After over 50 years of service, Ian S Roger Ltd Hauliers will no longer transport livestock from the end of May. The decision from the Keith-based company will not result in any redundancies, with staff being redeployed to other haulage areas in the business.

Speaking to The Scottish Farmer, Colin Roger said: “It has been an emotional decision for the business and the family. We have been transporting cattle and sheep since the early '70s when my father started moving livestock after Alan Cooper creased trading due to health issues.

The Scottish Farmer: The company started in the early 1970sThe company started in the early 1970s

“We are all saddened by the decision to stop working in livestock haulage sector, but the circumstances make continuing too challenging.

“The biggest reason for the decision has been the lack of stock in the area. My father would collect livestock from one mart every day of the week. But now we have three marts within range, operating at most weekly and some only monthly. It is definitely a sign of the times.

“Just over a decade ago, there were sales of 3000 cattle through two rings at Thainstone, taking until 8 pm at night. Now it's one ring and finished by 2:30 pm.

“One of our busiest days which I remember was in 2013 when we moved 960 weaned calves from one sale in Dingwall. Now we wouldn’t move a fraction of that.

“In the Northeast, we can see livestock numbers falling, with the next generation preferring arable farming if possible. As the saying goes, nobody wants to get up in the middle of the night to calve cows.

“Another issue we have had is getting staff who can handle livestock. As there are not the same stockmen on the farms, which is where people would come from to be float drivers.

The Scottish Farmer: There will be no more livestock collection from the monthThere will be no more livestock collection from the month

“Pricing a new livestock container is another challenge. At £240,000 to £250,000, we just couldn’t make it work. The containers were only working two to three days per week, which is not enough to make it pay.

“We would like to thank our customers for their tremendous support over the years. We have great customers and some of the best livestock drivers. We have had some brilliant long and loyal customers who all have their own memories of working with us over the years.”

Ian S. Roger Ltd will continue as a haulage company with 32 trucks and 50 articulated lorries on the road. They transport animal feed, vegetables, grain, timber, potatoes, and foodstuffs among other goods.