A Herefordshire farmer at the centre of a river maintenance dispute with the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural England is hosting a “unique sale of the century” of surplus to requirements machinery.

John Price, a potato, beef and cereal farmer, from Day House Farm, Kingsland, is holding a “genuine sale of high-quality surplus farm machinery and equipment”.

The EA and Natural England spent two years investigating Mr Price over alleged damage of the protected River Lugg in a high-profile case that ended up in court.

He has been given four months to substantiate his evidence against the EA and Natural England before he next appears in court in April 2023.

See also: Environment Agency accused of neglecting River Lugg for years

Mr Price has instructed RG & RB Williams, auctioneers based in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, to manage the sale at Day House Farm at 11.30am on Friday 2 December.

Auctioneer Richard Williams told Farmers Weekly: “I have known John Price for more than 45 years. He is an outstanding farmer and one of the best in the UK.

“There are about 40 lots in the sale. They have quite a lot of value. A number of items of machinery are worth more than £100,000.

“It will be one of the best sales of its type in the UK this year. We are not charging any buyer’s premium.”

On Wednesday 16 November, RG & RB Williams published a catalogue that includes details of 38 lots in the sale.

Notable items include a Claas Lexion 7600 TT E5 combine harvester (2021), three self-propelled sprayers, including an RB 35 Bateman sprayer (2022), and a wide variety of modern arable farm machinery.

The auctioneer has also posted a drone video on its Facebook page, which displays some of the items up for sale.

Prospective buyers are welcome to visit the farm on Wednesday 30 November or Thursday 1 December, or on the day of the sale (2 December).