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