Weekly Sales News – 17th September 2019

Top price per head – £103.50 – Woodside Furze Copse Farm: Top price per kilo – 194p – G H Dean & Co

Report on trade: A few extra lambs on offer this week but a very mixed entry with all sorts from the bottom to the top of the scale and everything in between. Some superb pure Texel sheep from Woodside Furze Copse Farm sold in excess of £100 and topped at £103.50 for the females of the entry.

Less of the intensively fed sheep were penned this week, with only a handful of runs of these and the best being offered from G H Dean & Co which topped at 194p per kg for some smart Beltex crosses. Nationally trade is very slow and with strengthening of the sterling currency in the past 10 days, exports are slowing also.

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, as is often the case at this time of year with a huge number of leaner sorts present. Many buyers present for these sorts with 17 different purchasers buying for many different outlets of both slaughter and further finishing. These leaner sorts traded between £30-£50. Best ewes once again really rang the bell as they always do, regardless of the trade, with strong Texels from J Warnock & Son selling to £120.

Top prices included Texel ewes to £120 from J Warnock & Son, Suffolks to £71 from M A Piper & Son Farms, Romneys to £63 from A R Dunlop.

Report on trade: Again quality was in very short supply and a large percentage of second grade or under finished cattle were on offer which proved harder to sell. A Limousin cross heifer topped the market at £1084 (198p) and a Limousin cross steer sold relatively well at £1143 (185p) both from W Alexander (Shoreham) while a run of heavy weight Simmental cross steers sold at £1180 (162p) from E T Ledger & Son Ltd.

An increased number of native bred cattle were on offer with the majority ranging between 160p to 175p with an Aberdeen Angus cross heifer topping at £937 (177p) and a steer at £1143 (163p) from G Stokes while purebred Sussex steers topped at £1103 (169p) from H G Tompsett & Sons Ltd and heifers to £805 (160p) from C D & J Bishop.

Report on trade: A typical back end entry of cows reflecting the current dry conditions. There was not really enough flesh on offer and clearly some herds beginning to have something of a tidy up before the weather does change to Autumn!

Trade decent enough though not exciting. Considering the downward pressure coming from the difficult prime market, and significant numbers of low priced out of spec and out of age clean cattle now coming forward, cows rates are holding up better than most sectors.

Nothing very exciting in terms of quality amongst the beef cows with fleshed types, even non assured, close to 120p. Plenty of cows 100-110p. Highlights included British Blue cross 118p £909 (Non FA) R M & J Penny; Limousin cross 118p £770 (Non FA) I D Machin; Aberdeen Angus cross 115p £807 H & J Noakes; Whitebred Shorthorn cross 111p, Sussex 110p, Hereford cross 110p (Non FA) D T Marden; Bazadaise cross 110p (Non FA) P N Gotts and Devon 108p £817 David Potter.

In the dairy lines there were a few well fleshed cows but generally leaner types forward. Best cows can get to 120p with plenty 100 to 110p and little under 70p. British Friesian 119p, 116p, 114p £854 Debden Court; Brown Swiss 118p £828 D Murdoch & Sons; Holstein Friesian maiden heifer 123p £845; cows 111p, 109p £959, £916 M Goddard and 109p £841 W S Furnival.

Report on trade: Difficult trading in the whole of the beef sector with returns in the finished market well below those of last year by some £150 to £200 per head. This has been the case since March with no sign of any change in the short term future. This is now  having an impact on prices in the store market and while all our regular feeders are in attendance and trade is competitive, returns are on a different level to last year though fortunately not back as far as the prime beef trade.

Today’s market attracted a mixed entry with quality in short supply and a dominance of dairy bred sorts. Strong stores to finish short term sold in excess of £900 with 24 mths Aberdeen Angus cross steers topping at £980 from A E & L A Lidgett and British Blue x Friesian steers to £970 from R C & J L Pickering. Best of the yearlings in excess of £700 and a big percentage of young cattle ranging between £300 to £600.

Report on trade: Two herd dispersals were at the heart of this weeks sale. 20 In calf cows were offered on behalf of P N Gotts, at short notice, having been scanned on Monday evening. All were in calf to a Hereford bull and generally aged. £640 to £720 covered them all with the registered Hereford bull making £710.

David Potter Farms pedigree North Devon herd sale saw cows and spring calves (sold separately) make £1150, £1140, £1110 and £1090 with in calf heifers to £790 and the stock bull £810.

Breeding cattle will be offered on most Tuesdays through the autumn and a substantial entry is expected on Tuesday 8^th October which will included Sussex cattle for the society’s autumn show and sale.

Report on trade: A less buyout trade all round this week with buyers more cautious as a result of the current market conditions in both the store and finished cattle markets, unfortunately this is the case nationwide at the moment.

Continental calves on the day looked best sold with a single suckled Limousin steer from M J Ashworth racing away to £335. Dairy cross continental bulls topped at £235 for a British Blue from P J Forknall, most were traded between £130 and £170. A small entry of heifers topped at £170 for a British Blue from J W Boyd & Sons Ltd.

Native calves needed size and shape to hit the top returns today. Bulls sold to £160 for an Aberdeen Angus from G R Edgar & Son, the majority were £100 plus with only the very smallest less. Native heifers to £160 for an Aberdeen Angus from A & W J Hitchcock. The majority of the entry were the smaller typical Aberdeen Angus heifers, mostly around the £80 mark.

A trade in line with other national outlets for black and white bull calves. The autumn calving period is producing a big spike in the supply of these types of calves which, when combined with the national demand for cattle, has unfortunately meant the tight margins for these are squeezed further. Nevertheless, first quality rearing types sold to £115 from Parrett & Son. Second quality sold to £65 from G R Edgar & Son. Bobbies were generally £15 – £25.

Some quality weanling Herefords from P N Gotts as part of the genuine dispersal sold to £300, £290 and £260 respectively. Hadlow College sold bulls to £280, this being a British Blue.

We remind all calf sellers and buyers of the information below

Calf sellers and buyers should be aware that welfare regulations state that while an animal can be sold at 7 days old if they are offered at under 10 days old they cannot be transported more than 100km from the market. Buyers are notified from the rostrum when these calves are offered.

From a sellers view it is best not to present calves at under 10 days old to avoid possibly restricting the number of potential bidders for your stock.

Report on trade: Brexit and the Chinese / American political impasse make predicting the pig trade week to week very difficult. This week saw the best pigs trade a similar levels to recent sales and the second quality an improved trade with good competition for these.  

In the finished pig pens the best from S J M Evans made 110p and 107p per kg and S Scott & Sons 103p and the rest of the good pigs 90p plus. 50p to 90p covered the rest with top gross £94.60 for S J M Evans gilts.

In the cull pig sows made to 75p from C B Hope.

A selection of store pigs were forward including middle weight Berkshires making £24, young Saddlebacks £5 and a very small sow and 6 £48.

RABI, Young Farmers Clubs, 91 Club, Kent Herdsmans Club and FCN news

RABI – copies of a summer newsletter are available here in the market.

Saturday 5^th October – Harvest Supper in the Amos Hall, Ashford Market. 6.30pm for 7pm

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.

Monday 14th October 2019 at 7.30pm – a talk by David Potter about his life in farming, at the Conningbrook Hotel, Canterbury Road,  Ashford TN24 9QR

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

Ashford Young Farmers – copies of their August / September newsletter are available here in the market.

For all details on Ashford Young Farmers please contact Amy Langdon at amy.langdon1234@hotmail.co.uk

Tonbridge Young Farmers – Debbie Broad is keen to reopen this club.

For all details of plans please contact the Broads through Debbie’s Facebook page

Forthcoming store and breeding sheep sales

Friday 27^th September

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

Friday 4^th October

Store lambs, breeding sheep and catalogued ram sale

Friday 11^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 18^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 1^st November

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 22^nd November

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 13^th December

Store lambs and breeding sheep

All sales commence at 11am with ram sales at 10am

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The September 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 Autumn 2019, is included with this months publication and again are available hare in the market.

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

Our next Auction Sales include……

Chilli Farm Machinery sale

Saturday 28^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 are expected

Romney Sheepbreeders News

Friday 15^th November – Romney Sheep Breeders Dinner at The Swan, Chapel Down Vineyard, Tenterden. TN30 7NG at 7pm for 7.30. £39.50 per ticket. Places are limited.

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

Notices – John Rye, Wittersham

Family and friends have asked to advise that John sadly passed away on Friday 6^th September. John, a livestock farmer on Romney Marsh and Wittersham all his life and one of the markets most regular attenders, will be missed by all who met and knew him.

A service will be held at Charing Crematorium on Wednesday 2^nd October at 12 noon.

Notices – Jim Smith, Chilham

Family and friends have asked to advise that Jim sadly passed away recently. Respected as a farmer in the area and as a livestock market supporter he will be missed.

Notices – Tony Betts, Wrotham

Family and friends have asked us to advise that Tony sadly passed away recently. Respected as a farmer in the area and the family continue to farm.

A funeral service will be held at Wrotham Church on Monday 30^th September at 11am

Summer events / meetings in the area of interest to farmers

Gravesend & Rochester Agricultural Association Ploughing Match & Gymkhana – Saturday 21^st September – Paddlesworth Farm, Snodland. ME6 5DR by kind permission of D S & M Lingham. Events commence at 9.30. Lots to see and do including steam and horse ploughing, gymkhana, local produce, craft and trade stands, competitions tent, laser clay shooting, duck herding and more. Car entry £5 plus £1 per passenger, foot entry £2. For more information please visit graa.org.uk or for gymkhana entries please contact sue.batchelor@me.com

East Kent Ploughing Match – Wednesday 25^th September – West Court Farm, Shepherdswell, Dover CT15 5PZ by kind permission of J Weir & Sons. For more information www.ekpma.co.uk or ring Sarah ledger on 07802 974 838

East Sussex Ploughing Match – Saturday 28^th September – Broad Farm, Hellingly, East Sussex by kind permission of Richard Mortimore-Lee. For more information www.espms.co.uk or 07752 247469

RABI and FCN would like to invite you to a County Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 6^th October at Ashford Cattle Market at 17.30 in support of RABI and FCN, followed by a reception. For more information please contact Karen Adams at kadams@diocant.org

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

For Sale – Border Collie puppies from excellent working parents. 3 Boys, tri coloured and black/white – Call Holly on 07850524206

National Farming Awards 2019

Farmers Weekly Awards 2019 – we congratulate 3 nominees, who have connections with the market and Hobbs Parker, who have reached the final stages of these competitions (top 3).

Michael and Ian Sturmer, Lewes for Beef farmer of the year;

British Farming Awards promoted by the Farmers Guardian – we congratulate 3 nominees, who have connections with British Farming the market and Hobbs Parker, who have reached the final stages of these competitions (top 4).

Ryan McCormack, Burden Bros for Arable innovator of the year;

Richard Bartle, Herefordshire for Beef innovator of the year;

Charlie Fermor, Wye for Diversification Innovator of the year (Large) and

Sharinda Lockwood, Canterbury for Sheep innovator of the year.

Good luck to nominees and their supporters – we look for to reporting final results when available