THERE was a strong trade for quality second hand farm machinery at a dispersal sale at Skipton.

The sale by Cheffins, for Alan Bancroft, involved an excellent selection of tractors, excavators and machinery.

Oliver Godfrey, Cheffins director, said: "Top lots on the day went to a quadruplet of Massey Ferguson tractors realising £43,000 for a 2012 6480; £37,500 for a 2011 6480; £28,500 for a 2008 6480 and £25,500 for a 2005 7485."

Six impressive excavators saw the £13,900 top price go to a 2002 Fiat Hitachi EX135; £13,800 for a 1999 Hitachi EX120 and £12,500 for a 2008 Hitachi ZX30.

There was also an impressive trade for machinery and implements with a 1998 Kverneland ES80 plough selling for £6,750; a 2011 plate Claas Disco 3050C for £6,600; and a 2011 Baily 12 tonne silage trailer for £10,200.

Mr Bancroft said: "The current market conditions mean fewer and fewer trade ins are received by dealers and, with the rising cost of new machinery, end users are looking for more cost-effective ways in which to satisfy their fleet renewal policies.

"Good onsite dispersal sales continue to tick those boxes. With a further five sales already booked in post-harvest we are anticipating this trend will continue for the remainder of 2017."