Weekly Sales News – 17th August 2021

New Season Lambs – Top price per head – £131.50 – C & J Georgetti & Sons: Top price per kilo – 303p – G H Dean & Co

Report on trade: A few less lambs were on offer this week which in turn helped to boost trade a little once more with the best lambs in short supply. Well-fed runs of lambs from C & J Georgetti & Sons and G H Dean & Co were well received on the day with both runs topping the charts in their categories. Nice to see the best Beltex lambs break the 300p per kg barrier once again to top of 303p with several other pens making from 280p to 300p.

Numbers nationally of finished lambs are coming under pressure and the rushed onset of harvest in recent days with a break in the weather encouraging this. Lambs in the finished section are still benefiting from a fantastic trade and those that are well finished are certainly best sold on a Tuesday. We do however encourage the leaner sorts to be sold on a Friday at this time of year for best prices for the vendor.

Please keep the lambs coming and contact us with numbers so we can notify the buyers.

Report on trade: Cull ewe trade holding very well for all types of ewes. There were a fair amount of well fleshed ewes on offer today and one run in particular were from G H Dean and Co with both Texel cross and Suffolk cross ewes ranging from £113-£129. C A Worley Farming Ltd had a nice pen of Beltex ewes which made £120 and a couple of Beltex rams which made £159. Plainer ewes were still a good trade with plenty of buyers competing well for them. Hampshire Sheep and Forestry sold a run of Romney ewes today with their plainer ewes ranging from £56-£76.

Top prices include: Suffolk’s to £129 from G H Dean and Co, Continentals to £128 from G H Dean and Co, Mules to £97 from M Palmer and Romneys to £118 from R H Kingston

Keep the ewes coming. Fantastic trade throughout.

Report on trade: This was a disappointing sized entry with several regular vendors not in attendance due to other pressing work on the farm. Trade however was again bullish throughout  with the best handy weights taking the pick of best prices, notably a superb run of  Limousin cross heifers from W S Furnival (Brookland) Ltd making from 227p per kg up to 256p and grossing to £1500 while other top prices included Limousin cross steer £1307 (236p) from G L Boulden & Sons, Limousin cross heifers £1319 (234p) and £1204 (230p) from W Alexander (Shoreham), Charolais cross heifer £1160 (228p) from Fristling Hall Farm and a heavy weight Charolais steer £1503 (220p) from N Morgan.

A small selection of native bred cattle looked well sold with a Longhorn steer £1324 (217p) from Earl de la Warr and fleshed Friesian heifer £1085 (196p) from T Castle & Son.

More cattle wanted to satisfy strong demand.

Report on trade: Numbers, not surprisingly, drying up along with the weather but still no holding the trade which remains at record levels.

Just the one beef cow on offer but well fleshed non-assured Sussex from A J Britton making 158p (£1034).

Dairy culls outstanding once again with best fleshed cows 140p per kg to 150p with the plain cows 100p to 130p. Headlines included British Friesian cows 150p, 149p, 146p (3), 141p, £1126, £1061, £1010 Debden Court; Holstein Friesian 134p, 130p, £988, £887 J W Boyd & Sons and 131p, 126p J E Scutt & Sons.

A run of big Holstein steers up and down from 3 yrs. old sold to 189p, 187p, 186p, 185p, 184p, 179p, 178p, £1385, £1366, £1331, £1235, £1169 from E T Ledger & Son.

Two Hereford stock bulls looked well sold at 125p and 124p.

Keep feeding them! They are certainly wanted! Many thanks.

Report on trade: A good entry of store cattle both in terms of numbers and quality for the time of year with several vendors undoubtedly encouraged by the strong price in recent weeks. They were not disappointed, and trade was bullish throughout, with regular buyers in attendance plus a few seasonal customers attracted by the quality on offer.

The sale comprised several quality entries including 130 16 mths registered sired Aberdeen Angus crosses from A C Hulme & Son which attracted keen interest with the steers topping at £1260 (av. £1079) and heifers to £1105 (av. £924) while a top run of mainly 12-14 mths smart continental crosses from Fristling Hall Farm rang the bell with 14 mths continental cross steers £1270 and 12 mths to £1100 while heifers topped at £1140 for a single 24 mths Simmental cross and 14 mths continental cross to £1000.

Other good entries included 31 Sussex x Limousin’s from Bob Luck Ltd looking well sold with the steers to £1230 and heifers to £1135 while 16 mths top quality Limousin steers and heifers made to £1195 and £1075 respectively from J S Tilley.

Trade is strong with plenty of keen customers at ringside. Please contact us if you have store cattle to sell.

Report on trade: Two outfits being Aberdeen Angus heifers and calves sold from Boty Farms to a top of £1,370.

Report on trade: Trade was a little easier on the fortnight with buyers being a little more selective with their choice of calf.

Continental bulls topped at £350 for a British Blue from T Castle Son with stronger shapely British Blues from R & J Ledger to £320. Continental heifers topped at £320, and £300 (x2) from J E Scutt & Sons.

Only three native bulls were forward with a top of £250 from J W Boyd & Sons for a young Aberdeen Angus. Native heifers made to £250 for Herefords from Goddard & Son.

A few more dairy calves about this week with trade for these similar to the last sale. Top of the trade today was a Holstein Frisian from W G & T A Manford. Plenty of black and whites made in the £50 to £60.

Demand for weanlings remains strong with trade as good as ever for the show on offer. A lovely 6 mths British Blue heifer from M Elphick toped the section at £470. British Blue bulls from Mrs Clifford-Baynes to £455 and a British Blue heifer from the same home to £410 all looked well sold. A couple of Dairy Shorthorns from M Elphick sold to £400 and an Aberdeen Angus heifer from the same home to £460 completed the run.

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.

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

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

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

The Stockpot Café at Ashford Market – reopening fully

Normal service has now resumed with the usual full range of eat in meals, snacks and drinks.

It was good to see the “Seniors” breakfast club meeting reconvened and continuing on Tuesdays!

We would respectfully ask that masks are still worn when queuing and away from a table in this area.

Help and support from The Farming Community Network

Farming Community Network (FCN) volunteers regularly attend local livestock markets and are planning to do so again soon. Their 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.

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

For Sale – Litter of Spaniel cross Collie puppies for sale please call 07944 398818 / 01622 842105.

For Sale – 5 Black and white Border collie puppies, 9wks old, 2 male and 1 females, have had 1^st vaccinations and are microchipped. Call 07805 839115

Coronavirus Policy Update

The Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) welcomes the Government announcement that Step 4 of the Covid-19 road map will proceed as planned in England on Monday 19^th July. As the majority of legal restrictions end in England the Government guidance emphasises personal responsibility.

We have been extremely grateful of the support of buyers, vendors, hauliers and staff during this difficult and challenging period while restrictions have been in place over the last 15 months.

While we are delighted to welcome back farmers to the market, we encourage all our clients to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to continue to help protect public health. At Ashford Market, we will be following Government recommendations as from Monday 19^th July.

In particular we ask that you:

• Wear face masks in enclosed spaces and crowded areas including the cattle ring, sales office counter, reception and while queuing for or being served at the Stockpot counter.
• Use of sanitising and hand washing facilities

This policy will continue to help keep everyone safe and reduces the risk of our customers and staff having to self-isolate and will help to make sure we can keep the market and Stockpot open.

Thank you for your help with this

Notices – Bill Hyland, Staplecross

Family and friends have asked us to announce following the sad loss of Bill last year there will be a memorial service on September 9^th at 2pm at St James Church, Ewhurst TN32 5TD. Friends are also welcome to join the family after the service at the White Dog, Ewhurst Green for “drinks on Bill”. If you plan attending RSVP to Sarah 07708 821842 / 01797 252902 or sarahjanehyland@yahoo.co.uk.

Romney Sheep breeders 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

Southern Shears UK

The committee and supporters of the Southern Shears UK report they held a very successful annual shearing competition on Saturday 17th July at Copford Farm, Waldron, Heathfield by kind permission of the Gingell Family. The Romney Marsh Shearing stands, after some renovation and a re-paint, appeared from hibernation where they had been for a good number of years. This was a welcome sight for the shearers, organisers and general public.

There was a tremendous amount of competitiveness and enthusiasm between all the shearers in the novice, junior, women’s, senior and open classes as well as the novice and open blades classes. The shearers came from far and wide as did the Judges.

A provisional date for next year is 16th July at the same place see you there.

Local Agricultural Show and ploughing match dates and news

Edenbridge & Oxted Show – Sunday and Monday 29^th and 30^th August – For further information contact the show office on 01342 832307 or visit www.edenbridge-show.co.uk

Moreton in Marsh Show, Gloucestershire – Saturday 4^th September – For all details go to www.moretonshow.co.uk

Romney Marsh Ploughing & Dog Show – Sunday 5th September at Ham Mill Lane, Hamstreet, Romney Marsh TN26 2QW (by kind permission of Charles and Ollie Furnival). – For all details contact Diana Wimble 07821 009693, Alan Higgs 07785 783662 or  romneyploughing21@gmail.com

Swale & District Ploughing Match – Saturday 11^th September at Greenway Court, Hollingbourne, Maidstone. For more information ring Chris Hildyard 01795 470556 (email chris@georgewebbfinn.com) or Andrew Mew 07759 320496

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match – Saturday 18^th September at Honey Farm, Munday Bois Road, Pluckley, Ashford, TN27 0SU (by kind permission of the Gwillim family). Full details available from Secretary Liz Copping 07872 501951or on www.wkpma.co.uk

** Hobbs Parker are pleased to confirm they will be attending this event **

East Sussex Ploughing Match – Saturday 25^th September at Priesthawes Farm, Nr Stone Cross, Pevensey (by kind permission of Mr Chris Wadham) – Full details available from Secretary Paul Croft 07752247469 or Croftjpcroft@aol.com

East Kent Ploughing Match – Wednesday 29^th September at Upper Venson Farm, Eastry near Sandwich CT13 0JH (by kind permission of the Ledger family. Full details available from joint secretaries Sarah Ledger on 07802 974 838 or Lorna Astbury on 07538 547 010 or www.ekpma.co.uk

** Hobbs Parker are pleased to confirm they will be attending this event **

Auction of Boats and Marine related items

Hobbs Parkers car auctions team have arranged an online auction to be held on Tuesday 7^th and Wednesday 8^th September.

Entries invited and for more information on entering your vessel, or for the Auction process please contact Hobbs Parker auctioneers or enquire at Ramsgate Harbour Office.

Forthcoming store and breeding sheep sales

Friday 3^rd September

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 10^th September

Store lambs and breeding sheep with a special show and sale of crossbred ewe lambs

Friday 17^th September

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Monday 20^th September

Catalogued ram sale and the annual show and sale of South East Texel Groups breeding females and rams at 3pm

Friday 24^th September

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 1^st October

Romney Day sale of ewe lambs, ewe tegs and breeding ewes together with Romney Sheep Breeders Society show and sale of pedigree rams

Friday 8^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 15^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep including catalogued ram sale

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