A John Deere tractor sold for £84,000 was one of the highlights as Cheffins hosted one of the most successful on-site auctions in Little Downham.

Ely Standard: A host of tractors and other agricultural machinery went on sale following the retirement of Brian Hobbs of GA Hobbs & Sons.A host of tractors and other agricultural machinery went on sale following the retirement of Brian Hobbs of GA Hobbs & Sons. (Image: Archant)

The 2015 John Deere 6185 raked in the highest sum as the auctioneer sold a host of agricultural machinery on behalf of GA Hobbs and Son, following Brian Hobbs’ decision to retire from farming.

A handful of tractors were auctioned off for five-figures, including 2006 John deere 7920 which made £36,500 and a 2007 Fendt 933 which was bought for £39,000.

Ely Standard: A host of tractors and other agricultural machinery went on sale following the retirement of Brian Hobbs of GA Hobbs & Sons.A host of tractors and other agricultural machinery went on sale following the retirement of Brian Hobbs of GA Hobbs & Sons. (Image: Archant)

Also on offer was a range of Standen potato machinery, including a 2013 Standen Mega T2 harvester which took a whopping £54,000, a 2016 PV400-140 Powervator at £17,400 and a 2016 PV150-70 Powervator for £7,800.

Bill King, director of Cheffins said: “We have had a cracking year for on site sales, with stellar prices achieved for second-hand machinery all over the UK.

“Machinery at on farm dispersal sales continue to achieve premium prices reflecting the fact that more farmers are looking at good quality second-hand alternatives to buying new.

“The cocktail of rising prices for new tractors, lack of new tractor registrations, a shortage of stock for dealers and a drop in trade-ins has really brought the UK dealers back to our market.

“This, combined with the export trade making the most of a drop in the pound, has led to UK buyers vying against the foreign buyers and has in turn pushed up prices. Farmers are now entering increased levels of equipment as they see auction as the best way to achieve the highest prices for stock.”

“With more on farm dispersal sales scheduled for next year, as farmers consider their options in the face of continuing low commodity prices and Brexit uncertainty, the prospects are good for the used machinery trade and we expect prices to continue rising in line with market demand.”

GA Hobbs and Sons’ potato business is still operating as usual.

Cheffins’ next on-site sale will be on the February 8, near Thetford.

For more information, visit www.cheffins.co.uk or call 01353 777767.