The Farmers Mart Feb/Mar 2015 - Issue 38 | Page 55

Livestock

Livestock auctioneers confident about
future, according to major survey
More than nine out of ten livestock auctioneers expect overall trade to
be better or the same during 2015 compared to last year, according to a
survey conducted by the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA).
»»Hosting sales of cattle,
sheep, pigs and other livestock
on a regular basis throughout
the year, auctioneers are
generally seen as having
their finger on the pulse of
farming. When asked how they
expected livestock trade to be
“in a year’s time”, 18% said they
thought it would be better and
76% thought it would be the
similar to that experienced in
2014.
But when asked how they
feel about the farming industry
in general, auctioneers were
more polarised. While more
than half (52%) said that “things

are getting better, but there
is a long way to go” another
46% said they felt “things are
getting a bit worse.” Perhaps
encouragingly only 2% felt
that things were “getting a
lot worse” with there being
no prospect of them getting
better.

‘more than half
(52%) said that
“things are getting
better, but there is
a long way to go’

Chris Dodds, LAA
executive secretary, said: “I’m
encouraged by the cautious
confidence most auctioneers
feel about the livestock trade
and farming in general. As
well as feeling good about
future prospects, two-thirds of
them reported that they took
on more staff last year and
45% say they will continue
expanding their team in 2015.
So any young people out there
looking for a promising career
in a confident and growing
sector should consider the
opportunities livestock markets
offer.”

On average, each mart
reported employing nine full
time and 24 part time staff.
As well as investing in more
people, auctioneers also
reported significant levels
of investment in personal
development and training, with
94% of marts providing training
of one sort or another.

HALTCLIFFE IMPERIAL SELLS
FOR 28,000GNS TO LEAD
CARLISLE SPRING SALE
»»Haltcliffe Imperial
from Messrs Ridley, Haltcliffe,
Hesket New Market, Wigton,
made 28,000gns and topped
the trade at the British
Limousin Cattle Society’s
Fe