A leading property consultancy is advising farmers that there is still an appetite for second-hand machinery following a successful auction in Nottinghamshire.

Fisher German has held its first farm machinery auction since the easing of Government lockdown restrictions at Manor Farm, in Worksop.

A significant number of determined buyers attended the outdoor business event, with some going along in person and others taking advantage of the online bidding facility.

The broad offering of arable, irrigation and grassland equipment attracted farmers and trade buyers as well as overseas buyers.

A number of safety measures were implemented, including social distancing, hand wash and hand sanitising stations, designated queueing areas, plastic screens and the encouragement of card payments.

Strong prices were achieved on the day, with total sales significantly exceeding the client’s expectations.

Particular sale highlights included a 2017 Valtra N154 Active tractor which sold for £50,000, a 2006 JCB 526S Loadall which achieved £14,700, a 2017 Standen Uni-Plus destoner which sold for £14,000, a RM Irrigation Super Rain 110/450 hose reel irrigator which achieved £11,400 and a 2015 Richard Western SF16 HS root trailer which sold for £11,000.

Jack Healy, of Fisher German, said that despite the current uncertain climate, there is still a strong market for second-hand machinery sold at auction. 

He said: “This year’s difficult growing season and harvest, Covid-19 and the uncertainty around farming reforms and Brexit means that it is a challenging time for UK agriculture.

“However, our auction in Nottinghamshire demonstrates that premium brands and well-maintained equipment continue to achieve strong prices.

“It was excellent to welcome back members of the farming community who we have not seen in some months due to the lockdown.

“Our online bidding facility also meant we were still able to achieve very good attendance figures which mirrored those of auction events pre-Covid.

“We were extremely pleased to achieve some strong prices on the day and continue to exceed our client’s expectations.

“Farm machinery auctions provide an effective way of disposing of equipment quickly and efficiently, while achieving their maximum price. They also provide buyers with an opportunity to purchase quality second-hand machinery as prices for new machinery continue to rise.”

The auction was held on behalf of Fisher German client Robert Bower.

He said: “My grandfather moved to the farm I have just left in 1938, so it hasn’t been an easy thing to do, but Fisher German made the whole auction process to sell the equipment and machinery a pleasure from start to finish.

“They were fantastic, and I cannot praise them enough. Their professionalism shone through at every stage, and the auction went incredibly smoothly.

“I was also very happy that I was able to specify which auctioneer I wanted to use.

“I was extremely happy with the results achieved on the day – it was much better than I expected thanks to Fisher German’s management of the auction.”