Ashford Market Report – Tuesday 16th April 2024

Sheep Sales Reports

Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903

Finished Hoggets -1,380

Top price per kg: 510p – T Husk
Top price per head: £320.00 – R L Pack

Yes, I will admit it, I was wrong again! I thought we had hit the top of the trade in the last two weeks and, despite the huge prices already achieved, they lifted another 50p kg on last week! A truly phenomenal trade throughout the slightly smaller entry, but with a lot more quality on offer. Genuine finished hoggets selling to £320, £300, £282, etc with the overall average on the day a staggering £199 head for all sheep sold. Earlier in the season we had desires to get some of the best hoggets over £3 kg; then £4 kg was the target; and now we have smashed £5 kg on a number of pens this week, to a top of 510p kg from Tom Husk but also 508p kg from Mrs K Douglas, and 507p kg from R L Pack . The overall average  was 420p kg with a SQQ average of 440p kg! Dare I say it, but is £6 kg achievable……? I am certainly not going to make any more predictions.

33kg – £148.00 (448p/kg) – T Husk
34kg – £120.00 (353p/kg) – I M Symonds
35kg – £117.00 (334p/kg) – D Thompson
37kg – £171.00 (462p/kg) – C Bull
38kg – £179.00 (471p/kg) – J Bull
39kg – £199.00 (510p/kg) – T Husk
40kg – £199.00 (498p/kg) – T Husk
41kg – £200.00 (488p/kg) – T Husk
42kg – £190.00 (452p/kg) – R L Pack
43kg – £200.00 (465p/kg) – Mrs K Douglas
44kg – £223.00 (507p/kg) – R L Pack
45kg – £229.00 (509p/kg) – T Husk
46kg – £231.00 (502p/kg) – T Husk
47kg – £217.00 (462p/kg) – T Husk
48kg – £215.00 (448p/kg) – W & P New T/A Moorhouse Farm
49kg – £225.50 (460p/kg) – M R Woodroofe
50kg – £230.00 (460p/kg) – C Ballard
51kg – £209.00 (410p/kg) – W & P New T/A Moorhouse Farm
52kg – £210.00 (404p/kg) – C Ballard
53kg – £238.00 (449p/kg) – P Gorringe
54kg – £228.00 (442p/kg) – W & P New T/A Moorhouse Farm
55kg – £234.50 (426p/kg) – P Gorringe
56kg – £216.00 (386p/kg) – L Atfield
57kg – £212.00 (372p/kg) – H F & J H Glover
58kg – £222.00 (383p/kg) – A J W Smith & Son
59kg – £226.00 (383p/kg) – W & P New T/A Moorhouse Farm
60kg – £218.00 (363p/kg) – J & C Kellet
62kg – £221.00 (356p/kg) – Ruby Sarsam
63kg – £211.00 (335p/kg) – H F & J H Glover
67kg – £247.00 (369p/kg) – R H Smith & Partners
71kg – £222.00 (313p/kg) – O Tilley
72kg – £282.00 (392p/kg) – R H Smith & Partners
75kg – £300.00 (400p/kg) – R H Smith & Partners
79kg – £320.00 (405p/kg) – R L Pack

Averages (p/kg) 

Standard 32.1 to 39 kgs – 65 – Top 471, Average 428.7
Medium 39.1 to 45.5 kgs – 404 – Top 510, Average 442.3
Heavy 45.6 to 52 kgs – 583 – Top 502, Average 420.6
Other 52.1+ kgs – 317 – Top 449, Average 388.5

Store Sheep -135 Sold

Auctioneer: John Rossiter 07557 392903

We have really come to the end of this section now with only a handful of them on offer. With the finished prices taking another leap forward it has had a positive effect in the stores with the best now up to £170 head from Miss J Drew.
If you have any hoggets remaining left to sell, please get them out asap before they erupt teeth.

Cull Sheep – 411 Sold

Auctioneer: James Cook-O’Connell 07712 246474

Ewe: Top £187 – B G & M A Tomsett – Ave £111.56
Ram: Top £168 – T A Miles – Ave £119.00

Numbers are certainly starting to tighten as to be expected for the time of year which as a result has forced averages up. The best ewes regularly £130 – £160 and to a top price of £187 from B G & M A Tomsett for Texel cross ewes. Medium sorts £90 – £120 on most occasions with leaner grazing types £50 – £80 throughout with very few sold below these figures. The best fleshed ewes are being rewarded at this stage however trade is strong for all grades of ewes.

Top prices included

Texel to £187 – B G & M A Tomsett, Texel cross to £176 – B G & M A Tomsett, Suffolk cross to £185 – C & J Georgetti & Sons, Charollais to £153 – R C & H White, Romneys to £144 – Miss J Drew, Mules to £136 – T Lyle & Partners

 

Sock Lambs – 36 Sold

Auctioneer: Tom Hamplett 07966 104532

The peak of the sock lamb trade appears to have been reached last week with today’s trade easier. Tops of £25 from N A Balcomb & Son and P N &C Burden with an overall average of £12.92.

 

Cattle Sales Reports

Finished Cattle –  55 Sold

Auctioneer:Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Just a few strains on the beef trade but any major adjustments will be unlikely as numbers remain tight. We always see a few more as yarding comes to an end for some but with turn out taking place, and thoughts of silaging and other ground work taking precedence we will soon see numbers tighten.
We had a good attendance of buyers today and though rates for all grades were a little less, competition was strong throughout.
The best from M B Farms to 315p, £1997 and 311p, £1941 for Limousin steers and heifers respectively with the top end beef bred types generally 280 – 300p kg.
A few more dairy bred cattle on offer this week with Alan Down’s well finished Limousin x Friesian steers to 265p, £1680, Hereford x Friesian steers to 267p, £1426; Friesians to 257p, £1539. Blue x Friesian steers from E & J H Maylam to 259p, £1680. Maiden Friesian heifers to 240p, £1569 from T Castle & Son.
Short of natives this week but strong interest. Angus steers from Gallagher Farms to 265p, £1653; Heifers to 264p, £1370 M J Ashworth. Sussex steers to 268p, £1525 from W S Furnival Ltd; 264p, £1693 T Pengilley with Sussex heifers to 258p, £1329 Kevin Hawes.

Top Steers

M B Farms – Limousin – 315p/kg (£1997)
W G Vant & Sons – Limousin cross – 293p/kg (£1843)
R F & E A Simmons – Limousin cross – 289p/kg (£1601)
W Alexander (Shoreham) – Simmental cross – 285p/kg (£1735)
K & P M Sinden & Sons – British Blue cross – 280p/kg (£1761)

Top Heifers

M B Farms – Limousin – 311p/kg (£1941)
M B Farms – Limousin – 309p/kg (£1820)
W Alexander (Shoreham) – Parthenais cross – 308p/kg (£1768)
M J Ashworth – Limousin cross – 286p/kg (£1356)
W Alexander (Shoreham) – Limousin cross – 280p/kg (£1635)

Average Prices

Steers up to 200 to 550kg – 5 sold – Top 279p – Ave 266p
Steers 551 to 650kg – 24 sold – Top 315p – Ave 270p
Steers over 651kg – 2 sold – Top 277p – Ave 275p
Heifers 300 to 500kg – 4 sold – Top 286p – Ave 262p
Heifers 501 to 590kg – 13 sold – Top 309p – Ave 272p
Heifers over 591kg – 7 sold – Top 311p – Ave 263p

OTM Cattle and Cull Cows – 41 Sold

Auctioneer: Peter Kingwill 07795 200357

Numbers are getting shorter, and as turnout is now upon us, they will become even shorter. Trade increasing as processors, at all levels, look to take advantage of a cheaper product for many food outlets.
Best beef cows with age on their side regularly 220 – 260p to feed or kill whilst good meat commercial cows 180- 200p kg. Lean cows to process or graze 150- 180p.
Limousin x 263p, 237p, £1943, £1904 (Non FA) M B Farms, 245p, £1540 (Non FA) R Coleman & Sons, 248p, 217p, £1398, £1245 (Non FA) Beaute Agri, 218p, £1631 (Non FA) M Keeley; South Devon 222p, 197p, £1493, £1473 Gardners; Saler x 222p, £1395 Gardners; Simmental x 194p, £1190 Lawrence \& Sons; Angus x 186p, £1456 (Non FA) G Kirby & Son; Hereford x 188p, £1200 J S & M I Tilley; Sussex 186p, 180p, 179p, £1212, £1107, £1086 Chandler & Dunn; Dexter 162p, £727 (Non FA) C Leach.
Not many coming from the dairy sector as cows go out, but all grades wanted with plain cows at 130- 150p looking very well sold. Good meat over 170p kg.
British Friesian 178p, 176p, 175p, 174p, £1193, £1178, £1154, £1012 Debden Court Ltd.
Overage (9) Holstein Friesian steers 234p, 230p, 221p, £1347, £1331, £1295, £1290.

Beef Cows – 28 Sold – Top 263, Average 195.5
Dairy Cows –11 Sold – Top 178, Average 150.6

Store & Breeding Cattle – 321 Sold

Auctioneer: James Cook-O’Connell 07712 246474

A very different show of cattle compared to last week but this attracted a different clientele with a fabulous trade from start to finish. There is no doubt that buyers are out in force for cattle to go to grass at this stage and this is having a massive impact on the level of trade that we are seeing for harder and younger sorts. Strong cattle to feed remain a marvellous trade, as they have been for some time, with empty spaces in sheds needing to be continually filled. Highlights included a pen of strong Sussex heifers to £1380 from J C & C Lewis with strong Simmental steers topping at £1590 from George Gregory. We have 400 plus on the books for 23^rd April with a few more breeding cattle now coming forward for the 30^th April, to include a good selection of Limousin Bulls.

Principal Prices include: 

Continental:

Simmental x steers 28 mths  £1590 – G Gregory
Simmental x steers 17 mths  £1420 – G Gregory
Limousin x steers 12 mths – £1490, £1200, £1170 – P J & P B Wade
Charolais x steers 18 mths – £1085 – P Tassell
Blue x Fr steers 19 mths – £1070 – J Farrant
Limousin x heifers 24 mths – £1155 – J H & A H Godden
Simmental x heifers 18 mths – £1140 – S J Edmed & Sons
Limousin x heifers 12 mths – £1020 – P J & P B Wade
Limousin x heifers 12 mths – £965 – Goodsell Farm Partnership
Blue x Fr heifers 15 mths – £990 – M E Wrout

Native:

Angus x steers 14 mths – £1450, £1355, £1260 – J Batchelor & Ptnrs
Hereford steers 25 mths – £1330 – B C Ginger
Hereford x steers 17 mths – £1275 – M E Wrout
Sussex x steers 25 mths – £1265 – J H & A H Godden
Sussex x heifers 20 mths – £1380 – J C & C Lewis
Hereford x heifers 23 mths – £1245 – G W Fuller
Angus x heifers 20 mths – £1170 – J Farrant
Angus x heifers 13 mths – £1085, £920 – J Batchelor & Ptnrs
Angus x heifers 14 mths – £960 – G C Kirby & Son
Sussex x heifers 12 mths – £910 – K Hawes

Store & Finished Pigs – 61 Sold

Auctioneer: Tom Hamplett 07966 104532

Finished – (55) A good selection of quality pigs on offer today giving buyers plenty of welcome choice. Best pigs regularly 150p pk and above with trade topping for P & R Marshall at 169p pk. More life in the coloured pigs today with 110 – 130p pk regularly. Heavy pigs the order of the day with C B Hope selling a decent run to £149.50 (115p pk). More stylish pigs from P & R Marshall topped at £148.50 (160p pk).
Cull (6) – 5 Sows and a boar forward with sows showing a little more life topping at 54 pence or £110.70 from C Higgins.
A polite request to all vendors to please pre enter all pigs on the Monday morning prior to a pig sale. This is to help us to help you by ensuring that buyers are kept up to date with entries.

Forthcoming Auctions

Tuesday Livestock – 16th April 2024

Regular Weekly Market with a sale of Store and Breeding Cattle

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