Leading agricultural machinery auctioneer, Cheffins, has been appointed to host two major timed online machinery sales on behalf of Velcourt, Britain’s largest farm management business, following the company’s recent strategic restructure.
Velcourt, which manages more than 128,000 acres on behalf of landowners, announced in September 2025 that it would reduce its contracting operations by around 20% across the Cotswolds, Midlands and East Anglia. The move forms part of a wider plan to release capital and refocus investment into other areas of the farming business.
As a result, a significant volume of quality machinery will be brought to market. Cheffins will oversee two dedicated auctions: a June sale focusing on cultivation equipment, followed by a September sale featuring harvest and application machinery.
Together, the sales will comprise a substantial offering of arable equipment and high-capacity machinery, all maintained to a high standard from within Velcourt’s professional farming operation.
Nick Shorter, Chief Executive of The Velcourt Group said:
“We undertook a strategic review across the business and identified the need to release capital from machinery in order to reinvest for the future. Changes to farm support mechanisms, alongside inflationary pressures, have altered the risk profile of some of our contracting and combinable crop agreements.”
“This restructure allows us to reposition the business, reinvesting in areas where we see stronger long-term growth. While we will be ceasing operations on around 6,500 hectares following harvest, we have taken on a further 4,500 hectares. These new operations see different business models and focusses, and we will be looking to maximise these opportunities and use the proceeds of these two auctions to refocus on other parts of our business.”
A select few highlights in the first timed online sales will include:
2025 Horsch Avata 6SL drill
2022 Vaderstad NZ600 cultivator
2022 Horsh Terrano 4mt cultivator,
2023 Dalbo 1030 Cambridge rolls
2019 JCB 538-60 Agri Pro telescopic loader
2024 Amazone AZ-TS 4200Profis Pro fertiliser spreader
2016 Horsch Sprinter 8ST drill
Charles Wadsley, Director at Cheffins, who is handling the auctions, commented:
“This machinery comes from the one of the most well-regarded businesses in farming. This is big-scale kit that’s been out doing the job. It comes from the centre of a professional farming operation where reliability and maintenance are a significant part of day-to-day farming. There’s no room in a business like this for substandard equipment and that really shows in the way the machinery has been presented. It’s a credit to the teams on farm.”
“This is a great opportunity for farmers and contractors to reinvest in their own machinery. Auctions remain one of the most cost-effective ways to secure high-quality machinery and keep businesses moving forward. All of the equipment has been well maintained and is ready to go straight to work, so buyers can bid with confidence.”
Nick Shorter continues: “The equipment on offer is all large scale and comes from the heart of our professional farming business. Keeping it well maintained is part and parcel of what we do. Looking ahead, the industry is entering a period of structural change, but that brings opportunity. Our focus is on investing in the future of farming, as well as developing the people and skills needed so we can continue to deliver for landowners in a changing environment.”
The auctions will be operated across five main sites in Cirencester, Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire, Nuneaton and North Yorkshire, with individual lot descriptions detailing item locations for inspection and collection. The first auction will commence on 4th June 2026 closing on Thursday 18th June 2026 from 10.00am. The following auction will begin on Thursday 10th September 2026 and close on Thursday 24th September.
For more information, please visit contact Cheffins Machinery Department on 01353 777 767, [email protected]