A Welshpool livestock specialist has been elected as the new chairman of the his industry association.

Keith Davies, a partner at Morris Marshall & Poole and a director of Welshpool Livestock Sales, was chosen to head the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association (LAA) at its annual general meeting on November 3, 2024.

He will have the support of Gareth Wall, the newly appointed vice chairman who is in charge of Kington livestock market.

Mr Wall is also a consultant, chartered surveyor, agricultural consultant, valuer and auctioneer for McCartneys LLP.

Mr Davies, a former Welsh LAA chairman, will lend his experience to support the ongoing work of the LAA executive team.

The team is headed by Chris Dodds, alongside development officer Zanna Dennis.

Mr Davies said: "I feel my background lends itself to support the initiatives that the LAA is leading on, to help support a safer, commercially viable and successful livestock sector."

His roots lie in a mixed dairy, beef, and sheep farm.

His experience in the livestock marketing system has led him to his current role as director of the largest livestock auction centre in Wales, Welshpool Livestock Sales.

He played a key role in the planning and development of the current site in Welshpool.

Mr Davies said: "I am keen to follow on from the work my predecessor Alastair Brown has headed up over his two-year term as chair, not least with the launch of the Market Prices platform and the continued rollout of the MartSafe training programme, two initiatives that really underpin the work of the LAA."

The Market Prices platform provides greater insight and real-time access to live sheep, cattle, and pig prices, allowing market users to make informed decisions and identify new market opportunities.

The MartSafe initiative offers specialist training, promoting health and safety, safe handling, and animal welfare in the livestock market.

It has delivered 98 in-person training sessions to 2,337 participants since its launch in 2022.

Mr Wall, the new vice chairman, said: "I am looking forward to working with Keith and the executive team to help drive future progress, with a focus on the important role that the live sales ring has in providing a transparent and competitive marketplace for our livestock producers."