Mainland European buyers continued to dominate at one of the latest machinery auctions held in the UK by selling agents Cheffins, according to Director Bill Pepper.
Cheffins’ second-hand machinery auction, which took place on May 8, saw mainland European buyers continue to make the most from the favourable exchange rate, Pepper said.
“This month’s tractor trade was particularly strong across all price brackets, as European buyers competed with UK dealers looking to stock their yards throughout the country.
As new tractor registrations continue to stall and UK farmers look to cut costs, buying second-hand rather than new, UK dealers have consistently had to bid against the export trade.
“We had nearly 400 tractors entered [in the sale] and as we have seen in recent months, anything which had been carefully looked after attracted the money, even if it was an older machine.
“Trade was sharp with spirited bidding and higher prices achieved in comparison to last month.
“The majority of high-value sales were for the export trade, with purchasers from Holland, Spain, the Republic of Ireland and France continuing to dominate the bidding,” Pepper said.
Top prices on the day
The top price received on the day was £61,000 (€71,766) for a 2013 Fendt 828, which was entered by a local farmer and sold to a UK dealer.
Following this, Dutch buyers purchased a John Deere 6210R for £53,500 (€62,943) and a 2007 Case IH 310, with only 3,200 hours on the clock, for £37,000 (€43,530).
Meanwhile, New Holland models also proved popular at the sale; a 2012 T7.210, with 3,900 hours, sold for £33,000 (€38,825).
John Deere tractors proved to be a popular choice among Spanish buyers, according to Pepper.
A 2004 6820 with a John Deere loader sold for £19,500 (€22,942) and a 2007 John Deere 6430 made £22,000 (€25,883) at the auction.
Another two tractors destined for the mainland were a 2004 John Deere 7920, which made £28,000 (€32,942), and a 2004 John Deere 6620 that sold for £18,000 (€21,177).
This 2004 John Deere 6620 sold for £18,000 (€21,177)
In the slightly cheaper price brackets, £7,500 (€8,824) was received for a Massey Ferguson 240. The tractor was entered by Newmarket Racecourse and was bought by a private buyer.
A Massey Ferguson 698, owned by a local farmer, sold for £8,500 (€10,000) and it was purchased by a UK buyer, Pepper said.
Buyers from the Republic of Ireland were also looking to make the most of the weak pound, he added.
A number of tractors made their way across the Irish Sea. A Massey Ferguson 375 with 1,400 hours of work done made £10,500 (€12,353) and a Massey Ferguson 390T with 3,700 hours on the clock sold for £10,200 (€12,000).
This 2WD Massey Ferguson 390T made in £10,200 (€12,000)
Sudanese, Kenyan and Lebanese buyers were also out in force, hunting for older tractors, according to Pepper. They bought over 20 tractors, most of which were Massey Fergusons.
Haymaking machinery and balers continued to see strong trade at the latest on-site auction arranged by Cheffins, Pepper said.
European and overseas customers keenly contested for their choice models – online bidding was as strong as ever.
“One of the stand-out examples was a 2008 Claas Quadrant baler, which was sold for £19,000 (€22,354),” he said.
