Good times for Wharfedale .. but watch out for electronic tagging

Chris Berry talks with Ian Smith at Otley

Confidence has come back into the market. These are the words of Ian Smith, Market Manager at Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart, who has now been in the role for just over a year.

‘It’s been good to see. Stock numbers have been up in all sections. Store cattle have been very expensive this year and the same has been true of ewes and lambs. The cull cow trade has also been very good. The pound strengthening recently has brought lambs down a bit but overall it’s very good news. We are picking up business all of the time and we’re very competitive. Our commission rate is one of the lowest in the country.’

When I visited was just after the collapse of Dairy Farmers of Britain. There was talk around the ring of some dairy farmers who had been with the group now giving up completely. Ian believes that could happen.
‘It has been a major blow, especially to some of the smaller or out of the way dairy farmers. Finding a market for their milk is now even more difficult and it looks like we could expect one or two men to pack in.’

Although life at the market is good at present, including vintage sales, poultry and Border Fine Arts sales Ian warns of one potential problem, which may have a significant impact on sheep sales. It is a subject close to the hearts of many sheep farmers at present and Ian realises the part that auction marts will probably have to pay.

‘The electronic tagging of sheep next year is a major worry. It will be a headache and a lot of expense for farmers and I have heard a lot of them say that if they have to do it they will cease farming sheep. One idea is that auction marts may become reading centres for farmers. My own feeling is that it could decimate the British sheep industry.’

‘I first came to Wharfedale Farmers as a drover when I left school and I’ve now been auctioneering here for five years and took over the running of the Auction Mart fourteen months ago. I’m currently studying for a degree in auctioneering and valuations and I’m in my third year out of the four after which I hope to become a full fellowship member of the Livestock Auctioneers Association.

Ben Atkinson still helps out at the Mart as and when needed,’ as was the case when I visited, when he was selling the Fat Cattle – and clearly enjoying it. Ian is from a farming family near Pateley Bridge. ‘My dad’s farm is at Lofthouse and we farm suckler cows and sheep there.’

Judging by the number of people at Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart when I visited this is certainly not a livestock market that is struggling, instead it is doing well. It has been in existence for over 100 years and its main weekly sales day is Monday for primestock. Fortnightly sales of stores take place on Fridays. The Mart is owned by farmers and butchers and run by a board of nine farmer directors.

‘We know that our market here is not a modern market, but it provides a great service to the local farmers, it also provides employment and hopefully shows a profit for the shareholders, which it has done this year.’
With well-known farming faces such as Philip Hughes, Michael Wilson, Richard Danforth and Andrew Heaton all present it is also clear that Wharfedale is still an attraction too.

Wharfedale Farmers
Auction Mart Ltd
Chevin Lodge, Leeds Road
Otley LS21 3BD
Ian Smith
Mob: 07738 043771
Fax: 01943 461135
Email: wfam@auctionmarts.com