Weekly Sales News – 18th February 2020

Top price per kilo – 261p – Mrs D Ashlee; Top price per head – £130.50 – P Gorringe

Report on trade: Another good entry with almost 2500 penned and trade was on a par to last week, despite the SQQ average being slightly back, the average price per head was still £102.50 for all finished hoggets sold. This trade is being dictated by numbers on offer nationally and these numbers are dramatically down on recent years.  Heavy lambs were the best sellers on the day with several pens in excess of £120 from P Gorringe, N & D Attwood and H & J Noakes. Best quality continentals sold in excess of 250p per kg in most cases with the top spots taken by Mrs D Ashlee, Mrs H Long and S T Phillips.

Please Note – The sale of finished sheep will now commence at 09.30am. The sale will be followed by Store Sheep, cull ewes and breeding sheep in that order.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could “help us to help you” by arriving earlier to assist with appropriate sorting and penning of sheep. Lairage facilities are available from 2 to 6pm every Monday and we can accept stock from 6am every Tuesday

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 flying trade, short of number and strong demand creating the “perfect storm”. Numerous pens selling over £100 to a top of £117 which was jointly taken by Mrs H Long and Mrs C Wimble. All sheep sold well on the trade with leaner sorts selling in excess of £50 on most cases.

Top prices included continental ewes from Mrs H Long to £117, rams to the same price from Mrs C Wimble, Suffolk crosses to £111 from G H Dean & Co, Romneys to £100 from K Lukehurst and mules to £101 from E W Homewood.

Report on trade: Another exceptional trade to average £73.75 throughout with best stores selling readily around £90 and topping at £94.50 for a pen of Suffolk cross from A Clough. Only very small long keeping stores below £65.

A small selection of breeding sheep with in lamb Romney ewe to £92 from E H Link and ewes with lambs at foot £130 (£65 per life) from D T & K J Tester.

Please keep in contact with entries week by week so we can inform potential buyers.

Report on trade: A larger entry of sock lambs this week selling to a top of £18 for a wether from D T & K J Tester. Ewe lambs to £16 and rams to £18. Overall average returned at £15.45.

Report on trade: A competitive trade for a reduced entry with the best butcher types in excess of 200p while those with weight and more commercial sorts generally ranged between 165p to 185p and leaner sorts for further fattening 180p to 200p depending on breed and quality.

Smart handyweights 200p plus notably a Blonde cross steer £1177 (207p) and heifer £1187 (200p) from G L Boulden & Sons and Limousin cross steer £1141 (199p) from R F & E A Simmons. Heavier sorts to £1217 (185p) for Blonde cross heifer from P W & P Sim and best of the lean sorts for further fattening 190p plus notably Limousin cross steer £1022 (207p), £1112 (191p) and £1083 (191p) from Gillshaw Farms Ltd.

OTM to £1115 (167p) for Simmental cross steer from Gillshaw Farm Ltd.

Report on trade: Another very good entry of cull cows though very much an entry from the dairy sector this week with few beef cows. Demand very similar to the last few weeks with the only comment on a positive trade for all grades is that buyers are conscious of killing out percentages and a cow, however good, with a big belly after breakfast will be discounted. Please keep all stock away from food prior to marketing – it is part of the clean livestock policy and is a significant help to hauliers, abattoirs and markets who have to ultimately dispose of the waste!

A tremendous heavyweight Charolais cow, unassured, from A J Strand & Sons grossed £1250 (130p) whilst good shaped Limousin x Sussex from Beaute Agri topped the feeders at 140p & 130p (£913).

Limousin cross 140p, 130p £913 Beaute Agri; Charolais 130p £1250 (Non FA) A J Strand & Sons; British Blue cross 129p £919 (Non FA) R Douglas; Simmental x Sussex 118p, 116p, 115p, 113p £731, £723, £705 J Hooker; South Devon cross 114p £902 (Non FA) J T Kerr; Hereford cross 112p £880 (Non FA) J T Kerr, 110p £858 (Non FA) J B Marshall; Sussex 110p £837 (Non FA) J H & A H Godden.

British Friesian 121p, 113p, 109p £764 Debden Court; Holstein Friesian 113p £906 Kingcott Dairy, 112p £842 A & W J Hitchcock, 111p, 108p, 103p (2) £956, £887, £842 Huddlestone Farmers, 109p, 107p £821 P J Forknall, 109p £906 Leggat Farming; Dairy Shorthorn 107p £728 Falconhurst Estate.

Report on trade: Just a handful of stores today but positive interest around the ring with some small hard Sussex yearlings selling well to £530. An Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steer 16m well sold at £790.

Report on trade: A much improved entry in terms of quality with trade to match!

Some absolute superstar quality continental calves being rewarded with a very strong trade. Bulls sold to £340 for a Simmental cross from Parrett & Son, T Castle & Son not far behind with a British Blue Bull to £320. Heifers were arguably best sold on the day with plenty £200 plus. Top price went to T Castle & Son for British Blue which the hammer eventually came down at £350.

A sharper trade for Native bred this week helped to by some better calves around. Bulls sold to £175 from Goddard and Son for a Hereford cross, most £80 to £150. Heifers sold to £160 from Goddard & Son again for a Hereford. Native heifers generally trading around the £100 mark.

A similar trade in the dairy section with some well grown Friesian bulls commanding a little more trade than has been seen for a while. Top price went to the Falconhurst Estate for a Fleckvieh at £180. Plenty stronger Friesian bulls around the £90 mark. Second graders up to £45 but mostly around the £30 mark. Bobbies a little firmer with most £10 – £15.

A few weanlings entered with buyers looking on but still remaining a little cautious with spring still seemingly far away. Continental heifers to £305 from H O Champneys Ltd, a little less enthusiasm for bulls with a top of £280. Black and white bulls to £130 from A & W J Hitchcock.

A few enquiries from potential buyers of weaned calves are starting to come in, please do contact me if you have any to sell.

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.

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: The pig world is again suffering not least because of domestic and European production but also because of the negative issues surrounding trade to and within China because of the Corona virus worries.

Good pigs with a little weight and enough finish find a moderate trade at 80-100p with pigs to 100p (2) £95 from S J M Evans and others to £92 (97p) from T F Russell. Plenty of commercial pigs finding a difficult trade at 60-80p and the bottom end coloured pigs 40-60p.

Sow demand a contrast, by comparison, with a good trade for good sows (250kg+). Best sows to 76p £226. More big sows wanted.

With a fat trade in difficulties it is no wonder than confidence is low amongst store pig buyers. The right type of pig will find a buyer but poor coloured or micro bred types struggle even to find a customer!

Please remember it is essential we have an early indication from all sellers of stock numbers you wish to sell week by week – we phone and send text messages to buyers and agents every Monday evening and an accurate indication of numbers coming forward is essential with many buyers travelling substantial distances to attend.

British Wool Board announcement re Wool sheets

Tuesdays 10^th, 17^th and 24^th March – Wool sheets will be available here in Ashford Market for farmers and smallholders to collect.

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

Ashford Cattle Show News

Congratulations to all trophy winners who attended the presentation evening recently.

The AGM will be held on Wednesday 4^th March at 6.30pm here in the Market.

George Horne, show president, was very proud to present 2 cheques on the prize-giving evening to his chosen charities being £2215 to RABI and £2060.70 for Kent M S Therapy.

Events / Meetings in the area of interest to farmers

T Denne & Sons are holding a “Making Forage work for you” workshop on Wednesday 26^th February in the Amos Hall, Ashford Market, TN24 0HB at 9.30. Speakers will be Nick Green and Andrew Bourne (T Denne), Alan West (Sheep Farmer) and David Gurney (Corteva). Lunch will be provided at approx 12.30. Please RSVP by 21^st February to nickgreen@tdenneandsons.co.uk or ring 01233 720871.

Hay, Straw, Fodder and Forage Crop for sale and / wanted

For Sale – 2,000 Conventional bales of 2019 made meadow hay. Barn stored and local delivery available. East Kent Ring 07802 636427.

For Sale – Top notch barn stored round and mini-hesston bales 2019 hay. Bulk whole oats in half tonne bags also available. Delivery arranged. East Sussex. 07768 771933.

For Sale – 100 2019 Haylage bales from a Kent farm. Contact 01303 893183 or 07775 794556

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

For Sale – Border Collie puppies – 4 dogs and 2 bitches – in the Ashford area. Ring Tom on 07707 879642

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

RABI

Farmhouse Breakfast Season

Thursday 27^th February – Kent Showground, Detling ME14 3JF

Monday 24^th February – Raceday and lunch, Plumpton Racecourse, East Sussex to include a tipster talk by industry professional Dave Cross.

Thursday 23^rd April – 10^th Anniversary dinner to celebrate Great British Beef week (and St Georges day) in the Amos Hall, Ashford Market. Guest speaker Minette Batters, NFU president.

For further information on all RABI events in Kent ring Charles Tassell – 01622 858733, 07973 412179, email charles@tassell.co.uk or contact the regional co-ordinator Sally Field on 07799 798441 or email sally.field@rabi.org.uk

Kent Herdsmans Club.

Monday 9th March 2020 at 7.30pm. A talk by Kent Police Rural Task Force at the Conningbrook Hotel, Ashford.

For all details on Herdsman’s Club events please contact Chairman John Shrubsall, 07768325929or Jo Masters 01580 240568.

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

Tonbridge Young Farmers – Debbie Broad and friends in the area have reopened this club.

For all details of plans for the future please contact the Broads through Debbie’s Facebook page or email tonbridgeyfc19@gmail.com

Local Agricultural Show and ploughing match dates and news

Press release from The Weald of Kent Ploughing Match Association. We held another successful Ploughing Match at Poplars Farm in Horsmonden on Saturday 14^th September 2019. With blue skies and the sun shining the day was a great success.

The association is very proud to announce that £7,500 will be donated to the following local charities: Ashford Valley Tickham Hunt, Bolebrook Beagles, Cardiac Risk in the Young (in memory of Ben Hammond), Dandelion Time, High Weald Academy Young Farmers, Homewood School Young Farmers, Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust, Medical Detection Dogs, Newline Learnings Young Farmers, R.A.B.I, Riding for the Disabled Association, The Bridge Trust, The Farming Community Network and the Weald of Kent Young Farmers. The Chairman’s charity of choice this year is CHILD, a charity very close to the heart of our Chairman, Seth Nesfield.

The Weald of Kent Plough Match invited people to enjoy a fun-filled day including Clay Pigeon Shooting, Gymkhana, Terrier Racing, a Raffle, the Tossing of the Sheaf and most importantly a very successful and cheerful Ploughing Competition.

The association wishes to thank our hosts Mr Alan Watkins and Mr Ralph Stevens for allowing this event to take place and to BTF Partnership for their invaluable and continued support.

Date for your diaries Saturday 19^th September – Weald of Kent Ploughing Match at Woolpack Corner, Tenterden Road, Biddenden, Kent. TN27 8BH by kind permission of Mr R D A Neve. For all details contact secretary Liz Copping on 07872 501951 or on www.wkpma.co.uk.

South East Point to Point Meetings (www.pointingse.com)

Sunday 1^st March – Southdown & Eridge, Godstone – 1pm

Sunday 22^nd March – Old surrey, Burstow & West Kent, Penshurst – 1.30pm

Saturday 28^th March – Crawley & Horsham, Parham – 1.45pm

Saturday 11^th April – Ashford Valley Tickham, Charing – 2pm

Monday 13^th April – Aldington Races, Aldington – 2pm

Saturday 18^th April – Old surrey, Burstow & West Kent, Penshurst – 2pm

Saturday 25^th April – Chid, Lec & Cowdray, Parham – 2pm

Sunday 3^rd May – Mid Surrey Farmers Drag, Godstone – 1pm

Kent young Farmers Clubs News from Claire Eckley, President

Kent YFCs 6th Winter Competitions Day held in January. Standards and levels of participation continue to increase at the Kent YFCs competitions day.  Seven clubs brought around 100 members to Sutton Valence Village Hall and judges had a tough time in some classes!  Good luck to our winners, most of whom now progress to the Area round, to be held in Oxfordshire in February.

Results Dancing, Cheerleading and On The News : Westlands School YFC. Reading and Public Speaking : Westlands School YFC. Call My Bluff : Weald of Kent YFC. Member of the Year (18-26): Ellie Husk, Canterbury YFC. Member of the Year (under 18): Alysia, Westlands School YFC. Situations Vacant: Jacob, Homewood School YFC. Black Cup for Overall craft: Weald of Kent YFC.

Overall results for the day: 1st Westlands School YFC (124 points), 2nd Weald of Kent YFC (84), 3rd The North School YFC (62), 4th Cobtree YFC (51), 5th Homewood School YFC (50), 6th Canterbury YFC (43), 7th Jeskyns YFC (18)

In Claire’s words finally “Well done Ellie, Husk”

Notices – Chris Walshaw

Family and friends have asked us to advise that Chris sadly passed away recently

A service will be held at The Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing on Thursday 27^th February at 10am.

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 and Pigs) 07741 845230

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

Tom Hamplett (Calves, Weanlings & Rams) 07966 104532