More than 500 buyers were in attendance, with purchasers forward from as far afield as Hungary, the Ukraine, Southern Ireland and all four corners of the UK, for the on-farm sale of more than 400 lots of machinery and farm equipment from Rainthorpe Farms.

The event, which was hosted by East Anglian-based auctioneer, Cheffins, comprised a major selection of tractors, a combine, loaders, sprayers, vehicles, implements and workshop equipment and followed the sale and letting of Rainthorpe Farms Ltd, which spans more than 3200 acres.

One of the highlights was the sale of a 2016 Case IH 580 Quadtrac with only 1331 hours on the clock which achieved £222,360; swiftly followed by a 2016 New Holland combine CR 9.90 that sold for £206,040.

Also available were a series of well-maintained tractors including a 2015 Caterpillar Challenger that made £128,520. Amongst the cultivation equipment a 2008 Horsch Sprinter drill realised £40,000. Other machinery on offer included drills, rolls, fertiliser spreaders, a hedge-cutter, bowsers, a press roll, ploughs, discs, power harrows, and cultivators, all of which sold to a range of farmer and trade buyers.

Bill King, chairman, Cheffins said: “As a high profile sale on behalf of one of Lincolnshire’s most well-known farming families, the auction offered high spec, good quality and low houred tractors, combines and sprayers as well as scores of workshop equipment lots and cultivation equipment. With better than expected yields and higher commodity prices following harvest, there was clearly more buying power in the pockets of farmers which was underpinned by strong bidding from trade purchasers.”