Weekly Sales News – 8 Mar 2016
Sheep sales reports
Finished Sheep – 2,464 Sold
Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903
Top price per head – £104 L J & P J Bolton: Top price per kilo – 230p – Mrs C Worley.
Report on trade: A smaller entry of hoggets in the pens this week, as seems to be the trend in many other markets around the country, which in turn has helped prices to lift on last weeks levels. It was very evident this week that there was a marked premium achieved by the Farm Assured hoggets, with the over all average price per kilo of the assured sheep returning 11p ahead of similar, non-assured, sheep. We would urge customers to retain Farm Assurance certification as we currently have buyers with large orders to fulfil with quality assured sheep.
There was some real quality in the pens this week with some fantastic Beltex hoggets from Mrs C Worley selling to £99 (43kg @ 230p) closely followed by some lovely Charollais lambs from Mrs J Bastable to 219p (40kg @ £87.50). Top spots in the heavy weight category were once again from L J & P J Bolton with some superb 60kg Texel cross hoggets to £104 and a run of 120 hoggets to average £97.80 throughout.
| Hogget prices | ||||||||||
| Kgs | Top Price | Ave Price | Top Vendor | p per kg | ||||||
| 38 | 77.00 | 75.18 | Mr G P King | 203.0 | ||||||
| 39 | 81.00 | 74.61 | R G Gibson & Son | 208.0 | ||||||
| 40 | 87.50 | 77.41 | Mrs J Bastable | 219.0 | ||||||
| 41 | 82.00 | 78.14 | R Mair & Son | 200.0 | ||||||
| 42 | 87.00 | 80.60 | N & D Attwood, A J W Smith & Son | 207.0 | ||||||
| 43 | 99.00 | 85.26 | Mrs C Worley | 230.0 | ||||||
| 44 | 95.50 | 83.92 | Mrs C Worley | 217.0 | ||||||
| 45 | 95.00 | 87.16 | J Wayman | 211.0 | ||||||
| 46 | 92.00 | 85.40 | S & M Kemp, Mr P Gorringe | 200.0 | ||||||
| 47 | 92.00 | 86.60 | J Wayman | 196.0 | ||||||
| 48 | 100.0 | 89.23 | Mrs J Bastable | 208.0 | ||||||
| 49 | 97.00 | 88.60 | O’Neil Smith Ltd | 198.0 | ||||||
| 50 | 97.00 | 89.79 | R F & E A Simmons | 194.0 | ||||||
| 51 | 96.00 | 90.94 | L J & J P Bolton | 188.0 | ||||||
| 52 | 99.00 | 90.51 | L J & J P Bolton | 190.0 | ||||||
| 53 | 95.80 | 93.67 | L J & J P Bolton | 181.0 | ||||||
| Hogget averages – pence per kg | ||||||||||
| Weight Range | Number | Top | Bottom | Average | National Averages | |||||
| Standard 32.1 to 39 kgs | 161 | 208.0 | 159.0 | 191.9 | 189.8 | |||||
| Medium 39.1 to 45.5 kgs | 1040 | 230.0 | 165.0 | 192.7 | 195.2 | |||||
| Heavy 45.6 to 52 kgs | 888 | 208.0 | 128.0 | 182.9 | 185.8 | |||||
| Others 52.1kg + | 363 | 190.0 | 131.0 | 171.3 | 171.7 | |||||
Cull Ewes and Rams – 431 Sold
Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903
Report on trade: A small entry of ewes were forward today but prices improved on last weeks levels, purely driven upwards by lower numbers available nationally. This dip in numbers comes after the annual influx of scanned empty ewes and with many flocks getting into the lambing period and clearing any culls before March. Top call on the day was £105 from Mrs C A Worley for some super Beltex ewes whhile rams sold to £101 from C B Hope.
Further principle prices on the day included Suffolk crosses to £98 from L J & P J Bolton, Mules to £85.50 from M Woodruffe, and Romneys to £79.50 from Langrish Farmers.
Store and Breeding Sheep – 1,130 Sold
Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903
Report on trade: Another good entry well over 1000 stores and once again most strong sorts made in excess of £70 to a top price of £80 from R J Adams. A strong run of over 300 Charollais cross lambs from J Wickens topped at £77.50 this week and sold to an average well in excess of £70. Only the long-term small stores and ram lambs sold made below £55.
Sock Lambs – 14 Sold
Auctioneer: Mark Cleverdon 07748 202688
Report on trade: A stronger demand this week saw young lambs making £5 to £16 while stronger models were £19 to £30 twice. Average £15.42
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
Cattle sales reports
Finished Cattle – 56 Sold Auctioneer: Elwyn Davies 07710 803901
Report on trade: The beef trade remains under pressure domestically with an adequate supply complicated by a wholesale arena that is driving maximum weights down by increasing penalties and thereby forcing more stock onto the market. This might result in a shortage a little later in the year before more numbers are expected from Ireland in the autumn. The strength of the Pound and our European position will also be critical.
Rates today just about held to last last weeks levels, but there is no real sign of confidence going forward yet. The best cattle are able to top 200p but a lot of good commercial cattle made 175-190p. There was nobody looking for much weight and the feeders are restricted by how far they can take their ultimate carcase weights.
Top steer was a British Blue from J Batchelor & Ptrs at 206p (£1222) with the heifer list led by Limousin from L E Humphreys & Son at 210p (£1089). Good Limousin steers made to £1159 from G L Boulden & Son; Limousin heifers from W Alexander made to £1149 while good native interest saw Herefords to 188p and Sussex 171p from Bowes Lyon Estates while the better fed Holstein steers made to 141p.
| Finished cattle averages – pence per kg | |||||||||||||
| Classification | No | Top | Bottom | Average | |||||||||
| Light steers (370-550 kgs) | 13 | 184.5 | 165.5 | 174.4 | |||||||||
| Medium steers (551-650 kgs) | 15 | 205.5 | 140.5 | 178.9 | |||||||||
| Heavy steers (651+ kgs) | 2 | 164.5 | 159.5 | 162.0 | |||||||||
| Light heifers (370-550 kgs) | 4 | 179.5 | 136.5 | 163.5 | |||||||||
| Medium heifers (551-650 kgs) | 19 | 209.5 | 113.5 | 174.6 | |||||||||
| Heavy heifers (651+ kgs) | 2 | 191.5 | 159.5 | 175.5 | |||||||||
| Heavy bulls (651+) | 1 | 128.5 | 128.5 | 128.5 | |||||||||
| 30 to 48 mth heifers | 1 | 142.5 | 142.5 | 142.5 | |||||||||
| Leading steer prices | |||||||||||||
| Vendor | Weight Kgs | Breed | P per Kg | Gross £ | |||||||||
| J Batchelor & Ptnrs | 595 | 23 mths British Blue | 205.5 | £1222 | |||||||||
| G L Boulden & Sons | 615 | 24 mths Limousin | 188.5 | £1159 | |||||||||
| W Alexander (Shoreham) | 570 | 23 mths Limousin | 187.5 | £1068 | |||||||||
| Bowes Lyon Estate | 566 | 23 mths Hereford | 187.5 | £1061 | |||||||||
| W Alexander (Shoreham) | 575 | 20 mths Limousin | 187.5 | £1078 | |||||||||
| Leading heifer prices | |||||||||||||
| L E Humphreys & Son | 520 | 24 mths Limousin | 209.5 | £1089 | |||||||||
| J Batchelor & Ptnrs | 530 | 24 mths British Blue | 208.5 | £1105 | |||||||||
| G L Boulden & Sons | 520 | 23 mths Limousin | 198.5 | £1032 | |||||||||
| J Batchelor & Ptnrs | 543 | 25 mths Limousin | 194.5 | £1056 | |||||||||
| W Alexander (Shoreham) | 600 | 20 mths Limousin | 191.5 | £1149 | |||||||||
Cull Cows and Bulls – 57 Sold
Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795200357
Report on trade: A smaller show of cows were penned but overall a decent amount of flesh was on offer and demand definitely stronger on the week. The weaker Pound is undoubtedly helping by making the cheap processing beef from Ireland and Poland that much dearer. Farm Assurance is the biggest difference producers can make with assured cows some 20p per kg better off. We were short of feeders this week but all in demand and will be for future weeks.
No high flyers but good throughout with Herefords 119p from M J Ashworth and £955 I Smith; Sussex 118p (£990) L Stevens & Sons; Blonde 117p, British Blue £1014 O’Neill Smith and Simmental 115p R J Verity.
A small show of black and whites but all sought after with British Friesians 117p, 114p, 113p(2) and £873 from Debden Court; Holsteins 116p (£947) W S Furnival and Jerseys 79p (£440) from Hickson Bros.
| Cull cattle section – pence per kg | ||||
| Classification | No | Top | Bottom | Average |
| Beef cows | 22 | 118.5 | 80.5 | 108.6 |
| Dairy cows | 33 | 116.5 | 39.5 | 86.5 |
Breeding Cattle – 1 Female Sold
Auctioneer: Elwyn Davies 07710 803901
Report on trade: A single 2009 born pedigree Sussex cow, in calf again to a Sussex bull made £685.
Store Cattle – 500 Sold
Auctioneer: Elwyn Davies 07710 803901
Report on trade: This week saw a marvellous show of store cattle with many runs of top quality continental cross, single-suckled yearlings on offer. Overall trade was brisk throughout with a ring-side packed with potential buyers and a good contingent of feeders from the Midlands and Eastern counties competing well with the local interest.
The majority of 5-8 mths youngsters made from £500 to £600 with 8 mths Blonde cross heifers looking well sold at £650 from M Palmer.
A splendid run of 71 11 mths, Limousin cross, single-suckled steers from M A Piper & Son attracted lots of interest with bidding up to £1000 and a very favourable average of £950. The majority of the better bred sorts in this category attracted prices in excess of £900 with the principle prices quoted below. Slightly older cattle topped at £1020 for a pen of Limousin cross steers from a large run of 65 steers and heifers from C & J Georgetti & Sons. One feature of the trade was a little resistance to the bigger framed cattle likely to finish at over the 400kg deadweight. This is a sign of changing times in the beef supply chain.
Top gross price of the day was £1075 for 20 mths Limousin cross steers to feed short-term from J E Berryman.
| Principle prices in addition to those mentioned above | ||
| 7 mths Lincoln Red steers | £572 | Rhino Plant |
| 8-9 mths Blonde cross heifers | £650 | M Palmer |
| 12 mths Limousin cross steers | £995 | R A Wade |
| 11-12 mths Simmental cross steers | £950 | W J Hurley |
| 10 mths Limousin cross steers | £940 | E Chantler & Son |
| 10-11 mths Limousin cross heifers | £800 | G Bates Ltd |
| 14 mths Blonde cross steers | £985 | O’Neil Smith Ltd |
| 14 mths Blonde cross heifers | £930 | O’Neil Smith Ltd |
| 12-15 mths Limousin cross heifers | £780 | C & J Georgetti & Sons |
| 15 mths Limousin cross steers | £990 | D G & J W Gore |
| 18 mths Charolais cross steers | £1040 | Swanley Farm |
| 23 mths Limousin cross heifers | £1025 | G Bates Ltd |
| 24 mths Limousin cross heifers | £1050 | J E Berryman |
DEFRA regularly remind us of our responsibilities regarding unfit animals. No unfit animal should be exposed for sale in a market.
All animals should be fit to travel. All in milk cows should to be milked out prior to movement to market. Do not present lame sheep or those for any reason which are not fit to be transported.
Vehicle Parking on busy market days – Congestion in the bottom / livestock parking area
Please help us to help you. The upper car parks on the top side of the market buildings are available for all cars and Land Rovers with trailers.
General news
Updated 1sth March 2016
Ashford Cattle Show – would all interested parties please note the Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 16th March at 6pm here in the Market.
Ram tags – any ram buyers from last autumns sales who may have a number of the neck tags in a corner of a building or in their lambing shed we would be very pleased to have then returned. Thank you
Farming to London march – Wednesday 23rd March. This celebration of all that is good about British farming is being coordinated by Farmers for Action. Full details are on www.farmersfroaction.org or by ringing 01291 690224. Email secretary@farmersforaction.org.
For Sale – 150 round, wrapped bales of 2015 made grass silage. Loading available in the Sandwich area. Ring 01304 812407
ForSale – mid aged pedigree South Devon bull. Essex farm
South East Farmer and Farm Machinery magazines The March edition of this popular regional farming magazine is now available here in the market. Hobbs Parker are regular contributors to the editorial content.
In addition our Property Consultants Review for Spring 2016 is available with this months edition. Articles looking at current issues affecting many aspects of land ownership make interesting reading for all landowners and occupiers.
Summer show schedules – these are available, with entry forms, here in the market for Heathfield and Surrey (end of May) and South of England (early June)
Tractor run in Kent – Kent tractor club are organising this event on Easter Saturday 26th March at Great Humphries Farm, Grafty Green, Maidstone. Funds will be raised for KTC and RABI. Further details are available from James Chantler on 07748 632346
Ashford Young Farmers “Lambing Day” – this event will be held on Sunday 10th April at Rawnie Farm, Appledore.
National Young Farmers office holders – Ashford member, and former club and county chairman, Lyndsey Martin has been elected as one of two national vice chairpersons.
Local point to point fixtures – next fixture for the season is Saturday 12th March at Parham. Full details on www.pointing-se.com
Kent Herdsmans Club dates – Monday 14th March at 7.30pm – Brian Maxted talking about the Elham Valley flooding. Monday 11th April at 7.30pm – a talk by a representative of the Medical Detection Dogs Society. Both meetings will be at the Conningbrook Hotel, Kennington, Ashford. For all details on Herdsman’s Club events contact Chairman Sandra Brown on 01233 502796 or Jo Masters 01580 240568
Southern Shears – This years event will be held on Sunday 17th July at Holmbush Farm, Faygate, Crawley, West Sussex (RH12 4SE). this is a shearing competition which will be run on BISCA rules with open, junior, novice, ladies and blades. Full details available from Mary Masters mary.m@btconnect.com, Facebook and Twitter (@southernshears) or www.southernshears.weebly.com
Livestock entry forms, FCI declarations and movement licences
It is essential that these forms are fully completed for every consignment of stock brought to the market. Please help us to provide you with the high level of service you expect from us by getting this right.
It is a legal requirement that entry form and food chain declarations are competed correctly.
We regularly notice that the information is missing from forms. Please can you ensure that all information is completed in future.
Some of the more common errors in completing these forms include
Food Chain Box not ticked Vendor address not complete
Vendor mobile number Vehicle registration not recorded
Date of Movement Hauliers name not provided
Holding number of departure FABBL sticker not used
TB test status TB last test date
Ear tag numbers Form is not signed
Pig producers should note specifically that we require a hard copy of your electronic eaml2 form with the FCI declaration signed.
Sheep producers should note specifically that we require the FCI declaration completed (and details of medical treatments used) for all stock including store and breeding sheep.
Cattle producers should note specifically that FABBL status is one of the most important pieces of information we require here especially if animals do not qualify due to the 90 residency rule.
FCI declarations and entry forms for cattle – these are always available from market and by post from our offices. Please remember they can also be downloaded and printed from the livestock pages of our website. The link is
https://www.hobbsparker.co.uk/CF/?Link=Bulletin&BulletinId=436256&dept=4
Finished Sheep
Report Detail to go here
Finished Cattle
Report to go here