Weekly Sales News – 6th February 2018

Top price per head – £111 – Mr P Gorringe; Top price per kilo – 227p – Mrs E Sargent

Report on trade: The biggest entry of finished sheep so far in 2018 with over 2700 penned on a busy day all over the sheep section of the market. In total just under 5000 sheep were penned. There was certainly more confidence evident in all sections with the finished hogget trade leading the way.

Trade would be slightly dearer on the week despite the averages only being up by about 1p on the week but average price per head which takes the heavier sheep into account was certainly more improved. Once again the average prices were up by £14 and over 30p per kg ahead of last years corresponding week which is a real plus for finishers. Overnight lairaged sheep that were presented empty and clean sold to a distinct advantage once again with a number of sheep being presented straight from the fold in rather wet conditions certainly being grateful of a tidy up!

Top spot on the day was taken by P Gorringe who made the long trip up on Monday afternoon and his heavy hoggets topped at £111 with all of his sheep selling in excess of £100. Another run of note came from S King with super Texel cross hoggets all sold in excess of £2 and up to 214p. The export grade sheep sold to a top price of 227p from Mrs E Sargant but all of these class of hoggets sold in excess of 200p.

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 smaller entry of ewes on offer and a similar trade to last week with only a few of the best sorts in the pens, The best pure Texels sold to £98 from Mrs K V Potter with T Masters selling at £90 some strong Suffolk x Mules. Demand currently appears to be consistent in the ewe section, without any great fireworks or any real drop in prices.

Top prices this week included Texels to £98 from Mrs KV Potter, Suffolks to £90 from T Masters, Mules to £68 from J Wickens and Romneys to £74.50 from HHB Farms.

Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903

Report on trade: A good entry again of over 700 store hoggets penned meeting a large number of buyers keen to secure some sheep for further finishing and sale later on in the spring. These buyers were certainly spurred on by the very buoyant hogget trade we are  seeing and prices were slightly up on the week but the entry was also of superior quality. Genuine stores sold to £77 from Lodgelands Farm with all stronger types in excess of £60 with only long terms sorts below £50. Averages: 698 sold. Top £77 and ave. £59.03

Possibly one of the largest entries of in lamb ewes we have offered in recent times and also one of the best in terms of quality. Three fantastic runs of ewes were on offer, all for sale due to genuine circumstances and through no fault of their own. A good mixture of Mules, Romneys and Suffolk crosses drew a large crowd of buyers with sheep travelling away afterwards to all corners of the south east.

A run of well bred Mules, scanned at 180% from L F Papworth Ltd, Norfolk were sold first to a top price of £92 and the overall run averaged £89 all through the age groups. The rams offered with these ewes made to £160 for Texels. Romney ewes from Raveningham Estate, Norfolk were offered next and these very strong ewes, who had all originated from Ashford Market as lambs, sold on a tremendous trade and averaged just a touch under £100 and topped at £103.50. These ewes were all in lamb to Beltex ewes and scanned at 157%. Finally a flock reduction sale of ewes from G B Richards & Son were offered and the crowd of buyers certainly remained until the end to try and buy some of these genuine, strong Suffolk x Mule and Romney ewes. They were scanned at 187% and the Suffolks sold to a top price of £108 with all these ewes selling in excess of £100. Romney ewes from the same home sold to £97, these ewes were in lamb to a Beltex ram, with some Romney ewes that were in lamb to a Romney ram selling to £97. Averages: 695 sold. Top £108 and ave. £95.93

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: Good quality cattle continue to come through the finished section each week and today saw another very good trade, dearer on the week, with a good mix of butcher and wholesaler buyer support.

Prospects remain positive with no sign of any big numbers in the supply chain. Retailers continue to report positive signs within both primal and manufacturing sectors.

Amongst our quality producers a marvellous British Blue handy-weight steers from S Marsh sold to 228p per kg with his smart Limousin at 214p. Heavier Limousin steers from W Alexander (Shoreham) made to 209p and 204p grossing to £1313. A nice Blonde from P W & P Sim made 208p. barley fed continental steers from A J Down just shy of 200p whilst nice Simmental x Sussex steers from Gillshaw Farms 190-200p and up to £1250. Sussex steers from A H Hoad & Son made to 190p £1109 and Friesian steers from A J Down to 178p.

Some very smart heifers were forward again with a powerful pair from G L Boulden & Sons to 222p and 220p £1251. Limousins from Gillshaw Farms sold to 218p £1303 whilst their Simmental x Sussex made 190 to 200p. Quality from W Alexander (Shoreham) made to 216p and 207p, from P W & P Sim to 209p and 205p. Sussex heifers from Castle Goring made to 196p and a Dexter heifer 140p.

Report on trade: Another outstanding cow trade from start to finish. Plenty of flesh on offer and well received. A few feeders of variable quality were also dearer than ever.

Best beef cows made 140-180p per kg and plenty grossed well up over £1200 to a top of £1435 from MB Farms. All grades are wanted and though only a small show of feeders of mixed quality these made 130 to 150p.

Examples of the trade include Simmental crosses  to174p and then 144p, 138p and grossing £1177 from M J Ashworth; 146p(2), 145p, £1169 G Bates Ltd and139p (Exempt) C E Price & Sons; Charolais cross 173p (Non FA) K Harding and 139p £1150 M J Ashworth; British Blue cross 154p £1435 MB Farms and 149p, 145p, 139p £1262  W S Furnival (Brookland); Aberdeen Angus cross 148p(2) (Non FA) J Pearce; 139p, 134p, £1060 M J Ashworth and 139p, 130p, £1054 W S Furnival (Brookland); Limousin cross 145p £1091 G Bates; 142p £1118 WS Furnival (Brookland) and 140p £1004 M J Ashworth.

Dairy culls were dearer at the top end and holding very firm for the middle and poorer yielding, grades. Holstein Friesian 136, 128p, 125p £1058 A Ware; 134p, £1120 J Leggat & Son; 133p, 132p, 129p(2) £1221, £1122, £1053 R C & J L Pickering and 127p J W Boyd & Sons; Montbelliarde cross 134p £955 D Murdoch & Sons and Jerseys 87p, 86p, £457 Hickson Bros.

Stock bulls were very dear with a Limousin 124p £1198 and Sussex 123p, 118p and £1018.

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: Just a handful about this week but all very well sold and plenty of interest around the sale ring.

Forthcoming store and breeding stock sales

Next Store and Breeding Cattle Sale is on Tuesday 13^th February at 1.00pm. We expect an entry of over 300 for this sale and a catalogue will be produced. Please ring if you have cattle to sell as it is important over the next few weeks we have an early indication from sellers of stock they wish to offer so we can plan ahead for sales in February and early March. Numbers coming forward will now vary during these next six weeks so it is essential we know when you plan to sell.

Breeding Cattle entered include

4 Simmental cross heifers (3) and cow (1), bn 2014 to 2016 which will be Pd’d in calf to a Simmental bull from G J Duncanson Ltd

Store Cattle entered include

40 Aberdeen Angus (33) and Simmental (6) cross heifers, 12 mths from Betchworth Estate

36 British Blue and Aberdeen Angus x Friesian steers and heifers, 12 mths from W L King & Son

36 Charolais and Limousin cross steers and heifers, 18-24 mths from J Berryman

15 Aberdeen Angus (7) and British Blue (1) x Friesian heifers plus 7 Friesian steers, 15-18 mths from E J & M Maylam

11 British Blue/Limousin steers and heifers, 12 mths from Mrs K Graham

and others from 28 vendors in total

We expect to catalogue upto 50 head of bulls and females for our breeding cattle day on Tuesday 6^th March. Please ring Mark Cleverdon or any of our auctioneers or fieldsmen to discuss the sale of your cattle on this day.

Forthcoming Store and Breeding Sheep Sales – following a very successful autumn sales season both store and breeding sheep will be offered in substantial numbers on our Tuesday livestock sale days. It is important that sellers give an early indication of large entries so buyers can be advised on the size of entry expected on any particular day.

Next Pig and Calf sale days will be held on Tuesdays 13^th and 27^th February and then 13^th and 27^th March. If you are considering sending calves or pigs to market please ring Mark Cleverdon.

Already entered for Tuesday 13^th February are 21 Welsh cross weaners from a Kent farm

Already entered for Tuesday 27^th February are 7 Hampshire gilts (4) and young sows (3) which are in pig to a Pietrain boar and due late March and April from G Purser

The TB exempt section will be offered every Tuesday for the foreseeable future (subject to the number of store cattle entered). We very much appreciate exempt cattle being booked in week by week to ensure that the TB exempt section will be available

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

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.

Hay, Straw and fodder

For Sale – Large quantity of 2017 ensiled forage maize – analysis available. East Kent. Ring 07739 490975

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 – Pedigree Aberdeen Angus bull, bn 2011ex an Essex farm. Johnes and BVD free. Ring Mark on 07748 202688

For Sale – 25 Aberdeen Angus, Simmental and other beef cross heifers due to calve in April to a Limousin bull. East Kent. Ring Simon on 07885 968077

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

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

RABI

Farmhouse Breakfast season

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

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

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

Ashford Young Farmers Club

Wednesday 14th February – Valentines pub meet at the Dukes Head, Sellindge. TN25 6EG. 8pm

Wednesday 21st February – Kent Young Farmers 200 Club AGM and Bingo at the Givaudan Sport and Social Club, Ashford. TN24 0LT. 7.15pm

Wednesday 28th February – Laser Tag at Battlezone, Kingsnorth. TN23 3JD. 7-9pm £12.50pp

Wednesday 14 March – Golf at Great Chart. TN23 3BW. 7.30pm £8.50

Sunday 15th April – **Lambing Open Day** – Hope Farm, Wittersham TN30 7NP. 10am-4pm

For further information on all Ashford YFC events ring Chairman Amy Langdon on 07733 481473

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.

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

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.

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