Strength in numbers for Farm Stock

Despite a tough trading period with tight supplies of lambs and a downward pressure on beef prices, the country's largest farmer-owned livestock marketing company is surging ahead.

The Farm Stock co-operative has seen a rise of 34 per cent in sheep numbers traded in the past four months compared with the same period last year and cattle trading has doubled to more than 1,000 head in the same period.

Farm Stock was set up in 1996 in a link-up between Buccleuch Farmers and Scott Country Lamb. Three years later Lothian Lamb joined and five years ago Galloway Lamb and Ayrshire Lamb came into the fold. The current structure was completed last December with Caledonian Organics joining.

David Marshall, operations manager for the co-operatvie, said yesterday that there were now more than 1,600 livestock producers in the company covering the southern half of Scotland. "We are getting new members coming along, attracted by our low commission rates and by the belief of farmers working co-operatively together," he said.

While originally the company was mostly concerned with finished stock, it is now linking up buyers and sellers of store and breeding cattle and sheep.

Chairman Ian Watson described this as a natural development for Farm Stock. "Our field staff has an intimate knowledge of the types of breeding and store stock being offered or sought by members."

He added it was important that farmer members received the best possible advice and information on prices. It was equally important that abattoir and retail customers received the consistency of numbers and quality demanded by a fiercely competitive marketplace.

"We already offer the best service in terms of prices, fast guaranteed payments and minimal handling charges. But farmers and the downstream trade rightly demand ever-increasing standards of service.

"Members appreciate that we have built strong trading relationships with the main buyers and we can work with them on supplying added-value stock such as organic beef and sheep or enhanced information services like carbon footprinting.

Looking to the future, he reckons the strength in numbers and freedom to operate without shareholders will ensure Farm Stock continues to grow.