Weekly Sales News – 19th October 2021

Top price per head – £140 – Link Bros: Top price per kg – 275p – The High Weald Academy YFC

Report on trade: Another smaller entry of lambs this week but once again some good quality lambs on offer which in turn helped to boost the averages to 244p kg, considerably ahead of all other centres yesterday. If you have lambs that are meat and from 37 kg upwards, it pays to bring them to Ashford on a Tuesday, where we are regularly well ahead of national averages. Prices in the store rings are also very favourable but for the right goods, Tuesday’s trade is still well ahead. Averages this week were 40p ahead of last year’s corresponding period, which at the time we are we happy with, but the bar has now been set higher and with lower numbers on offer at the time of writing, seem set to stay there for the near future. Big lambs today from Helen Link sold to £140 hd with L Stephens and Sons and R G Hobbs Farms the other podium finishers in this category. Expert trade is a little slower than it has been with reports that prices are too high for the continental customers currently but the best lambs from The High Weald Academy LLP sold to 275p kg for 44 kg lambs at £121 hd.

Auctioneer: James Cook O’Connell

Report on trade: Another good number of ewes again this week with a few plainer sorts on offer in comparison. Top price of the day went to D C Foy with Texel ewes making £133 followed by S P Howland Texel’s again which made £118 with third place going to L Stevens and Sons with some good continentals which made £116. Another run of ewes of note came from Ben Foy with his Texel cross topping at £106 and he’s Mules topping at £85.

Grazing ewes once again selling well with majority making £60 – £80 with only the real worst few pens selling under this range.

Top Prices Included Continentals to £133 from D C Foy, Suffolk cross to £108 from Priors Byne Farm, Mules to £95 from M A & F w Owen and Romneys to £96 from Langrish Farmers

Average prices

Store lambs

Beltex cross                                          237                         £96.00 to £79.00 Av £91.40

Charollais cross                                   541                         £99.50 to £65.00 Av £91.50

Texel cross                                           1,317                      £100.50 to £61.00 Av £89.00

Suffolk cross Mule ewe                       61                           £95.50 to £95.50 Av £100.00

Suffolk cross                                         1,133                      £103.50 to £72.00 Av £90.20

Crossbred                                             478                         £102.50 to £22.00 Av £76.00

Romney                                                 1,808                      £102.00 to £20.00 Av £84.50

For a full report – https://www.hobbsparker.co.uk/auctioneers/livestock-marketing/sheep-sale-reports/

Top Continental cross

Limousin cross heifer                         £1442 (258p)        W Alexander (Shoreham)

Top Native bred

Aberdeen Angus cross steer             £1410 (248p)        W Alexander (Shoreham)

Report on trade: Numbers and quality in short supply this week and those available attracted premium prices.

Smart Limousin cross heifer from W Alexander (Shoreham) took top honours at £1442 (258p)

and £1429 (258p) and top-quality Aberdeen Angus cross steer topping the native bred section at £1410 (248p).

Other top Continental cross included Simmental cross heifer £1350 (240p) from T Masters and Limousin cross Friesian steers £1435 (228p) and £1377 (238p) and heifer to £1279 (229p) from A J Down.

Again, a high percentage of native bred cattle on offer Aberdeen Angus cross heifer to £1259 (239p) from Gary Stokes, Aberdeen Angus cross steer £1206 (226p) from J S Tilley, Hereford cross steer £1302 (225p) from Langrish Farmers and Sussex cross steer and heifer £1265 (215p) and £1195 (226p) respectively from Alex MacDonald

Report on trade: Short numbers this week but certainly more fleshed in both beef and dairy departments. Far fewer younger feeding cows. Trade fully maintaining rates with only the oldest plainest and lightest finding any kind of easing at a time of the year when we would normally expect the trade to be coming under pressure.

Best youngsters made up either side of 200p topping at 214p for Sussex from M J Booth, whilst the best of the meat cows, again Sussex selling at 179p from J Muscat. Good cows generally 150-170p kg.

Sussex 214p, 194p, £1110 M Y Booth; 179p, 175p, £1010 (Non-FA) J Muscat; 158p, 155p, £1058 W Hurley; 158p, £978 B Luck Ltd; Limousin cross 164p, £1136 M B Farms; 149p Beaute Agri; 147p, 137p, £1215 B Luck; Simmental cross 156p, £1011 Langrish Farmers; South Devon 150p, £1302 (Non-FA) W E Baines; Charolais cross 150p, £1248 (Non-FA) F Harber; 150p, £1069 Langrish Farmers.

A better show of Black & Whites on offer and terrific returns.

A few clean Holstein heifers from Appleton Farms to 189p and 182p (2) grossed up to £1479, £1254, and £1225 whilst the best of the cows regularly 130-140p kg. A good Jersey with weight and finished well sold to 104p, £554.

Holstein heifers 189p, 182p (2), £1479, £1254, £1225 Appleton Farms; British Friesian fleshed cows, 140p, 132p, 129p, £1041 B J Goodsell & Sons; Holstein cows 139p, 128p, 120p, £1073, £1001 Huddlestone Farmers; 138p (3), 135p, 129p, £1231, £1224, £1184 Appleton Farms; 138p, £1229 M A & F W Owen.

Aberdeen Angus stock bull – assured and fleshed 108p, £1269.

Report on trade: Another good entry of store cattle with a high percentage of strong stores and native bred cattle. Well-bred youngsters attracted prices in excess of £800 with smart Limousin cross yearling steer topping at £1030 from H & S Nesfield. Stronger sorts to finish short term £1000 plus and topping at £1400 for top quality 18 mths Limousin cross steer from J S & M I Tilley.

Store cattle are wanted and more could be sold at favourable prices with keen buyers from all parts of the country in attendance.                                                                         

Principal prices include  

Continental cross                                                                                                                              1   8 mths Limousin cross steer               £880       P J & P B Wade

12 mths Limousin cross steer                   £1030             H & S Nesfield

16 mths Simmental x Angus                     £950               W Gutsell

16 mths Limousin cross heifer                 £1070             Langrish Farmers

18 mths Simmental cross steer               £1330             T Masters

18 mths Simmental cross heifer              £1045             T Masters

18 mths Limousin cross steer                   £1400             J S & M I Tilley

18 mths Simmental cross steer                £1290             R Pope

24 mths British Blue cross steer               £1140             R Winstone

Native Bred                                                                         

12 mths Hereford steer                              £840               R Woods

12 mths Angus cross steer                        £890               R Fidler

12 mths Angus cross heifer                      £775               R D Christie

16 mths Angus cross steer                        £1130             Langrish Farmers

18 mths Angus heifer                                £975               D J & J L Isaac

18 mths Sussex cross heifer                    £1060             B Luck Ltd

18 mths Sussex steer                               £1000             H C D Moorhead

18 mths Angus cross steer                        £1055             P C Coleman

19 mths Hereford bull                                £1340             T J K & S I Purchese

20 mths Hereford cross steer                   £1145             D J Miles

18 mths Sussex steer                                £1020             H H B Raveningham Farm

24 mths Pedigree Sussex heifer              £1070             H H B Raveningham Farm

24 mths Hereford cross steer                   £1370             P J Mannington

24 mths Angus steer                                  £1250             P J Mannington

Report on trade: There is still no excitement in the pig trade with again limited demand particularly for cull and store stock. Wholesalers are able to sell pig meat into a gap in the market providing they can find slaughter capacity. You only need to listen to the news to begin to understand the plight of the pig sector at present.

In the finished pig pens S Scott & Son. N Dance, P & R Marshall, Brooker & Son, Ms M Godden and North School YFC all presented well finished pigs. Top call 110p per kg went to North School YFC and N Dance had a single heavy gilt gross £124.80.

Only a few cull pigs were penned with good sows with weight making to 12p and £21.

1 Pen of young store pigs looked good value at £8.

Auction announcement

We are pleased to announce a collective machinery sale of farm and garden machinery and equipment and many other items on Friday 5th November. Entry forms are now available

Full catalogues will be available shortly

Help and support from The Farming Community Network

A recent report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that agriculture has the worst rate of fatal injuries of all the major industrial sectors.

Just three weeks after Farm Safety Week, the HSE has reported it has been notified of a further 4 fatalities on farms, including the death of a 3-year-old boy.

Usually there are simple actions workers can take to reduce risk, for instance.

1. Making sure to switch off the power to vehicles or machinery before attempting to carry out repairs.
2. Keeping people, especially children, away from moving vehicles.
3. Using the right equipment for working at height.
4. Ensuring, where possible, that cows with calves are not in fields with well used footpaths.

Risk management is a vital part of all work on farms, every job needs to be thought though and correct safety measures put in place.

Guidance about managing livestock, reducing the risks to children and the public and maintaining farm vehicles and machinery is available on the HSE website.

If you have been affected by a farm accident or are worried about farm safety in general or perhaps struggling with the pressures of a delayed harvest this year, please contact FCN via our telephone Helpline (03000 111 999) or e-Helpline (help@fcn.org.uk) or perhaps speak to one of our volunteers in the market.

Forthcoming store and breeding sheep sales

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

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

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

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

For Sale – Stock feed potatoes on a Romney Marsh farm. Ring 07867 52753

Hay and Straw register

For Sale – large quantities of hay, hayledge and straw in the Ashford area. Ring 07707 879642

For Sale – large quantities of top notch feed and bedding – Round bale naked hay, Round bale wrapped haylage, Mini Hesston bales naked hay, Half Mini Hesston bales wrapped haylage, Round bale wrapped silage, Round bale naked wheat straw, Round bale naked barley straw, Round bale naked oat straw, Whole Oats in 1 tonne weighed bags, Whole Wheat in crane bags, Logs of all varieties, shapes, sizes and prices.

All from our own Red Tractor certified farms  (with full field traceability) and keenly priced ex farm or delivered locally or nationwide. Richard Barnes (Farms) Ltd, Etchingham, TN19 7AZ.

01580 819000, 07768 771933

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

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

Simon Husk (Cattle & sheep) 07885 968077 or 01304 842393

Mark Cleverdon (Pigs) 07741 845230

Tom Hamplett (Calves, weanlings, breeding cattle & rams) 07966 104532

Ashford Cattle Show News

In conjunction with Hobbs Parker Auctioneers and the Ashford Cattle Market Co are promoting a show and sale of quality livestock prepared for the Christmas trade.

On Tuesday 30^th November

A schedule of classes and entry form have recently been circulated with Hobbs Parkers weekly mailings. If you have not received this information please contact

Show secretary Julie Coney on 07887 643002 (Evenings after 6pm or all day Wednesdays) or via email ashfordcattleshow@gmail.com.