Weekly Sales News – 28th July 2020

Top price per kilo – 269p – C A Worley Farming Ltd; Top price per head – £112 – G H Dean & Co

Report on trade A massive entry of lambs on offer this week in advance of the festival on Friday with over 4,300 lambs penned and over 5,500 sheep in total in 460 lots. This was  a busy and at times frantic day! Our thanks to all the team who did a great job penning up such a large number of lambs in a short period of time and to our customers for their patience at the more “frantic” points of the morning.

What an entry and what a trade to boot, the biggest entry of lambs we believe we have ever seen in July and what I might guess was one of the best trades we have seen in the month. Trade is on fire for the festival this week with 15 buyers stood at the pens this morning buying for a large number of outlets. Top call on the day was taken by G H Dean & Co with some cracking heavy lambs at £112 and a run of almost 600 sheep in total together C & J Georgetti & Sons with almost 350 superbly finished lambs all selling over £104. Less of the top continental sorts were on offer this week but once again top spot per kg was taken by C A Worley Farming Ltd at 269p for some super Beltex crosses, 37kg at £99.50..

It would be greatly appreciated if you could “help us to help you” by arriving earlier to assist with appropriate sorting and penning of sheep. Lairage facilities are available from 2 to 6pm every Monday and we can accept stock from 6am every Tuesday.

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 big one in this side of the market with over 1,100 ewes in the pens and a bit harder to sell as many of the ewe buyers have already got their numbers for the festival. Best ewes made over £90 from T Husk but the best sold on the day were the grazing sorts which would be up £5 on the week despite the big numbers on offer.

Report on trade: This was a similar strong trade to recent weeks with the best butcher types 210p per kg plus and the best of the native and dairy bred cattle making around 200p. Another cracking run of Limousin cross heifers from W S Furnival (Brookland) took the pick of the trade making 215p plus and up to £1342 (236p) with other top prices including Limousin cross heifers at £1143 (205p) from F Sole & Sons and £1068 (208p) from R F & E A Simmons.

A run of dairy bred sorts from A J Down sold at similar levels with Limousin crosses topping at £1360 (203p) and Hereford crosses to £1038 (185p). Other native bred included an Aberdeen Angus cross steer £1114 (205p) from H O Champneys Ltd and purebred Hereford heifer £1037 (202p) from Homewood School YFC.

A run of Friesian steers (UTM and OTM) sold well around 145p and up to £1,179 from E T Ledger & Son Ltd and OTM to £1224 (166p) for a Simmental cross heifer from A & S Woodford & Sons.

Auctioneer: Elwyn Davies 07710 803901

Report on trade: Another cracking trade for all on offer with well-shaped British Blue cross cows taking top honours at £1496 (185p) and £1412 (184p) from M B Farms. The best Holstein Friesians made 130p plus and up to £976 (143p) from B J Goodsell & Son.

Other top prices included Limousin cross £1032 (156p) from R Scott, Sussex cross £913 (141p) from B G & M A Tomsett, Simmental cross £864 (140p) from L A Charman & Ptnrs and Holstein Friesian £1029 (126p) from P J Forknall, £945 (132p) from D Murdoch & Sons and £931 (123p) from Goddard & Son.

Report on trade: A mixed trade for a small entry this week with comment circulating in the trade on cheap imports from the continent upsetting regular trading relationships in the wholesale markets for pork and pork product. The best finished sold very well, cull sows were traded at similar prices to national averages and stores are very much wanted.

A small selection of good finished pigs were penned and top price was 149p per kg for a pen of 4 from Miss J Judge followed by 136p and 128p for good shaped Saddlebacks from HMP East Sutton. The rest of the offering made 65p to 100p.

The cull entry was 6 sows which made to 36p and £72.50.

Young Saddlebacks in the store pens made to £38 and older Gloucester Old Spots £30.

Next pig sales – Tuesdays 11^th and 25^th August with stores being sold immediately following the finished and cull.

Covid-19 Protocol at Ashford Market – updated July 2020

In common with the Livestock Auctioneers Association’s recommendations to its members Hobbs Parker Auctioneers ask that their customers (and staff) wear a face covering whilst at market.

Social distancing, high standards of hygiene and responsible behaviour to others is also recommended.

Strict control of the numbers attending market is asked for and both buyers and sellers should not bring additional people with them to market.

We still recommend a ‘Drop and Go’ policy for vendors but if a vendor has a need to attend, they should always be on their own and respect social distancing.

Important Announcement – Ram Sales 2020.

Due to the current and ongoing restrictions, imposed on livestock markets and shows throughout the country, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic please note the following amendments to our advertised ram sales.

Monday 28^th September – Sale of all breeds, with MV & Non MV facilities, to commence at 3pm. 

Friday 2^nd October – Romney Day including show and sale of Romney rams.

Friday 30^th October – Sale of all breeds, Non MV only, at 11am.

A catalogue will be produced for each sale, please enter rams as soon as possible.

Please note: Rams will not be accepted for sale on any other day, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

For all queries regarding ram sales and to enter rams, please contact either Tom Hamplett (07966 104532) or Mark Cleverdon (07741 845230).

Help and support from The Farming Community Network

Farming Community Network (FCN) volunteers regularly attend local livestock markets and whilst we cannot be present at sales currently, our helpline is still open from 7am to 11pm every day, staffed by people who understand farming.

FCN is a charity and voluntary organisation that helps farmers to stay resilient. We provide practical and pastoral support to those experiencing difficulties in England and Wales.

During these challenging times we are encouraging everyone to think about their own physical and mental health and that of their families and staff.

We can help with contingency planning against the backdrop of the Corona virus outbreak and our Farm Well website (www.farmwell.org.uk) offers a wealth of free information about managing change and maintaining personal wellbeing.

The FCN helpline can be reached on 03000 111 999 or via email at help@fcn.org.uk. Confidentiality is assured.

Ashford Cattle Show news

It is with huge regret the committee of the show association have decided that this year’s Show (and also dinner) will not take place.

The 150^th Ashford Cattle Show will now be held in 2021.

Hobbs Parker Car Auctions news – We are back in business!!

Vehicles are being traded in substantial numbers in our weekly online sales.

For all details please long onto the Hobbs Parker website and select Car Auctions or pick up the phone 01233 506266 and speak to John Chapman or James Johnson

Collective Machinery Auctions

While Covid-19 restrictions mean we still cannot consider holding these sales an online sale of High capacity mowers and groundscare machinery will take place next week.

Full details as always are available on our website

Message from Peter Barker of Barkers Animal Health

Barkers Animal Health retail store here in the market is open for collections on a Tuesday and on Fridays through the sheep sale season. Please pre order so goods are ready for you – 07880 946983

Do you farm in Kent near Bethersden and Pluckley

You are invited to join the Upper Beult Farmer Cluster! This is a group of farmers who live and farm along the river Beult. The Cluster is free to join, and farmers can benefit from capital grants and money off Ferric phosphate with Southern Water sponsorship. Contact rory.harding@kentwildlife.org.uk or 07761 507242

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

Wanted – a secure barn / unit to store agricultural equipment, for the management of the Natural England National Nature Reserves, in Wye, Hamstreet, Ashford or surrounding areas. Contact Piers Griffin on 07881037704 or piers.griffin@naturalengland.org.uk

For Sale – 3 yr old Beef Shorthorn bull who is proven – Surrey. Ring Mark Cleverdon for details 07741 845230

For Sale – large quantity of 2019 season gathered maize silage on a Romney Marsh farm

Relief farm worker required – for general livestock duties including milking, feeding, calf rearing and general husbandry. Would suit a self-employed person but position is flexible located near Dartford. Please call Iain on 07738 445530 for more information.

Wanted – experienced Herdsperson for suckler herd – West Kent.  Ring Suzanne 01732 750758 or 07966399115

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The August edition of this popular regional farming magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker is a regular contributor to the editorial content.

Covid-19 update – July 2020

To all vendors – Please take this seriously and listen to our requests. We need you to work with us to minimise number of individuals in marker in order to reduce the potential risk of the transmission of this deadly virus.

We still encourage a ‘Drop and Go’ policy.

If absolutely necessary to attend vendors must;

• Comply with social distancing measures
• Keep to alleyways not occupied by the buyers
• Keep to seated area and above around cattle ring
• Minimise time at market i.e. sale of own stock
• No social visits allowed
• Please wear a face covering on the premises

Please help us to ensure your market remains open and operational