Livestock auctions thrive despite challenging year
Latest throughput figures show healthy picture and good demand at livestock auctions during a challenging year.
The figures in England and Wales from the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA), demonstrate a strong support and demand for the red-meat sector.
Numbers sold rose in almost all categories of cattle, sheep and pigs, with an increase in buyers returning to the competitive live-sales ring. Turnover across all species reached close to £1.6billion, across England and Wales, in 2019.
Charlie Coleman of Frome Livestock Auctioneers said: “In terms of throughput, we have seen trade back to the numbers of two or three years ago, selling to the same or even showing an improvement.”
Mr Coleman believes the key is the fact that the market is always there.
“Abattoirs don’t want cattle every week. Markets, however, are showing a fair trade every week, because they are meeting a demand, and that is creating a selling opportunity,” he says.
Wales farmer
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