Weekly Sales News – 1st September 2020

Top price per kilo- 261p – S P Howland: Top price per head – £122.50 – S P Howland

Report on trade: Another good day in the sheep section, not big numbers but once again a super trade for the sheep on offer. Prices are being achieved that we have never seen before at this time of year and these are up almost £20 per head on the trade in the corresponding week of last year.

Some super lambs on offer this week and some not so super, but in total returning an average of 220p per kg and £85. Top on the day was S P Howland who showed some tremendous sheep up to 47kg which sold at 260p and £122.50. Finished sheep are beginning to become hard to find in the South East which is certainly helping the trade. It is important that we know what number we will be offering each week and even more so at this time of year so please let us know what you are sending.

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 smaller entry of ewes this week but a bit dearer on the week. Several leaner sorts on offer again which traded from £40-60 with only very lean sorts less than this. Top spot on the day was some super tups at £140 which will live to see another day but also a big Boer billy goat sold to £125 hd. Best ewes to just under £100 from Miss J Drew.

Report on trade: We had a good entry of over 50 finished cattle comprising a big percentage of quality continental cross handy weights which sold at recent high levels. Top of the day was £1279 (231p) for a smart Limousin cross heifer from W S Furnival (Brookland) while a run of Limousin crosses from A J Thompson & Sons sold well with top steer at £1374 (224p). Other top prices included British Blue cross heifer £1335 (225p) from K & P M Sinden & Sons, Limousin cross heifer £1206 (224p) from W Alexander (Shoreham) and Limousin cross steer £1097 (212p) from R F & E A Simmons.

Native bred cattle attracted strong prices with an Aberdeen Angus cross steer topping at £1355 (216p) from B G & M A Tomsett, Aberdeen Angus heifer £1104 (191p) from K Drury & Son and purebred Sussex steers and heifers to £1047 (208p) and £1021 (209p) from T Masters.

Report on trade: Tremendous numbers forward after the Bank Holiday but a very seasonal look to the entry overall as cattle come forward short of flesh in general. The exception were some runs of outstanding dairy culls, dried off and fed, which produced some massive animals, just what the processing sector is after. Trade every bit as strong as of late with only the nature of the overall entry easing the averages. Feeding customers remain very positive about the outlook for the processing beef and whilst there were no quality animals on offer this week demand for lean, sound, older cows was exceptional.

A few tidy beef cows made 130 to150p per kg but we certainly had no best assured continental types. Feeders made 80p to150p and selling to a ring full of customers.

Beef headlines included Aberdeen Angus cross 150p (Non FA) Mrs S Ginger; Simmental cross 140p £1080 (Non FA) T Avon; British Blue cross 139p, 138p, 130p £1018 (Non FA) R Carr Ptnrs; Hereford cross 138p (Non FA) T Higgins and 128p £802 (Non FA) Grace Natural Foods; Aberdeen Angus 137p £1160 Vexour Pedigree Herds and 134p £1135 J Howie; Sussex 134p £1007 W J Hurley and South Devon cross 127p £834 (Non FA) T Avon.

Some outstanding dairy culls today. Whilst the awkward food situation in the South East is an issue the prospect of good cull values remains an attraction to the dairy sector during this Covid period. Weight is not an issue (the bigger the better) and plenty grossed over £1000 today topping at 137p kg (£1104) from Debden Court Ltd for a British Friesian and £1230 (965kg) from R Torrance & Son for a Holstein Friesian.

Top calls were Holstein Friesian heifers 169p, 168p, 162p £1043 R Torrance & Son: cows 135p, 130p, 129p, 128p (3), 127p (2), 125p £1176(2), £1146, £1101, £1043, £1031, £1007, £1000 Appleton Farms and 128p (2) £1230, 125p, 123p R Torrance & Son. An imported Danish Red 96p £659.

Stock bulls are wanted too with an Aberdeen Angus 109p £1031.

Report on trade: Despite a very mixed entry of breeds, age and quality the right customers were in attendance and competitive prices were achieved with good premiums for the better quality and those stronger cattle to finish this side of Christmas. A big percentage of the younger cattle generally made £400 to £700 while the best strong cattle readily around £1000 with 24 mths Limousin x Friesian steers topping the market at £1200 from P J Mannington. This was closely followed by a Beef Shorthorn cross steer at £1195 from Mrs E Harris and smart 16 mths Aberdeen Angus cross steer £1120 from J S & M I Tilley.

Good entries of cattle entered for the forthcoming sales. Please contact if you have stores to sell, we have customers keen to purchase whether younger cattle or stronger sorts to finish short term.

Report on trade: A flying trade once again this week with all shapes and sizes in demand from start to finish!

Continentals were a stand on trade from the previous fortnight with the second grade calves even slightly firmer. Continental bulls sold to £345 for a British Blue from T Castle & Son and the same vendor also sold Limousin bulls to £305. Simmental bulls look a strong trade on the day also with bulls from H O Champneys Ltd selling to a top of £270. Demand was as strong for continental heifers and more definitely could have been sold to vendor’s advantage! Top price of £240 for a Simmental from H O Champneys Ltd and British Blue from W F Farms completed the section at £205.

Native calves generally a fantastic trade all the way through on the day! Bulls topped at £365 for a strong Aberdeen Angus from A & W J Hitchcock and the same vendor also sold another Aberdeen Angus bull to £355. J Howie’s Beef Shorthorns looked well sold at £205. Native heifers were again short on the ground this week with only 4 forward. J Howie topped this section with a Beef Shorthorn at £135.

Dairy sired calves a fantastic trade this week with plenty of orders all round for them. Top draw on the day was £100 for a Danish Red from W F Farms. The second graders and bobbies look best sold on the day trade being £15 to £20 dearer on the fortnight.

A nice selection of weanlings this week with cattle to suit all budgets. M H & M G Butcher had a lovely bunch of TB Edge British Blue’s and Aberdeen Angus which topped at £320 for British Blue steers and £380 for British Blue heifers. Native weanlings topped at £310 for an Aberdeen Angus from M H & M G Butcher and Mrs S E Ginger sold a suckler bred Hereford cross for £280. Demand is very much there for weanlings, please call if you have any to sell!

Farm Dispersal Sale

We are pleased to confirm instructions from Mr C Peach to conduct a sale of farm machinery and equipment on

Thursday 1^st October at 11am

In all we will offer approximately 200 lots – full details will be available shortly

Covid 19 control guidelines will need to be followed – this will not be a “Social” event

Message from Peter Barker of Barkers Animal Health

Barkers Animal Health retail store here in the market will be open on Tuesday and also on Fridays through the sheep sale season. If possible, please pre order so goods are ready for your collection. New local representative Mossy is available 24/7 on 07739 723623 to discuss your requirements

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 is a regular contributor to the editorial content.

In addition our Property Consultants Outlook for Summer 2020 is included with this month’s publication. Articles looking at current issues affecting many aspects of land ownership make interesting reading for all landowners and occupiers.

Hobbs Parker Car Auctions news – We are back in business!!

Vehicles are being traded in substantial numbers in our weekly online sales. For all details please long onto the Hobbs Parker website and select Car Auctions or pick up the phone 01233 506266 and speak to John Chapman or James Johnson

Notices – Holford Pitcher, Sedlescombe

Elizabeth Cole and family have asked us to let you know that Holford sadly passed away, peacefully last Thursday. Holford, with Elizabeth, trading as Pitcher & Cole have been market supporters for many, many years. He will be missed by many who knew him in his local community and in East Sussex farming circles

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

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

Mark Cleverdon (Pigs) 07741 845230

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

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

Do you farm in Kent near Bethersden and Pluckley

You are invited to join the Upper Beult Farmer Cluster! This is a group of farmers who live and farm along the river Beult. The Cluster is free to join, and farmers can benefit from capital grants and money off Ferric phosphate with Southern Water sponsorship. Contact rory.harding@kentwildlife.org.uk or 07761 507242

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

For Sale – ready for work Limousin bull. East Sussex. Ring Mark Cleverdon for details 07741 845230

Wanted – a secure barn / unit to store agricultural equipment, for the management of the Natural England National Nature Reserves, in Wye, Hamstreet, Ashford or surrounding areas. Contact Piers Griffin on 07881037704 or piers.griffin@naturalengland.org.uk

Relief farm worker required – for general livestock duties including milking, feeding, calf rearing and general husbandry. Would suit a self-employed person but position is flexible located near Dartford. Please call Iain on 07738 445530 for more information.

Wanted – experienced Herdsperson for suckler herd – West Kent.  Ring Suzanne 01732 750758 or 07966399115

Ashford Cattle Show news

It is with huge regret the committee of the show association have decided that this year’s Show (and also dinner) will not take place.

The 150^th Ashford Cattle Show will now be held in 2021.

Covid-19 Protocol at Ashford Market – updated July 2020

In common with the Livestock Auctioneers Association’s recommendations to its members Hobbs Parker Auctioneers ask that their customers wear a face covering whilst at market.

Social distancing, high standards of hygiene and responsible behaviour to others is also recommended.

Strict control of the numbers attending market is asked for and both buyers and sellers should not bring additional people with them to market.

We still recommend a ‘Drop and Go’ policy for vendors but if a vendor has a need to attend, they should always be on their own and respect social distancing.

Important Announcement – Ram Sales 2020.

Due to the current and ongoing restrictions, imposed on livestock markets and shows throughout the country, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic please note the following amendments to our advertised ram sales.

Monday 28^th September – Sale of all breeds, with MV & Non MV facilities, to commence at 3pm. This sale will include the South East Texel Groups annual show and sale of pedigree breeding sheep

Friday 2^nd October – Romney Day including show and sale of Romney rams.

Friday 30^th October – Sale of all breeds, Non MV only, at 11am.

A catalogue will be produced for each sale, please enter rams as soon as possible.

Please note: Rams will not be accepted for sale on any other day, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

For all queries regarding ram sales and to enter rams, please contact either Tom Hamplett (07966 104532) or Mark Cleverdon (07741 845230).