0:00:03 > 0:00:06Farming is a risky business.
0:00:06 > 0:00:11- 350, 380.- And when it's time to make money, the stakes are high.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13380, Fraser.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Thainstone Mart - one of Europe's biggest livestock markets.
0:00:17 > 0:00:1970, 80 bid.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Sheep, cattle and machinery
0:00:22 > 0:00:25auctioned to the highest bidder day in, day out.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31Farmers spend months getting ready for their big sales day.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37With livelihoods on the line, their animals have to look just right.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42This is the thing that puts food on the table - of course I'm nervous.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Fortunes can be made and dreams can be dashed...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49..all in the blink of an eye.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- It's just another day at work. - Welcome to The Mart.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Deep in the heart of Aberdeenshire,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07the Mart at Thainstone is the largest livestock co-operative in Britain.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15Over 85,000 cattle and 300,000 sheep are sold here every year...
0:01:15 > 0:01:19- 44.- ..along with £15 million worth of machinery and cars.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23£600. £600.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It's high summer and head sheep auctioneer Colin Slessor
0:01:27 > 0:01:29is off and running in the ring.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33At 168. Well, well, they are here for sale. At 168. You bidding?
0:01:33 > 0:01:35168. You're losing.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37The auctioneers are the stars of the show.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Colin's been here for 22 years,
0:01:40 > 0:01:45- working his way up from junior trainee.- 168. 168. Thank you.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47I love it, I certainly do.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50You are there, you're trying to keep the attention of the people.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52You're trying to keep them focused on the stock
0:01:52 > 0:01:55and get them to bid as much as you can.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58You want the thing to fly high as much as you can for the farmer.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01It's his livelihood, you want the thing to be good,
0:02:01 > 0:02:05so a bit of adrenaline involved there.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07I wouldn't want to do anything else.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Auctioneering is something I've enjoyed for the last 22 years
0:02:10 > 0:02:14and hopefully I can do it for another 22... Or maybe not quite.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Maybe 20, that will do me. Yeah.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Rory Livesey is hoping to follow in Colin's footsteps
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and become an auctioneer himself.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31But today his job is getting reluctant sheep into the ring.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36You've got to keep the sale moving quickly.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39The quicker the sale moves, the better the trading.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Rory's more of a cattle man.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Cattle don't try and jump.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Cattle are much less awkward than sheep.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Sheep always try and work against you.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59They're quick, but I'm quicker.
0:03:00 > 0:03:0232! 32!
0:03:02 > 0:03:06The Mart's back-of-house team need to be on their toes, too.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09They have just seconds to paint
0:03:09 > 0:03:11the successful bidders' mark onto the sheep
0:03:11 > 0:03:13before the next lot comes through.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Sometimes they jump over the gate and everything.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Christine McNicholas helps move the sheep to the holding pens
0:03:19 > 0:03:22where their new owners will pick them up.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Everybody has their role to play,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27and if that role goes right it just goes like clockwork.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It's thirsty work.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENT
0:03:35 > 0:03:37The man on the tannoy announces the buyer
0:03:37 > 0:03:39so the right mark can be painted on.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45Some people who use the tannoy system shout into it
0:03:45 > 0:03:49and sometimes it really does just do your head in.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51But that's not very loud cos the person's not actually
0:03:51 > 0:03:53shouting into it, he's just speaking.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55But it's facing that way.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENT
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Sometimes it's facing this way and it goes right in your ear.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06The end of the sale. See, this is a buyer. He's going now.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Thanks, guys. Thank you.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15- And this is the auctioneer. - Thanks, everybody. Thank you.
0:04:15 > 0:04:16You did well.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Short and sweet - a bit like the auctioneer.
0:04:21 > 0:04:2610,000 Scottish customers rely on the Mart every year.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Their livelihoods depend on them getting good prices at auction.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32And 50 miles away near Elgin,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34one farming family is preparing for a sale.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41- You sit on there.- Andrew Anderson used to be a dairy farmer,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44but plummeting milk prices forced him to switch to beef.
0:04:44 > 0:04:45And give him some hay.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Today he's showing off his best calves to his wife Judy
0:04:48 > 0:04:50and daughters Lucy and Chloe.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54That one's coming to see you, look.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56This weekend it's the Turriff Show -
0:04:56 > 0:05:00one of the most prestigious shows in Scotland.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02If these calves get prizes there,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05they should get higher bids at the Mart's big annual cattle auction -
0:05:05 > 0:05:07The Thainstone Spectacular.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11When you win Turriff Show, make sure you it's in the catalogue,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13that was the one that won Turriff Show,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15so what people think - "Oh, my goodness!
0:05:15 > 0:05:18"That must have been a real good animal, we'll try and buy it."
0:05:18 > 0:05:22It could double the value of it, maybe even more.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26And it's not just these calves
0:05:26 > 0:05:29that would become more attractive to buyers -
0:05:29 > 0:05:32winning prizes can up the value of a whole herd.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36So Andrew devotes hours to getting them just right.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- Afternoon, Andrew. Nice to see you today.- Fine. Good, good.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Not too bad a day, anyway.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48John Angus is the Mart's head cattle auctioneer.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51It'll be his job to get good prices for the Andersons' calves
0:05:51 > 0:05:53at the Spectacular.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57The usual question, Andrew, which is your favourite?
0:05:57 > 0:06:00I keep changing my mind, cos I like them all.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01I've taken a liking to this one.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- When I was in earlier, it was that one.- Aye.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07But it seems to go to there.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10She's awfy good over the plates, that heifer there, awfy good.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13So how many of these are you hopeful for the Spectacular?
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- All of them.- That's very good.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19The numbers attract the buyers from the south.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23To get the Englishmen up we have to get the number of calves there
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and the quality you have here at the auction is the best place to
0:06:26 > 0:06:28sell them because, get the competition going.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31You don't know where the price might land.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Andrew's one of the top breeders in Scotland.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36His beasts are often bought for thousands of pounds
0:06:36 > 0:06:39by enthusiasts keen to enter them into competitions
0:06:39 > 0:06:41all over the country.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44There will be guys, probably buys Andrew's calves every year
0:06:44 > 0:06:47cos they know how well they do for them to go on and win future shows
0:06:47 > 0:06:49once they by from Andrew.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51But they will not be disappointed this year.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53Andrew's probably the strongest he's been for a year or two.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- You stay there.- Back in the byre,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59another potential prize winner has just been born.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Cow's licking the calf all clean.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06It's a purebred Shorthorn bull, hopefully for showing one day.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07You never know, down two years'
0:07:07 > 0:07:10time it's a bull that could be at the Spring Show, Aberdeen.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13He's definitely a good, strong calf. He's a good length.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17That's what you want in this breed. An ideal calf.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Good morning. Welcome to Thainstone this Friday morning.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29They're about to start in ring number one.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Back at Thainstone,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33the yard men are putting cattle into separate pens
0:07:33 > 0:07:35to be auctioned in groups this morning.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39That would be his best heifer.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48Some of these calves are to be sold by rookie auctioneer Rory.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51While preparations for the sale continue,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55he goes for advice from his mentor John,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57who's been selling livestock for 25 years.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Once you've two people bidding,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04you might see another guy bidding out at the corner of your eye.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07But you never leave the two men that's bidding for a start.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- OK.- The buyers don't like if they're bidding and you leave them
0:08:11 > 0:08:12if he's not finished.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15You should always wait until the bidder is extinguished
0:08:15 > 0:08:17before you move on to another bidder.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20And once you come to when you think the price is there,
0:08:20 > 0:08:21when you think you're there,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25don't hang about too long before you put the hammer down.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29It's sometimes nerve-racking selling cattle that you know are worth
0:08:29 > 0:08:34a lot of money and the pressure's on to make sure that you get them...
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Another advice, you should enjoy it. That's one thing.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42If you're not enjoying the box, well, you have to try and relax
0:08:42 > 0:08:43- and enjoy it.- Mm-hm.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48John will hand over to Rory halfway through the sale,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50which starts in just 15 minutes.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55It's nerve-racking and it's an adrenaline rush as well.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58You're getting up to a big audience, it's a real buzz.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02But that buzz might not last long...
0:09:04 > 0:09:08If I believe he's not maybe up to it this day, he'll just be out.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12He won't get left in because we're dealing with farmers' livelihoods.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14I have no problem pulling him out the sale ring
0:09:14 > 0:09:17and going back in myself.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20An hour into the sale, it's Rory's big moment.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26I'm going to hand you across to Rory for a while.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Thank you. I've enjoyed your company today.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34That wasn't easy, I tell you.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36There's a Highlander coming in after these ones.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Oh, it's OK. Nice and easy.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Rory is from the Borders.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43Unlike local man John, he hasn't grown up with these farmers.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47That can make it harder to spot potential bidders.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51And to add to the pressure, the seller is standing right next to him.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- How are you today, sir?- Fine.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58All homebred, I move onto the Finnesy farms.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Bids can be subtle and hard to spot.
0:10:02 > 0:10:0730, 40. 840 bid. 850. 60. 70. 80.
0:10:07 > 0:10:1290. 890 bid. 900. 900 bid.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15910. 920. 930. 40.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18950. 950 bid.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22£950 bid. 950. 60.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27960. 960. 960. Number two.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29So far so good.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31But one of the key skills of an auctioneer
0:10:31 > 0:10:35is getting the right starting price - not too low and not too high.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41670 bid. That's 670. 670.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43At £670.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45550 bid, then.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50550 bid. 550.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54550 bid. 560. 560 bid.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59560. Can you sell it? At 560. Ross brothers, one.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- Cheers, lad.- Thank you, sir.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05Rory recovered quickly from having to drop the starting price,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07and the rest of his session goes well.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10845, 845.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Thank you very much for your attention.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15I'll see you all next week.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19It's hard to go backwards.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22You shouldn't be, you should...
0:11:22 > 0:11:24I kept playing stuff too high.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26That's all right. That's how you learn.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Good. Thank you.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Very pleased with Rory today. He did very well.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34He seemed to relax once he was in the box
0:11:34 > 0:11:38and the good thing was he kept the trade the same as it was before.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41That's the main thing. He didn't let the trade slip.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44John is a good mentor because he guides you,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46but at the same time he expects you to get on,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48and if he thinks you don't have the knowledge or the skills
0:11:48 > 0:11:50then you don't get a chance,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53so it's a privilege for him to let you sell cattle.
0:12:01 > 0:12:0325 miles away in Turriff,
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Scotland's biggest two-day agricultural show is underway.
0:12:09 > 0:12:1328,000 spectators admiring some of the best beasts in the country.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24It's the perfect shop window for Andrew's five best calves.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Come on. Come on.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- But they're well outside their comfort zone.- On you come.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Come on.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38They've never been away from home, so it's all strange for them.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42But I'm hoping they're going to get used to the limelight.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Ah, ah, ah!
0:12:44 > 0:12:49Just let them settle down for a few minutes before judging
0:12:49 > 0:12:52and their hair all prepared.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58Andrew has high hopes his carrot-coloured calf Izzy Lizzy
0:12:58 > 0:13:00could win a prize today.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02First impressions when the judge...
0:13:02 > 0:13:04The judge just takes to liking your one,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07you have more of a chance, so that's what we're hoping for.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10As soon as he catches his eye when it goes to the ring.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14I really hope he's just going to fall in love with it.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17But Izzy Lizzy has a problem.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Got a slightly swollen leg, she came back from the previous show
0:13:20 > 0:13:22a little bit that way,
0:13:22 > 0:13:24so I'm going to try and keep this nice and smooth down.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28So hopefully the judge is not going to see that it's swollen.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30And I'm going to fluff this one up slightly
0:13:30 > 0:13:33and hopefully the judge is going to think they're similar.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38The time for primping and preening is over,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40now it's all down to the judge.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Four calves in her class,
0:13:46 > 0:13:49and Izzy Lizzy, with her bad leg, is last in line.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- Well done.- Excellent, delighted.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08She wins Best in Class.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13And Andrew's other calves also do well
0:14:13 > 0:14:16with rosettes for Best Spring Calf and Champion Male.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- It's perfect.- Definitely.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21And the icing on the cake -
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Izzy Lizzy is crowned Cross Breed Cattle Champion.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Hiya! Look what we've got. The 1st prize.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- Got a 1st prize. That's with your one.- That's good, isn't it?
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- Well done, Andrew.- Thanks very much. - You've had a very successful day.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- I'm sure you're pleased, are you? - Unbelievable.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Now it's over to John to get a good price for Izzy Lizzy
0:14:49 > 0:14:51at the Spectacular.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I'm hopeful to get over £1,500 for her now.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56I hope you're going to start at 1,500.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Now this is the challenge from now on.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- It's all down to you now, John. - Yes, the pressure is on.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I can feel it already. The pressure is on.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14Late summer and with the harvest well underway,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16farmers start to think about next year.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Buying breeding stock to produce lambs and calves in the spring.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24And at Thainstone,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28another sheep sale is in full swing with Colin back in the box.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32180 bid. 182. Going to be sold.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Colin relishes every day at the Mart.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Seven years ago he was diagnosed with cancer of the sternum,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42and the outlook was bleak.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45I was very fortunate.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50I received a chemo programme and a subsequent operation which,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52touch wood and all the rest of it,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55removed the, you know, it neutralised the cancer
0:15:55 > 0:15:58and the operation removed the last part of the calcified tumour.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01It was a worrying time for colleagues like Alan Hutcheon,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04who'd been friends with Colin for many years.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09I never actually thought that he'd ever stand in an auction box again
0:16:09 > 0:16:10because he was just so weak.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Sometimes you went in to see him and I can remember him, the first day
0:16:14 > 0:16:18of auction after the cancer scare, and you could see the determination.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19It takes a lot of stamina.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23It takes a fair bit of stamina standing there.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25A lot of support, a lot of farmer support,
0:16:25 > 0:16:29a lot of staff support and they wanted him to succeed.
0:16:29 > 0:16:30That's in the past.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33It was harder for my wife, my family, my colleagues
0:16:33 > 0:16:36and my friends, you know.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40I lost all my hair and just over three stone,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43but I was a fat wee rascal to begin with, so it was OK.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48A good auctioneer needs to know his clients and their livestock well,
0:16:48 > 0:16:50so Colin's often out on the road.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54It's a very enjoyable part of the job
0:16:54 > 0:16:58because you're out there with good folk,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01giving them a wee bit of praise for their stock.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06If you can then follow through and give them a good price, it gives you
0:17:06 > 0:17:09a bit of personal satisfaction that they're happy with what you've done.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Today's customer is younger than most.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- That's the two there.- This two here? - Yeah. That lamb's in good fettle.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Nice lamb.
0:17:20 > 0:17:2413-year-old Joe Mckenzie has been breeding Zwartbles
0:17:24 > 0:17:28for five years and is going to sell two of them at the Mart next week.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Have you got any tips for the best price?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Just presentation. If the sheep are in good fettle,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39they have a bit of condition about them, looking well.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Like anything else,
0:17:41 > 0:17:45if it looks the part then they're going to sell a bit better.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47What do you think I'll get?
0:17:47 > 0:17:50For the biggest one, you could make almost £50.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53And maybe the wee one, that will make a wee bit less.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- I'll certainly do the best I can. - Mm-hm.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Joe is an expert sheep-dog triallist.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01He and Tweedie often represent Scotland
0:18:01 > 0:18:03in international competitions.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Way, way. Lie down.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09So what's your commands?
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- Away to me.- Yeah.- Come by left. - Yeah. And then lie down.
0:18:14 > 0:18:21- Walk on.- Steady?- Yeah, sometimes we're like, "Take your time."
0:18:21 > 0:18:25Colin was a shepherd for seven years after leaving school.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27He wants to see if he still has what it takes.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30Away.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Walk on.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- Or "get up" maybe.- Get up. Get up.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42Get up. Get up.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Get up.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49If Tweedie won't do the work, then Colin will have to.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Good lass. Here. Come on.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Keeps wanting to go to you.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00I never had the magic touch.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I certainly haven't got it now.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Colin might also have his work cut out
0:19:04 > 0:19:07getting decent bids for Joe's sheep.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The price of lamb this month isn't good,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15so I'd be happy if I got 20, £30 for them.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Back at Thainstone, Andrew Anderson is hoping for rather more than £30
0:19:28 > 0:19:31for Izzy Lizzy at the Spectacular Sale tomorrow.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34She's looking OK. She's travelled fine.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37It's just we're really interested now what kind of weight she is
0:19:37 > 0:19:40cos I think she could be heavier than all my other ones.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42This is the one that's going to peak up the most,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45the most weight of them all.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47So it would be very interesting.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Never actually weighed this one at home before,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51so this is the first time.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52We'll know in a few minutes.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57The ideal weight for a one-year-old is somewhere over 450kg.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Izzy Lizzy comes up trumps again.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I'm really pleased with the weight, I'm really pleased.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06You always do wonder if she's going to be a lightweight,
0:20:06 > 0:20:08people might not want to buy her for her age,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11but she's actually perfect weight for her age.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16Andrew's brought the calves' mothers along to help keep them calm,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18and he's feeling anxious too.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21You've got nerves and butterflies going to a show.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23Hopefully the buyers will be there to buy the animals
0:20:23 > 0:20:25and it will help me pull through.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29£2,000 is really what you'd expect to get when you've got these ones
0:20:29 > 0:20:32that's all had a real good prize at the shows.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37Andrew is getting ready for his big day, but Joe's has already arrived.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Christine welcomes him
0:20:39 > 0:20:42and his parents, Michelle and Scott, to the Mart.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- Are they Zwartbles?- Yeah.- OK.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Today, over 1,000 gimmers,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56young female sheep, will be sold for breeding.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01It gives flockmasters a chance to buy some sheep for early lambing
0:21:01 > 0:21:05in January or February. Hopefully the thing will go well.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08We had a good strong trade for them last year, so you never can tell.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11It might be a wee bit less than they were last year, but we're hopeful.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13There's people coming,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16hopefully there will be enough people to buy them.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Some farmers are selling hundreds of sheep today,
0:21:19 > 0:21:21worth thousands of pounds.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Joe has just two and is hoping for £20 each.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Colin's on hand to give him some last-minute advice.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Remember, if the price doesn't look too good,
0:21:34 > 0:21:39make a sad, sour-looking face. Stand there and go... OK? Never smile.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Never pretend you're happy with the price. Always look sad.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Right. I'll do the best I can for you, OK?
0:21:45 > 0:21:47I'll try and get as much as I can.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Good lad. Come on. We'll head up to the ring.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56Where you going?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59You going in the ring or are you going up with the auctioneer?
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- I'll stay here.- OK.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Young man's lamb, look. Joe McKenzie.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08The bidding starts at £30 and rapidly goes up.
0:22:08 > 0:22:1238, 9. 40. 2. 42. 4...
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Another youngster enters the fray...
0:22:15 > 0:22:22- Yes, Stuart Ross.- ..and bids £45, but he has competition.- 46, 48, 50.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25With bidding sat at £50...
0:22:25 > 0:22:27the lad seals the deal.
0:22:29 > 0:22:35Away it goes. Done at £51. That goes to young Stuart Ross.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Next up, Joe's second lamb.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Another good lamb, fleshy lamb. 51 for the last one, OK?
0:22:42 > 0:22:43Another well lamb, again.
0:22:43 > 0:22:4833. I'm going to bid 4. 34. 5. Away at 35.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52£86 for the pair - more than double what Joe was hoping for.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Right, thanks, pal. OK? Cheers, Joe.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58It was a good price, so I'm happy.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02I'm hoping with this money I can get more land and sheep,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04but I'll see what happens.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09And if I found a Zwartble or a Blackie I like,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11I'll just save up and put it towards that.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Well done, Joe. High five!
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Well done, Joe. Proud of you. You did really well.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- Your first one was 51. - Yeah, that was a good price.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29It's a pleasure to see a 13-year-old man with such ability and ambition.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31I would like to think I was a wee bit similar to him at that age.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34He's only sold two sheep today, but you'll see him again.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37He's going to go forward, he's going to do well. That's for sure.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40He'll be selling hundreds, possibly thousands in the future.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41Wait and see.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46For Judy and Andrew, this is the make-or-break moment.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51They are hoping for at least £12,000 for their six prize calves today.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Andrew, it's getting pretty close to sale time.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57There's a lot of buyers.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59There's a lot of good buyers that's came
0:23:59 > 0:24:03and they're all been in there looking at everybody's cattle.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07They're impressed, which is encouraging.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10It's all down to who's going to bid and who's going to buy.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12It's difficult to know who's actually going home with them.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Is there anybody you can point me looking at your calves?
0:24:16 > 0:24:17There's one or two.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22It's difficult to say. I'm thinking they're really on them.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- They're keeping their calves close. - That's a problem.
0:24:29 > 0:24:35The Thainstone Spectacular is the biggest show cattle sale in Scotland.
0:24:35 > 0:24:3714. £1,400 bid.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Only the best appear here -
0:24:40 > 0:24:43that's true of cattle and of auctioneers.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Goes to Mr Henderson.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48That's the ultimate thing, getting to sell at the Spectacular.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53I would love to get the opportunity to do that here.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57It could be a year's time, it could be ten years' time, I don't know.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01It's a lot of pressure, but at the same time it must be a great buzz.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04It's kind of the bosses' job, really.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07I'm quite happy just to muck in and be part of the team.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Turriff Show Champion...
0:25:09 > 0:25:12For now, Rory's behind the scenes,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15John is in the box and Izzy Lizzy is in the ring.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Number 43 in your catalogue. Very fancy heifer. Izzy Lizzy, again.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22The Anderson family are on tenterhooks.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24They're looking for something over £2,000.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31Izzy Lizzy, some heifer, then. 43. 2,000.
0:25:32 > 0:25:3515 bid. 1,500 bid.
0:25:35 > 0:25:4016. 18. 1,800.
0:25:40 > 0:25:441,800 bid. 2,000. 2,200.
0:25:44 > 0:25:482,300. At 2,300 bid.
0:25:48 > 0:25:54Nobody else, then? At 2,300.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58£300 more than they hoped for.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04And their other calves each go for over £2,000 as well.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08At £2,600. Away, then.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Izzy Lizzy's new owner, Welsh farmer Gwyn Edwards,
0:26:12 > 0:26:17is going to enter her into agricultural shows all over Britain.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21She just had everything that I was looking for in a show beast.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Fortunately for me I was lucky enough to afford her.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30If you want the honest truth,
0:26:30 > 0:26:32I never thought the Scots would allow us to come here
0:26:32 > 0:26:36and buy some of their best cattle and take them to Wales.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Happy, had a good day.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44And it's been a good day for the Andersons, as well.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Very good. Thank you very much.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Andrew's six calves made over £16,000.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51We had a lot of buyers here today.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53There wasn't enough for all the buyers
0:26:53 > 0:26:56and they were really gunning for my ones cos I had them looking well.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59They've been to all the shows and they were nearly fighting over them,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01so all in all it's been a very good sale.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06Give a cuddle. Aw, well done, Daddy.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13The total amount bid for all the calves sold at the Spectacular today
0:27:13 > 0:27:20exceeded £80,000, with just 3.75% commission going to the Mart.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24That's a lot of happy farmers and an auctioneer with a sore throat.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27That's it for today. That's the Spectacular for another year,
0:27:27 > 0:27:32so it's start the planning for next year. It will come round very fast.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Years go past very quickly nowadays.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Could be a party tonight,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39so I might have to lubricate the throat tonight, maybe.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41That's the plan.
0:27:41 > 0:27:46John's throat needs to get better fast - soon he'll be back in action.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Next time on The Mart...
0:27:52 > 0:27:56John needs to get top dollar for the Sievwright family's calves
0:27:56 > 0:27:57when they go under the hammer.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00You only sell them once, so you're best to make the best job you can.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04Hopefully I put a smile on your face.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07The pressure's on Colin
0:28:07 > 0:28:12when his ten-year-old daughter Rachel asks him to sell her favourite lambs.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13When's our sheep going to come?
0:28:13 > 0:28:16They'll be coming in a minute. You be quiet, OK?
0:28:16 > 0:28:19And rookie auctioneer Rory struggles to get a local farmer
0:28:19 > 0:28:21the bids he wants.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23- 900, 900, 900.- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25- Don't give the- BLEEP- things away.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29If Rory doesn't pull it round, he's going to have one unhappy customer.