Weekly Sales News – 4th August 2020
Read on for this weeks reports….
Finished Sheep
1,499 Sold
Top price per kilo – 250p – N Theobald; Top price per head – £122.50 – N Theobald
Report on trade: What a difference a week makes, from over 4,000 finished lambs penned down to 1,500 but despite it being the week after the festival, we still saw a very similar trade. This is often the case as many of the chillers are empty after the festivities and the wholesalers must re stock, more so with the home trade sheep than the export types as we saw the heavies actually dearer on the week as they are now in short supply with a top price of £122.50 taken for some 49kg lambs from N Theobald who was also top price per kilo for the same pen at 250p. Overall the average was a shade less than last week as the quality of the medium weights was nothing like last week’s entry.
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.
New Season Lambs | ||||||||||
Kgs | Top Price | Ave Price | Top Vendor | p per kg | ||||||
35 | 74.50 | 72.90 | D Thompson | 213.0 | ||||||
36 | 83.50 | 74.37 | Mrs V McDonald | 232.0 | ||||||
37 | 84.50 | 80.14 | R J Adams | 228.0 | ||||||
38 | 88.50 | 79.77 | Beslee Farms | 233.0 | ||||||
39 | 93.00 | 85.39 | Mrs C Wimble | 238.0 | ||||||
40 | 92.00 | 88.80 | Mrs V McDonald | 230.0 | ||||||
41 | 94.50 | 87.42 | R Mair & Son | 230.0 | ||||||
42 | 93.50 | 89.58 | J R Lilley | 223.0 | ||||||
43 | 100.00 | 94.87 | Beslee Farms | 233.0 | ||||||
44 | 107.00 | 98.91 | Mrs V McDonald | 243.0 | ||||||
45 | 104.50 | 101.88 | N Theobald | 232.0 | ||||||
46 | 113.5 | 108.03 | C & J Georgetti & Sons | 247.0 | ||||||
47 | 108.50 | 101.34 | R J Grover | 101.34 | ||||||
New Season Lambs – pence per kg | ||||||||||
Weight Range | Number | Top | Bottom | Average | National Av | |||||
Light 25.5 to 32 kgs | 24 | 241.0 | 172.0 | 192.6 | 199.0 | |||||
Standard 32.1 to 39 kgs | 609 | 238.0 | 174.0 | 211.5 | 212.2 | |||||
Medium 39.1 to 45.5 kgs | 454 | 243.0 | 193.0 | 219.8 | 216.2 | |||||
Heavy 45.6 to 52 kgs | 103 | 250.0 | 176.0 | 226.6 | 216.4 |
Cull Ewes and Rams
409 sold
Report on trade: A smaller entry and I think I only counted 3 or 4 pens of black faced ewes as I walked down the plank at the beginning. Many lean types on offer this week but the grazers were the best sold on the day with these changing hands from £40-58. Meated sorts topping at £80 with demand for these down on last week.
Store and Breeding Sheep
0 Sold
Sock Lambs
0 Sold
Finished Cattle
51 Sold
Report on trade: Another good trade for a quality show of finished cattle comprising mainly beef bred continental crosses. Top run of the day included a run of 8 Limousin cross heifers in the 215p to 228p bracket and grossing up to £1334 (221p) from W S Furnival (Brookland). Other top prices included Limousin cross steer £1273 (224p) from R F & E A Simmons; Limousin cross steer and heifer £1325 (220p) and £1141 (220p) from W Alexander (Shoreham); Limousin cross heifer £1227 (214p) from A J Thompson & Sons; Blonde cross steer £1220 (215p) from G L Boulden & Sons and British Blue cross steer £1346 (208p) from K & P M Sinden & Son.
Dairy bred cattle attracted prices around 190p notably Limousin x Friesian to £1181 (193p) and Hereford x Friesian steer at £1014 (185p) from A J Down while the best of the native beef bred cattle topped at £1231 (211p) for Aberdeen Angus cross heifer from A J Thompson & Sons and Aberdeen Angus cross steer £1097 (200p) from T Russell.
Leading steer prices | |||||
Producer | Weight | Age and breed | P per kg | Gross £ | |
R F & E A Simmons | 570 | 17 mths Limousin | 223.5 | 1274 | |
W Alexander (Shoreham) | 604 | 21 mths Limousin | 219.5 | 1326 | |
W Alexander (Shoreham) | 558 | 26 mths Limousin | 219.5 | 1225 | |
R F & E A Simmons | 515 | 17 mths Limousin | 217.5 | 1120 | |
G L Boulden & Sons | 569 | 17 mths Blonde | 214.5 | 1221 | |
Leading heifer prices | |||||
W S Furnival (Brookland) | 519 | 17 mths Limousin | 227.5 | 1181 | |
W S Furnival (Brookland) | 630 | 17 mths Limousin | 224.5 | 1414 | |
W Alexander (Shoreham) | 520 | 17 mths Limousin | 219.5 | 1441 | |
W S Furnival (Brookland) | 580 | 18 mths Limousin | 216.5 | 1256 | |
W S Furnival (Brookland) | 544 | 17 mths Limousin | 215.5 | 1172 |
Cull Cows and Bulls
50 Sold
Report on trade: Excellent numbers once again for the time of year and trade remaining at exceptional levels. A higher proportion of dairy culls on a calf week but competition throughout was intense both for fleshed types for slaughter and anything suitable for feeders. Confidence remains high. Not many beef cows on offer but all a strong trade with fleshed types readily 140-155p kg.
Simmental cross 155p,151p (2), 144p (2) £1099, £1098, £1058, £1008 C & J Georgetti & Sons, 154p £1144 W Hurley; Aberdeen Angus cross 146p, £880 (non FA) G D K George; Limousin cross 141p, £948 (non FA) E Tilley; Sussex cross 135p, £908 (non FA) J D Hickman.
Not surprisingly now mostly leaner stale production cows from the dairy farmers but remarkable prices with fleshed types 130 – 145p; half meated types 100 – 120p and plenty of plain cows pushing up close to 100p. Good interest in foreign bred cows.
British Friesian 145p,136p, 135p, 131p £894, £867, £844 Debden Court; Holstein Friesian 136p, £955 Goddard & Son; 136p, 124p, £983 Oncoland Ltd; 129p, 125p, £1046, £1008 R & J Ledger; Dairy Shorthorn 128p, £1039 Falconhurst Estate; Jersey 114p, £613 S E Lane & Partners.
Overage cattle very much wanted. South Devon steer (3yrs) 169p, £1051 (non FA) E Tilley; Holstein steer (3yrs) 146p, 138p, £1004 E T Ledger & Son.
Bulls a good trade with mostly lean worked bulls on offer. Limousin (non FA) 129p, £1272; Aberdeen Angus (non FA) 114p, £1014; Beef Shorthorn (non FA) 109p, £967.
Please take advantage of these prices and look carefully at your stock before the seasonal autumn rush when clearly the straw situation with the impact across the livestock sector.
Cull cattle section – pence per kg | ||||
Classification | No | Top | Bottom | Average |
Beef cows | 17 | 168.5 | 55.5 | 134.1 |
Dairy cows | 31 | 168.5 | 65.5 | 108.3 |
Bulls | 3 | 128.5 | 108.5 | 116.8 |
Store Cattle
132 Sold
Report on trade: A cracking trade for a very mixed quality entry of store cattle with plenty of competition for all on offer. Best yearlings in the £800 to £900 and topping at £965 for smart 9 mths Charolais cross steer from S Goodsell and strong 24 mths Hereford x Friesian steer topping market at £1080 from Miss J A Biddle.
More store cattle wanted and could be sold at very favourable prices, contact now with entries for Tuesday 18th August.
Principal prices included: | ||
Continental crosses | ||
4 mths Limousin cross steer | £520 | K L Hamilton |
12 mths Limousin cross steer | £805 | Campbell Bros |
9 mths Aberdeen Angus cross steer | £790 | Freshfields Farm |
12 mths Aberdeen Angus cross heifers | £765 | Freshfields Farm |
9 mths Charolais cross steer | £965 | S Goodsell |
12 mths Charolais cross heifer | £810 | S Goodsell |
12 mths Limousin cross steer | £700 | Miss M Godden |
12 mths Aberdeen Angus steer | £745 | S C Gammon |
18 mths Aberdeen Angus cross steer | £870 | D Ward |
18 mths Aberdeen Angus cross steer | £830 | Burnt Oak Farm & Kennels |
24 mths Hereford x Friesian steer | £1080 | Miss J A Biddle |
24 mths Sussex cross steer | £1000 | E Tilley |
24 mths Friesian steer | £795 | R W Jones & Sons |
Breeding Cattle
12 Sold
Report on trade: A nice selection of breeding cattle forward this week comprising mainly of cows and calves. Top priced outfit for the day went to A J Britton with a 2017 born Limousin cross cow with British Blue bull calf which realised £1,250. A youthful run of TB Edge Simmental outfits from K L Hamilton topped at £1,100, all with well-shaped young Blonde calves. Native bred cross cows with Limousin calves sold to £1,180 from E Tilley.
Calves
137 Sold
Report on trade: A busy day in the calf shed today, good to see numbers back up and over the 100 mark for the first time in a while!
Best continental calves still a flying trade, the second grade were a little easier on the fortnight with buyers a little more cautious with these goods. Continental bulls to £410 for a British Blue from D Murdock & Sons and plenty of other stronger British Blue bulls in the £300 plus range. Continental heifers to £325 from J E Scutt & Sons for a British Blue. Most continental heifers today looked well sold at £200 plus.
Native calves a little easier overall on the fortnight however still looking well sold. Top price bull went to D Murdock & Sons with an Aberdeen Angus at £250, Herefords from Falconhurst Estate also sold well topping at £200. A native heifer section comprising smaller and younger calves, trade topped at £160 (x2) for Aberdeen Angus from P J Forknall and D Murdock & Sons.
More spark in the dairy section this week with some good strong calves to match. A cracking run of Friesians from Parrett & Son would have been the pick and topped the trade at £115. Second grade calves generally £35-£60, bobbies £20-30.
A lovely entry of weanlings this week which were met with strong demand. R G Nash & Son sold a lovely run of 4-8 mths old TB Low cattle. British Blue steers sold to £420 and British Blue heifers to £340. Aberdeen Angus steers to £320. Holstein Friesian steers from the same vendor look well sold at £200 and £190 respectively.
With effect from 1st September 2020 calf sales will commence at the earlier than advertised time of 11.00
Calf averages – £ per head | ||||
Description | No | Top | Bottom | Average |
Continental bulls | 25 | 410.00 | 130.00 | 247.80 |
Continental heifers | 23 | 325.00 | 65.00 | 171.96 |
Native bulls | 13 | 250.00 | 80.00 | 164.62 |
Native heifers | 5 | 160.00 | 40.00 | 130.00 |
Friesian – 1st | 19 | 115.00 | 65.00 | 82.11 |
Friesian – 2nd | 13 | 58.00 | 32.00 | 43.08 |
Friesian – 3rd and Bobbies | 16 | 30.00 | 18.00 | 24.75 |
Weanlings | ||||
Continental steers | 6 | 420.00 | 320.00 | 355.00 |
Continental heifers | 5 | 340.00 | 270.00 | 323.00 |
Native male | 2 | 320.00 | 320.00 | 320.00 |
Dairy males | 10 | 200.00 | 190.0 | 194.00 |
Store and Finished Pigs
0 Sold
General information
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 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.
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 150th Ashford Cattle Show will now be held in 2021.
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 28th September – Sale of all breeds, with MV & Non MV facilities, to commence at 3pm.
Friday 2nd October – Romney Day including show and sale of Romney rams.
Friday 30th 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.
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.
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
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
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