The Farm Sales team had a busy 2009 conducting some 25 on farm sales covering 4 counties and virtually all aspects of farming from the most modern machinery sales to Vintage/collectors sales, Pedigree and Commercial Dairy herd sales, Beef Sucklers sales, Store cattle sales, Sheep Flock sales.
The year started with the late Michael Coombs' dispersal sale of Machinery from yester year to present day. Michael was not one to throw anything away! Messrs Rosewell's of Yeovilton retirement sale was well supported with many local farmers saddened by the loss of such a well respected Agricultural Engineering firm.
Andrew and Nicky Barber's evening sale of their Suckler Herd and Deadstock was a huge success with people travelling from far and wide, suggesting that summer evening sales are here to stay. Saturday sales also continue to be well attended and very popular with Richard Hoare's lifetime collection of memorabilia sale in June being most interesting and one that sticks in our Auctioneer's mind.
Dairy Herd Sales were fewer as expected but those who sold were rewarded with a continuing fast trade and excellent prices. We are not expecting a significant increase in sales for the foreseeable future, nor any drop in prices as numbers remain tight and the dreaded TB continues to take its toll. If you are thinking of having a change of lifestyle, now would be a good time to sell up as the demand far outstrips supply.
We sold some cracking commercial suckler herds during the year, for Brian Trim, Sturminster Newton whose Hereford In calf Heifers averaged over £1,000 and his cows and calves also met a flying trade; for Richard Emm, Melbury Bubb was probably the worst days weather of the year bearing in mind it was the 4th August, our so called our summer!! It was miserable, but that certainly didn't dampen the trade for Richard's Commercial Angus cows and calves, topping at £1,280 and Mrs Sprague, Axminster, who's excellent Limousin Sucklers topped at £1,720.
Sheep flock dispersals have been fewer this year but still popular with many people preferring to buy off farm. Our sheep auctioneer has 35 years experience so your flock is in good hands.
6 on Farm Fodder sales were held visiting over 100 farms with straw being the dearest commodity. These sales continue to go from strength to strength with 2010 hopefully being no different. Please speak to Mark or Clare for updates and with your entries.
Standing Straw - the Blandford sale was another cracker, held again at Travellers Rest Farm thanks to Dougal and George Hosford. 5,000 acres went under the hammer with fresh buyers and near record prices. Also a collective machinery sale was held at the farm in the afternoon, which was well attended and is planned to be repeated possibly in 2011, so please bear it in mind if you have something to sell.