Market leading machinery auctioneer, Cheffins, hosted a major on-site sale on behalf of the Abbots Ripton Estate on 18th November. With the Estate following a change in farming policy, Cheffins was appointed to ensure machinery reached the active farming community, providing both a fair market and vital access to cost-effective equipment.
Hosted at the Abbots Ripton Estate in Cambridgeshire, the auction saw 347 lots on offer and drew over 200 farmers and contractors to the sale, with a further 300 participating online. Interest came from Ireland, Poland and across Europe, and many final purchasers were UK-based, underlining the demand among domestic farmers for reliable second-hand machinery. In total, 90 per cent of lots were sold directly to end-user farming businesses.
Highlights included two 2023 Claas Lexion 8600 Terratrac combines achieving £345,000 and £342,000 when they sold to farmers in Lincolnshire and Northumberland, a 2022 Horsch Leeb self-propelled sprayer selling for £209,000, and a 2022 John Deere 8RX410 which achieved £150,000 and were sold to an Oxfordshire farming business and another Lincolnshire grower. While a 2017 John Deere 8370RT tractor achieved £92,000 and was sold to a buyer from the Ukraine.
Oliver Godfrey, Head of Machinery at Cheffins, said:
“We were heartened by the strong attendance and prices paid for machinery at what was arguably one of the most highly anticipated machinery auctions of the year. Our role at Cheffins is to support farmers, whether they are reinvesting, restructuring, or looking for more cost-effective ways to run their businesses. At a time when the sector faces unprecedented pressure, it is encouraging to see buyers choosing second-hand machinery as a practical way to reduce costs while maintaining efficiency.”
Cheffins’ Rural Professionals team was also on hand to offer free strategic advice throughout the day, supporting farmers navigating policy changes, cost pressures, and future planning decisions.
Oliver Godfrey continues:
“The sale drew strong support from local farmers and the wider rural community, and it underlined the important role our auctions play well beyond the transactions themselves. These events give farmers a place to come together, share experiences, and openly discuss the challenges facing the sector. By offering clear, transparent values on second-hand machinery, we help farmers make informed decisions and access quality equipment at prices that support the long-term sustainability of their businesses. Encouragingly, the outcome of this sale shows that confidence remains within the industry. Farming has always faced cycles of change, but the strength of the market at this auction suggests that farmers are continuing to invest and plan positively for the future.”
The Abbots Ripton Estate sale was prompted solely by a shift in farming strategy, with the majority of land now being farmed by a contractor.
For more information, please call Cheffins auctioneers on 01353 777767 or email machinery@cheffins.co.uk