Weekly Sales News – 27th July 2021

New Season Lambs – Top price per head – £134.50 – C & J Georgetti & Sons: Top price per kilo – 300p – G H Dean & Co

Report on A great quality run of lambs on offer this week with consignments of well finished creep fed lambs forward from loyal Ashford market supporters, who were well rewarded by the trade ion the day with some of the highest prices nationally reported.

Top runs form regulars C & J Georgetti & Sons and G H Dean & Co led the price per head and kilo rankings but there were several others in close contention for these titles this week.  E W Homewood, P & C Burden and Link Bros were in close attendance in the price per head stakes and C A Worley Farming Ltd at 294p for some great shaped Beltex offerings close per kg.

Nationally numbers are in short supply as we have been saying in these reports for quite some time now. This is in some cases would be due to producers holding on to lambs as there is lots of keep available and the general opinion is that trade will be strong for most of the season, however, with the current trade in excess of 250p and at times up to 300p, a bird in the hand………

Please keep the lambs coming and contact us with numbers so we can notify the buyers.

Auctioneer: Elwyn Davies 07710 803901 / James Cook O’Connell

Report on trade: We saw increased numbers this week compared to last week in the cull ewe department. Trade is still staying strong for all types, however this week there was a much larger percentage of plainer ewes on offer. This may be due to people weaning lambs and getting rid of cull ewe’s straight away instead holding on to them with the current levels of demand and therefore prices we are seeing.

Top price of the day today was £186 for some superb Texel ewes from J Warnock and Sons with also a good show of sheep from N A Balcomb and Son, their best Charollais ewes making £138.

Other good calls included Suffolk’s £138 from S W Mount and Son, continentals £186 from J Warnock and Sons, Romneys £120 from S M Sullivan and Mules £123 from J and C Kellett

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: Very good numbers again for the time of year and whilst there was a bit more variability in the overall entry quality fleshed, yarded cattle made up the core bulk of the entry. Trade was again strong for all grades with the best making 230p to 260p per kg, finished commercial types 200p to 220p and the purebred dairy types or overage 180p to 200p.

Top amongst the steers at 260p was a handy weight Limousin steer from R F & E A Simmons. Others from R J Husk made to 255p whilst British Blue x Friesiana from A J Down selling to 241p (£1394). Aberdeen Angus crosses from A & S Woodford & Sons made to 212p (£1375). Sussex made to 229p (2) and £1266 from J Hooker & Son. Holstein steers made to 183p (£1195) from E T Ledger & Son.

A smart show of heifers included terrific runs from W S Furnival (Brookland), A J Thompson & Sons and W Alexander (Shoreham). R J Husk topped the heifers with a medium weight at 253p kg (£1250) whilst a run from W S Furnival (Brookland) sold to 251p, 250p, 249p grossing to £1490, £1489, £1394. W Alexander (Shoreham) sold to 247p (£1294) and A J Thompson & Sons topped at 246p (2) £1430 and £1390. Limousin x Friesians from A J Down 223p, £1313, Aberdeen Angus cross from A & S Woodford & Sons to 214p (£1279) and Holstein Friesians from D Murdoch & Sons to 188p (£1256) and Huddlestone Farms 185p (£1218).

A young Charollais bull (20 mths) looked well sold at 196p (£1466) from J Loveridge.

Overage of all types looked very well sold with Limousin cross heifers (Non-Assured and 33 to 36 mths) 186p to 196p and £1002.

More cattle wanted to satisfy strong demand.

Report on trade: Definitely a black and white day with only fifteen of the total entry either beef crosses or stock bulls. Once again, an outstanding trade for all on offer and certainly more flesh is coming through in all categories with more grass and more feed available which is, justifiably, going into stock that are returning outstanding rewards!

In the beef lines Limousin crosses made 184p per kg, 182p and £1477, £1243 from J Loveridge; Sussex 176p, £992 D J Miles; Simmental cross 170p, £1229 M J Ashworth; British Blue 164p, £948 D J Miles and Aberdeen Angus cross 164p, 158p, 154p, 147p, £1128, £1063 (Non-FA) B W C Brooks.

A good show from the dairy sector with some very good fed, dry, fleshed handy weights saw plenty make 135p to150p and just the one cow below 100p. The black and whites averaged £1052.59 per head from grossing from £512 to £1431. A few older maiden heifers well sold at over 180p.

Headliners were Holstein Friesian heifers 186p kg £1224 R Torrance & Son and 185p, 177p, £1218 Huddlestone Farmers. Holstein Friesian cows 152p (2), 148p (2), 143p (2), £1431, £1339, £1326, £1131 J Warnock & Sons; 148p, 142p, 140p, £1053, £1010 H O Champneys; 147p, 145p, 144p, 143p, £1230, £1134, £1120, £1076 Huddlestone Farms; 145p, 142p, 141p, 140p, 138p (2), £1279, £1147, £1135, £1111, £1046, £1038 R Torrance & Son; 145p, £1012 R & J Ledger; 144p, 138p, £1177 J W Boyd & Sons and 144p, £1082 W F Farms.

Holstein Friesian steers made 184p (2), 178p, 176p, £1367, £1341, £1306 E T Ledger & Son.

Stock bull was a  British Blue making 152p and £1341.

Keep feeding them! They are certainly wanted! Many thanks.

Report on trade: Again, this was not a big and a very mixed quality entry in the pens for this fortnights sale. Prices reflected the mixed quality but still look very reasonable.

In the finished pig two pens broke the 120p per kg barrier from Brooker & Son (132p and £104) and G Grahame (121p and £118). 75p to 115p covered the rest sold bar 2 pigs

Cull pigs were a small entry with top calls 40p for sows and 35p for boars.

Store and breeding pigs penned were strong Oxford, Sandy and Blacks which made to £74 and a sow (not big) and 10 Saddleback piglets from C Higgins made £200

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

Livestock for sale by private treaty – ex farm

For Sale – 3 In calf Holstein Friesian heifers (Pickering bred), bn early 2019 which ran with Aberdeen Angus and Limousin bulls and are due to calve in September – mid Kent. Contact Peter Kingwill for details

Auction of Boats and Marine related items

Hobbs Parkers car auctions team have arranged an online auction to be held on Tuesday 7^th and Wednesday 8^th September.

Entries invited and for more information on entering your vessel, or for the Auction process please contact Hobbs Parker auctioneers or enquire at Ramsgate Harbour Office.

Coronavirus Policy Update

The Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) welcomes the Government announcement that Step 4 of the Covid-19 road map will proceed as planned in England on Monday 19^th July. As the majority of legal restrictions end in England the Government guidance emphasises personal responsibility.

We have been extremely grateful of the support of buyers, vendors, hauliers and staff during this difficult and challenging period while restrictions have been in place over the last 15 months.

While we are delighted to welcome back farmers to the market, we encourage all our clients to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to continue to help protect public health. At Ashford Market, we will be following Government recommendations as from Monday 19^th July.

In particular we ask that you:

• Wear face masks in enclosed spaces and crowded areas including the cattle ring, sales office counter, reception and while queuing for or being served at the Stockpot counter.
• Use of sanitising and hand washing facilities

This policy will continue to help keep everyone safe and reduces the risk of our customers and staff having to self-isolate and will help to make sure we can keep the market and Stockpot open.

Thank you for your help with this

Local Agricultural Show and ploughing match dates and news

Edenbridge & Oxted Show – Sunday and Monday 29^th and 30^th August – For further information contact the show office on 01342 832307 or visit www.edenbridge-show.co.uk

Moreton in Marsh Show, Gloucestershire – Saturday 4^th September – For all details go to www.moretonshow.co.uk

Romney Marsh Ploughing & Dog Show – Sunday 5th September at Ham Mill Lane, Hamstreet, Romney Marsh TN26 2QW (by kind permission of Charles and Ollie Furnival). – For all details contact Diana Wimble 07821 009693, Alan Higgs 07785 783662 or  romneyploughing21@gmail.com

Swale & District Ploughing Match – Saturday 11^th September at Greenway Court, Hollingbourne, Maidstone. For more information ring Chris Hildyard 01795 470556 (email chris@georgewebbfinn.com) or Andrew Mew 07759 320496

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match – Saturday 18^th September at Honey Farm, Munday Bois Road, Pluckley, Ashford, TN27 0SU (by kind permission of the Gwillim family). Full details available from Secretary Liz Copping 07872 501951or on www.wkpma.co.uk

East Sussex Ploughing Match – Saturday 25^th September at Priesthawes Farm, Nr Stone Cross, Pevensey (by kind permission of Mr Chris Wadham) – Full details available from Secretary Paul Croft 07752247469 or Croftjpcroft@aol.com

East Kent Ploughing Match – Wednesday 29^th September at Upper Venson Farm, Eastry near Sandwich CT13 0JH (by kind permission of the Ledger family. Full details available from joint secretaries Sarah Ledger on 07802 974 838 or Lorna Astbury on 07538 547 010 or www.ekpma.co.uk

Ashford Cattle Show News

It is with great pleasure the Ashford Cattle Show committee announce this year’s president is Mr Trevor Richards.

Trevor has been a valued member of the committee for many years and is a prominent figure in the farming community and representing farmers on wool industry bodies. We thank the 2019 President Mr George Horne for all his hard work, and he has agreed to continue to be part of the committee as we look forward to the 150th Show in 2022.

Trevor accepted the position saying “I am extremely honoured to have been elected President of the Ashford Cattle Show when it celebrates its 150th show in 2022. I follow in the footsteps of my Grandfather (1966) and Father (1979 and 1998) who both held this position. I have been involved in the show for nearly 50 years as a steward, committee member and chairman and have regarded the show as a highlight of the local farming year. To celebrate 150 shows is a remarkable achievement and we plan to do this in style. Get the dates of Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th November 2022 in your diaries”.

The show next year will be a big event, and anyone interested in learning more about how we run the show and how we put on the biggest winter showcase in Kent together please contact the secretary via email ashfordcattleshow@gmail.com. We would love to hear from anyone who is keen to help the committee take the show forward in the years to come.

The Stockpot Café at Ashford Market – reopening fully

Normal service has now resumed with the usual full range of eat in meals, snacks and drinks.

It was good to see the “Seniors” breakfast club meeting reconvened on Tuesday!

We would respectfully ask that masks are still worn when queuing and away from a table in this area.