Lincolnshire Young Farmers produce budding auctioneers

Teams of young farmers across Lincolnshire gathered near Grantham recently to compete in a mock farm auction organised by Brown & Co.

Hosted by farmer John Scott at Sedgebrook, the teams were put through their paces. First, they valued 15 lots ranging from a John Deere 8300 tractor and a new Bailey grain trailer to 20 tonnes of fertiliser. Then each team had a go at auctioneering - the more team members that auctioneered, the more points they gained. Meanwhile, competing teams were given a notional £100,000 to bid with. Points were awarded for buying on or below estimates and points were lost for those who went way over estimates.

The overall individual winner was John Johnson of Heckington YFC. Belinda Truepenny of Spalding came second and Becky Ward – also Heckington YFC - came third.

The overall winning team was Spalding Young Farmers Club followed by Market Rasen YFC in second place and Heckington in third.

Land agent James Walton from Brown & Co’s Grantham office, who judged the event with fellow land agent and auctioneer Will Parry, said:

"We had a great day and are keen to support the Young Farmers in such events. There were clearly some budding auctioneers among the participants. We were most grateful to our host John Scott and to Marsh’s of Sleaford who provided the machinery valuations."