January tends to be a quieter month for us here in Ashford and a good time to look back on 2024 and reflect on what was a great year of trading for Hobbs Parker Auctioneers LLP, with more farm sales and more collective auctions.
While we have not had more livestock numbers forward during these troubled times for the sector, we have still seen extremely satisfactory prices throughout the livestock sections in the market. Hopefully we can build on the action in 2025 as the agricultural industry and livestock farming face further changes and challenges.
Our annual Ashford Primestock Show and Sale on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 December was well supported, with a great turnout of livestock, farm produce, wool, cookery and craft entries. We must congratulate the young farmers clubs that turn out in strong numbers across all showing classes and bring together so many people, creating a busy and enjoyable atmosphere.
The cattle judge this year was Jonny Lyon from Lincolnshire, the sheep judge was David Turner, Horsham, and the pig judge was Andrew Laver, from Horley. All three were given a tough task and rose to the challenge, delivering results and valuable advice and explanations to exhibitors at all levels.
A mention also to Richard Baker, from Faversham, who judged the crop competitions, and to Mrs Hilary Joules, from Ashford, who judged all the cookery and craft classes. Judging is never easy and there is no doubt that every judge has a different view as to what they deem to be the best.
The overall Champion Beast went to a Limousin cross heifer bred and shown by Jason and Sarah Wareham, Heathfield, which sold for 580p/kg, grossing £3,477, and was purchased to breed future champions by a showman in the Eastern Counties.
The overall Champion Lambs went to Miss Amy Hedges, Staplecross, for a pair of Texel cross lambs weighing 59kg and selling for £320 per head to Husk Farms.
The overall Champion Pigs were for a pair of Pietrain crosses from Snowfields Academy, Cranbrook, for the second year in a row. This pair weighed 86kg and was bought by the judge for £242 per head.
This year’s charity chosen by show president Peter Joules was the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI). Generous donations by our farming customers, a raffle and auction at the show dinner and an auction of 16 show Christmas cakes, which themselves raised a staggering sum of £5,500, saw a grand total of £10,690 raised for the charity.
This is a great achievement and a wonderful reflection on the supporters of the show and in particular the show president, who worked tirelessly to ensure a successful day and a large donation for RABI.
Bluetongue continues, along with its accompanying restrictions, and has caused problems for many buyers, sellers, abattoirs and markets, particularly those close to the boundaries of the restricted zone.
Ashford Livestock Market has been more fortunate this year in being part of a large restricted zone. We have gained customers from further west and we have been pleased to help during this challenging time. The flexibility that exists in the auction system proves its importance to all producers, big and small.
On a different subject, I thought it would be interesting to mention that we held a greater number of farm dispersal sales this year. Undoubtedly the addition of online bidding, which can open a sale of any size to customers anywhere in the world, has made a considerable difference to the concept of competition and raised prices considerably.
There are likely to be continued challenges within the agricultural industry brought about by changes to taxation, environmental schemes and many other reasons. Please get in touch with us for confidential advice if you have machinery and equipment to sell this coming year.
We provide a professional and efficient service prior to, during and after sales and the increasing list of online bidders is now playing a big part in making these sales increasingly successful. Our large regional database ensures that we still retain that all-important contact with the farmers on the ground.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish our customers a happy new year and I look forward to seeing you all at some point in 2025.
