Leading regional livestock and machinery auctioneers Halls has been enjoying one of the company’s busiest ever months for farm dispersal sales.

A retirement dispersal sale for Laurence and Phyllis Morris at Mount Farm, Haimwood, Llandrinio on Saturday, attracted a large crowd and a good trade, with 124 different buyers for the 300 lots on offer.

Leading prices were £29,000 for a 2012 JCB Loader 526 and £18,000 for a 2004 New Holland TS100A tractor.

Auctioneers Halls will be donating part of their commission to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) in memory of the couple's son Andrew Morris, who died two years ago.

The Morris family has been a loyal customer of Halls for more than 50 years and haulier Andrew was a very popular figure at Shrewsbury Auction Centre where he delivered to and transported livestock from the market.

“Andrew was a very well known local haulier who was at the market every week and it came a big shock to everyone when he died,” said Jonny Dymond, Halls’ senior auctioneer and Shrewsbury Auction Centre manager.

“Collectively at the market, we miss him very much.

“We took the decision as a company to make a significant donation, 2.5 per cent of the sale total, to RABI which does such great work supporting farming communities.”

Halls sold the livestock from Mount Farm a year ago.

Next up is a retirement dispersal sale for Mr J. W. Simpson, Grove Farm, Maesbrook, near Oswestry on Saturday, July 22 and a dispersal sale on behalf of the estate of the late Mr Peter Groom at Halghton Grove Farm, Penley, near Wrexham on Wednesday, July 26.

Also coming up for the company is a genuine complete dispersal sale of farm implements, machinery, tools and collectables at Brynffynon, Sarnau, near Llanymynech on Saturday, August 12, a sale at Cuddington, near Malpas on Friday, August 18.

Halls’ senior auctioneer Jonny Dymond, manager of Shrewsbury Auction Centre, said: “It’s definitely been one of the company’s busiest months for sales. In addition to our weekly livestock markets in Shrewsbury and Bishops Castle, we have had a sale every Saturday during July and are already taking bookings for the autumn.”

Halls’ chairman Allen Gittins added: “There are various reasons for the farm dispersal sales, including retirement, change of farming policy and, sadly, the owners passing away.

“There is also a strong trade for second hand farm machinery, so it’s a good time to take advantage of the buoyant market. These dispersal sales always attract a good crowd, as the farming community likes to support fellow farmers and are keen to buy genuine machinery that has been used on the farm.”