Weekly Sales News – 20th December 2016

Top price per kilo – 252p – Mr K Lukehurst; Top price per head – £99 – Mr A Denning

Report on trade: A similar sized entry of sheep on offer this week selling on a brisk trade throughout with some exceptional export lambs selling to a fantastic price per kilo with several vendors in excess of £2/kilo to a top of 252p/kg from Mr K Lukehurst for some very shapely Beltex lambs. Heavier Beltex lambs form Mr A Denning sold to £99/hd (49kg) which shows us that the export trade must be showing signs of improvement coming into the Christmas period. Heavier lambs were also well sold on the day with the best crossbred lambs from Mr P Gorringe selling to £85.80 (48kg) which was closely followed by John Hecks with strong Suffolk lambs selling to £84.80.

The Team at Hobbs Parker Auctioneers would like to wish all of our customers a very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2017.

Producers please note – For top results please present well fleshed lambs which are preferably dry and clean. Lairage facilities are available every Monday evening

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 farm assured stock.

Report on trade: The ewe section was smaller in size this week, being a festive entry but trade certainly showed signs of improvement.  With most ewe meat customers not celebrating Christmas , many customers were keen to stock up on supplies before the short week impacts on levels of supply.  This increase was seen mostly of the best end of the meat ewes with strong continental ewes selling in excess of £90/hd for the first time in a few weeks. Grazing ewes sold on a similar trade to the few grazing buyers that were still in attendance.

Texel Cross Ewes to £94 from Link Bros, Suffolk Crosses to £86 from N & C Hedges, Rams to £98 from PH & PE Skinner, Mules to £78.50 from LE Humphreys and Romenys to £80 from HV Link

General information for sheep producers

We would advise our customers that we will be holding livestock markets for sheep on all Tuesdays over the Christmas and New Year period but it would be much appreciated if you would notify a member of the auctions team on what livestock consignments you wish to send.

We would remind producers that occasionally lame sheep are consigned to the market in and these do come to the attention of Trading Standards Officers. All animals must be able to support weight on all four feet to be deemed fit for market and to travel.

Report on trade: Very small entry but cattle wanted with good Christmas beef sales being reported. Fat cattle wanted on 3^rd January.

Report on trade: A very strong trade indeed. Mostly well fleshed dairy culls selling readily from 110 – 130p/kg. A few non assured Sussex cows 108-113p/kg £748 Wright Farm Partners.
British Friesian 135p, 134p, 130p (2), 128p, 127p, 124p, £102 Debden Court Farm; 131p, 128p, 120p, 119p PHR Farms; Holstein Friesian 129p £1041 J W Boyd & Son; Swedish Red 126p J W Boyd & Son; Jersey 100p £542 Hickman Bros
Cows wanted immediately in the new year.

Events / Meetings in the area of interest to farmers

AHDB as part of their Reaping rewards and sharing excellence programme invite interested parties their Sittingbourne Monitor Farm meeting at Bapchild and Tonge Village Hall, School Lane, Sittingbourne. ME9 9NL on Thursday 12^th January from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

The meeting will be looking at Precision Farming – is it worth it and where do I start with 3 top speakers on the subject.

To register your to attend please phone 07964 243699 or email Paul.hill@ahdb.org.uk

From Hobbs Parker Property Consultants

Available to rent – Sheep building at Udimore near Rye available for a 1 year term from 1^st January 2017.

Steel framed 90’ x 60’ building with small paddock adjacent. *Suitable for sheep only (not bale storage) due to low eaves height*. Owner can put in chalk floor for new occupant . Spring-fed water connected with 4 troughs Viewings by appointment by contacting Sophie  on 01233 506201.

Further farm buildings may be available, please enquire

Available to rent – Approx 100 acres of grazing to let on yearly licence basis.  Bridge, Canterbury.  Suitable for sheep grazing or hay.  No services.  All enquires to Matthew Sawdon on 012330 506201.

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South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The December edition of this popular regional farming magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are regular contributors to the editorial content.

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, sheep auctioneer and machinery sales.

Peter Kingwill (07795 200357) – Director, cattle auctioneer and machinery sales.

Lynsey Kendall – Director and accounts.

Mark Cleverdon (07748 202688) – Calf, pig and breeding cattle auctioneer and auction sales entries and adminstration.

John Rossiter (07557 392903) – Sheep auctioneer

Simon Husk (07885 968077) – Livestock marketing and field services

Martin Crowhurst (07710 803903) – Livestock marketing and field services

Adam Leonard – Auction sales entries and administration.

Hayley Andrews and Sue Marshall – Auction sales administration.

From all of us to all of you – the best of Seasons Greetings for a happy Christmas and good and prosperous New Year