Top price per kg – 220p – A Town; Top price per head – £100 – A Town

Report on trade A small entry of sheep was penned once again with the adverse weather conditions certainly having an impact on the number of lambs coming forward. This in turn did help the trade to lift but the Christmas trade was also very much a factor in the pricing with the heavier, home trade lambs selling the best on the day and up to £100 from A Town, with T Patton also selling heavies to £94.00. The lighter weights were also sold on an improved trade to last week with the very best once again breaking the 200p per kg barrier and up to 220p from A Town with J Matthews in second place at 210p.

Hopefully we will be able to maintain this improved trade for our last sale next week and on into the New Year. There will not be a market in Ashford in Christmas week (26^th December) with our first sale in 2018 offered on Tuesday 2^nd January.

Producers please note – For top results please present well fleshed lambs which are preferably dry and clean. Lairage facilities 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: Once again a tricky trade for the cull ewes, with all buyers complaining of a lack of demand in the wholesale trade for the finished product. Demand in the ethnic markets is switching towards lamb as opposed to ewe meat which could make this trade harder in years to come and even more dictated by the numbers on offer each week.

Best meated sorts sold made in excess of £80 with the few grazers that were on offer traded between £35 and £50.

Top prices included crossbred ewes to £84.50 from The High Weald Academy, Suffolk crosses to £79.50 from C S Wills Trust and Romney ewes to £58 from Langrish Farmers.

More lambs will come forward now on Tuesdays with only 1 Friday sale remaining. We have catalogued around 2,000 store lambs for the final sale to be held on Friday 15^th December. Late entries are expected and welcome

Report on trade: A very small show of finished cattle but trade right up to the mark. Cattle in numbers will be wanted on Tuesday 2^nd January 2018.

Today Limousins made to 220p and £1427 and 218p and £1175 respectively for heifers and steers from W S Furnival(Brookland) Ltd.

Report on trade: Another very good entry for the time of the year and with a grand company of buyers another tremendous trade for the cows. The best meat were particularly in demand. There is also strong confidence in the feeding cows of all grades and good numbers will be wanted as soon as possible in the New Year.

A top quality Limousin cross young cow from W S Furnival (Brookland) Ltd topped at 173p per kg and grossed £1354 but plenty of good commercial beef cows made 130-150p. Best prices included Limousin crosses 173p W S Furnival (Brookland) Ltd, 149p £988 D W Ferguson and 134p P N & C Burden; Simmental crosses 145p(2), 139p and £1140, £1120, £1080 C & J Georgetti & Sons; Aberdeen Angus crosses 140p £1052 B Sutton and 128p Horne & Son; Charolais 136p Rhino Plant and 133p, 127p, £1199 J Boomaars; Sussex 140p £830 J D Hickman and 132p(2) £953 Non FA Mrs P Dumbreck; White Park 131p £906 John Boyd (Farms) Ltd and Charolais cross steer 4yr+ 140p £1437 from K Harding.

We were short of any flesh amongst the dairy culls but all were a terrific trade. Holsteins made to 124pand  £1030 from J Warnock & Son.

Stock bulls were wanted with an Aberdeen Angus 115p £1352 and a Sussex 102p £1083.

Please advise us if you have cows for next week (19 Dec). Cows will most definitely be wanted on Tuesday 2nd January 2018.

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Report on trade: Only a small show of store cattle but customers about in plenty to take stock. Hard outwintering types were particularly in demand.

Examples of the trade included Hereford cross steers 18mths £660 and £590 from D Gill; Aberdeen Angus steers 17mths £780, a British Blue steer 16mths £770 and British Blue heifers 17mths £718 from J Earey.

Stores now best left to New Year. Please contact Market Office with details.

Miscellaneous wanted and Livestock for sale ex farm

Wanted- shepherd to care for a flock of 800 Suffolk x Mules lambing in mid-april. Full time, part time or just lambing season availability considered. Must have a sheep dog and significant shepherding experience. Accommodation and vehicle available, work to start in the New Year. All enquiries to: owenpiper@hotmail.co.uk

Grazing available in Hampshire for 300 Romney or Romney cross ewe lambs until mid September 2018. Ring 07785 793450

For Sale – 09 Reg’ Mitsubishi L200 pickup with full years MOT, 69000 milles, double cab, leather interior, loadliner, roller shutter top, tow bar, very tidy and regularly serviced. £8250 + VAT. Ring 07787 566080

For Sale – 10 Pedigree Holstien heifers – due to Aberdeen Angus bull and due in January and February. West Kent. Ring Mark on 07748 202688

For Sale – Pedigree Limousin bull, bn 2013, fertility tested and weighing over 1,000kg – West  Kent. Contact Mark Cleverdon for details – 07748 202688

For Sale – 3 Pedigree British Blue bulls at 18 to 30 mths, one black and 2 blue and white – Suffolk – Contact Mark Cleverdon for details – 07748 202688

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

DEFRA and our Local Authority trading standards officers regularly remind us of our responsibilities regarding unfit animals. No unfit animal should be exposed for sale in a market.

We have been reminded by the Local Authority that it is against current Welfare and Market Regulations to move stock to market, or any other holding, in the final stages of pregnancy (final 4 weeks). Please be careful with dates on breeding stock and cull stock that might turn out to be in lamb or in calf.

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. Thanks for your attention

Ashford Cattle Show Report 2017

Chairman’s Report by Anthony Neaves

This was another great show and another year gone by with a good selection of top quality stock from the local area which is always nice to see, with everyone getting involved and helping out, the show had a unique atmosphere. I judged the children’s art and the baking entries and found myself very impressed with the standard of the entries. The young people pulled out all the stops this year making paper mache animals. Claire Langrish and I had a hard time deciding on the winners. This year’s first prize winners were Iris Lockwood, Archie Burden and Alice Edmonds. The Christmas wreaths also looked amazing with winners from George Moore and Brockhill School YFC.

Then it was onto the biscuits and cake classes, with again a wonderful display from talented young people and adults. The biscuit winners were Luke Dean, Michael Vinkesteyne and Skye Tildiz. The cakes saw Claire Stevens win the traditional class and Anita Box the novelty decorated class. The cakes selling well again this year to raise funds for the Presidents charity with £2253 made from selling the 16 cake exhibits the first prize winning traditional cake made by Claire Stevens being bought and offered again reaching £600 to Shaun Marsh, who with his daughter was this year’s Cattle Champion exhibitor. The Dinner was a success again this year with guest speaker Stephen Furnival speaking on farming matters and a well recited poem about Albert. The tombola at the dinner raised a further £1674 for the Presidents charity.

Whether it was showing stock, kids crafts or raising money with bids on the Christmas cakes, and with a large number of farming family’s old and young going to the show dinner at the Ashford International Hotel, the show would not be the success it is without you all. So a big thank you to everyone for all your help, however big or small it might be, and to the committee for organising the show and the summer competitions and the biggest thanks goes to the sponsors for giving your support and we look forward to next year.

Cattle Report by Chief Steward Charlie Bull

We had a good show of young handlers again this year which Judge Karen Husk had the difficult task of choosing the most competent, the tidiest and the most knowledgeable from. This years best handler was Jessica Austin from Newline Learning YFC.

During the year the signs were not good for a sizable entry at the 2017 show with the high price for show potential stock in the normal store sales nor encouraging finishers to keep them round untill November for a theoretical premium over commercially fed cattle. The maths did not stack up, but with the help of the school clubs who had these cattle in use during the Summer shows the entry was very reasonable. I must thank the weekly loyal vendors outside of the young farmer’s movement who brought quality cattle forward and were well rewarded. Most classes were well supported to give our judge Andrew Bishop a far from easy task, but in the end a champion was found in the form of a pure Limousin steer from the Marsh family. This was a worthy winner from the remarks heard before the result was announced. The reserve Champion was a heifer from the High Weald Academy YFC which one day might breed a champion for her new owners in 2020 or there about. The commercial section of the show was not as well supported as in previous years for various reasons. With a little more encouragement prior to the show maybe and in the months leading up to the it a few more regulars might be persuaded to have a go. My thanks go to the other stewards who gave up their time in helping on the Monday and Tuesday.

The atmosphere around the sale ring on the Tuesday is, for many, one of the highlights of the two days and long may this continue. Hobbs Parkers weekly report stated “The Champion this year, the outstanding  purebred Limousin steer shown by Pippa Marsh, Guston, Dover sold to Kent Farm Gate Foods (Simon and Cara Kemp) for their Lower Hardres Farm shop at Canterbury for 355p per kg grossing up at £1893. The Reserve Champion Limousin heifer, part of the strong show team of cattle, from the High Weald Academy, Cranbrook realised 270p and £1657 to Geoffrey Bates Ltd, Sutton Valence. The high Weald Acadamey saw other class winners sell to 270p and 250p to E C Wilkes & Son, Cranbrook. It was good to see a quality run of Sussex cattle in the show with their influence on the weekly demand for beef at Ashford getting ever more important. Great supporters of the breed, and the market, Les Stevens and his sons, Sittingbourne exhibited the best Sussex heifer and Champion Native Breed beast which sold at 220p to E C Wilkes & Son of Cranbrook.

From the penned cattle classes the Champion Beast was a British Blue heifer shown by Shaun Marsh, Guston realising 250p to Ray Thornby, Bethersden whilst the Reserve Champion, also from Shaun Marsh, was a Parthenais steer selling at 240p to John Howe for his Farm Butchers shops at Tenterden and New Romney.”

 Sheep Report by Chief Steward Michael Bromley

At 10am, the first lambs went over the weighbridge, and by 12 noon most lambs had arrived. The sound of excited exhibitor’s chatter and hand shears snipping soon filled the market and at 2pm the first of 30 young handlers paraded in front of judge Julie Lukehurst. Chloe Lovejoy (age 9) from the Lovejoy farm team won the 6-10 years class. Skye Yildliz (age 12) from Swan Farm YFC won the 11-13 year class and Brett Smith (age 15) from Westlands School YFC won the 14-17 year class. In the final, Chloe Lovejoy became champion young handler.

Following this, Jonny Howieson (Watchet) judged the live lamb classes. In the native section Ms Jenny Heathcote won the Suffolk class with a pair of Suffolk x Southdown lambs and also the Down breed class with a pair of Southdowns and in the “any other native” class Gail Shrubsall took top spot with a pair of Badger Face (Torwen) lambs. In the Romney class, the best Romney went to Peter Francesconi and the in the young farmers classes, 9 young farmers clubs exhibited 22 pairs of lambs. High Weald Academy YFC won the native breed with a pair of Suffolk x Texel lambs and Kent College YFC’s Romney’s were second. In the continental section 2 pairs or Beltex crosses from Valley Park School YFC won both the split classes and Homewood School YFC and High Weald Academy both picked up second rosettes. The Valley Park School YFC pairs of Beltex Crosses went onto win the YFC champion and reserve prizes. Swan Farm YFC won the best coloured woolled sheep in the show with Jacob lambs.

In the Blue Texel/other continental section, Hazel Long’s Blue Texel crosses were best as were her pair of Texel Cross lambs in the lighter Texel Class. Mr C Lyle won the heavier Texel class with Nigel Vincent taking second place in both Texel sections. Lizzy Sargent took first place in the Beltex class, with Hazel Long and Mr G P King close behind. The last section for “Untrimmed Lambs” saw Wakehamd-Dawson and Harmer win the native class with a pair of Southdowns, Caroline Worley winning the lighter weight continental class and Dylan Isaac winning the heavy class and also the overall the best unshorn lambs.

This brought us to the Championships where Jenny Heathcote’s Southdown’s took the native Championship and her Suffolk x Southdown’s the reserve. In the continental Championship Valley Park School YFC’s Beltex cross pair won with Lizzy Sargent’s Beltex crosses placed reserve. This proved the same for the Supreme Championship with Valley Park School YFC taking the winning sash and Lizzy Sargent the reserve.

The pens of five lambs were judged by Andrew Bishop and saw Peter Francesconi win the native Class. The split continental class saw Vanessa Frampton winning the heavier class and Caroline Worley’s Beltex x Texel’s taking the lighter class and overall best pen of five.

The sale day on Tuesday saw the regular buyers supported our exhibitors well with premium prices for the card winners and fair prices across the board. The Champions at 45.5kg made £180, and reserves at 49kg made £160. A number of pairs made over £100 with native Champion Southdown’s making £116 and £101 and Blue Texels £105.

A huge thank you to our judges and to all who helped this section of the show, especially the stewards who volunteer and make it run smoothly. I think a successful and enjoyable two days was had by all.

Pig Report by Chief Steward Edward Lovejoy

This year we saw 10 exhibitors showing off 30 pairs and single pigs to the judge Jim Lukehurst from Hinxhill. The 1^st place winners were The High Weald Academy YFC and Valley Park School YFC. The Champion pair was The High Weald Academy YFC’s Pietrain crosses, with reserve also from The High Weald Academy with a second pair of Pietrain crosses. The purchaser of the Champion was the judge Jim Lukehurst at 185p per kg with the reserve going to Brian Wilson, Hockley, Essex selling for 155p. The best sow exhibited by The High Weald Academy YFC sold for 50p. Thank you to sponsor and purchaser Shaun Fagg for supporting this section of the show.

Lamb Carcases Report by Chief Steward Paul Boulden

Following this year’s excellent turnout in the carcase section, although there were slightly lesser numbers than in previous years, it was still a difficult task for judge Nick Brown from M B Farms and butchers, Stockbury.

The quality of the entries this year was exceptional right through all the classes. The exhibitors certainly presented a good even run lambs. The Champion and Reserve lamb carcases were Texel’s from Dr Simon Winchester and made £6 per kg and the reserve champion made £4.60 – two exceptional entries sold to the judge Nick Brown for his farm shop in Stockbury and now retired local butcher Doug Marchant. There were other exceptional entries with a Charollais Cross from Dylan Isaac judged a 1^st prize winner and best Charollais cross carcase and a best Beltex Cross and 1^st prize winner from Lizzy Sargent  which made £5 to Ned Farris, Frittenden. The average prices this year at the sale on the Monday night were sadly disappointing from a reasonable start in the Romney class and then thereafter auctioneer Mark Cleverdon had to work hard to maintain a level trade. This section has in the past had years like this, but we thank all producers and purchasers for your continued support.

Deadstock Report by Chief Steward Tim Porter

Entries for the grain and hay classes of the dead stock section were slightly down this year for a number of reasons. However the standard of entries was very high, causing the Judges, Peter Bromley and Andrew Pendry, difficulty in selecting a clear winner.

The potato classes were dominated by A E Wellsted and Sons with an entry in each class, victorious in both the unwashed and washed white potato classes. Andrew Dunlop was close on their heels, winning the unwashed red and partly coloured classes. The Wellsted family took home the Championship and reserve Champion honours.

In the corn section, a strong representation of samples in both the Group 1 and Group 3 soft wheat classes underlined the popularity of those varieties in this part of the country. The Wellsteds again took 1st and 2nd with samples of Skyfall and Crusoe respectively and Nonington Farms followed in 3rd and 4th again with samples of Skyfall and Crusoe. Not surprising considering that these are the most popular Group 1 varieties currently on the market.

Little Mongeham Ltd, a consistent performer in the summer crops competition, carried on their good form in the soft wheat section, taking the top spot with a superb sample of Claire. Once again, this old timer in the wheat growing sector, showed its consistency in producing a great product. G L Boulden and Son featured highly in the break crop classes, with success with their Oats and Peas while A E Wellsted scooped top spot in the bean class with a clean and attractive sample of Nile winter beans. Horne and Son presented the best sample of Rapeseed with a clean and even bag of Bonbadon for the judges to deliberate over against the three other samples.

The Hay class was again the class causing the most difficulty for the Judges. In the end the Lovejoy Farm Partnership were deemed to have the most appetising product, consistent quality, smell and appearance which were all factors in the Judges minds.

The wool classes, usually sponsored by Kent  Wool Growers, was kindly sponsored this year by British Wool and expertly judged by Frank Langrish and a fantastic number of fleeces were entered. Thanks to British Wool for holding back a good number of fleeces for the judging, mainly from the abundant Romney Marsh area, and others parts  of Kent.

Taking the top spot in each class as follows – unwashed Romney teg wool Howard Bates, Brookland; unwashed Romney ewe or wether wool Andrew Dunlop, Pett; unwashed coloured wool Sarah Cosgrove with a Black Wensleydale fleece and the unwashed white wool Wey Street Farm with a Charollais fleece.

Thank you once again to all of the entrants, the Judges and finally all of the loyal deadstock stewards that work so hard to ensure this part of the show continues to feature.

Charity fundraising – expanding on the chairmans comments at the start of this report we again refer back to Hobbs Parkers weekly sales reports where they wrote “Christmas cakes for the show charity – 16 Sold (one twice) by auctioneer Mark Cleverdon. This years original show president was great market supporter Helen Langrish from Newchurch, Romney Marsh and she selected Cancer Research UK as her charity. Many of you will know that her husband Robert was diagnosed as suffering from cancer back in the summer and was in a London hospital on show day for a major operation in connection with his cancer and Helen was with him. Brother in law Frank stood in for Helen as this year president for which we are all very grateful.

The show charity fund raising effort kicked off with Christmas cakes baked to be judged in competition and then sold for the charity. The fantastic total of sales was £2253. Shaun Marsh bought both 1^st prize winning cakes for £600 (having reoffered this one) and £170 and other purchasers were John Rossiter, Mike Keeley, Anthony Neaves, Charles Tassell, Ralph Shepherd, Don Masters, Fred Husk, Paul Ashlee, Lewis Atfield, Martin Crowhurst and Caroline Worley.

A further £1674 was donated at the tables during the show dinner on Tuesday evening. Messrs Vant & Claringbold sold a carcase for charity which made £102 which was purchased by Andrew Hooker of Kent Tractors, Shadoxhurst.

Helen along with Robert, Claire and James would like to say a huge “Thank you” to everyone who supported this fundraising effort and again everyone for the very kind support to the family during a very tough year for them. It is very pleasing to be able to report Robert has been back in the market and looking well since the show.

Sale averages

Led cattle 33 sold – 22 Steers to £3.55 per kg and £1893 av £2.18 and £1236.65. 11 Heifers to £2.80 and £1657 av £2.22 and £1209. Commercial cattle 6 sold – 4 Steers to £2.40 per kg and £1349 per head av £2.16 and £1271.  2 Heifers to £2.50 and £1359 av £2.38 and £1280.11. Shown lambs 168 sold to £4.00 per kg and £180 per lamb av £1.90 and £84.84. Commercial lambs 95 sold to £2.41 per kg and £94 per lamb av £1.87 and £76.89. Pigs 42 sold to £1.85 per kg and £213.20 per pig av £1.03 and £94.15. Lamb carcases 58 sold to £6 per kg and £153 per carcase av £3.99 and £91.07.

We are sorry to report that the show gavel is missing – last seen at the dinner in 2016. Anyone who might, for whatever reason, know of its whereabouts please contact Julie Coney on 07887 643002

RABI, FCN and Kent Herdsmans Club News

RABI

Farmhouse Breakfast season

Thursday 18^th January – Poacher & Partridge, Tudeley. TN11 0PH

Wednesday 24^th January – Medway Yacht Club, Lower Upnor, Rochester. ME2 4XB

Thursday 8^th February – Elham Valley Vineyard

Wednesday 14^th February – The Stockpot, Ashford Market. TN24 0HB

Thursday 15^th February – Dog & Duck, Pluks Gutter, Canterbury

Further fundraising events

Monday 26^th February – Plumpton Race day

Friday 23^rd march – Clay pigeon shoot at West Kent Shooting School, Brenchley. TN12 7DG

Wednesday 27^th June – Champagne, Strawberries & Jazz at the Kent County Showground, Detling

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

December meeting is the Club Christmas Dinner so next business meet is on Sunday January 14th 2018 at 12 noon – a visit to Chandler & Dunn Ltd to view their cattle and some of the fruit storage at the farm, Lower Goldstone, Ash, Canterbury CT3 2 DY

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Welcome to Barkers Animal Health, our new tenant at unit 5 – Ashford Livestock Market

Barkers are a family business supplying livestock farmers throughout the South of England with a wide range of animal healtrh product including medicines, milks, minerals, farm and dairy hygiene, teat dips and forage preservation treatments.

Their shop will be open on market days at Ashford and the owner, Peter Barker will be present.  Their local representative, Stephen Skinner, will be calling on farm offering advice, competitive prices with next working day deliveries or even sometimes *same* day delivery.

Come and meet Peter in the market to discuss any health or nutritional problems within your flock or herd.

News from AHDB, formerly Eblex

Howard Bates from Brookland says “My tenure comes to an end in March after six years and it would be useful to have someone from the South East and a Market user on the Board”. Below is a press release from AHDB’s website.

Sector board members required – Your chance to make a real difference to the future of the English Beef and Lamb industry

The agriculture and horticulture development board (ahdb) is looking for beef and lamb producers and a processor from the supply chain to join the sector board of its English Beef and Lamb division.

As a new board member you will assist your chair in developing strategy. We are seeking industry specialists who will play an active role for the English Beef and Lamb industry and command the respect of their peers.

Sector board members are expected to make a time commitment of around two days per month and attend all board meetings, with additional requirements being agreed with the sector board chair. Appointments are for three-year terms with remuneration currently payable at £256.25 per day plus expenses.

We can offer a challenging opportunity for you to contribute to the english beef and lamb industry and make a difference to AHDB. You will need to be professional, flexible and adaptable in order to support the change that is required to develop the ongoing success of AHDB beef & lamb and AHDB.

An information pack with details of how to apply can be obtained from: Christine Sstandley, AHDB, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire. CV8 2TL. E-mail: Christine.standley@ahdb.org.uk. Closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 18 December 2017

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Hay, Straw and fodder

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

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