More than £5million worth of farm machinery sold at a February monthly auction.

Cheffins' monthly machinery sale on February 6 saw 40 per cent more sales than last February, when the monthly auction grossed £3.8million.

For the second month running, around half of the lots were sold to overseas buyers in Australia, Canada, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, the Middle East and Europe.

Highlights of the sale included a 2003 John Deere 9520 which sold for £90,500, a 2019 John Deere 6175R which made £80,000, a Case Puma 240 CVX which achieved £72,000 and a Cat MTC875E which made £72,000.

South West Farmer: The John Deere 6175R which made £80,000The John Deere 6175R which made £80,000 (Image: Cheffins)

Joe Page, director of Cheffins, said: “This is the most successful February auction we have hosted in the last five years, as a combination of the return of the export market and a particularly good quality consignment of stock helped to push up prices.

"Since October 2022, we have seen a marked increase in the number of sales to overseas buyers, as many have looked to make the most of the weakening pound.

This, combined with a shortage of stock and long lead times for new machinery, has ensured that UK buyers are competing with purchasers the world over for some of the best second-hand machinery on offer.

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"In addition, overseas buyers have become increasingly confident in the ability to import machinery, as now three years post-Brexit, rules and regulations are becoming easier to navigate.

"Our ability at Cheffins to provide the correct certification and also offer a wash-down service, allows buyers to purchase machinery at our sales with confidence.”