Weekly Sales News – 29th December 2020

Top price per head – £119 – C Hepher; Top price per kilo – 265p – Wanstall Farms

Report on trade: A similar sized entry to last week in terms of numbers but different sheep in terms of weights and quality. The trade has taken a lift since last week with export demand really getting a boost before the end of the year deadline. Smaller lambs that were well fleshed sold well in excess of 220p per kg to a top price of 265p from Wanstall Farms with sheep from Beslee Farms, Langdon Farms and Summerdown Farms all selling over 250p. Heavier sorts were also in demand for the home trade with the top end of these all over £100 to a top of £119 from C Hepher, closely followed by I Lucas at £117.

We hope we can keep this trend going on into the New Year.

More fleshed lambs required to satisfy requirements of current buyers. Important to contact us regarding numbers so that we can notify the buyers.

Report on trade: A small entry this week with many people choosing to leave them where they are in these wet conditions. Trade was at a similar level to recent weeks but without the best end ewes to make the top prices in the pens.

The best sheep did break the £100 barrier to a top of £104 from both Miss H Challis and Ben Foy Ltd. Grazing ewes were in short supply with these sold from £55 to £70.

Report on trade: A very small entry were forward and the best made 92p per kg grossing £79 from Brooker & Son. Heavier well-fed pigs from C B Hope made 80p and £84 with the remainder making 50p to 60p per kg.

Cull pigs made to 15p for a small sow, 14p for a Pietrain boar and 5p for a heavy boar.

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The December 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 Winter 2020 is included with this month’s publication and again are available here 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

For Sale – a pedigree Hereford bull, 6 yrs old, on a Romney Marsh farm. Ring Mark Cleverdon 07741 845230

Wanted – up to 50 both spring and autumn calving beef suckler cows for a Kent grazing farm. Details of availability to Mark Cleverdon 07741 845230

Wanted – a pedigree Red Aberdeen Angus bull to run with Sussex cows on a Kent farm. Details of availability to Mark Cleverdon 07741 845230

Wanted – J Warnock and Sons have a full-time position for a general agricultural worker, duties to include, milking, yard work, tractor driving, basic animal husbandry, and farm and machinery maintenance. Driving license essential

For more information please contact Robert Warnock at r.warnock@hotmail.co.uk

Hay, Straw and fodder

For a small charge we are quite happy to advertise your hay, straw and fodder for sale in this register which will now run until early May for further details please ring our auctioneer’s office on 01233 502222 or Mark Cleverdon 07748 202688

Please note if you don’t 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

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 FarmWell 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.