Cheffins has sold over 4,500 second-hand tractors and agricultural machines worth £35m at its monthly sales at the Sutton sale ground in Cambridgeshire this year.

Highlights of the Cambridge machinery sales in 2020 include a 2016 JCB 4220 Fastrac, 25-year anniversary edition, with 6,207 hours on the clock which sold for £75,000 (main picture). This was followed by a 2017 Case IH Puma CVX185 which sold for £69,000 and a 2016 Case IH Magnum CXV340RT (4,250 hours) made £68,000.

“There was a pause in live auctions at the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, meaning that sales were offered solely online until September when we reopened the gates of the sale ground,” comments Bill Pepper, director at Cheffins. “However, we were gladdened by the spirit of online bidding throughout the summer months which still saw excellent prices paid for second-hand tractors and plant items.”

“There is clearly still strong demand for good quality second-hand kit from across the world. Whilst uncertainty remains around farm subsidies export and trade legalities in the post-Brexit transitional months, we have seen that both dealers and end-users are still coming to the Cheffins sales to snap up the best equipment on offer.”

Mr Pepper adds that Covid has had little effect on the export market, with sales to over 100 different countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

“Some of the strongest markets in recent months have been Spain and Germany for the newer tractors and plant machinery on offer, whereas the Sudanese market has made a comeback this year and has been a driver in the high prices paid for some of the older tractors, Massey Fergusons in particular.”

“With sales totals increasing regularly, we can really see that both the UK and export market for second-hand machinery is booming. 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. We have also had a number of farmers entering stock to be sold as they see auction as the best way to achieve the highest prices.”

On site sales top £10m

Cheffins’ nationwide on site sales have also had stellar results this year. There have been 28 on site sales conducted with over 6,000 vintage and modern machinery items sold to a total value of over £10m.

On site sales have incorporated a mix of end user and dealer buyers from across the UK, as well as overseas purchasers from multiple different countries. The sales have incorporated everything from high value on site vintage auctions to smaller, dispersal sales for farmers and dealers on a national basis, taking place in Somerset, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Bedfordshire, Greater London and throughout the eastern region.

The highlight of the on site calendar was the major dispersal sale on behalf of KS Coles Ltd, which saw 600 lots of tractors and vegetable growing equipment in September

“Uncertainty around the agricultural industry and a disappointing harvest, has seen many farmers look to dispose of unwanted kit as part of their forward planning,” says Cheffins director Oliver Godfrey.

“This, combined with the growth of the larger contract farming businesses, has ensured a reliable level of supply and demand throughout the year, helping to keep prices firm for the best machinery on offer.”

“It can be expected that as the Agriculture Bill finally gets ironed out and the future of subsidies becomes clearer that we may well see an increase in dispersal sales, however with sterling still weak against the Euro, we would expect to see prices remain firm as European markets look to make the most of the quality second-hand machinery available.”