Weekly Sales News – 28th September 2021

New Season Lambs – Top price per head – £135.50 – Beslee Farms: Top price per kg – 284p – R L Pack.

Report on trade: A good quality entry of lambs on offer this week with several pens in excess of 250p kg and up to 284p this week which is improved on last week’s figures and in line with yesterday’s national quotation. Heavier sorts still are selling in excess of £120, showing no real drop in trade, with a top price of £135.50 for a super pen of Texel lambs from Beslee Farms. Overall average was returned at 229p kg.

Important: Please keep us informed regarding numbers for the Tuesday market so we can notify the buyers.

Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903 and James Cook O’Connell

Report on trade: A big show of ewes this week with a big percentage of lean grazing types and shortage of top-quality meat ewes.

Best ewes on offer attracted prices in excess of £100 with superb Texel’s topping the market at £137 from A D Kinnear. Other top prices included Suffolk cross to £116 again from A D Kinnear and £108 from H J & J H Glover and The North School and £108 from J R Tilley, H & J Noakes and D C Foy, Romney’s to £100 from G H Dean & Co and Mules £88 from J R Lilley.

For a full report – https://www.hobbsparker.co.uk/auctioneers/livestock-marketing/sheep-sale-reports/

Sale report – Monday 20^th September

Auctioneers: Tom Hamplett and Mark Cleverdon

For a full report – https://www.hobbsparker.co.uk/auctioneers/livestock-marketing/sheep-sale-reports/

Report on trade: Similar strong trade for a reduced entry and more could have been sold at favourable prices with several buyers failing to fulfil orders.

Best continental cross cattle in excess of 240p with Limousin cross heifers topping the market at £1498 (268p) from W Alexander (Shoreham) while other top prices included Limousin cross steer at £1454 (237p) from R F & E A Simmons, Blonde cross heifer £1414 (244p) from G L Boulden & Sons and Limousin x Friesian steer to £1444 (250p) from A J Down.

Several native bred cattle on offer and these sold exceptionally well with Aberdeen Angus cross steer and heifer at £1459 (234p) and £1365 (234p) respectively from B W C Brooks, Aberdeen Angus cross steer £1449 (227p) from H G Tompsett & Sons Ltd and purebred Sussex steer £1355 (247p) from Westlands School.

More cattle wanted to satisfy exceptional demand.

Report on trade: Excellent numbers once again and with a strong attendance of buyers competition remaining outstanding. Rates for the beef cows fully maintained with more flesh on offer this week and the feeding cows are nothing short of outstanding. The dairy culls are a little easier overall but meat cows holding well whilst the plainer and lighter are more difficult though few less than 90p kg.

Best meat beef cows 150-180p kg with beef feeders at similar levels though nothing particularly young this week.

Limousin cross 179p, 169p, £1135, £1104 J Berryman; 175p, 169p, 168p, 167p, £1331, £1222, £1220, £1165 J C Loveridge; 165p, £1423 G L Boulden & Sons; 161p, £1316 C & J Georgetti & Sons; 161p, £1035 (Non FA) I D Machin; Sussex 170p, £1144 (Non FA) A D Bentley; 168p, £972 B G & M A Tomsett; 144p (2), 139p, 138p, £1135, £997, £986, £976 J C Loveridge; Simmental cross 166p, £1299 C & J Georgetti & Sons; Charolais cross 155p, £1445 C & J Georgetti & Sons; South Devon 153p, £1130 (Non FA) W E Baines; Aberdeen Angus cross 145p (2) 144p (3), £1098, £1048, £1040, £1033, 137p, 135p, £1072, £1002 (Non FA) P Court; Hereford cross 155p, £1221 (Non FA) C A Thompson; 135p £989 J Tilley.

Not much rear flesh on offer but best types still able to top 140p with plenty of half meated types 125-135p. Any flesh all over 100p kg with only the boners below 100p kg.

Holstein Friesian cows 144p Goddard & Son; 141p, £1103 C A Thompson; 133p, 130p, 125p, £997, £990, £954 Huddlestone Farmers; 130p, £1035 W G & T A Manford; 127p, £961 P J Forknall; 124p H O Champneys Ltd; Guernsey 101p, 97p, £663, £613 W G & T A Manford.

Stock bulls Aberdeen Angus 93p, £1073, 81p, £864 (Non-FA).

Report on trade: An exceptional trade for weaned calves notably a run of Limousin cross youngsters from A J Britton with steers mainly £810 to £900 and heifers £640 to £695 with show quality to £795.

Medium weight stores around £1000 and stronger sorts to finish short term in excess of £1100 with Aberdeen Angus cross steers £1195 and £1165 from B W C Brooks and Langrish Farmers and smart 18 mths Limousin cross heifer to £1110 from Brockhill Park School.

More store cattle wanted over the coming weeks.

Principal prices include

Report on trade: A fantastic entry of calves this week saw a ringside full of buyers all keen to crack on and get them bought! Trade very much to match the entry with an absolute flyer from the off! Dare I say it more could have been sold to vendors advantage!

A plentiful selection of breeds and types today with a top price of the day £425 for a British Blue from the Falconhurst Estate, other British Blues £335 from D Murdoch & Sons and £310 from Hickson Bros. Charolais bulls a flying trade with a top of £375 from Falconhurst Estate with further calves to £335 and £250. Simmentals to £410 (x2), £390 and £355 from H O Champneys Ltd. Native bulls to £290 for Aberdeen Angus from P J Forknall and £250 from Goddard & Son. Herefords from Goddard & Son to £275 to complete the bulls.

Heifer calves a serious trade again with a top of £390 and £375 from Simmentals from H O Champneys Ltd. British Blues to £385 from D Murdoch & Sons, £300 from Falconhurst estate and £275 from Mrs Clifford Baines. Charolais heifers to £310 (x2), £290 and £280 (x2) from Falconhurst Estate. Native heifers to £250 (x2) and £230 from Goddard & Son for Herefords. Aberdeen Angus to £210 from P J Forknall and £180 from Goddard & Son.

Dairy calves continue to be a storming trade with a top of £155 for Swedish Reds from Goddard and Son. Holsteins to £150 from the same vendor and Norwegian Reds to £135 from D Murdock & Sons. Top price for weanlings £560 for an Angus Steer and £515 for a Sussex Steer from Timberly Farm topped the trade with a Hereford Heifer to £390 from the same vendor.

A reminder that we are able to offer calves from Arla vendors under 56 days old subject to a declaration being signed by the purchaser, any queries on this please do get in touch.

Romney Sheep Breeders 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 September edition of this popular regional farming magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker is a regular contributor to the editorial content.

In addition, our Property Consultants Outlook for Autumn 2021, is included with this month’s publication and again are available here in the market. Articles from our Property Consultants team and Planning Consultants make interesting reading for all landowners and occupiers.

Forthcoming store and breeding sheep sales

Friday 15^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep including catalogued ram sale

Friday 29^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 12^th November

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 26^th November

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Sales generally commence at 11am unless advised otherwise

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

Auction announcement

We are pleased to announce a collective machinery sale of farm and garden machinery and equipment and many other items on Friday 5th November. Entry forms are now available

Help and support from The Farming Community Network

A recent report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that agriculture has the worst rate of fatal injuries of all the major industrial sectors.

Just three weeks after Farm Safety Week, the HSE has reported it has been notified of a further 4 fatalities on farms, including the death of a 3-year-old boy.

Usually there are simple actions workers can take to reduce risk, for instance.

1. Making sure to switch off the power to vehicles or machinery before attempting to carry out repairs.
2. Keeping people, especially children, away from moving vehicles.
3. Using the right equipment for working at height.
4. Ensuring, where possible, that cows with calves are not in fields with well used footpaths.

Risk management is a vital part of all work on farms, every job needs to be thought though and correct safety measures put in place.

Guidance about managing livestock, reducing the risks to children and the public and maintaining farm vehicles and machinery is available on the HSE website.

If you have been affected by a farm accident or are worried about farm safety in general or perhaps struggling with the pressures of a delayed harvest this year, please contact FCN via our telephone Helpline (03000 111 999) or e-Helpline (help@fcn.org.uk) or perhaps speak to one of our volunteers in the market.

Bovine TB Test Dates

It is very important that the date (first part of test) is recorded on cattle entry forms for all cattle sold from TB1holdings. Any recent whole herd test dates from TB4 holdings must also be recorded. This information is critical to purchasers who may be required to test animals again and who will wish to avoid the risk of a false positive by testing again within the 60-day period.

Please advise of test dates when making cattle entries for cataloguing from TB1 Holdings.

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

Required – Herd Manager for the Torry Hill Estate, Sittingbourne, Kent. A herd manager is required to manage a traditional pedigree Sussex herd in the North Kent Downs AONB.

Accommodation provided. Contact recruitment@torryhill.co.uk for further details.

For Sale – Litter of Spaniel cross Collie puppies for sale please call 07944 398818 / 01622 842105.

News from the East Sussex Farmers’ Benevolent Fund

The Benevolent Fund charity was created in 1935 by a local farmer and its purpose is to support farmers, farm staff and those involved in the wider land-based industries. Support can also be given to family dependants.  Beneficiaries are normally resident in East Sussex or neighbouring counties.

Income from property and investment legacies help to finance the fund in addition to generous donations. The fund is overseen by five local trustees with strong agricultural connections.

Help can be for those currently in work, or who have retired or who are unable to work due to illness or disability. The fund can also assist those entering land-based education and help with relevant CPD for furthering their land-based careers.

If you feel that we can help you or you are aware of someone who might benefit from help, please let us know and we will be pleased to support. To contact the Honorary Secretary of the Benevolent Fund Des Lambert – 07912 464746, 01273 890841 or email des.lambert@btinternet.com