss M Friend. Medium weights sold exceptionally well to average over 300p per kg with many of the best 320p plus and topping at £133 (341p) from a superb run of Beltex crosses from P Ashlee. Other top runs included 43 to 47kg Texel crosses making £131.50 to £145 (aver £136.50) from P & C Bower Ptnrs and a run of heavyweight Beltex and Charollais crosses from T Husk ranging from £146 up to £164 (aver £155).

Keep the hoggets coming and please contact us regarding numbers so we can notify the buyers.

Auctioneer: Elwyn Davies 07710 803901

Report on trade: An improved trade for cull ewes with fleshed crossbreds making in excess of £100 and topping at £130 for continental cross from E Gingell and Romneys up to £99 from Langrish Farmers. The majority of the plainer sorts made around £70.

Other top prices included Charollais cross £115 from Wey Street Farm LLP; Texel cross £121 from J L Hall, £108 from M & R Morton Ltd and J Howie and £106 from R F & E A Simmons; Suffolk cross £121.50 from M Woodroofe, £115 from E Gingell and £108 from North Kent College; Mules £103 from D Heathcote and £96 from M Woodroofe; Romneys £99 from Langrish Farmers and rams to £125 from N A Balcomb & Son.

Report on trade: Another exceptional trade with a pen of Charollais crosses topping the market at £124.50 from P Taylor and Romney wethers making to £101 from D W Mosdell. A favourable overall average of £97.50 and very few stores made below £80.

If you have stores to sell, we have the customers keen and willing to pay top price.

Report on trade: Demand for finished stock remains at exceptional levels and more cattle could be sold each week to a strong of buyers.

Again, the very best of the cattle made up over 240p per kg with Limousin cross steers topping at 246p £1505 from W Alexander (Shoreham) whilst heifer returns were led by Limousin from D W Ferguson Ltd at 245p £1499. Bulls topped at 220p £1337 for Blondes from G L Boulden & Sons.

Plenty of good suckler bred cattle made 225p to 245p whilst the dairy bred finished cattle remain also a blazing trade. British Blue x Friesian steers to 223p £1313 and Limousin x Friesian steers to 217p £1317, both from A J Down. Limousin x Friesian heifers to 210p from A J Down and grossing up to £1339 from P W & P Sim & Son.

A few more Sussex on offer this week with smart Sussex heifers to 234p £1086 from S Marsh and steers to 216p £1290 from J G & D G D White and 214p £1441 from K & P M Sinden & Sons.

Report on trade: This was an outstanding trade again! More of a mixture of beef and dairy culls in the pens this week and certainly more hard out wintered beef cows within the entry. Buyers know how short the product is and demand for slaughter types, yarding cows for finishing and plain hard types for grazing remains at record levels. This really is the time for the grazers with stock able to have enough time to become farm assured, if necessary and get finished with the early grass of April, May, and June. Look through your non performers and ask the question!

Best feeding beef cows regularly made 150p to 200p per kg with even the hardest, but sound cows up over 130p. A few real fleshed types 140p to 160p.

Headliners were Simmental cross 195p 157p 146p £1176 £1041 A J Thompson & Sons, 169p £952 P N & C Burden and 150p £1091 P C Coleman; Limousin cross 185p 176p £1015 £992 H & J Noakes, 182p £864 R Coleman & Sons, 148p £988 C W Jones and 136p £1010 (Non FA) R M Christie; Hereford cross 156p £925 P N & C Burden; Aberdeen Angus cross 154p £996 A J Thompson & Sons and 144p £1026 (Non FA) J F E Goodsell; Beef Shorthorn 149p £884 (Non FA) E Wood and Sussex 147p £1172 C E & W S Millson.

Demand for dairy culls of all types and breeds was outstanding. Again, some good fleshed fed cows and older heifers with young sorts made up over 160p and best black and white cows regularly over 130p.

Top calls included Holstein Friesian heifers 176p 168p £1290 £1238 H O Champneys Ltd; Flekvieh 164p £989 P W Westnedge & Knight; Norwegian Red cross 144p £976 P W Westnedge & Knight; Holstein Friesian 138p 134p £1204 Leggat Farming, 136p 130p £1260 P J Forknall, 132p 128p (3) 127p £1160 £1033 W G & T A Manford and 129p £906 H O Champneys Ltd; Jerseys 127p 114p £588 £579 S E Lane & Ptnrs and Ayrshire 115p (Non FA) Grace Natural Foods.

Bulls a good trade for fleshed types which included Aberdeen Angus 119p £1286 and Hereford 99p (Non FA) £1193.

Report on trade: The steady improvement in finished beef prices over the last 12 months to the point that we are now selling close to record returns is resulting in tremendous store cattle demand and high prices. It is also a fact that numbers nationally are shorter as the beef and dairy herds decline.

There was a quality show of cattle in this week and buyers were present in force from home and away with those from the West Country, Midlands, East Anglia and the north all taking stock.

A few bulls and rigs looked well sold.

• Simmental cross £840 G Gregory
• Hereford x continental £765 C W Jones
• Sussex cross £570 Raveningham Farms

An outstanding show of yearling continental cross cattle met a superb trade. Generally the best steers made over £1000 with some high flyers breaking through the £1200 barrier. Best heifers made £900 to £1100 with many customers going home short of cattle. A sample of prices shows the trade!

• 14mths Simmental cross steers £1020 £940, heifers £915 Mrs C Wickens
• 10-12mths Limousin cross and Blonde cross steers £1160 £1070 £990 £970 etc, heifers £970 £915 £900 etc P J S Farms
• 11-12mths Limousin cross steers £1200 £1100 £1060, heifers £975 £880 £800 Geoffrey Bates Ltd
• 10-12mths Limousin cross £1020 £960 M Williams
• 12mths Limousin cross steers £1240 £1120, heifers £1060 £895 H J Emery & Son
• 12-14mths Simmental cross and Limousin cross steers £1000 £880, heifers £945 R Coleman & Sons
• 12mths Limousin cross £1110 L Palmer & Sons
• 12mths Limousin cross steers £1070, heifers £985 R Wade
• 12-14mths Limousin cross and Simmental cross steers £1090 (2) £1080 A J Thompson & Sons
• 12mths British Blue cross steers £1040 K Graham
• 12-14mths Limousin cross steers £1080 £1070 £910, heifers £1030 £920 E Chantler & Sons
• 11-12mths Simmental cross steers £955 £900, heifers £845 £820 W J Hurley
• 12-14mths Limousin cross steers £1095, heifers £1060 P T & S J A Beale
• 12-14mths Simmental cross steers £910, heifers £940 £850 G Gregory

Native cattle were in shorter supply this week but no end of demand and more wanted weekly. Aberdeen Angus crosses lead the line again with good runs from F Pearce & Sons selling yearling steers to £970, heifers to £835. Younger well bred Aberdeen Angus cross from P Ashlee at 9mths sold to £810 £750 for steers with heifers to £655. Older 20mths Aberdeen Angus cross steers from Raveningham Farms made to £1115 whilst Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steers from P & G & J Carden sold to £1040.

Sussex are wanted with Raveningham steers 20mths to £860 and heifers to £890 whilst hard out wintered 2yrs steers from P Wheatley looked very well sold at £990.

• 20-24mths British Blue x Friesian steers £930 £850 Mrs R Clifton
• 20mths Friesian £1075 K M & S Goddard

A very good trade all round – more wanted.

The open market is the place to find out how much cattle can be worth. Prices have risen dramatically in recent months so take advantage of this positive interaction of supply and demand.

Report on trade: An absolutely flying trade from the whistle today with demand for all types of calves completely outstripping supply!

A strong entry of continental calves with confirmation to suit all types of buyer were offered. The first calf into the ring, a British Blue bull from A & W J Hitchcock, setting the tone for the rest of the sale with the hammer falling at £380. J W Boyd & Sons sold British Blue bulls to £330, R & J Ledger’s single entry of a Simmental bull sold for £315, and B J Goodsell & Son sold Limousin bulls to £290. No less demand for continental heifers this week either with a top of £330 for a British Blue again from A & W J Hitchcock. Hickson Bros sold another batch of well presented British Blue heifers to a top of £290. Limousin heifers from B J Goodsell & Son sold to a top of £295 and Simmentals from H O Champneys Ltd to £270.

Native calves look a serious trade with bulls selling to £295 for an Aberdeen Angus from B J Goodsell & Son and a Sussex from North Kent College. Younger Aberdeen Angus from W F Farms looked well sold at £235 as did P J Forknall’s young Aberdeen Angus at £195. Native heifers a real strong trade with a top of £295 for an Aberdeen Angus from Mrs M S Clifford -Baynes. Sussex heifers from W G & T A Manford looked on the money with a top of £240.

Trade for dairy calves strengthened again from last sale with a total of 20 calves selling to an average of £78.65. Top price was some stronger calves from H O Champneys with a British Friesian to £205. Most dairies trading today in the £70 to £100 region.

No Weanlings entered however demand is very much growing for these. Many enquiries have been received with buyers keen to fill orders. Please do make contact if you have weanlings for sale!

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.

Sock Lambs

This section will be offered every Tuesday at 10.30am through the lambing season – please ring with entries so we can advise purchasers of likely entries.

Covid-19 Protocol at Ashford Market – updated January 2021

Following recent government lockdown legislation relating to Covid-19, Hobbs Parker Auctioneers, here in Ashford Market, will be following recommendations from the Livestock Auctioneers Association and we confirm that from Tuesday 12^h January and onwards

• we will be again implementing a “Drop and go Policy” and no vendors will be permitted to attend the market other than to deliver stock.

Only registered buyers must enter either the penning areas or sales ring.

• customers to wear a face covering whilst at market.
• social distancing, high standards of hygiene and responsible behaviour to others should be maintained.
• strict control of the numbers attending market is asked for and both buyers and sellers should not bring additional people with them to market.

Please note if you don’t 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

Bovine TB Test Dates

It is very important that the date (first part of test) is recorded on cattle entry forms for all cattle sold from TB1holdings. Any recent whole herd test dates from TB4 holdings must also be recorded. This information is critical to purchasers who may be required to test animals again and who will wish to avoid the risk of a false positive by testing again within the 60-day period.

Please advise of test dates when making cattle entries for cataloguing from TB1 Holdings.

Message from Peter Barker of Barkers Animal Health

Lambing season supplies – Just a reminder that Barkers Animal Health retail store, here in the market, is open for collections on a Tuesdays. Please pre order with Mossy, who is available 24/7 on 07739 723623, so goods are ready for you.

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The March edition of this popular regional farming magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker is a regular contributor to the editorial content.

Hay, Straw and fodder

For a small charge we are quite happy to advertise your hay, straw and fodder for sale in this register which will now run until early May for further details please ring our auctioneer’s office on 01233 502222 or Mark Cleverdon 07741 845230

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

Wanted – an afternoon milker for a 200 cow herd in the Canterbury area. Please ring 01971 873896 or 01227 700578 for more details

Wanted – veterinary student (2^nd year) looking for lambing experience (28^th March to 16^th April). Please contact Oliver on 07763 688510

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.

Help and support from The Farming Community Network

Farming Community Network (FCN) volunteers regularly attend local livestock markets and whilst we cannot be present at sales currently, our helpline is still open from 7am to 11pm every day, staffed by people who understand farming.

FCN is a charity and voluntary organisation that helps farmers to stay resilient. We provide practical and pastoral support to those experiencing difficulties in England and Wales.

During these challenging times we are encouraging everyone to think about their own physical and mental health and that of their families and staff.

We can help with contingency planning against the backdrop of the Corona virus outbreak and our FarmWell website (www.farmwell.org.uk) offers a wealth of free information about managing change and maintaining personal wellbeing.

The FCN helpline can be reached on 03000 111 999 or via email at help@fcn.org.uk. Confidentiality is assured.