'Auctions more important than ever' - Strong mart trade highlights auctions' importance

Throughput at Scottish auction marts jumped last year, highlighting the vital role marts play in the livestock sector, the new Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) president Scott Donaldson said.

In recent years there had been a downward trend in throughputs and values. But in 2016, the value of livestock through IAAS members increased by £778,794 to about £512 million.

Mr Donaldson said auctions were hoping to build on these ‘encouraging’ figures.

“Despite some movement away for primestock in particular, we are holding our numbers. Auctions are offering a professional business with top-class facilities,” he said.

More than 2.3m head of sheep were sold last year, an increase of 2.36 per cent, and the amount of cattle sold rose by 1.5 per cent to 387,997.

Importance

Mr Donaldson added auctions needed to offer as much as possible to rural communities.

“There are less people on farms and less time to meet with your neighbours,” he said.

“In Scotland, markets are getting more spread out. Time spent meeting with others at the local market has got to be a good thing for farmers.”