Fieldsperson Amy Haddow knows that the auction mart is much more than somewhere to buy and sell livestock. On a typical sale day at Lawrie & Symington’s Lanark Auction Mart, some will have livestock going through the ring, and others have dropped in to catch up about what’s happening on farm, or simply to spend time with people who understand the realities of the industry.
Growing up on a dairy, beef and sheep farm, Amy always wanted a career linked to agriculture. She began at Lawrie & Symington in Lanark in an office-based role before realising she preferred being out-and-about. As a fieldsperson she visits farms, assesses stock, and builds relationships with farmers to reliably get their stock to market.
Like many roles in agriculture, a fieldsperson’s role is not a nine to five. Their dedication is often shown when a farmer doesn’t attend sale day even if their stock is being sold. That’s a testament to the relationship and trust built between Amy and her clients who know she can achieve the best price possible for their stock.
“Our phones are always on, we’re always at the end of the phone to answer any queries or sort out any problems.” Trust extends to the sale ring, where the market provides a transparent link between producers and buyers. Without that, Amy says there would be no competition, leaving one person dictating the price.
The auction mart is a watering hole for more than farmers. Other businesses in the area like NFU Scotland have office space there. This gives farmers, auctioneers, hauliers, buyers and other tradespeople a one-stop hub for all their needs, alongside a valuable catch up over a cup of tea.
“We’re not just a livestock market. We’re a social hub for them to come in on sale days and meet up and catch up with friends and speak to people that understand similar pressures within the industry,” Amy says. Without infrastructure like auction marts, Scotland not only loses a place to trade stock and a fair price for it, but also a place for the community to connect under one roof.