THE Walford Cross Machinery Sale skipped a year in 2020 and moved to an online format in 2021 due to Covid.

Auctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt are bringing the South West's largest one-day machinery sale back to the sale field off the A38 between Taunton and Bridgwater on Thursday (April 7).

By combining the heritage of the live auction for this, the 67th annual sale, with the innovations of the 21st Century, the sale will continue to be the ideal place to sell all grassland machinery, tractors and more.

Online live bidding on Marteye will be provided for the tractor and machinery sections offering the opportunity for bidders to take part from anywhere in the country.

The second-hand machinery market has seen a large increase in demand due largely to a serious shortage of supply in materials and labour, causing the trade to reach unprecedented levels with nothing on the horizon to suggest it will drop in the short term.

At recent dispersal sales conducted by GTH, headline prices have included a 2003 Case JX70U selling for £17,000, 2009 Case Maxxum 125 at £27,000 both from David Haywood at Ilminster. A 2003 JD 6610 sold for £31,000 and Bailey bale trailer to £6,600 at the Cowling Family’s Sale at Wheddon Cross. A 2005 MF 5445 selling for £19,500 and a 2013 Vicon Farex Tedder at £4,200 at Roger Tripp’s Sale at Highbridge.

Auctioneer Andrew Clements said: “The success of our online only sale last year was outstanding.

"Therefore we are embracing the technology, as we do with our dispersal sales, to create the hybrid sale so the buyer has the option of attending or bidding at home.

"We have no doubt the regulars will be back in the field, but the increase in demand means we are regularly trading with buyers from across the entire country, Scotland and Ireland and the online bidding gives them the best opportunity to do so.”

The sale would usually have more than 3,500 lots, but with supply being short across the country the auctioneers are encouraging farmers to search out their unwanted or under utilised machines as they are likely to be pleased with their value.

To consign items or for more information contact auctioneers Greenslade Taylor Hunt on 01278 410250 or machinery@gth.net