Weekly Sales News – 28th December 2018

Top price per kilo – 243p – C A Worley Farming Ltd: Top price per head – £110.50 – A Holt

Report on trade: A seasonal entry of sheep on offer and strong buyer demand produced a flying trade throughout. The good old rules of supply and demand came to the fore as they often do at this time of year and made a tremendous demand for all grades of lambs on offer.

With just over 1600 penned there was still nowhere near enough to satisfy demand and overall average returned at 208p per kg and most heavy sorts selling in excess of £95 to a top price of £110.50 from A Holt. The handier weights were the sheep that really rang the bell with the C A Worley Farming leading the field once again at 243p for some smart Beltex lambs. Most of the meated sorts in the middle weight brackets sold in excess of 200p with notable runs from C H Ellis, A J Skinner & Son, J Wayman and R Allen all selling exceptionally well.

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 only farm assured stock.

Report on trade: A small number of ewes were penned but unfortunately the numbers on offer don’t seem to have the same positive effect on trade as we saw in the lambs. Ewes traded at a similar level to recent week with the best meated sorts from P Ashlee selling to £100. Grazing ewes traded on similar levels to recent weeks between £35 and £50.

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

For Sale – 130 Romney in lamb ewes due to Romney rams from the 2^nd week of March on a Romney Marsh farm. Ring Simon Husk on 07885 968077

Wanted – a reliable young man in the Maidstone area is looking for part or full time agricultural employment. He can be recommended for both livestock and tractor work.  Please ring 07787 566080

Fodder Crop / bedding for sale and / wanted

For Sale – 100 4’ round bales of Pea Straw, 100 4’ round wrapped bales of whole crop wheat silage, 100 4ft round bales of winter oat straw on a Romney Marsh. Ring 07976 553752

Hobbs Parker and Ashford Livestock Market

We are the South East’s principal livestock market selling over 258,000 head of cattle, sheep and pigs in 2018.

Weekly sales throughout the year of all classes of stock, principally on Tuesdays, run by a fully professional team of auctioneers and support staff, they provide an unmatched level of service and commitment to the livestock farmers in the area. Come and see us on market day soon and bring your livestock for us to sell.

Romney Sheepbreeders News

The recent edition of the breeders Society newsletter, produced by breed secretary Julie Lukehurst, is available here in the market. For all society information Julie can be contacted on 07538 938425

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

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

Kent Herdsmans Club

Sunday 13th January at midday – visit to Richard Sinden’s farm, Colehurst Farm, Wickhurst Road, Weald, Sevenoaks. TN14 6LY.

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

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

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

Notices – Roy Wickens, Grafty Green, Maidstone

The family and friends of Roy have advised us that he very sadly passed away before Christmas. Roy was known to a huge number of people in farming and the livestock trading communities not only in Kent but throughout the south of England having through his life built a highly respected livestock haulage business which the family continue.

A service will be held at Charing Crematorium  on Thursday 10^th January October at 3.20pm.

Notices – Richard Uridge, Brighton

The family and friends of Richard have advised us that he sadly passed away in mid December.

A funeral is to be held at St Nicolas Church, Portslade, BN41 2LE on Tuesday 8^th January at 1pm