Weekly Sales News – 19th February 2019
Busy on the sheep front, quiet elsewhere in the market. Read on for all auction reports.
For forthcoming sales information – www.hobbsparker.co.uk/auctioneers/livestock-marketing/forthcoming-sales/
Finished Sheep
2,968 Sold
Top price per kilo – 227p – R G Hobbs Farms: Top price per head – £100 – R G Hobbs Farms
Report on trade: Another large entry of hoggets on offer this week with 3000 finished sheep penned and 5500 sheep penned in the market in total. These large numbers coming forward are representative of the current climate with sheep finishing quicker due to pleasant weather over the winter but also there appears to be a number of vendors keen to sell hoggets in advance of the impending political deadlines and hedge their bets on the trade on either side of the end of March. There is a big spread in the prices achieved for the finished sheep due to the large variance in quality on offer but the best quality were well sold with all the best heavy sheep selling from £90-£100. Top spot for both in p per kg and £ per head was taken this week by R G Hobbs Farms for a super consignment with 44kg selling to £100. Many other runs of note from L Webber, Beslee Farms, P Ashlee and Kings Farm Partnership were all well presented and showing tremendous finish and were rewarded accordingly at the top of the trade.
Dagging service is available on all Monday afternoons, please advise us of the number you wish to send.
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.
New Season Hoggets | |||||||||||
Kgs | Top Price | Ave Price | Top Vendor | p per kg | |||||||
36 | 65.00 | 64.96 | Fincham Farms | 181.0 | |||||||
37 | 82.50 | 67.49 | P Ashlee | 223.0 | |||||||
38 | 70.00 | 66.99 | A Neaves | 184.0 | |||||||
39 | 79.00 | 69.85 | A Wellsted | 203.0 | |||||||
40 | 80.50 | 73.47 | Fincham Farms | 201.0 | |||||||
41 | 79.50 | 71.48 | P Ashlee | 194.0 | |||||||
42 | 90.50 | 72.68 | P Ashlee | 215.0 | |||||||
43 | 86.00 | 76.50 | Fincham Farms | 200.0 | |||||||
44 | 100.00 | 78.04 | R G Hobbs Farms Ltd | 227.0 | |||||||
45 | 87.50 | 79.22 | M R Woodroofe | 194.0 | |||||||
46 | 93.00 | 79.13 | P Ashlee | 202.0 | |||||||
47 | 87.50 | 80.11 | Kings Farm Partnership | 186.0 | |||||||
48 | 89.50 | 82.12 | Beslee Farms | 186.0 | |||||||
49 | 88.50 | 84.26 | L Webber | 181.0 | |||||||
50 | 95.00 | 86.94 | P Ashlee | 190.0 | |||||||
51 | 92.00 | 82.35 | W J Hurley | 180.0 | |||||||
52 | 85.00 | 82.74 | A Town | 163.0 | |||||||
New Season Hoggets – pence per kg | |||||||||||
Weight Range | Number | Top | Bottom | Average | National Av | ||||||
Light 25.5 to 32 kgs | 41 | 177.0 | 167.0 | 172.4 | 171.5 | ||||||
Standard 32.1 to 39 kgs | 335 | 223.0 | 157.0 | 179.8 | 193.3 | ||||||
Medium 39.1 to 45.5 kgs | 1,431 | 227.0 | 155.0 | 177.0 | 189.3 | ||||||
Heavy 45.6 to 52 kgs | 933 | 202.0 | 150.0 | 171.4 | 176.0 | ||||||
Other 52.5kgs plus | 222 | 172.0 | 133.0 | 159.4 | 162.1 |
Cull Ewes and Rams
823 sold
Report on trade: Another big entry of ewes this week and once again trade was somewhat lacklustre due to big numbers on offer across the country. Average prices for the entire entry look disappointing but it is worth noting the quality of the ewes on offer and the huge percentage of leaner sorts currently being sold. Best ewes sold to £80 from J G & M Bray with other best meated sorts from £65-75.
Grazing ewes sold on a similar level.
Top prices included continental ewes to £80 from J G & M Bray, Suffolk crosses to £70 from H F & J F Glover.
Store and Breeding Sheep
1,408 Sold
Report on trade: Although trade for store hoggets is easier with prices back by some £5 per head on the peak achieved in early January this was a poor show of stores with a high percentage small and plain. The few best stores on offer attracted prices in excess of £65 and up to £72.50 for Suffolk cross from T Crick, medium sorts around £60 and the majority of very small longer term sorts in the £35 to £50 bracket.
Generally trade easier reflected the reduced returns available in the finished market and uncertainty post March 29th. Averages 1,408 sold to £80 and aver’ £55.04..
Principal prices included: | ||
Charollais cross | £68.00 | H & S Nesfield |
Charollais cross | £65.00 | Bocketts Farm Ltd |
Charollais cross | £63.50 | J S Rye |
Texel cross | £70.50 | T Crick |
Texel cross | £62.00 | H O Champneys Ltd |
Suffolk cross | £72.50 | T Crick |
Suffolk cross | £63.00 | J Tassell |
Suffolk cross | £62.00 | J & C Kellett |
Lleyn | £60.00 | D Scaife |
Romney wether | £57.00 | K Loveridge |
Sock Lambs
6 Sold
Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357
Report on trade: A small show of quality strong lambs from A J Down sold very well. Ewe lambs to £35, wethers to £26.
Finished Cattle
40 Sold
Report on trade: Quality in short supply and the few available attracted prices in excess of 205p notably Limousin crosses steer £1290 (212p) and Limousin cross heifer at £1197 (207p) from W Alexander (Shoreham). The majority of commercial sorts in the 175p to 190p with a Blonde cross steer £1181 (188p) from G L Boulden & Sons and a run of British Blue x Friesian from K E Budd with steers up to £1206 (192p and heifers to £1029 (186p).
A few native bred cattle on offer with the pick up to £1044 (194p) for Sussex cross heifer from Dan Mackelden Ltd and OTM up to £1042 (185p) for Simmental cross heifer from W J Hurley.
Finished cattle averages – pence per kg | ||||
Classification | No | Top | Bottom | Average |
Light bulls (370 – 550kg) | 1 | 117.5 | 117.5 | 117.5 |
Medium bulls (551 – 650kg) | 3 | 149.5 | 119.5 | 137.5 |
Light steers (370 – 550kg) | 4 | 197.5 | 99.5 | 140.3 |
Medium steers (551 – 650kg) | 8 | 211.5 | 175.5 | 189.4 |
Heavy steers (over 650kg) | 4 | 178.5 | 168.5 | 174.5 |
Light heifers (330 – 500kg) | 1 | 176.5 | 176.5 | 176.5 |
Medium heifers (501 – 590kg) | 12 | 206.5 | 169.5 | 183.3 |
Heavy heifers (over 590kg) | 6 | 180.5 | 157.5 | 172.3 |
Leading steer prices | ||||
W Alexander (Shoreham) | 610 | 18 mths Limousin | 212.0 | 1293 |
P W & P Sim | 546 | 23 mths British Blue | 198.0 | 1081 |
W Alexander (Shoreham) | 580 | 23 mths Limousin | 195.0 | 1131 |
K E Budd | 630 | 29 mths British Blue | 192.0 | 1210 |
G L Boulden & Sons | 630 | 23 mths Blonde | 188.0 | 1184 |
Leading heifer prices | ||||
W Alexander (Shoreham) | 580 | 23 mths Limousin | 207.0 | 1201 |
W Alexander (Shoreham) | 540 | 21 mths Limousin | 200.0 | 1080 |
Dan Mackelden Ltd | 540 | 23 mths sussex | 194.0 | 1048 |
K E Budd | 555 | 28 mths British Blue | 186.0 | 1032 |
Birt Bros | 585 | 22 mths Limousin | 183.0 | 1071 |
Cull Cows and Bulls
89 Sold
Report on trade: Excellent numbers and decent quality overall. A good mixture of fed heavyweight beef and dairy culls and a few more leaner grazing beef cows brought together a strong contingent of buyers with no fewer than 15 customers actually buying on the day! Numbers across the country remain tight with numbers in the pipeline undoubtedly shorter than in most years.
Trade very similar to last week though buyers are conscious of ultimate dead weights and ready to discount those cows carrying too much late breakfast!
Again no best purebred continental cows but fed beef crossbreds 115-130p regularly and some of the better shaped or younger types able to make 130-155p! Feeders of all ages wanted with the ground drying!
Sussex cross 156p £925 H F & J H Glover; British Blue cross 145p, 125p £1078 W S Furnival (Brookland) Ltd, 118p £958 C & J Georgetti & Sons; Sussex 135p, 133p, 132p, 130p Bowes Lyon Estate, 123p £925 W J Hurley; Simmental cross 128p, 122p £988 W S Furnival (Brookland) Ltd, 126p, 124p £1017, £994 C & J Georgetti & Sons, 124p Dan Mackelden Ltd; Blonde cross 123p £1029 W S Furnival (Brookland) Ltd; Limousin cross 123p £883 Mrs L M Howard; Hereford cross 120p Bowes Lyon Estate, 118p Mrs L M Howard; Aberdeen Angus cross 119p, 117p, 116p(2), 115p £1048, £1012 B Sutton, 117p G D & E E Field.
Fed dairy culls 110-120p with a few youngsters and maidens pushing close to 150p. Half meat cows 80-100p whilst plain cows 60-80p, with only the most challenging down below 50p.
British Friesian maidens 147p £1002, 126p G D & E E Field, cows 118p (2), 117p, 116p £1021, £964, £956 R & J Ledger; 116p, 114p(3) PHR Farms; 115p G D & E E Field; Holstein Friesian 118p(2), 115p £1069 Oncoland.
Bulls found more interest. Limousin 112p £1249; Aberdeen Angus 96p £1242.
Please do not hesitate to ring at anytime for marketing advice.
Cull cattle section – pence per kg | ||||
Classification | No | Top | Bottom | Average |
Beef cows | 56 | 155.5 | 51.5 | 112.1 |
Dairy cows | 31 | 146.5 | 44.5 | 101.6 |
Bulls | 2 | 111.5 | 95.5 | 103.5 |
Store Cattle
24 Sold
Report on trade: Despite the small entry there were plenty of potential customers in attendance and many more could have been sold at favourable prices. Top prices of the day included 20 mths Simmental cross steers at £995 from Lawrence & Sons and 18 mths purebred Hereford steers at £880 from A R Ambrose.
Please contact regarding possible entries over the forthcoming weeks.
On day of sale please ensure cattle arrive at the market early to ensure proper sorting and accurate administration of paperwork.
Breeding Cattle
0 Sold
Calves
66 Sold
Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357
Report on trade: A good day in the calves with no particular fireworks but just enough customers for all grades and breeds to see a good trade throughout.
Good crossbred calves in short supply but farmers and rearers in attendance and with a few beef cows now spring calving we will see that increased demand for replacements. A super run of British Blue calves from Ed and Bethan Williams saw their bulls to £328, heifers to £220. Other British Blue bulls £320 D Murdoch & Son, heifers to £278 H O Champneys Ltd. Simmental bulls to £300 H O Champneys Ltd; Limousin bull £210 J W Boyd & Sons; Aberdeen Angus Bull £174 J Gormley; Aberdeen Angus heifer £200 H O Champneys Ltd.
The Black and Whites were competitive throughout and generally £35 – £45 with a few of the better shaped types £50-£60 topping at £92 from J Gormley
Vendors, please make every effort to register the sire of your calves. This is important in order to achieve the highest prices for them!
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.
Calf averages – £ per head | ||||
Description | No | Top | Bottom | Average |
Continental bulls | 12 | 328.00 | 62.00 | 247.33 |
Continental heifers | 4 | 278.00 | 132.00 | 200.00 |
Native bulls | 10 | 174.00 | 110.00 | 146.50 |
Native heifers | 5 | 200.00 | 95.00 | 137.60 |
Friesian – 1st | 2 | 92.00 | 75.00 | 83.50 |
Friesian – 2nd | 31 | 52.00 | 30.00 | 40.65 |
Stirks | ||||
Native male | 2 | 300.00 | 215.00 | 257.50 |
Dairy bulls | 1 | 130.00 | 130.00 | 130.00 |
Store and Finished Pigs
63 Sold
Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357
Report on trade: Some good sows on offer and a decent trade at 48 -55p. Best heavyweights to £175 from D Meincken. Boars to 35p, £119.
A little more life in the finished trade with a smaller but better quality entry of pigs on offer. Good pigs 95p-110p grossing up to £101.20 for 92kg pigs from S Scott & Son. Other good pigs 109p, 104p, 97p, 96p.
A very small store entry this week but more interest with a good pen of three quarter bred Pietrain cross weaners at £40.
More good quality pigs required.
General information
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, Pigs & Calves) 07741 845230
John Rossiter (Sheep, Machinery plus commercial vehicles) 07557 392903
Tom Hamplett (Calves) 07966 104532
Hobbs Parker and Ashford Livestock Market
We are the South East’s principal livestock market selling over 250,000 head of cattle, sheep and pigs in 2018.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.
Notices – Brian Bromley, Charing
The family and friends of Brian have advised that he very sadly passed away last weekend. Brian, with his family, had farmed under the trading title of E & M E Brundrett for the majority of his life. He was a well known and prominent member of the wider farming community in the Ashford area as well as an Ashford market supporter.
A memorial service will be held at Charing Church on Wednesday 27th February at 2.30pm.
South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines
The February editions of these popular regional farming magazines are now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are regular contributors to the editorial content.
Events / Meetings in the area of interest to farmers
Farm Expo, organised by the Kent County Agricultural Society, will have its inaugural event in 2019 and will focus on machinery, supplies, and services for the agricultural industry. The event will showcase major national and international providers of farming machinery and services and will host seminars on the industry’s trending topics. With Farm Expo taking place three weeks before the UK leaves the European Union, the key note speaker will be discussing the future of farms, farming and rural enterprises in Britain.
Chairman of the Kent County Agricultural Society, Kevin Attwood, said: ‘as a charity, the Society is committed to education and development in farming and agriculture. Farm Expo is an important event for us to hold in order to best support the local farming community. It will ensure that the latest developments in farming machinery and services, and the industry at large, are available for farmers and agricultural workers.’
Farm Expo offers its visitors the latest farming equipment as well as opportunities to network with others in the industry. The event is free to attend for visitors with free parking.
For further information please contact the Kent County Agricultural Society, Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3JF 01622 633058 or email becky@kentshowground.co.uk
Looking ahead to the summer show the Kent County Agricultural Society are introducing a new offering for livestock supply and service stands exhibiting at the 2019 Kent County Show. The Show is host to over 200 cattle, sheep, wool and goat competitions and will take place on the 05, 06 & 07 July in 2019. There will be a limited number of 3m x 3m marquee stands available in a prominent location directly opposite the cattle judging rings and cattle marquee. These are available for £215 for the three Show days and will be promoted to all livestock competitors in the lead up to the Show. For further information please contact Rosie in the office on 01622 633051 or email rosie@kentshowground.co.uk
Fodder Crop for sale and / wanted
For Sale – 100 4’ round bales of 2018 made hay – stored undercover on a West Kent farm. Ring 01732 750320
For Sale – 25 double wrapped 4’ round bales of 2018 made hayledge on a farm east of Ashford. Ring 07778 057902
For Sale – 100 4’ round bales of pea straw, 100 4’ round wrapped bales of whole crop wheat silage, 100 4ft round bales of winter oat straw on a Romney Marsh. Ring 07976 553752
For Sale – Up to 230 6’ quadrant rye grass bales. Ring 01303 840112
Miscellaneous livestock and general goods and services for sale and wanted ex farm
For Sale – 300 Romney mainly 2 lamb ewes which have run with Charollais rams and are due early April on an East Anglian farm. Ring Simon Husk for more information.
For Sale – selection of British Blue and Limousin x British Blue young bulls on a Suffolk farm. Ring mark Cleverdon for more information
For Sale – pedigree Aberdeen Angus bull, 6 yrs old – Ashford area
Wanted – Big bale hay feeder for 8’ x 4’ bales for a North Kent farm. Ring 07976 921689
Wanted – general farm worker for a mixed farm in Sellinge, Ashford – Work will include feeding cattle. Ring 07774 408059 for more information
Wanted – Cattle grazing wanted for 50 store cattle or 30 cows and calves anywhere in Kent. Any grazing considered but marsh grazing preferred. References available and good rates of rent paid. Please contact either Richard 07889882422 or Roger 07933229030.
Wanted – general farm worker for a mixed farm in the Reigate area. Work will include supporting a beef calf rearing unit and accommodation is available. Please ring 07885 649666
RABI, Young Farmers Clubs, Kent Herdsmans Club and FCN news
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI)
Farmhouse Breakfast season
Friday 1st March. Stockpot, Ashford Market, Ashford. TN24 0HB.
For further information or to book your place ring Charles Tassell 07973 412179 or Charles@Tassell.co.uk.
More dates and venues will be confirmed as will further fund raising days and events
Kent Herdsmans Club
For all details on Herdsman’s Club events contact Chairman Alan Jull 07708283220 or Jo Masters 01580 240568.
2019 Calendars
We still have 2019 Hobbs Parker calendars available for you, your friends or family. If you have not received your copy or would like a calendar please call in or give us a call and we can send one out to you.
South East Point to Point Meetings (www.pointingse.com)
Please see website for further details.
Sunday 3rd March – Godstone, Surrey. RH9 8DB
Saturday 16th March – Parham, Storrington, West Sussex. RH20 2ER
Sunday 24th March – Penshurst, Kent. TN8 7DD
Sunday 7th April – Godstone, Surrey. RH9 8DB
Saturday 13th April – Penshurst, Kent. TN8 7DD
Saturday 20th April – Charing, Kent. TN27 0JS
Monday 22nd April – Aldington, Kent. TN25 7EJ
Saturday 27th April – Parham, Storrington, West Sussex. RH20 2ER
Saturday 11th May – Peper Harrow, Godalming, Surrey. GU8 6LA
Hobbs Parker Auctioneers – the team and their responsibilities.
For all office enquiries on livestock and auction sales please ring 01233 502222.
Elwyn Davies (07710 803901) – Managing director, cattle & sheep auctioneer and machinery sales.
Peter Kingwill (07795 200357) – Director, cattle auctioneer and machinery sales.
Lynsey Kendall – Director and accounts.
Mark Cleverdon (07741 845230) – Calf, pig, ram and breeding cattle auctioneer and auction sales entries and administration.
John Rossiter (07557 392903) – Sheep, machinery and commercial vehicle auctioneer
Simon Husk (07885 968077) – Livestock marketing and field services
Martin Crowhurst (07710 803903) – Livestock marketing and field services
Thomas Hamplett – Trainee Auctioneer
Hayley Andrews and Sue Marshall – Auction sales administration