A number of six-figure sums were paid for the best of tractors and equipment at the on-farm machinery dispersal staged on behalf of KS Coles, Wellington, Somerset.

The Coles who operated as one of the largest growers of swede, peas and broad beans in the UK, supplying all major supermarkets, were selling much of their swede-based machinery, to concentrate on other farm diversification projects and the arable side of the business.

The sale featured more than 600 lots which saw tractors peak at £111,000 for a 2019 Fendt 724 Vario machine with 1708 hours on the clock.

Another Fendt tractor of the same model with 1808 hours made £110,500, while a 2018 tractor of the same make, a 930 Vario with 4377 hours realised £105,500.

Top price amongst the John Deeres was £60,500 paid for a 2017 year 6155R tractor with 5260 hours and loader while a 2015, 6155R machine with 6448 hours made £49,000.

Top price overall was £120,000 paid for a 2011 ASA-LIFT self-propelled swede/root harvester with 7560 hours on the clock.

Other big sellers included a 2009 Bateman self-propelled sprayer with 10,822 hours which made £27,000.

In addition, spreaders, trailers, lorries, ploughs and destoners also made high prices. These were offered alongside a wide range of implements, mini-buses, coaches and HGVs. There was also close to 5000 one-tonne swede/potato boxes which sold at an average of £76 per box.

“The Coles sale was a storming success with six-figure sums paid for a number of the best tractors and equipment on offer," said Oliver Godfrey, director of Cheffins Auctioneers who conducted the sale.

"Buyers were from throughout the UK and Ireland and also mainland Europe. There was a particularly good trade for tractors which is indicative of the confidence in the farming sector despite the uncertainties which lie ahead around subsidies and the industry’s transition post-Brexit.

"The prices paid demonstrated the lack of good quality, second-hand machinery currently available on the market and the subsequent demand levels from both domestic and overseas buyers."

Mr Godfrey added that there has been a notable increase in the number of buyers bidding online rather than in person which in turn has generated some strong trade for machinery both at on-site sales and at the monthly machinery sale at Cheffins.

LEADING prices

Tractors – 2011 John Deere 6930, 10,561hrs, £33,500; 2011 John Deere 6830, 10,937hrs, £32,500;

2011 Fendt 820 Vario, 9161hrs, £35,200; 2011 Fendt 820 Vario, 10,730hrs, £35,500; 2015 John Deere 6155R, 6448hrs, £49,000; 2019 Fendt 724 Vario, 1708hrs, £111,000; 2019 Fendt 724 Vario, 1808hrs, £110,500; 2013 John Deere 6190R, 6909hrs, £45,500; 2013 John Deere 6190R, 7317hrs, £43,500; 2017 John Deere 6155R, 5260hrs, £60,500; 2018 Fendt 930 Vario, 4377hrs, £105,500; 2017 Fendt 930 Vario, 4814hrs, £96,000; 2017 Fendt 930 Vario, 5606hrs, £86,000; 2008 John Deere 6330, 11,085hrs, £21,500.

Machinery – 2011 ASA-LIFT self-propelled swede/root harvester, 7560hrs, £120,000; 1994 Horsch TT350 VSMV self-propelled swede/root harvester, 8856 hrs, £5500; 2009 Bateman RB26 24m 4wd self-propelled sprayer, 10,822hrs, £27,000; Dowdeswell 6f plough, £1300; Sumo Trio 4.5m, £12,500;

Grimme triple bed destoner, £5000; Monosem precision drill, £9270; Amazone spreader with crane, £9000; 2018 Richard Western trailer, £10,800; 2015 Richard Western trailer, £11,200.

Vehicles – Renault Magnum lorry, £6500.

Auctioneers: Cheffins