Weekly Sales News – 5th March 2019

Top price per kilo – 221p – P & A Love: Top price per head – £96 – H Rivers

Report on trade: Another big entry this week with 3,000 finished hoggets penned and a similar trade to last week with a lot more weight on offer in the pens. Heavy sheep offered included a superb run from H Rivers with almost 300 well presented hoggets on offer which sold very well and almost all in excess of £90 to a top price of £96. The value of these heavier sorts has eased a little nationally as there are large numbers coming out nationally but as a consequence the handier weight brackets were sold on an improved trade. The sweet spot was definitely between 39kgs and 44kgs with several lambs in this bracket selling in excess of 200p per kg with a top price of 221p from P & A Love who made the long journey to Ashford from the ‘Island’.

Dagging service is available on all Monday afternoons, please advise us of the number you wish to send.

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 small entry of ewes on offer this week but we can report an improved trade for both the few strong ewes and a large proportion of leaner sorts. Best ewes sold in excess of £80 with rams from J Prior and Son selling to £90.

Top prices included ewes to £82 from L Stevens & Sons, Beltex ewes to £74 from A Denning and Suffolks to £72 from H C Goldup & Son.

Report on trade: This week saw a similar strong trade for stores with all decent sorts £65 plus and up to £74.50 for a pen of Texel crosses from T Martin. Only small long term sorts were below £55.  Averages 533 sold to £74.50 and aver’ £61.20.

Auctioneer: Tom Hamplett 07966 104532

Report on trade: The largest entry of the season so far with 26 sold in total from two vendors. Trade topped at £17 for a ewe lamb from A E Daw & Sons with wethers topping at £15.

Sock lambs will be sold at 10.30am every week from now through the lambing season.

Report on trade: Today best handy weight heifers made up to £1259 (214p per kg) for a smart British Blue cross from D W Ferguson Ltd while other quality sorts included a Blonde cross heifer at £1177 (200p) from G L Boulden & Sons and Limousin cross steer at £1155 (205p) from W Alexander (Shoreham). A run of British Blue x Friesian steers from K E Budd made from 170p to 180p and topped at £1224 (178p) which was about 4p below his average 2 weeks ago which reflects the general easier trade.

The few native bred cattle on offer topped at £1009 (186p) for a Hereford cross heifer from P W & P Sim and a run of Friesian steers sold to £934 (136p) from R Price & Son.

A run of aged 18-24 mths British Blue cross bulls topped at £1019 (160p) from Mrs M S Clifford-Baynes.

Report on trade: A tremendous day in the cow section with over 100 head penned and sold to a very strong trade. More buyers than we have seen for many months were ringside and an excellent mix of feed beef cows, fleshed dairy culls and lean beef cows ideal for the oncoming grazing season were offered. All grades were dearer and with supplies tightening throughout the country there seems little likelihood in any change to current improving trends.

17 Individual buyers competed to secure stock and this combination demonstrates the strength of the live auction system to provide not only the best returns to producers but the best mechanism to the processing sector to source the cows that serve their needs whilst allowing feeders and grazers the opportunity of making lean cows better meat!

In the beef lines best meat beef cows made 130p to 150p per kg with plenty returning £900 – £1000, younger grazing cows 120p to 140p and very little of any age below 100p.

South Devon 148p H & S Nesfield; Charolais 143p £1197 (Non FA) A J Strand & Sons; Limousin 139p, 129p, 128p (2) £970 H J Emery & Son and 129p P N & C Burden; Sussex 139p, 138p, 134p, 131p, 130p £886 (Non FA) M Banham, 131p and 124p Torry Hill Farms; Simmental cross 133p, 132p, 130p, 127p £1022 G Bates, 133p £941 H J Emery & Son, 129p £1067 M J Ashworth and 123p £968 H Metcalfe; Aberdeen Angus cross 130p, 129p, 127p, 126p £1142, £1028 H Metcalfe and 130p, 129p M J Ashworth with Hereford cross 129p, 128p £1079 H Metcalfe and 127p £919 M J Ashworth.

Fewer dairy culls were forward this week but all strongly wanted. Meat types made 110p to 120p regularly, half fleshed types around 100p and little below 80p with a very strong trade for lean manufacturing cows.

Holstein Friesian maidens 135p (2), 128p £984 W G & T A Manford and cows 118p £1063 J W Boyd & Sons Ltd, 118p, 116p £969 P J Forknall and 117p W G & T A Manford; Holstein 119p £924 W G & T A Manford; British Friesian 118p (2) £922 PHR Farms and 115p £962 B J Goodsell & Son; Guernsey 116p,115p, 113p £907 W G & T A Manford and Ayrshire 117p £902 J Howie.

Just the one stock bull this week but strong demand, A Sussex made 110p and £996.

All in all a very good day and more cows wanted in coming weeks and months.

Please do not hesitate to ring at anytime for marketing advice.                          

Report on trade: A very decent trade for an increased number of store cattle with customers in attendance for all ages and breeds on offer. The best single suckled yearlings on offer were keenly sought after with a run of Limousin cross steers attracting prices in excess of £900 and up to £950 from L Palmer & Sons and 12 mths British Blue cross heifers up to £790 from W G Vant & Sons.

A run of 69 hard 16 mths out wintered dairy bred steers sold well from J G Jenkin & Sons with the British Blue cross topping at £810 and Flekvieh up to £850.

Again a selection of native bred sorts were well received notably Hereford cross steers to £850 from Sorrell & Robinson and heifers at £850 from P M Langridge.

The few strong cattle on offer to turn over short term sold exceptionally well with 20 mths Simmental cross steer topping the market at £1155 from Mrs J M Gilbert and Limousin cross steer to £1055 from Mrs A Farris.

Many more cattle to be sold over the coming weeks. Please contact with forthcoming entries to ensure orderly marketing and cataloguing.

Auctioneer: Tom Hamplett 07966 104532

Report on trade: Trade generally firmer particularly in the beef sired section. A good selection of calves forward to suit most buyers sold to a top of £370.

In the continental bull section top price went to an outstanding British Blue from P J Forknall which reached £370. A handful of other well sized calves made over the £300 mark and younger and smaller continental bulls selling between the £90 – £160 mark with a few around £200. A stronger selection of continental heifers sold well with a top price of £300 for a British Blue from H O Champneys Ltd. Most continental heifers sold above the £200 mark with a few smaller types £120-£190.

We saw a stronger selection of native sired calves all round this week with trade reflecting this. Most native sired bulls were Aberdeen Angus crosses and accompanied by a registered sire which certainly helps buyers to give a little extra for the calves. Topping the trade was a smart Aberdeen Angus cross from H O Champneys Ltd selling to £270. Stronger types were generally in the £200 – £250 mark with the less well sized calves £100 -£150. Native heifers topped at £225 for an Aberdeen Angus heifer from Kingcott Dairy with most of the native heifers were £150 – £200and only the very smallest below this.

Black and white bulls were a mixed trade with size and flesh most sought after topping at £68 from W G & T A Manford. Calves with size and fleshing were £50 plus and smaller and younger types £20 – £45 and only one below this.

Only two stirks were forward, both were Aberdeen Angus cross from J E Scutt & Sons and thet sold at £360 for the largest in the pair and £320 for the smaller of the two.

Vendors, please make every effort to register the sire of your calves. This is important in order to achieve the highest prices for them!

We remind all calf sellers and buyers of the information below

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: For the first time in 3 months or more we can be positive about the pig trade with the demand for finished pigs a lot stronger and the good sow trade here in Ashford maintained.

In the finished pig pens strong demand saw the best pen of the day make 130p per kg for 3 from Mrs P Banks while S Scott & Sons best gilts made 119p and grossed £94.10. 98p to 110p covered the rest of the good pigs

The cull pigs traded at similar levels to last week with the best 52p from 4 individual sellers and 36p to 50p covering the rest. Boars made to 35p and £92.

One pen of coloured store pigs made £26

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.

Ashford Livestock Market has its own Facebook page where news and reports are now being posted on a regular basis

Hobbs Parker Auctioneers email a livestock market short report on the afternoon of every livestock sale day. To receive this email report you need to log on to the auctioneers pages of our website www.hobbsparker.co.uk and click the link to email alerts.

Hobbs Parker Auctioneers livestock sales catalogues are always available online on the the auctioneers pages of our website www.hobbsparker.co.uk All entries are listed on these regularly updated pages

Summer events / meetings in the area of interest to farmers

Essex Young Farmers County Show at Boyton Hall Farm, Roxwell, nr Chelmsford – Sunday 19^th May – “A great one day Show with something for all the family”. Full details available from Show Secretary on 01245 360442 or email: essexyfc@btconnect.com

Heathfield Show – Saturday 27^th May – For all other show enquiries please ring Show secretary, Nicola Magill, on 01435 864587 or visit www.heathfieldshow.org.

** Visit us on our stand – we are pleased again to be sponsoring both Sussex and commercial beef classes in the cattle section **

Surrey County Show – 27^th May – All show enquiries please ring Show secretary, 01483 890810 or visit surreycountyshow.co.uk

South of England Show – 6^th, 7^th and 8^th June – All show enquiries please ring 01444 892700 or visit seas.org.uk

Competition schedules are available for Heathfield and South of England shows here in the market

The Kent County Agricultural Society are introducing a new offering for livestock supply and service stands exhibiting at the 2019 Kent County Show. The Show is host to over 200 cattle, sheep, wool and goat competitions and will take place on the 05, 06 & 07 July in 2019. There will be a limited number of 3m x 3m marquee stands available in a prominent location directly opposite the cattle judging rings and cattle marquee. These are available for £215 for the three Show days and will be promoted to all livestock competitors in the lead up to the Show. For further information please contact Rosie in the office on 01622 633051 or email rosie@kentshowground.co.uk

South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines

The March editions of these popular regional farming magazines are now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are regular contributors to the editorial content.

In addition our Property Consultants Outlook for Spring 2019 is included with this months publication and again are available here in the market. Articles from our Property Consultants team makes interesting reading for all landowners and occupiers.

2019 Calendars

We still have 2019 Hobbs Parker calendars available for you, your friends or family. If you have not received your copy or would like a calendar please call in or give us a call and we can send one out to you.

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

For Sale – pedigree Charolais bull, 8 yrs old – West Kent. Ring Mark Cleverdon for more information.

For Sale – selection of pedigree Limousin young bulls and cows and calves on an Essex farm. Ring Mark Cleverdon for more information

For Sale – 300 Romney mainly 2 lamb ewes which have run with Charollais rams and are due early April on an East Anglian farm. Ring Simon Husk for more information.

For Sale – selection of British Blue and Limousin x British Blue young bulls on a Suffolk farm. Ring Mark Cleverdon for more information

Wanted – Big bale hay feeder for 8’ x 4’ bales for a North Kent farm. Ring 07976 921689

Wanted – general farm worker for a mixed farm in Sellinge, Ashford – Work will include feeding cattle. Ring 07774 408059 for more information

Wanted – Cattle grazing wanted for 50 store cattle or 30 cows and calves anywhere in Kent. Any grazing considered but marsh grazing preferred. References available and good rates of rent paid. Please contact either Richard 07889882422 or Roger 07933229030.

Wanted – general farm worker for a mixed farm in the Reigate area. Work will include supporting a beef calf rearing unit and accommodation is available. Please ring 07885 649666

Fodder Crop for sale and / wanted

For Sale – Up to 30 6’ quadrant rye grass bales. Ring 01303 840112

For Sale – Up to 100 round bales of 2018 2^nd cut grass hayledge bales on an East Kent farm. Ring 01304 612087

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

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI)

On Monday 25^th February 2019 273 guests tuned out to support the third RABI race day on a gloriously sunny day at Plumpton Race course East Sussex. Guests were welcomed by a glass of sparkling fizz a delicious two course lunch followed by afternoon tea and cake.

Dave Cross professional jockey and tipster entertained those gathered with his expert knowledge on the runners, and the “best bets”, whit and Irish humour plus a trip on the race course to the final fence!

Betty Chantler very kindly again sponsored a race in memory of her late sister for RABI. It was Bettys idea 3 years ago to arrange a race day in aid of RABI and I can’t believe how enjoyable and successful it has become for all those involved. A huge thank you to all those that sponsored our event, provided auction lots and supported us on the day.

I couldn’t have pulled the day off without the help of friend Michelle Nudds from BASC, Charles Tassell, Kent RABI Chairman, Sue Lister, RABI Trustee auctioneer Alan Mummery from Lambert and Foster, Sheila Adams and Jane Cowans plus support from Allison and Dan (CEO) from the race course.

The day raised over £7000 for RABI which was amazing!!

Kent Herdsmans Club

Monday 11th March at 7.30pm – Mark Cleverdon speaking about his London marathon 2018 at the Conningbrook Hotel, Canterbury Road, Ashford TN24 9QR.

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

South East Point to Point Meetings (www.pointingse.com)

Please see website for further details.

Saturday 16^th March – Parham, Storrington, West Sussex. RH20 2ER

Sunday 24^th March – Penshurst, Kent. TN8 7DD

Sunday 7^th April – Godstone, Surrey. RH9 8DB

Saturday 13^th April – Penshurst, Kent. TN8 7DD

Saturday 20^th April – Charing, Kent. TN27 0JS

Monday 22^nd April – Aldington, Kent. TN25 7EJ

Saturday 27^th April – Parham, Storrington, West Sussex. RH20 2ER

Saturday 11^th May – Peper Harrow, Godalming, Surrey. GU8 6LA