Two Up-And-Coming Auctioneers Look Forward To 2024

Joe Bowman grew up on a farm just outside Castle Carrock and now lives at Heads Nook with his wife Steph. Now 29, he Joined H&H in 2015, aged 21, and is currently the Store Lamb and Breeding Auctioneer based at Borderway. Joe also runs sales at Lazonby and Middleton-in-Teesdale, as well as carrying out breeding sheep work out of Kirkby Stephen mart.

 

Thoughts on 2023

“Trading for breeding sheep has been really positive, this year more than ever. The price between good stock and lesser stock is more obvious, and people are moving toward the better end, which is a good thing.

 

“Store lambs have remained buoyant, with record numbers going through the Lazonby Store Lamb ring, up 30% on the year, and an even larger increase through Borderway.  Everything has been easier to sell than anticipated, particularly at the back end of the year. The Lazonby Mule gimmer lamb sale was the dearest ever and the Alston Moor sale saw the highest average for a mule gimmer lamb sale ever seen.

 

Thoughts on 2024

“The blue-tongue issue is going to hurt the pedigree trade and make things challenging, particularly the export to Ireland. But I believe the sheep breeding numbers will remain positive, as the decline in sheep is reducing the numbers brought to market which increases demand. Store lambs will always have a market as long as the fat prices remain positive.

 

My main personal goal for the coming year is to get in amongst the drama of the Swaledale Tups sale!  I would like to continue to get the store lamb numbers up, and generally continue to raise my game doing a job I love.”

 

Joel McGarva comes from a family farm on the south west coast of Scotland. Now 26, he joined H&H eight years ago and is today responsible for the sales of Young Store Cattle and Calves at Borderway Mart in Carlisle.

 

Thoughts on 2023

“Trade throughout this year has been good and as consistent as it has been for many years. It has not dropped too drastically and there has not been the fluctuations that can make it difficult for farmers to cover their overhead costs – which is particularly helpful at a time when everyone is obviously concerned about big rises in the costs of inputs, and the cost of living.

 

“ But despite the challenges being faced in the sector and the overall reduction in UK stock numbers, this year has clearly proved that quality is easy to sell and the best cattle have sold fantastically well all year.”

 

Thoughts on 2024

“We are very fortunate to have a large portfolio of buyers, and rising demand is bringing more and more from as far away as Wales and Aberdeenshire.  Such has been the success and returns for buyers of the quality stock they bought here last year, many are returning and increasing the amount of stock they want to buy.

 

“I expect that trend to continue onwards and upwards in the coming year, with H&H attracting the highest quality stock and growing our market share in most areas.

 

Personally, I hope to maintain the development trajectory I have been on with H&H. I am now selling a lot of pedigree sheep and an increasing number of pedigree cattle, and I am raring to take on more responsibility in my role as an auctioneer. Like Joe, I absolutely love my job, and although I am fascinated by the livestock and the trade, the best bit has to be the people!”