Weekly Sales News – 26th March 2019

Top price per kilo – P & M Mayes & P Ashlee – 228p: Top price per head – Mrs D Ashlee – £112

Report on trade: Another big entry of hoggets this week with over 3,500 penned which once again sold on an improved trade to last week, in particular for the standard and medium weighted sheep which returned an SQQ average of 204p per kg. The heavier offerings, which made up well over 50% of the entry, were also sold on an improved trade, which was up by 4p on the week. More of the buyers are now having to extend the parameters and take heavier weighted hoggets as supply of the handier weights is drying up nationally and therefore are getting dearer and dearer each week as they are what the all important export market desires.

Most of these standard and medium weighted hoggets sold around the 200p mark to a top of 228p. Heavier offerings were sold on a slightly improved trade this week with some export customers having to take heavier lambs to fulfil orders. Best heavy sheep sold mainly from £90 to £100 to a top of £112.

Just 20 early new season lambs on offer this week from D J Cole & Sons which sold for £95 and £97 for 41kg and 45kg respectively.

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.

Report on trade: Another similar sized entry this week with prices greatly improved on recent weeks with numbers tightening nationally and in line with the lift in the hogget trade. Overall average was up by £13 with several good meated sorts selling in excess of £90 with a few over £100 also to a top price of £110 from Tom Husk.

Top prices included continental ewes to £111 from Tom Husk, Suffolk crosses to £97 from R F & E A Simmonds and Mules to £79 from R & S Payton Farms LLP.

Report on trade: Store hoggets very dear with prices improving inline with the better returns available in the finished section. Best crossbred stores sold readily in excess of £80, Romney wethers up to £76 and only very small long term sorts below £60.  Averages 824 sold to £87 and aver’ £68.50

If you have stores to sell you are well advised to take advantage of current prices while finishers have time to fatten before end of season.                .

Report on trade: Again a fair sized entry forward and good demand for the best strong and well bred lambs – Link Bros sold 3 Texel cross wethers from £30 to £45 and Mrs V Frampton 6 young Texel crosses from £12 to £25. Smaller lambs were not quite the same trade we have seen for a couple of weeks making £4 to £20. 13 of the entry made over £25. Average for 34 sold £21.01

Sock lambs will be sold at 10.30am every week from now through the lambing season.

Report on trade: A very similar trade to recent weeks with the best handy weights making in excess of 200p per kg and up to £1162 (208p) for Limousin cross steers from Gillshaw Farms Ltd, £1078 (204p) from W Alexander (Shoreham) and Limousin cross heifer to £1063 (203p) from D W Ferguson Ltd.

More commercial sorts made 175p to 190p notably British Blue cross steers at £1212 (190p) from K & P M Sinden & Sons and £1288 (177p) from F J Horsnell.

Several purebred Sussex heifers were on offer and attracted prices around 180p and up to £989 (184p) from Gillshaw Farms Ltd. Black and whites very similar up to £998 (153p) from R Price & Son.

Report on trade: Cow numbers are getting very short indeed though we were again pleased to get as many as we did! As turn out takes place across the country it can only get worse. If you have cows to sell, for whatever reason, please look at doing it before turnout and take advantage of their yard condition and the current demand from buyers. Beef cows for grazing should be sold immediately, particularly if non assured, to allow graziers the 90 days residency before they can sell at the top of the trade mid summer.

We were very short of beef cows and more wanted both for flesh and for grazing. No smart meat cows on offer but tidy types readily made 120p to 130p per kg.

Examples include Aberdeen Angus crosses 128p, 126p, 124p £905 F Sole & Sons; Sussex 124p H W Richards and British Blue cross (Non FA) 117p, 116p £907 from O’Neil Smith Ltd.

A few more cows forward from the dairy sector and some good meat on offer from cows dry for some while. Trade was a little firmer reflecting the flesh and conformation on offer. Holstein maiden heifer (utm) 134p, young cow (utm) 125p £828 R Torrance & Son; Holstein Friesian 126p, 125p £977 Goddard & Son; British Friesian 119p, 118p, 113p (2) PHR Farms; Holstein 118p(2), 117p(2), 116p(2) £1001 Appleton Farms; 116p(2) £894 R Torrance & Son and 113p £934 J Leggat & Son.

Demand for quality muscled and fleshed continental bulls exceptional with British Blue (8yr) 148p £1423 and Limousin (5yr) 129p £1208.

More Wanted – Please do not hesitate to ring at anytime for marketing advice.               

Report on trade: A moderate entry of cattle both in terms of numbers and overall quality met a decent trade for the best end of the market but certainly more circumspect for the average types and, undoubtedly, difficult for the out of spec, poor growth for age types. The weather conditions are certainly helping and a few cattle going out but it is still March and younger, softer types, certainly don’t want to see the great outdoors just yet.

Young bulls found a decent trade. This is the time of the year when producers with their own yearlings to turn out should look carefully for any uncuts or rigs both to avoid the obvious later problems but also to give these bulls the chance to fatten inside before getting too old. If in doubt don’t turn out!! An Aberdeen Angus cross bull (2yr) £870 and Blonde cross bull 14m £810 both from A J Britton and a Blonde cross (6mths)  £695 O’Neil Smith Ltd.

A decent trade for the tidy yearlings with quality in short supply included Hereford cross steers 10mths  £710 and £600 with heifers £500 from R Carr Partners; Limousin x Sussex steers 10mths £755, £700 and heifers £655 Priors Byne Farm and Sussex steers 10mths £740, £590 and heifers £550 again from Priors Byne Farm.

Amongst the older cattle much more of a mix of beef and dairy bred types and varying bTB status were offered but customers were present for all. Limousin cross steers 16mths £1040 R & H Vincent; Limousin cross steers 15mths £1010, £985, £980 and heifers £800, £755 N Gould and Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steers 18mths £795, £715, £630 and heifers £580 H & S Nesfield.

A few more stronger late yarding cattle were offered which, despite the obvious insecurities of the current beef trade, sold well so long as they carried shape and some finish. A British Blue cross steer 2yr £1180 Bocketts Farm; Aberdeen Angus cross steers 21mths  £1155, £1110, £1080, £1020 A J Strand & Son; Limousin cross steer 22mths  £1055 N D Cannon; British Blue x Friesian steers 2yr £1010 and heifers £1085 R Winstone and Hereford x Friesian steers 20mths £965 again from R Winstone.

Many more cattle will be sold over the coming weeks so please contact us with entries to ensure orderly marketing and cataloguing.

Events / Meetings in the area of interest to farmers

Cattle keepers are invited to an Open Meeting at Ashford Market on Wednesday 10^th April from 6.30pm to find out more about the current TB situation in Kent, and understand what can be done to reduce the risk of a TB breakdown. The NFU will also give an update on TB policy. Light refreshments will be provided. To book a place, please call 01306 628086 (Dr Lindsay Heasman)

Hobbs Parker Property Consultants News

Hobbs Parker Property Consultants is pleased to welcome a new Director to its team.

Vicky Phillips, whose career started as a graduate at Hobbs Parker, has more than ten years of experience in valuation, estate strategy and tax planning, compulsory purchase and compensation.

Having reached the position of Partner in her previous role at a national firm, Vicky has a wealth of experience in farm, land and estate valuations in the south east and nationally, for private client, high street and private wealth banks. She has been heavily involved in compulsory purchase and compensation working for landowners and occupiers affected by High Speed 2, petitioning parliament and representing clients at the House of Lords Select Committee.

Sam Snart, Managing Director of Hobbs Parker Property Consultants, said: “It’s always gratifying to see how well graduate employees progress in their careers, so it’s with great pleasure that we welcome Vicky back to the team, as a Director. Many years ago we saw promise in her and we are pleased to see her potential realised as part of our team.”

Vicky, who has an MSc in Rural Land and Business Management, rejoined the Hobbs Parker team at the beginning of March. In her free time she enjoys spending time on the family farm in Herefordshire and exploring the world.

She said: “It’s great to be back and focused on Kent and the South East, working with farming clients and using my experience to add to the growing Property Consultants team.”

To find out more about property consultancy services, Vicky can be contacted on 01233 506263 or 07799 099457, alternatively email her at vicky.phillips@hobbsparker.co.uk

Summer events / meetings in the area of interest to farmers

Essex Young Farmers County Show at Boyton Hall Farm, Roxwell, nr Chelmsford – Sunday 19^th May – “A great one day Show with something for all the family”. Full details available from Show Secretary on 01245 360442 or email: essexyfc@btconnect.com

Heathfield Show – Saturday 27^th May – For all other show enquiries please ring Show secretary, Nicola Magill, on 01435 864587 or visit www.heathfieldshow.org

** Visit us on our stand – we are pleased again to be sponsoring both Sussex and commercial beef classes in the cattle section **

Surrey County Show – 27^th May – All show enquiries please ring Show secretary, 01483 890810 or visit surreycountyshow.co.uk

South of England Show – 6^th, 7^th and 8^th June – All show enquiries please ring 01444 892700 or visit seas.org.uk

Competition schedules are available for Heathfield and South of England shows here in the market

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

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The March editions of these popular regional farming magazines are now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are regular contributors to the editorial content.

In addition our Property Consultants Outlook for Spring 2019 is included with this months publication and again are available here in the market. Articles from our Property Consultants team makes interesting reading for all landowners and occupiers.

Ashford Livestock Market has its own Facebook page where news and reports are now being posted on a regular basis www.facebook.com/AshfordLivestockMarket/

Hobbs Parker Auctioneers email a livestock market short report on the afternoon of every livestock sale day. To receive this email report you need to log on to the auctioneers pages of our website www.hobbsparker.co.uk and click the link to email alerts.

To ensure you continue to receive the email it should be opened on a regular basis.

Hobbs Parker Auctioneers livestock sales catalogues are always available online on the auctioneers pages of our website www.hobbsparker.co.uk All entries are listed on these regularly updated pages

South East Point to Point Meetings (www.pointingse.com)

Please see website for further details.

Sunday 7^th April – Godstone, Surrey. RH9 8DB.

Saturday 13^th April – Penshurst, Kent. TN8 7DD

Saturday 20^th April – Charing, Kent. TN27 0JS

Monday 22^nd April – Aldington, Kent. TN25 7EJ

Saturday 27^th April – Parham, Storrington, West Sussex. RH20 2ER

Saturday 11^th May – Peper Harrow, Godalming, Surrey. GU8 6LA

Notices – John Hooker, Woodchurch

The family have advised that John very sadly passed away recently. A regular market user for all of his long life he will be missed by his family and all who knew him.

Funeral arrangements will be published when available

Notices – Lindsay Pierce (nee Howard)

It is with much sadness that, following a relentless illness, family and friends have asked us to inform you of the death of Lindsay Pierce (nee Howard), much loved wife of Trevor and mother to Ethan, on 25^th February aged 51 years. A celebration of her life will be held at St Mildred’s Church, Tenterden on 30^th March 2019 at 2.30pm and all who knew her will be welcome to attend.

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

For Sale – pedigree Charolais bull, 8 yrs old – West Kent. Ring Mark Cleverdon for more information.

For Sale – selection of pedigree Limousin young bulls and cows and calves on an Essex farm. Ring Mark Cleverdon 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

Wanted – general farm worker for a mixed farm in Sellindge, Ashford – Work will include feeding cattle. Ring 07774 408059 for more information

Fodder Crop for sale and / wanted

For Sale – quantities of silage, haylage, oat straw, wheat straw and barley straw ex an East Sussex farm. Also available loose whole oats and wheat in half tonne bags. Ring 01580 819000, 01580 819700 or 07768 771 933.

For Sale – Up to 50 4’ 2018 silage bales on a Kent farm. Ring 01233 756468

RABI, Young Farmers Clubs, Kent Herdsmans Club and FCN news

Ashford YFC lambing day Sunday 28^th April at Hope Farm, Wittersham, TN30 7NP from 10am until 4pm by kind permission of The Lovejoy family, £2 per adult and £1 per child. Lots to see and do including live lambing, cuddle corner, sheep shearing demo, a BBQ and many others.

Ashford YFC welcomes new members every Wednesday and to all social events. Whether you’re on your own or come with a friend to a meeting anyone is welcome. Find us on Facebook or for more information contact Amy 07733 481473.

Kent Herdsmans Club

For all details on Herdsman’s Club events contact Chairman Alan Jull 07708283220 or Jo Masters 01580 240568.

Monday 8th April at 7pm (Please note early start) – Visit to Willesborough Windmill, Mill Lane, Ashford. TN24 0QG

Hobbs Parker Auctioneers and Car Auctions

run over 200 auction sales every year

Our next Auction Sales include……

Commercial Vehicle sales

Thursday 4^th April at 3.00pm

Commercial vehicle sale

Collective Machinery & Equipment sale

Friday 12^th April at 9.30am.

Catalogues will be available about a week before the sale.

Lots will include new & newly near mowers & garden machinery. New tools, farm & agricultural equipment, timber plus large selection of miscellaneous items.

Pedigree Sussex Spring Show & Sale

Friday 26^th April

15 Bulls and 30 females are expected for this event – a full preview will be published shortly

This is the Sussex Cattle Society Show and Sale of Pedigree cattle – entry forms available from the office

Headcorn Farm Machinery Sale

Saturday 11^th May at 9.30am

Lots will include tractors, trailers, vehicles, arable equipment, haymaking equipment, tractor attachments & spares, livestock kit, garden machinery, workshop tools, a large and varied selection of rural bygones.

Up to 500 lots of shrubs and garden plants and hedging and trees will also be offered

Do you have a spare acre of grazing?       

We are currently in the process of making a planning application on a field in Smeeth, near Ashford for 35 new houses.

As part of that application we are required to look after newts and grass snakes.  The idea is that because we are taking away their current habitat, when it comes to building on the site we will have to catch them up and safely deliver them to a new home.

£ That’s where you come in and we are willing to pay!

I need approximately 1 acre of grazing land, not too far away preferably, that you are happy to fence off and let the grass grow up to provide new reptile habitat.  We will, in time, then release the reptiles onto that land.  You will need to agree to leave the land undisturbed.

If you think you have a suitable bit of land please give me a call on 07803 018857

Many thanks

Bill Lightfoot

Hobbs Parker Auctioneers and Car Auctions run over 200 auction sales every year.

Car Auctions next Auction Sale is on Monday 1^st April at 5pm.

Included in this sale will be ……

2016 (16) Discovery Landmark SDV6 Auto – 68,000 miles – Two owners from new – Full Land Rover service history

2012 (62) Freelander HSE SD4 Auto – 19,000 miles – Two owners from new – Land Rover service history

2015 (15) Discovery HSE Luxury SDV6 Auto – 64,000 miles – One local lady owner from new – Full Land Rover service history

2012 (61) Range Rover Sport SDV6 SE Auto – 64,000 miles – Two owners from new – Direct from Barretts

2013 (62) Discovery HSE SDV6 Auto – 55,000 miles – Two owners from new – Full Land Rover service history

Plus a selection of other popular late model cars. Check our website for up to date entries. Entries arriving continually until the start of the auction on Monday.

Auction of Boats and Marine Items

Saturday 30^th March at 11.30am

At Ramsgate Marina – Please contact Jamie Walker or Jon Chapman for further details

We will offer over 20 boats and 40 lots of equipment