Weekly Sales News – 30th January 2018

Top price per head – £117 – K Vincent; Top price per kilo – 216p – J A Cox

Report on trade: This was a flying trade with prices acheived comparable to the new season lambs last spring with an overall average that was approaching 200p per kg.  A huge number of sheep were  sold well in excess of the average and also well above the £100 mark to a top price of £117 for hoggets from K Vincent. Numbers appear to be limited nationally, particularly with the heavier sorts which were the ones which really rang the bell yesterday. Whether this trade can be maintained it remains to be seen but it will most certainly be dictated by the numbers that will inevitably now come forward. After K Vincent at £117 A Holt sold hoggets at £110. Several of these heavy sorts also broke the 200p barrier with notable runs selling  well from J Wayman, Fincham Farms and T Patton.

Producers please note – For top results please present well fleshed lambs which are preferably dry and clean. Lairage facilities and dagging 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A larger entry of ewes were again on offer this week with some big runs of sheep clearly being scanned empty ewes withdrawn from the flock. Almost 800 ewes were penned with a wide variation of sheep on offer with examples of everything from the best to the worst! Trade was at similar levels but as we saw in the hoggets, the best meat and heaviest sorts were the most in demand. Best prices were in the region of £90.

Top prices this week included Suffolks to £91.50 from G Stokes, crossbred ewes to £87 from Watership Down Ptnrs, Mules to £74 from Mrs P Dumbreck and Romneys to £67.50 from G & H Bates.

Report on trade: This is an exceptional trade with best stores making £68 plus and up to £70.20 for a pen of Charollais crosses from R P Mair & Son who’s run of 334 averaged an impressive £65.44. Only very small long keeping stores were making below £60 and many more could have been sold at very favourable prices. Averages: Top £75  and av’ £60.62

Next weeks sale will include – 700 in lamb ewes – full details at the front of these reports.

Report on trade: An increased entry of cattle sold at similar levels to recent weeks with the best cattle with weight grossing in excess of £1300 and although no real smart butcher types were available the better handy weights on offer sold just in excess of 200p per kg.

A Limousin cross steer topped the market at £1340 (207p) from W Alexander (Shoreham) while other top gross prices included a British Blue cross steer at £1323 (198p) from Maythum Wharf Farm, a British Blue cross heifer at £1309 (202p) from K & P M Sinden & Sons and a Limousin cross steer at £1294 (200p) from R F & E A Simmons.

The best handy weight cattle sold in excess of 200p with a Limousin cross steer topping at £1253 (213p) from Gallagher Farms and a Simmental cross heifer topped at £1181 (206p) from P Bates.

Dairy bred cattle generally made 185p to 195p with a run of 14 British Blue crosses selling well from K E Budd with steers up to £1289 (189p) and heifers up to £1203 (190p) while a Simmental x Friesian steer sold well at £1163 (195p) from A J Down.

Native bred cattle topped at £1283 (195p) from Gallagher Farms and pure Friesian steer made £907 (167p) from A J Down.

Report on trade: We are almost running out of superlatives to describe the cull cow trade which held again at marvellous levels and certainly shows no signs of weakening. A good quality  entry right through this week with some very well fleshed cows in particular amongst the beef entry. A smaller and weaker show of dairy culls with neither the weight or flesh of some weeks but nevertheless demand maintained for the leaner grades. Buyers for feeding and grazing cows were out in force and no beef cows made under 104p, whatever the age, and younger feeders readily 130 to 140p. In summary best fleshed beef cows made 140 to 160p, best beef feeders 140-160p and good dairy culls 120-130p.

Examples of best prices were Limousins at 168p, 140p, 139p and £1231, £1061, £1046 from G Bates Ltd; 141p, 136p and £1124, £1003 C & J Georgetti & Sons; 139p, 136p H J Emery & Son and 138p MB Farms; British Blues 158p, £1189 MB Farms; Sussex 146p, 138p £1004 Little Exceat Farm; 137p £974 Mrs V McDonald and 134p Gardners; Simmental 141p £1149 H J Emery & Son; 140p (Non FA) S Husk; 138p(2) £1066, £1038, G Bates Ltd and Aberdeen Angus cross 144p, 140p, 137p, 136p(2) from A & W J Hitchcock.

In the dairy lines there were no best heavyweight meat cows and more were / are wanted. Trade for strong steakers stays very firm with leaner lightweights also looking well sold.

British Friesian heifers (exempt) 157p, 147p and £1032, £982 with cows (exempt) 129p, 128p, 125p, £971 from G D & E E Field; Holstein cows 127p (2) £1042, £1006 Oncoland; Montbelliarde cross 131p R L W Parrett; Dairy Shorthorn cross 120p R L W Parrett and Jersey 89p £465 Hickson Bros.

A fleshed Stabiliser bull made 122p and £1349.

Report on trade: Despite a relatively small entry of store cattle there were plenty of potential customers in attendance with 13 individual successful buyers ensuring competitive returns throughout. The best of the younger stores sold in well excess of £700 and up to £785 for 10-12 mths British Blue cross heifers from J C & P C Dallaway and 8 mths British Blue x Friesian steers to £720 from Hill House Farms.

A superb pen of 20 mths Aberdeen Angus cross steers topped the market at £1280 from Gallagher Farms while 18 mths stores generally made £900 plus with Aberdeen Angus steers to £990 from R & H Vincent, Simmental cross heifers £990 from G Gregory, Simmental cross steers £980 and Limousin cross heifers £980 from J H Jury & Son. Limousin cross steers made £990 from A J Husk and South Devon cross steers £910 from G J Reynolds.

Plenty of our customers are looking to restock yards in February and more stores will be wanted to satisfy strong demand.

Report on trade: A young pedigree polled Hereford bull, 12 mths old made £920 and an in calf  pedigree traditional Hereford cow £720.

Breeding cattle will be offered again on Tuesday 6^th March – please advise your intention to enter now to help us advertise and build this sale

Report on trade: The edge was off the black and white bull calf prices yesterday but demand generally still solid. Again we stress how important it is to have your entries for each sale – it does help and buyers appreciate and accurate forecast of expected numbers.

Main prices and consignments included Oncoland with 11 black and white bulls making to £62and averaging £37 at 6 to 10 weeks old; J W Boyd sold an Aberdeen Angus bull at £225 at 4 weeks old; P J Forknall sold Aberdeen Angus bulls and heifers to £205 at 3 weeks old; D Murdoch & sonsa British Blue heifers £290 at 6 weeks old; M W Goddard a British Blue bull at £260 at 6 weeks and an October born Friesian bull £108 with December borns £30 to £50; Ledger Farms sold British Blue bulls to £250 and heifers £255 for December borns and finally in the young calves A & W J Hitchcocks Aberdeen Angus bulls made to £260 for a December born model.

In the stirk pens Valley Park School sold a well reared Simmental heifers for £420and M Gammons 2 British Blue heifers £380. Black and white steers from M Gammons made to £200 with 16 averaging £177 – all born August and September 2017.

Sales will be offered fortnightly again through the whole of 2018.

Calf sellers and buyers should be aware that welfare regulations state that while an animal can be sold at 7 days old if they are offered at under 10 days old they cannot be transported more than 100km from the market. Buyers are notified from the rostrum when these calves are offered.

From a sellers view it is best not to present calves at under 10 days old to avoid possibly restricting the number of potential bidders for your stock.

Report on trade: A small entry of finished this week and again a good entry of stores but demand not fierce in either section and the cull trade is also far from exciting. Lets hope for better things soon.

Finished pigs sold 100p per kg and £89 for six good pigs from P Lanham while the cull pigs saw the best sow make 41p and others to 37p.

Store pigs made to £40 with 45 good light feeders making from £30 to £40 from D J Pope Ltd and P & R Marshall

We remind all pig farmers of the information below

Identification of pigs – again we draw your attention to the fact that it is essential all pigs have permanent identification when offered for sale in a market i.e. slap mark or ear tag. Please ensure you comply with this regulation.

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The February edition of this popular regional farming magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are regular contributors to the editorial content.

All cattle vendors please note the following information regards Cattle Passports – it is very important

1. Under no circumstances change any details on the passport by hand.
2. Please check passports when you initially receive them to check details, particularly of sex, breed and sire details.
3. Any changes need to be notified to BCMS as soon as possible, and well before any movement to market or abattoir, so that passports can be amended.
4. Incorrect details can all have a bearing on value back to you, the vendor, and are a part of your responsibilities to cross compliance.

Vehicle parking on busy market days – Congestion in the bottom / livestock parking area

Please help us to help you. The upper car park on the top side of the market buildings is available for all cars and Land Rovers with trailers

For up to date information on all livestock sales please contact

Elwyn Davies (Sheep) 07710 803901 or 01233 861263

Peter Kingwill (Cattle & Sheep) 07795 200357

Martin Crowhurst (Sheep & Cattle) 07710 803903 or 01797 343936

Simon Husk (Sheep & Cattle) 07885 968077 or 01304 842393

Mark Cleverdon (Rams, Breeding Cattle, Pigs & Calves) 07748 202688

John Rossiter (Cull ewes & store sheep plus commercial vehicles) 07557 392903

Hay, Straw and fodder

For Sale – 90 5’ round bales of 2017 season gathered spring barley straw and 100 similar sized bales of wheat straw, all stored inside – Kent / Sussex borders. Ring 07835 521800

For Sale – Organic Hay, Haylage & Silage, Big Square and rounds. All good quality – Available East Sussex/Kent border. Contact Buckhurst Estate: Sharon 01892 770220 or Warren 07836 378044

This register will now run until early May for further details please ring our auctioneers office on 01233 502222 or Mark Cleverdon 07748 202688

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

For Sale – 40 Sussex and South Devon in calf cows which have been scanned and are due from mid February to end of April to Simmental and Beef Shorthorn bulls on an East Sussex farm (TB Edge). Ring Peter on 07795 200357

For Sale – Mobile cattle handling system, Tony Binn’s design, with crush and large number of gates plus a Nixon steam cleaner – on a West Kent farm. Ring 07931 226490

New home required – for a an 18mths old Welsh border collie dog who is friendly and very energetic – Ashford area. Ring 07885 933082  

Wanted – a cattle yard (or part of) with or without grazing for a small herd of up to 20 head of stock in the Maidstone area.  Contact Mark Cleverdon with details – 07748 202688

For Sale – 3 14 week old Collie puppies in the Rye area. Ring 07808 656772

For Sale –a very well bred Beef Shorthorn bull, 20 mths old which is fully health checked and on a TB Low farm. Ring Mark Cleverdon for details

Wanted – up to 30 Sussex or Aberdeen Angus x Friesian heifers or young cows in calf to a Limousin bull. Ring Mark Cleverdon for details

Wanted – lambing assistant required for 700 ewes from mid March for 3 weeks at Hardres Court Farm, Nr. Canterbury. Ring 07976 433593

RABI, FCN, Young Farmers Clubs and Kent Herdsmans Club News

RABI

Farmhouse Breakfast season

Wednesday 7^th February – The Dirty Habit, Upper Street, Hollingbourne, Kent, ME17 IUW

Thursday 8^th February – Elham Valley Vineyard, Elham Valley Road, Barham, Kent CT4 6LN

Wednesday 14^th February – The Stockpot, Ashford Market, Ashford. TN24 0HB

Thursday 15^th February – Dog & Duck, Pluks Gutter, Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent CT3 1JB

Wednesday 21^st February 2018 – Farmhouse Breakfast – Chiddingstone Castle, Hill Hoath Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AD

Further fundraising events

Monday 26^th February 2018 – Plumpton Race Day, Plumpton Race Course, Plumpton Lane, Plumpton BN7 3AL

Friday 23^rd March – Clay pigeon shoot at West Kent Shooting School, Brenchley. TN12 7DG

Sunday 13^th May 2018 – Tour of Chapel Down Vineyard, Chapel Down Winery, Small Hythe, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7NG

Wednesday 27^th June – Champagne, Strawberries & Jazz at the Kent County Showground, Detling. ME14 3JF

Kent Herdsmans Club

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

Monday 12th February at 7.30pm – AGM followed by talk by Charles Bull, AHDB, on achieving prime condition of stock for sale/market  at the Conningbrook Hotel, Canterbury Road, Ashford. TN24 9QR

For further information on all RABI events in Kent ring Charles Tassell – 01622 858733, 07973 412179 or email charles@tassell.co.uk

Romney Sheepbreeders News

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

The National Beef Association – Beef magazine

The winter 2017/2018 copy of this magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are pleased to be associated with the NBA who are doing good work to support beef cattle producers.

Ashford Cattle Show News

The show gavel has been found – for those who may not understand why we were keen to find this and would have been very disappointed if it had been lost it is an ivory gavel on a plinth engraved “Ashford Cattle Show Centenary 1968 : Patron, H.R.H The Duke of Edinburgh : Presented by Lord Brabourne, President.

Kent Young Farmers Clubs News

Weald of Kent YFC

This relatively new young farmers club is promoting a further fundraising event.

Saturday 24^th February at 7.30pm for an 8pm start – The Big Farming Quiz at Marden Cricket and Hockey Club. Teams of upto six welcome and for more details email: eckleyfarms@waitrose.com.

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Agri Expo 2018

Hobbs Parker Property Consultants are  pleased to announce they will be attending this major event in the regions farming calendar on Wednesday 7^th March.

Come along and speak to any of our team at the event

Full details are of Agri-Expo are available on http://www.agri-expo.co.uk or from Karen Wheeler on 01622 815356