14/04/2013
Caz Graham visits a livestock market in Hexham, Northumberland which is making an effort to get younger people through its doors with an offer of loaned animals for fattening.
For auctioneer, Chris Armstrong and others at Hexham Mart in Northumberland, it wasn't enough to sit back and watch as the average age of people taking part in their livestock auctions edged ever upwards. The Mart is now in the fifth year of a scheme in which the company invests significant sums by putting money up front for young farmers to 'buy' an animal from market and then take it home to over-winter. In March there is a young farmers show, and then a sale, both featuring only animals involved in this competition. Who will win the show, which animal will make the most profit, and will this realistically help to bring enough young people back to the traditional livestock markets to keep them going in changing times?
Last on
Broadcast
- Sun 14 Apr 2013 06:35Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4