Weekly Sales News – 31st August 2021

New Season Lambs – Top price per head – £133 – G H Dean & Co: Top price per kilo – 279p – G H Dean & Co

Report on trade: Another entry of around the 1,200 lamb mark as we have been seeing for the past few weeks with signs beginning to appear that supplies are destined to tighten in the coming weeks as more lambs are now being sold as stores to take advantage of the buoyant trade and a number of the bigger finishers come to the end of this year’s crop. This could this push prices up !! We will have to wait and see how the demand for the meat compares to the supply.

Trade this week was be on a par with last week with Ashford averages often 10p per kg ahead of many of the other centres nationally on Monday. Our SQQ figure of 249p was even up a little on last weeks flyer! A super run of over 200 well finished continental lambs from G H Dean & Co really rang the bell this week, topping both the per head charts and also the per kg list at £133 and 279p respectively. Heavier lambs this week were sold on the trade of the day with most of the 46kg plus lambs selling in excess of £120.

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

Report on trade: There was a larger entry of ewes on offer today but this however didn’t seem to affect the trade for all classes on offer. There were a lot of plainer ewes in the pens which were sold on a flying trade so keep them coming.

A large run of over 300 Romney grazing ewes came forward again from Hampshire Sheep and Forestry which made £49 to £67 which look very well sold on the day but top of the tree this week was M B Farms of Stockbury who had a fantastic run of continental ewes topping the market at £142.50 and averaging £115 for 79 ewes. G H Dean and Co also had some nice continental crosses which topped £127 and their Suffolk crosses topped at £130, second only to High Ridge Farm Ptnrs at £135.

Top prices included Suffolk crosses to £135 from High Ridge Farm Partners, continental cross to £142.50 from M B Farms, Mule’s to £98 from Ross Farms and Romneys to £114 from R H Kingston.

Please remember your store lambs are best offered and sold in our Friday sales from now on. Next sale is on 10^th September and then every Friday through to mid-October.

4,723 Lambs sold to £111.50 averaging £86.16

2067 Texel cross to £111.50 averaging £86.92

1114 Charolais cross to £96 averaging £85.49

1403 Suffolk cross to £98.50 averaging £86.14

139 Crossbred and other breeds to £97 averaging £74.28

89 Breeding sheep sold 

69 Suffolk x Mules ewe tegs to £171 averaging £168.13

Please remember your store lambs are best offered and sold in our Friday sales from now on. Next sale is on 10th September and then every Friday through to mid-October.

For full Friday store and breeding sheep sale reports click link below

Sheep Sale Reports

Report on trade: Another super trade for an increased entry of finished cattle with all but a few selling in excess of 220p per kg and the best on offer selling readily around 250p.

Beef bred continental crosses took the pick of the trade notably a run of Limousin cross heifers attracting prices around 250p and up to £1569 (254p) from W S Furnival (Brookland) and similar from A J Thompson & Sons, 230p plus and topping at £1599 (267p).

The regular consignment of dairy bred cattle from A J Down attracted keen bidding at 220p plus with Limousin x Friesian steers to £1506 (234p), British Blue x Friesian steers to £1459 (222p) and Limousin x Friesian heifers to £1324 (225p).

A small percentage of native bred cattle were on offer with heavyweight Herefords from R & J Silvester mainly selling between 200p to 210p with steers up to £1495 (204p) and heifers up to £1391 (210p). Sussex heifers sold to £1028 (217p) from J Hooker & Son.

Report on trade: A very mixed selection of culls were penned after the bank holiday with little flesh on offer and very little youth on the part of the feeding types.

Trade overall was very similar and averages reflecting todays quality rather than any change in trends. Going forward it is flesh that is wanted, and feeding cows need to get into yards rather than staying grazing the grass. Prospects remain very positive with numbers in the pipeline likely to stay low.

Highlights included Aberdeen Angus cross 151p £1159 Horton Park; Simmental cross 131p 126p (2) (Non FA) K Hamilton; Sussex 126p 124p 120p £863 £841 C D & J Bishop; Holstein Friesian 139p 129p £1149 £1039 P J Forknall and Jersey 88p £424 S E Lane & Ptnrs.

Stock bulls saw a Bazadaise make 149p £1106.

Report on trade: A mixed offering after the bank holiday but no denying the intensity of demand that exists at the moment for all grades and ages.

It is important that forward cattle, in terms of size and age, are marketed sooner rather than later, to get them onto a finishing ration for this Christmas and winter (and FABBL upgraded if required). Simply running them on late on Autumn grass is not the answer – quality of feed, shortening days and colder nights will all have a negative impact.

Principal prices include:

• 17mths Limousin cross steers £1075 K Hamilton
• 16-17mths British Blue cross steers £1040 Nodes Farm
• 11mths Aberdeen Angus cross steers £1035 A & S Woodford & Sons
• 17mths Limousin cross heifers £895 £785 K Hamilton
• 5mths Simmental cross steers £660, heifers 550 K Hamilton

Trade is strong with plenty of keen customers at ringside. Please contact us if you have store cattle to sell.

Report on trade: More forward than was expected this week which was surprising given the bank holiday and time of year. Trade remains similar to the last sale with no real superstars forward meaning the top prices a little less astronomical.

Top price continental bull today was British Blue from Falconhurst Estate at £300 with other British Blues from Hickson Bros to £255 (x2), and £250 (x2) from the Falconhurst Estate. British Blues were the only continental heifers forward today with a top of £300 for an older calf from W G & T A Manford and other leading lights at £270 for Falconhurst Estate and £250 for Hickson Bros.

Natives a little easier this week with a top for bulls of £300 for a lovely Hereford from Goddard & Son, A single Aberdeen Angus from A & W J Hitchcock traded at £280 and a small entry of Sussex from W G & T A Manford topped at £100. A single Aberdeen Angus heifer sold for £200 for A & W J Hitchcock and a single Hereford from Goddard and Son made £225.

Dairy calves were a similar trade on the fortnight with a top of £115 for a Holstein Friesian from A & W J Hitchcock, A stronger rearing calf from J C & S K Williams traded at £65 and most other dairy calves made around the £30 mark.

More weanlings than expected today with Aberdeen Angus steers from S E Lane & Ptnrs topping trade at £560. Younger steers from N P Miles sold to £410 from British Blues and £350 for Herefords. Heifers from the same home made to £390 for a Dairy Shorthorn while a Limousin to £370 and British Blue to £380 completed the run.

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.

The Stockpot Café at Ashford Market – fully reopened

Normal service has now resumed with the usual full range of eat in meals, snacks and drinks.

It was good to see the “Seniors” breakfast club meeting reconvened and continuing on Tuesdays!

We would respectfully ask that masks are still worn when queuing and away from a table in this area.

Coronavirus Policy Update

The Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) welcomes the Government announcement that Step 4 of the Covid-19 road map will proceed as planned in England on Monday 19^th July. As the majority of legal restrictions end in England the Government guidance emphasises personal responsibility.

We have been extremely grateful of the support of buyers, vendors, hauliers and staff during this difficult and challenging period while restrictions have been in place over the last 15 months.

While we are delighted to welcome back farmers to the market, we encourage all our clients to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions to continue to help protect public health. At Ashford Market, we will be following Government recommendations as from Monday 19^th July.

In particular we ask that you:

• Wear face masks in enclosed spaces and crowded areas including the cattle ring, sales office counter, reception and while queuing for or being served at the Stockpot counter.
• Use of sanitising and hand washing facilities

This policy will continue to help keep everyone safe and reduces the risk of our customers and staff having to self-isolate and will help to make sure we can keep the market and Stockpot open.

Thank you for your help with this

The next Store and Breeding Sheep sale is on Friday 10^th September

This will include the Hobbs Parker sponsored crossbred ewe lamb competition which will be judged by R J (Ricky) Brendon, Hallworthy, Cornwall

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.

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

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.

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

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

Notices – Bill Hyland, Staplecross

Family and friends have asked us to announce following the sad loss of Bill last year there will be a memorial service on September 9^th at 2pm at St James Church, Ewhurst TN32 5TD. Friends are also welcome to join the family after the service at the White Dog, Ewhurst Green for “drinks on Bill”. If you plan attending RSVP to Sarah 07708 821842 / 01797 252902 or sarahjanehyland@yahoo.co.uk.

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

Local Agricultural Show and ploughing match dates and news

Moreton in Marsh Show, Gloucestershire – Saturday 4^th September – For all details go to www.moretonshow.co.uk

Romney Marsh Ploughing & Dog Show – Sunday 5th September at Ham Mill Lane, Hamstreet, Romney Marsh TN26 2QW (by kind permission of Charles and Ollie Furnival). – For all details contact Diana Wimble 07821 009693, Alan Higgs 07785 783662 or  romneyploughing21@gmail.com

Swale & District Ploughing Match – Saturday 11^th September at Greenway Court, Hollingbourne, Maidstone. For more information ring Chris Hildyard 01795 470556 (email chris@georgewebbfinn.com) or Andrew Mew 07759 320496

Weald of Kent Ploughing Match – Saturday 18^th September at Honey Farm, Munday Bois Road, Pluckley, Ashford, TN27 0SU (by kind permission of the Gwillim family). Full details available from Secretary Liz Copping 07872 501951or on www.wkpma.co.uk

** Hobbs Parker are pleased to confirm they will be attending this event **

East Sussex Ploughing Match – Saturday 25^th September at Priesthawes Farm, Nr Stone Cross, Pevensey (by kind permission of Mr Chris Wadham) – Full details available from Secretary Paul Croft 07752247469 or Croftjpcroft@aol.com

East Kent Ploughing Match – Wednesday 29^th September at Upper Venson Farm, Eastry near Sandwich CT13 0JH (by kind permission of the Ledger family. Full details available from joint secretaries Sarah Ledger on 07802 974 838 or Lorna Astbury on 07538 547 010 or www.ekpma.co.uk

** Hobbs Parker are pleased to confirm they will be attending this event **

Auction of Boats and Marine related items

Hobbs Parkers car auctions team have arranged an online auction to be held on Tuesday 7^th and Wednesday 8^th September.

Entries invited and for more information on entering your vessel, or for the Auction process please contact Hobbs Parker auctioneers or enquire at Ramsgate Harbour Office.

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.

Online Hobbs Parker Auctioneers Tool sale

An online only sale of 250 lots of professional power tools and equipment will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday 7^th and 8^th September with bidding starting at 12:00 noon on the 7th. Go to our website or ring John Rossiter 07557 392903 for more details.

Forthcoming store and breeding sheep sales

Friday 17^th September

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Monday 20^th September

Catalogued ram sale and the annual show and sale of South East Texel Groups breeding females and rams at 3pm

Friday 24^th September

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Friday 1^st October

Romney Day sale of ewe lambs, ewe tegs and breeding ewes together with Romney Sheep Breeders Society show and sale of pedigree rams

Friday 8^th October

Store lambs and breeding sheep

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

Friday 10^th December

Store lambs and breeding sheep

Sales generally commence at 11am unless advised otherwise