Weekly Sales News – 20th August 2019

Top price per head – £91 – L Stephens & Sons: Top price per kilo – 211p – Miss R Russell

Report on trade: A similar sized entry of sheep on offer this week but a very mixed entry in terms of the quality with everything in the pens from the best to the “also ran” sorts. Overall the prices were in line with nationally quoted figures and the best lambs were again approaching the 200p per kg mark with some super continental crosses from Miss R Russell selling to 211p with James Vine in second place with 206p. Most heavier lambs traded between £80-90 to a top price of £91 from L Stephens & Sons.

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: Again a similar sized entry on offer this week to what we have seen in recent weeks and the trade was on par with expectations following the busy festival period and in line with last weeks prices also. Grazing ewes are the best sold at the moment with several buyers present to secure some ewes to farm on for after xmas when number often decrease. Grazing ewes traded between £35-50 with only the poorest below £35.

Top prices included continental ewes to £75 from both MB Farms and J Hooker, Suffolk Crosses to £75 from L Andreozzi.

Report on trade: Another very decent trade with the best on offer just short of 200p and average quality around 180p. A smart Limousin cross heifer topped the market at £1145 (198p) from S Marsh while a British Blue cross heifer grossed well at £1207 (194p) from D W Ferguson Ltd. A run of heifers from A J Thompson & Sons sold around 180p with an Aberdeen Angus grossing at £1021and a Simmental cross at £1005, a Limousin cross heifer to £1092 (186p) from M A Piper & Son Farms.

A small selection of bulls with a 17mths Simmental bull well sold at £1336 (173p) from A J Thompson & Sons and 12 mths Charolais bull at £1058 (183p) from Highfields Park Farm.

Report on trade: Short numbers this week but a strong trade particularly for the fleshed cows from both dairy and beef sectors. Grazing cows, for the time of year, a better trade due to the good grass position with price dependant on age and type.

A small entry of beef cows with decent fleshed types 120-130p whilst some older (10yo+) Sussex type cows 70-90p.

Limousin cross 127p £841 J & S Harmer; Sussex 119p £788 J & S Harmer; Aberdeen Angus cross 119p £782 Mrs L M Howard.

Good trade for the dairy culls with some tidy cows on offer. Leaner lighter framed cows improved.

British Friesian 122p(2) £814 Debden Court; Holstein Friesian 117p £961 J Gormley, 115p £959 M W Goddard; 109(2) £895 Huddlestone Farmers; 109p(2) £829 P C Coleman.

Bulls a better trade with shape with the British Blues and flesh on the Holsteins.

British Blue 117p £1257, 114p £1186; Holstein 94p, 91p £923.

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: A young Hereford heifer and bull calf well sold at £670. Interest in the Sussex heifers having run with a Sussex bull from April which made £710.

Store Cattle – Just two good Charolais feeding bulls 11m selling at £900 and £860.

Entries for September now coming forward so please contact auctioneers and field staff for advice on marketing and best dates.

Report on trade: An increased entry this week which is good to see, keep the numbers coming! A similar trade to the previous fortnight, which still looks strong when considering the national trade for beef at the moment.

Continental Bulls sold to £220 & £200 (x2) for British Blue’s from T Castle & Son, generally most sold between £150 and £200. Continental heifers sold to £210 for a Simmental from Parrett & Son, most selling on the day between £120 and £160.

The Native entry was varied this week with all types forward. The best bulls sold away to £200 for an Aberdeen Angus from A & W J Hitchcock. Most bulls were £170 plus, although a number of smaller less framed types were certainly less. The strongest Native heifers sold well with A & W J Hitchcock’s Aberdeen Angus entry leading the way to a top price of £180. The best were £140 plus, again smaller less well framed types less.

As large an entry of Dairy sired calves as I have seen for some time this week with a total of 49. The best quality calves sold to £90 from M Goddard, second quality calves to £78 from D Murdock & Sons. A stronger demand for Bobbies this week with most £20 – £35.

A varied entry of weanlings this week in terms of ages and size. The John Graham Centre took top honours with a British Blue steer which was eventually sold for £440 as some keen bidding from a number of buyers. The same vendor also sold Limousin steers to £410 and British Blue heifers to £400. C Kearl topped the Native section with Aberdeen Angus heifers to £330. A handful of Black & White steers from M Goddard made £120.

Vendors: Please try to inform us of entries for the calf and stirk sale as early as possible to enable us to inform buyers of the expected entry. This allows both us and them to plan better for the days sale. Please do try to make every effort to register the sire of your native bred (principally Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cross) calves. Calves that do not have registered sires are at a disadvantage when offered for sale!

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: A big day in the pig section with good numbers in all departments.

Fat Pigs – Nothing dramatic about the trade which was just generally solid and competitive throughout with all buyers reporting plenty of supply in general but competition throughout with a good turnout of buyers. The heavier pigs 90-110kg finding the best competition with the hog roast season in full swing. Good shaped white pigs 95p (85kg) Continuum Kent Life; 92p (88kg) C K Guest. Out of spec pigs remain difficult.

Sows – A very good show of quality sows this week and competition sharp for all grades but particularly the 250kg+ white sows. Prices 60-80p with some superb sows grossing to £225.

Store Pigs – No real confidence in the section but nearly a complete clearance. Customers to buy but at a price. Weaners £30-40, smaller coloured types £20-£25.

Ashford Market livestock sales competition days

We are very pleased to announce that Simon Phillips, Deal will be the judge for Suffolk x Mule ewe lambs on Friday 6^th September

Market sponsorship

We are very pleased to announce that the Farmers Guardian, as part of their “Marts at the Heart” campaign are sponsoring market day here in Ashford on Tuesday 22^nd October.

Prizes will be offered in the various sections on the day and our market will be featured in the Guardian on the following Friday

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

For Sale – Collie puppies from registered working parents with good temperament – East Sussex. Ring 01797 253702 or 07930 624594

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

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 by 26^th September

Summer events / meetings in the area of interest to farmers

Aylsham Show – Monday 26^th August – Bickling Hall, North Norfolk.  For details www. theaylshamshow.co.uk

Edenbridge & Oxted Show – Sunday and Monday 25^th and 26^th August – For further information contact  Jackie Shearman on 01737 645857 or email sesha@edenbridge-show.co.uk ** Hobbs parker Auctioneers are pleased to be sponsors of classes within the livestock section of this event **

Romney Marsh Ploughing Match – Sunday 1st September – Ham Mill Lane, Hamstreet, Ashford. TN26 2QW – Ploughing starts at 10am, Fun dog show at 12pm and also sheep shearing and craft stalls. For more information 07785 783662 or email: romneyploughing@yahoo.co.uk

Moreton in Marsh Show – Saturday 7^th September – Gloucestershire.  For details www.moretonshow.co.uk

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match – Saturday 14^th September at Poplars Farm, Churn lane, Horsmonden. TN12 8HN. Full details available from secretary Liz Copping 07872 501951or on www.wkpma.co.uk.

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, 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

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.

Wednesday 28^th August – Boys do something for the girls

Wednesday 4^th September – Girls do something for the boys

Forthcoming store and breeding sheep sales

Friday 30^th August

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 6^th September

This sale will include annual shows and sales of crossbred ewe lambs together with South East Texel Groups breeding females and rams plus commercial rams

Friday 13^th September

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 20^th September

This sale will include the annual show and sale of Central Beltex breeding females and rams plus commercial rams

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 18^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 1^st November

Store lambs and breeding sheep

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

Livestock Hauliers who regularly use Ashford Market

H G Allen & Sons                Ninfield, Bexhill                       07774 654404                                

Beer E (Ted) & J                Dover, Kent                                01304 853174/ 07850 518330

Beesley Tim                        Cranbrook, Kent                        01580 715415/ 07790 273805

Bowens S & A Ltd             Sevenoaks, Kent                       01959 532117/ 07836 793837

Bowers C & Sons              Turners Hills, Sussex               01342 715225/ 07802 358761

Brightling David                 Rye, Sussex                               01797 280552/ 07850 906888

Buxton L J & Sons            Brentwood, Essex                     01277 812674/ 07711 204702

Black David (Lampshire) Hartfield, Sussex                      07759 419844

Cobden Roy                        Chichester, Sussex                  01243 573358/ 07860 587058

Croft P                                  Brightling, Sussex                     01424 838278/ 07885 090331

Drury Kevin                         Wadhurst, Sussex                     01580 860546/ 07860 728204

Gilders Transport Ltd       Cheltenham, Glous                  01242 620311

Gooding R H & Son           Ottery St Mary, Devon              01404 812371                

Appleby Paul                       Hailsham, Sussex                    01323 833720/ 832354
(Harris Bros)                                                                            or 07831 554392

Langrish & Sons                Rye, Sussex                               01424 882250/ 07973 977074

Legg John                            Bookham, Surrey                      07831 446409

Macer Sid                            Billericay, Essex                        01277 622844

Parrett M & S                      Colchester, Essex                     01206 761703/ 07721 901242

Rivers Harvey                    Farnham, Surrey                       01252 723058/07761 554903

Rumens Alan                      Goudhurst, Kent                        01580 211413/ 07860 842098

Sargent Chris                     Catsfield, Sussex                      01424 892620/ 07866 716188

Sheridon UK Ltd                Leicestershire                            01509 881522/07967 399978

or 07739 717154

Standing Transport           West Sussex                              07764 765521/ 01798 873010

Thornby R J & K                 Bethersden, Kent                      01233 820297/ 07860 611439

Wareham’s                          Heathfield, Sussex                   07941 979901/ 01435 863471

Wickens Shaun                  Maidstone, Kent                        01622 850640/ 07860 437027

Wright Harry                       Cromer, Norfolk                        07860 524120

Wright John                         Cromer, Norfolk                        07920 098930

Yeoell David                        Caterham, Surrey                     01883 345819/ 07966 152684

Any alterations or additions to this list should be given to Mark Cleverdon or any of our auctioneer’s team