Auctioneers play key role in livestock industry
New Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) chairman Gwyn Williams believes the organisation’s national infrastructure of skilled marketeers is perfectly positioned to play a key role in moving livestock around the country.
This is especially true in the event of disease outbreaks, movement controls, or national emergencies.
"The close links between our members, their firms, producers and purchasers are vital elements within the system to keep livestock moving to benefit purchasers and vendors, as well as the industry at large," says Mr Williams.
He adds: "Our specialist knowledge and contacts through the European Association of Livestock Markets can also help government ministers and industry leaders when they are negotiating new deals, or agreements on livestock controls and other regulations regionally, nationally, or internationally."
Mr Williams BSc., MRICS, FAAV, FLAA was elected chairman of the association at its annual meeting in Worcester on 28th November. He is a Partner at Frank Marshall at Chelford Market in Cheshire and succeeds Bakewell auctioneer Alastair Sneddon, who has stepped down after a two-year stint as chairman of the national association.
LAA members handle the vast majority of all auction sales of farm livestock in England and Wales and the Association is also supported by representatives of the Institute of Appraisers and Auctioneers in Scotland, as well as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and the Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers.
Speaking after his election last Sunday, Mr Williams (52) said he was honoured to serve his fellow members and he hoped to build on the professionalism and integrity of all the Association’s member firms and their auctioneers to show purchasers, vendors, stakeholders and opinion formers just how strategically important the country-wide auction sales hub was to the industry.
The competitive, transparent and fully traceable auction mart system was instrumental in ensuring producers obtained the best value when selling their farm animals, while purchasers were able to buy exactly what they needed when they needed it, he said.
LAA members were also best placed to use their knowledge of market values and conditions and their extensive network of contacts to arrange sales of stock throughout the UK, either by auction, or by private negotiation.
As vice-chairman of the LAA, Mr Williams was responsible for the organisation’s training and education portfolio and played a major role in establishing its Foundation Degree scheme for auctioneers and valuers - the first officially recognised degree-level qualification for their industry.
A qualified ski instructor and keen cyclist, he has been at Chelford Market for the past 15 years where he has been in charge of the firm’s livestock, horticultural and machinery auction sales and the valuation of live and dead stock.
Originally from South Wales, Mr Williams says he has been selling and valuing cattle and sheep at markets since he was about 20 years old and today his particular skills in valuing and selling pedigree cattle and sheep are recognised by his colleagues far and wide.
