The latest agricultural sale at Cheffins has grossed the highest takings in two years and has seen a range of machinery go to new homes in UK, Europe and Sri Lanka.

Cheffins say the success is due to a lack of stock plus favourable exchange rates for foreign purchasers.

Totals were up 17 per cent compared to 2016 and 104 per cent on the 2015 August sale.

Bill Pepper, Cheffins director, said: “Harvest, holidays and the tail-end of hay-making all have a negative impact on what goes on in the yard and quite often August happens to be our quietest and slowest month of the year.

“Despite having a more concentrated entry than previous auctions, the overall result was the best for an August sale since 2013 and continues the great run of auctions we’ve had now since the Brexit vote last year.

“Exchange rates obviously play a part but it’s the lack of stock which brought many a trader both from the UK and abroad to the auction to buy much-needed kit.”

Around 260 tractors were consigned including a 2007 Claas Arion 577 nudged £18,500, while £16,000 was made for a 2009 Arion 630.

“Claas latterly have really come into their own as buyers mostly from Hungary and Bulgaria snap up most of these marques whenever they’re entered.

“John Deeres this month were simply superb. For the umpteenth month now, Deeres have been enjoying mammoth demand and we just about sold out of these green and yellow machines.

“Spanish buyers were strong but so too were some Polish, Dutch, Cypriot and UK purchasers. Top price was £54,000 for a 12 plated 7280R (UK); over £29,000 was paid for a 2009 6830, almost £40,000 was enough to buy a 2013 6190r (Cyprus).

“The best result in the digger loader entry was a 1998 3CX which will be going in a container bound for Sri Lanka in the next few days having made a respectable £15,800.

“In the static section notable examples included a 1996 Volvo A30 dump truck at around £13,000.

“Hedgecutter trade was phenomenal with 22 under the hammer, over 80 per cent found new homes with most flying past their reserves.”

• The next sale is Monday 4 at the Sutton sale ground.