Smart marketing could spark new era for auction marts post FMD
Auction marts could rise like a Phoenix from the flames post Foot and Mouth (FMD) and become a real force in prime stock marketing, suggests NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh.
The opening of collection centres signals a welcome move forward in facilitating the movement of stock direct to slaughter.
"Now that movement restrictions are beginning to be relaxed, there is an opportunity for North West livestock producers to get straight back into a buoyant marketplace but only if the auction mart collection centres are prepared to work with farmers and vice versa," explains Mr Mackintosh.
"Before the outbreak of Foot and Mouth, farmers were selling at below the cost of production. It is therefore important that we don't see a drop in prices as a result of the anticipated increase in supply once movement restrictions have elapsed.
"Collection centres run by auction marts will be a way back into the market for many. It is important that there should be a co-coordinated approach to the marketing."
Sentiments echoed by NFU's chief livestock adviser, Peter King who said: "The feedback I've had back from some auction marts in the North West and Cumbria reinforces the value of the marts by matching the stock with the appropriate buyer."
The NFU has urged farmers not to throw animals into the collection centres and hope for the best. Instead, farmers should speak to their local auctioneer and understand the quality criteria they're matching – best practice that should be continued. Additionally, Mr Mackintosh would also like to see the auctions come up with innovative ways of interacting with farmers who are ultimately their suppliers.
"Auctions having vital knowledge of what their end buyers require is great but will only really benefit the industry if the auctions are prepared to find a way of engaging with farmers and letting us know what they require," said Mr Mackintosh.
"At the moment we are travelling to the marts with blind hope. Marketing of prime stock can no longer be left to chance. Farmers have a responsibility too."
Robert Addison, from Harrison and Heatherington said "The auctions in the North West are committed to offering farmers a value for money service.
"We can't dictate what each auction can do but we can encourage them to speak to their customers at both ends of the chain to improve the efficient marking of stock."
Alistair is mindful that in recent years, farmers have found many other alternative ways of selling their prime stock. However, as a firm believer in the auction mart system, he'd like to see them regain some of their lost influence.
He added: "Through these collection centres, the auction marts will have an opportunity to learn lessons and to become a relevant force in the future for prime stock marketing.
"Let's not look at what we have done in the past let's look at what we could do in the future. It's not just Defra or Government that needs to learn lessons."
