FARMER OWNED marketing group Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd has announced a record year for livestock throughput.

Between April 2016 and March 2017, the co-op, which in its 21st year of operation is one of Scotland’s largest livestock co-operatives, marketed 6% more cattle than in the previous financial year, whilst its sheep numbers, at over 162,000 animals, increased by an impressive 14% in the same period.

Farm Stock chairman, Ian Watson, commented: “It is hugely encouraging that more and more farmers are realising the benefits that co-operative marketing can bring to their sheep and cattle businesses.

“Much of our increase in throughput has come from new farmers coming on board to sell their stock through us. As a co-op, we are not in business to make profit for shareholders – hence our very low commission rates – but first and foremost we aim to maximise returns to livestock producers.

“Our staff work to ensure the best achievable prices for stock on any given day," said Mr Watson.

"I am proud to say that this hard work has meant we achieved £2.30 per lamb more than SQQ price in 2016/17.

"That is a real boost to farmers profitability.”

Farm Stock began in the Borders and southern Scotland, but recent expansion has seen staff and farmer members recruited up into central Scotland and over the border in Cumbria and Northumberland. The Milk Suppliers Association– a 150-strong group of dairy farmers in Ayrshire, Wigtownshire and Dumfriesshire – joined the Farm Stock co-operative in early 2017 in order to achieve better returns from cull cows.

The increase in livestock numbers traded by Farm Stock has led to a year-on-year jump in turnover of over 22%, to stand at £15.4million for year 2016/17.

The co-op has also recently announced the appointment of Blairgowrie based Brian Webster, who has been charged with rolling out the co-operative's offering to farmers in the north and north east of Scotland.

His appointment brings the number of field staff employed by the co-op up to 10, backed up by the admin team based at its new HQ in Selkirk.

“Brian Webster is a highly experienced in the world of livestock procurement and indeed in Scottish agriculture. I’m sure he will become a valuable asset to our co-op and to farmers across his new area,” added Mr Watson.