Archive Article: 1997/02/21
Once a farm has been sold, its often not long before the machinery and equipment comes on the market. Last week it was the kit from one 850-acre Fenland farm…
Auctioneer Michael Hamilton saw the days top price of £46,000 paid for an H-reg Claas Dominator 98 SL combine with 655 hours work under its belt. It went to a farmer from Scotland. Visitors also came to Suffolk from southern Ireland. Some of those travelling long distances spent a few days in the area, visiting more than one sale.
The thin blue line… all of the 12 tractors on offer at Friesland Farm, Kenny Hill were Fords. Top price of £26,600 went to a 1994 Ford 8670, which had just over 2500 hours on the clock. Around the UK, meanwhile, the tractor trade is suffering, with the strong £ hitting exports and lower grain and potato returns affecting the home market.
The thin blue line… all of the 12 tractors on offer at Friesland Farm, Kenny Hill were Fords. Top price of £26,600 went to a 1994 Ford 8670, which had just over 2500 hours on the clock. Around the UK, meanwhile, the tractor trade is suffering, with the strong £ hitting exports and lower grain and potato returns affecting the home market.
Bidding was brisk for many of the 300-plus lots, according to auctioneers Cheffins Grain and Comins, who shared selling duties with Cruso & Wilkin. Much of the kit was quite new and well maintained – and this certainly helped to boost demand.
While cultivation equipment sold well, interest in irrigation kit was a little bit slower. Lower potato profits seem to be taking their toll. Either that, or people arent expecting a drought this year.
Dropping in… Farmer Geoff Todd and son, Robert, travelled from their farm near Cambridge in the chopper. It took them exactly 16min. Remember that next time youre stuck on the motorway.
With the root growing season over, February can be a popular time for dispersals in East Anglia.
Does this thing work, or what? Mobile phones are almost as popular at farm sales nowadays as waterproofs. The latter were certainly evident on a day when it was continually threatening – but never quite managing – to rain.