Latest throughput figures from the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA) show that more farmers across England and Wales are favouring the live sales ring to secure the true value of their livestock, with margins under greater pressure from increased production costs.

Turnover across all classes through 2022 has again reached record figures, rising £27.5 million on the year to just over £2.1 billion. Significantly, with numbers remaining tight in various categories, these figures represent a dramatic rise in averages through the live sales ring.

“These turnover figures reflect not only the trend we have witnessed over recent years for producers returning to the live sales ring to market their stock, but also the fact that the auction system is placing those animals in front of multiple potential buyers,” says Chris Dodds, executive secretary of the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA).

Livestock markets provide an invaluable, competitive and transparent marketing outlet for producers, particularly noted during the challenges through the Covid-19 pandemic. Many marts reported vendors returning to the live sales system from direct supply chains over this period, while marts also welcomed new first-time customers.

In 2022 the livestock markets of England and Wales saw more than a quarter of a million more animals through their sale rings (254,000) than in 2019. Turnover in 2022 is more than half a billion pounds higher than in the corresponding pre-lockdown period in 2019, at a total increase just short of £556 million.

“These figures quantify the anecdotal evidence that vendors have not only been returning in numbers, but have also stayed with the marts, to get the true value for their livestock” adds Mr Dodds.

Total throughput figures of all classes of livestock through livestock markets 2022 (England and Wales)

• Cattle – 1,023,000

• Sheep – 9,652,000

• Pigs – 97,000

• Calves – 242,000

• TOTAL – 11,014,000

Over 11 million animals passed through the livestock markets, including over one million cattle and more than 9.5 million sheep.

The LAA says a significant rise in calf numbers, up 12,000 to a total of 242,000, is a response to the market’s ability to ensure the right buyers are around the ring for the right stock – not only does the auction system provide a marketplace for all classes, but it also offers the potential to get more for the better-quality animal.

The trends also seem set fair, as has been demonstrated in the first few months of 2023, evident in all categories, it adds. While the hogget trade has been boosted most recently by Easter and the Ramadan festival, the cull cow trade continues to thrive across both the beef and dairy cow sectors. Averages in 2022 rose more than £180 per cow over 2021 figures, to £1055.09.