Friends and Rivals The Mart

Farming is a risky business.

350, 380...

And when it's time to make money, the stakes are high.

Thainstone Mart, one of Europe's biggest livestock markets.

Sheep, cattle and machinery,

auctioned to the highest bidder, day in, day out.

Farmers spend months getting ready for their big sales day.

With livelihoods on the line, their animals have to look just right.

This is the thing that puts the food on the table. Of course I'm nervous.

Fortunes can be made and dreams can be dashed...

..all in the blink of an eye.

It's just another day at work.

Welcome to The Mart.

It's autumn at Thainstone. And in today's programme...

..Colin visits two rival farmers

desperate to outdo each other on sales day.

The only reason I'm in the mule thing is to beat Chris, like.

The pressure is on trainee auctioneer Rory

when his brother comes to watch him in the box.

It could be worse, it could be my gran.

And on Shetland pony day,

a seller worries his favourites won't go to a good home.

This is the last hour I own them. This is sad.

Can Colin come to the rescue?

First thing in the morning, and the Mart comes to life.

Lambs about to be sold are sorted into pens.

Senior auctioneer John Angus

and his trainee Rory Livesey do their homework before a big sale.

And Colin Slessor is on the road.

He's been an auctioneer over 20 years

and knows all about the competition

between farmers buying and selling at the Mart.

Well, there's certainly rivalries between farmers.

You know, they're always trying to get

a better price than their neighbour.

Friendly rivalries in most cases.

But sometimes it's pretty serious.

Colin's destination is a farm near Inverurie.

There, 63-year-old Chris Milligan and his neighbour David Cowie

are comparing notes

before the upcoming crossbred mule sale at the Mart.

I'm just looking for a good strong head, a nice bit of colour,

and a good sized lamb.

You know, everybody is looking for that.

David has been Chris's protege since he was just nine

and has now built up a flock of his own crossbred mules.

He's looked after me with the sheep and stuff.

He's been good help and stuff and I help him.

It works good, we work good as a team kind of thing.

Don't get me wrong, we have bad days.

But so does every couple.

David will also be selling his mules at the big sale

and wants to do better than his mentor Chris.

The only reason I'm in the mule thing is to beat Chris, like.

Hello, Chris, how are you doing?

When Chris and David's sheep go under the hammer,

it'll be down to Colin to get them high bids.

Not easy with lamb prices 10% down on last year.

-What do you think these lambs'll make?

-The million-dollar question.

-I know.

-What did you get last year, about 130?

-132 last year.

That quality of lamb is now making about 120 quid.

You'd hope they'd make that.

-Aye. Yeah.

-Hoping, achieving - it's two different things.

Two very different things.

And pray the auctioneer does a half decent job.

-That's right, I know.

-That's the problem, eh?

'Best of friends and neighbours,

'but a bit of competition in there as well. Regardless of'

who gets the top price between the two of them,

you know, they'll always just shake each other's hand

and a bit of banter, but they'll still be there

and they'll be friends, that's for sure.

Back at the Thainstone,

trainee auctioneer Rory is studying the weights and ages of the cattle.

He might be asked to sell some this afternoon.

Could be an easy sale, could be a difficult sale.

There's a lot of cattle to sell, the pressure is on,

but I'm going to enjoy it as well.

Just have to start them at the right value and you'll be fine.

Recently, when he was in the box, Rory had to seriously backtrack

because he started an auction too high.

670 bid. At 670 bid. At 670.

550 bid, then. 550. 550 bid.

If he does get a chance today,

Rory wants to avoid making mistakes like that

in front of his mentor John...

That's good heifers.

..and a special guest.

Yeah, my brother is coming up today,

so it'll be good to see him, I've not seen him for a while.

He'll be watching John sell and maybe watching me sell as well

if I get a shot today.

Are you feeling more relaxed now when you're in the box?

Yeah, after the first couple of lots, I calm down.

If you know you've got your...

The first two lots are always the most difficult lots.

After that, you relax.

I've got great confidence in you, Rory, so let's go forth.

Customers travel to Thainstone from far and wide.

And up in the Shetland Islands, Norwegian farmer Bjorn Larsson

and his partner Thor

are preparing 11 of their 100 ponies

for the Mart's annual Shetland pony show and sale.

If only they get a good home, that's important.

Yeah, that's what we are most worried for,

that they will not go to good homes.

Bjorn and Thor moved to the islands from Norway four years ago.

It's Mammy speaking. This mare we had since she was a foal.

So, of course...

I breaked her in myself and trained her myself and all that.

It's five years a friend, for five years...

It's leaving us. I hate that.

But if you are going to breed more ponies, then something has to go.

For us, this is a very new situation to go to an auction.

There are no auctions in Norway,

you are not allowed to sell livestock to just anyone.

This is a very new situation for us.

Come on.

One of Bjorn's competitors in the upcoming Shetland pony show and sale

is Harry Slee from Aberdeenshire.

This is my passion, my hobby, it's been my father's hobby,

his passion, my grandfather, and my great grandfather before him.

It's what I enjoy doing.

Other people maybe go to football, play golf,

I enjoy showing the Shetland ponies.

But yesterday, the Slee family suffered a terrible blow.

One of their best ponies died from grass sickness,

the disease every horse owner dreads.

Ponies are like children to us, every one...

when you lose, leaves a scar.

We're there when they're born, we're there when they're gone,

you just have to deal with it, and if you get too attached,

this job will bring you down, this job will kill you.

Grass sickness attacks the digestive system,

and Harry's asked local vet Hamish Hunter to examine his other ponies.

-Afternoon, Hamish.

-Good to see you.

This is Vetise. If you could maybe have a quick look over

and check over, see if everything's OK.

A wee listen to the heart and the bowel movements.

This is always the worst bit, you're never sure what you'll find.

Good, fine.

Vetise gets the all-clear.

But one of Harry's other fillies, Wells Fashion,

is showing worrying signs.

I think there's still a lot of high activity in these intestines,

so we just need to watch that the bowel motions are settling down.

Unfortunately, as you probably know

you can't diagnose grass sickness in a live animal.

A pony dying also has a financial impact.

They can be worth over £3,000. All Harry can do is wait and hope.

Back at the Mart, Rory has just found out he will get a chance

in the auction box today in front of his brother Ian.

Having my brother here can be a bit nerve-racking,

me selling when he's there as well.

But it could be worse, it could be my gran!

You're welcome to it.

OK, I move on to Brian Buchan...

Rory is so nervous he forgets to push the button to open the gate.

Cracking black heifers. Put them in.

That's cracking black heifers, put them in. 900...

But soon, he hits his stride.

60, 70, 80, 90.

1,000. 10. 1,010.

1,010.

1,010. At 1,010.

1,010. 1,010.

Simpkin Craig.

Ian works on the family farm in the Borders.

He's certainly picked up the accent.

You can hear the north-east Doric twang coming through now and again,

which is unsurprising when you live in this part of the world.

He seems clear enough,

and he's getting faster compared to the last time I heard him

on the rostrum, so I should probably give him some credit.

Yeah, he seems to be doing all right.

1,060. 1,060.

Same buyer.

Rory has successfully pulled in the bids, getting higher prices

than more experienced auctioneers achieved at the previous sale.

It's actually stronger trade than last week. Well done.

I would say it's a stronger trade than last week. Very good.

-Very good.

-Cheers. I enjoyed that today.

-You enjoyed it?

It's even better if you enjoyed it, that's what it is,

you have to enjoy it. OK, thank you.

'In my view, the cattle's sharper today.

'Rory didn't sell last week, so maybe'

it was Rory's skills that kept the trade a wee bit sharper this week.

I've just been here a year and a half,

but I'm feeling like I'm getting to know people a bit better

and being able to have a bit of a laugh with some of the farmers

and get on with them, I think that's important.

We've to look after our young guys, cos we need them

because we'll have to have a future of auctioneers coming up.

Good auctioneers are hard to find.

-Well done.

-A good day, I'm happy with the trade today.

-Not bad.

-There were a lot of good cattle in today.

-That's right, aye, yeah.

-Well done, anyway.

-What are you up to now?

-Go and get a beer.

Aye, let's go and get a beer.

A new day, and it's an important one for friendly rivals David and Chris.

The Thainstone ewe lamb show and sale starts in two hours.

Two for your first pen, Dave.

And David is worried his mules don't look their best.

The lambs are looking wet, it's been two days of wet weather,

so hopefully everybody else's will be wet and looking small as well.

Hoo! Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo!

'I never slept much last night.'

Nervous time of year, trying to get money in,

keep the banker happy and so on.

Each lamb's ear tag needs to be recorded and reported to the Mart.

Before the sale, there'll be a show with a prize for the best lambs.

And the apprentice is determined to beat his master.

Aye, it'll be close, like, close.

Chris has got a good pen as well.

It'll be fine if I beat him.

Yeah, could have an edge, David could just have an edge,

but we'll see. You never know. See what the judge thinks.

With the lambs loaded, the scene is set for a sheep shoot-out.

But David and Chris aren't the only rivals in town.

Tomorrow, it's the Shetland pony show,

and Bjorn hopes his ponies will beat the opposition.

They are about to be unloaded at Aberdeen harbour

after a 12-hour journey from Lerwick.

It'll be good to get them out of there and get them to the Mart

and groom them and wash them.

Bjorn's favourite stallion Pom-Pom is one of the smallest ponies.

11 ponies thrown in together.

It's like in the schoolyard,

you might be bullied in a schoolyard,

and I'm afraid Pom-Pom is one of the bullied ones

because he's the smallest and he's shy, he's sad.

And...I hate that.

This is Pom-Pom. Hi, Pom-Pom.

They're like... They're like sheep, you know.

They've no idea what's happening to them.

Pom-Pom doesn't seem to have any injuries from the journey.

-They're looking well.

-Yeah, they're looking good.

-And they are not scared or unhappy.

-No, they've travelled well.

-Yeah.

Next stop, the Mart.

I can't wait to see who buys them.

I'll probably have a chat with the owner

and I will tell them how to treat them good.

Bye, see you at Thainstone!

Watch your backs, watch your backs.

In the Mart sheep pens, the ewe lamb show is about to start.

David, Chris and eight other entrants are all hoping the judge,

experienced sheep farmer Graham Smith,

gives their lambs first prize.

They'll be looking for length, skin and colour.

Good strong mothering types, like.

I hope he finds a few in that pen and I hope a ticket comes,

that's what I hope.

We'll soon find out in the next ten minutes.

There's some good sheep, David's are standing up well.

Ah, the rivalry's building now.

Graham has made his decision.

We'll do it in reverse order, as they say.

Third went to Messers Barclay from Harestone.

APPLAUSE

Second went to Messers Cowie. David, where are you?

The first prize award goes to

Mr Chris Millican from Newton of Haslewells. Chris Millican!

There's a champion ticket there as well. Well done, Chris.

-Thanks, Billy.

-Well done to you.

You can shake hands, you can do what you like. Smile for the camera!

It's good to see him do well.

He's put a lot of time into the sheep and a lot of effort.

For a man his age, he's powering on. No, it's fine. It's fine.

First blood to the veteran. But the most important contest,

who gets the higher bids in the sale, is still to come.

We'll see what they make now in the ring, that's the main thing.

We'll try and beat him on the price today, we'll see! We'll see...

Bjorn's ponies have arrived and are settling in.

-Morning, how you doing?

-I'm fine, thank you.

-I'm Colin.

Colin's children, Rachel and Robbie, have come to see them.

-Dad, I really like this one.

-This one here?

-Yeah.

-It's a beauty.

-Could we please get her?

-Well, we'll wait and see! We'll wait and see.

It always depends what they make. I don't know.

-You can ride Grand National on her.

-Grand National?

-RACHEL LAUGHS

-They'll have to make the fences a bit lower, I think!

-She's teeny.

She's a bit like me. She's got short legs and quite a nice belly.

Say, "Please, Dad!" Cry a little bit.

-Say, "I'll never be happy again if I don't get that pony."

-SHE LAUGHS

Ah, it doesn't work in Scotland, though.

-That punchline...

-Tears work everywhere!

That punchline doesn't work on Scottish fathers!

Bjorn's rival, Harry, has brought three ponies to the Mart.

Wells Fashion has shown no more signs of grass sickness.

But she still needs watching closely in the pens.

PONIES WHINNY

This is where you hope World War Three doesn't break out with the pen next door!

Harry's son, Stewie, is on guard duty.

They're just fighting, just deciding who's boss.

PONIES WHINNY

Despite being a relative newcomer to the Thainstone Shetland pony show...

-Oops!

-..last year, Bjorn beat Harry.

Hello. How are you doing?

-How are you, sir? You've had a long journey.

-Yeah! I have, yeah.

-Your ponies are looking well.

-Thank you. She's looking great too.

-Well, I had to put in a good one. Get my trophy back!

-Yeah, I know.

I have it in my bag. So, you can get it from me now.

So you can hold it for a few seconds.

I would like to wish you plenty luck, to finish second. Not first.

-Yeah? I would be very happy for that!

-THEY LAUGH

Over in the sheep ring,

-Colin has donned his white coat for the ewe lamb sale.

-On we go.

Ladies and gentlemen, take a look at this now.

David's lambs are in the ring.

First, he wants to exceed £120 each. He needs to cover his costs...

180... 180 bid, 180? 120...

..and then reach a price Chris's sheep won't be able to match.

122 bidding. 125. 125. 125.

At 125... 128, 128...

130.

At 130, David, I'll sell them for you. 130, they're away.

At 130 they go. Thank you very much.

£130 each is the highest price so far today.

But Chris's lambs won the show.

If any can beat David's total, it'll be his prize-winners.

Take a look at that. That is some pen of sheep! 140, 130...

120 then... 110...

110. I bid 110, 110, I bid 112.

15...18...20...

120 bet. 120, minimum, 120... 122.

122, 125. 125, I'm bidding with 125, I'm going to go, then...

At 125, at 125... 128, 128.

128, 128, 128, at 128 they go, sir.

At 128, come on, help the man here!

At 128, 130. 130 bid. 130.

At 130, 130, there's only one champion pen. 130.

Thank you and they go to the judge. Mr Smith, well done, sir.

-The judge has put his money where his mouth is.

-Oh, what a relief!

Thank God.

And David and Chris have tied for the best prices of the day.

I'm very delighted. That will help pay for the bunker, I suppose.

They're always chasing you.

Couldn't have had a better day, really. Thrilled.

Absolutely fantastic.

Hopefully, this gives him the drive to keep going with farming

because he can still do it, as he can show today.

I'll try and come to the show and sale for a few more years anyway

and see what we can do. The rivalry will continue! But friendly.

Cheerio.

-Harry and Bjorn's Shetland pony showdown is minutes away.

-6:20...

Oh, sooner it's started, the better!

This is the worst bit, waiting. Waiting, waiting for the show.

It's a serious business.

Prizes in the show boost the reputation of a stud

and can lead to higher bids in tomorrow's sale.

HE CHUCKLES

The nerves have started kicking in, now it's very close.

HE SIGHS

Harry has prepped Wells Fashion perfectly.

Now, it's down to the judge.

This is the hardest bit, you know, the heart rate's going.

TENSE MUSIC PLAYS

Now... No. Second.

That's, you know, it's all gone. Second.

Harry expected Wells Fashion to do better in her class.

It's a blow to his pride and possibly her value.

Nearly but not quite.

But soon, better news for Harry.

-One of his stallions, Discovery, wins his class.

-The boy did good.

Really chuffed. You know, because if you don't win,

it maybe puts an element of doubt in somebody's mind.

And once they start bidding, you don't want that little

voice in the back of the head, saying, "Oh, it was only fourth..."

Bjorn's miniature pony, Paola, also wins her class... Woohoo!

..and enters the prestigious Champion of Champions contest.

Oh, wow, thank you. Thank you so much.

Bjorn's pony is the star of the show. Woohoo!

HE LAUGHS

I hoped for it but...it actually happened, all this ten hours

a day, all that stress, it's now over and it was worth it.

-We can celebrate now. Mm!

-HE MAKES KISSING SOUND

A new day - and the Mart's autumn sale season is drawing to a close.

After 18 months' training,

today's auction is an opportunity for Rory to show what he can do.

Bid 990, 990... Cracking calves there. At 990, 990...

The ring is full of keen young farmers bidding for calves

they'll feed up over the winter and then sell in the spring.

1,000, 40, 50. 1,050. 1,050!

Rory hopes the youthful competition will help him

-beat his personal best sale of £1,600.

-First in its class.

And a top calf has just entered the ring.

Look at that, look at that, then. That's a cracker.

12, 11, 10, 20, 30,

40, 50, 60, 70...

The bidding is strong.

So Rory starts going up in 50s.

12, 50, 13, 50, 14, 50,

15, 50, 16, 50...

1,650. Can I get a small bid now? 1,650. OK, anyone else in?

A tremendous calf, at 1,650.

1,650, to Ashley Smith.

It's the best price Rory's ever achieved

and a big moment in his career.

It's a real buzz and I don't think it'll be a while before I get more money than that again!

The main thing is, you've got to enjoy it and be enthusiastic.

In the Shetland pony pens,

Bjorn and Harry are bidding farewell to their much-loved animals.

Having Fashion leave, I think that will be tough.

I think that will be one I'm not looking forward to.

It'll be, like, once she's out the ring, I don't want to go and see her.

It'll be, that's it and...

This is the last hour I own them.

This is sad!

Aw, look at him...

He says, "Dad..." Somebody will buy you, darling. You'll be fine.

Would you be able to give her something to eat?

That someone might be Colin. If the price is right.

You want to keep your kids happy, but at the end of the day,

they've got to learn about life as well.

So, hopefully we'll be able to get one of these wee ponies

but only at a budget.

I'm not going to go and spend, you know, hundreds and hundreds.

The ponies are sold in guineas. One guinea is a pound and fivepence.

Sophie, the pony Rachel liked most,

is next to be auctioned. Colin's limit is 320 guineas.

100 guineas.

100, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90,

90 bid. 100. 100 guinea bid, 100 bid...

120, 140, 160,

180, 200, 220, 250, 280.

300, have you got 300 guinea? I have 300 bid, 300 bid, higher?

We have 300 guineas bid. All done at 300?

320, 320, 350...

350, 350, 350! All done at 350!

Too high for Colin.

Next up, the other pony Rachel wanted, show winner Paola.

Almost certain to go above 320 guineas too,

he may be going home empty-handed.

100 guinea bid. 100 guinea bid. 100 bid.

100 guineas for the champion. 100 bid. 100 guineas. 100 bid.

150. 200.

200 guineas bid. 200 guineas bid for the champion!

I have 220 guineas bid! 220 guineas, I'm at 220. 220 bid...

250, 250, 280? Last chance, 280, then, at 280. 280!

And won by Miss Slessor!

Colin's got a bargain, a champion Shetland pony for just over £290.

And despite coming second in the show,

Harry's Wells Fashion goes for 1,200 guineas

to a stud farmer from England.

1,200, all done at 1,200. Thank you, madam. 1,200. Buy number?

That's good. Good home, good price. So...

-Happy days.

-Happy days.

Bjorn's also had a successful sale. His ponies went for £1,900,

all to owners he was happy with.

I don't think she could find a better home than Colin and his kids.

PONIES WHINNY

You'll have a lucky life, as well. I know that.

I'm sure they'll all have good homes now.

You can call it a happy ending.

Yeah...

Over at Colin's house, Rachel is about to meet her new pony.

-Are you happy?

-Yeah.

-Are you sure?

-What's its name?

-Paola.

-Pow-what?

-Pow-oo-la.

-Pa-oo-la.

-You happy with that?

-Yes. I love you, Dad.

-OK, I love you too. OK?

-As long as you're happy.

-I am.

-My pocket's not so happy but anyway...

-HE CHUCKLES

Back at Thainstone, Rory's on his way to the Mart office

to hang up his white coat after another busy week.

But he has a surprise in store.

Well done, sir.

The dearest beast you've sold up to date, so congratulations!

-1,650, was it?

-Well done, Rory.

Today, Rory has sold the dearest animal yet in his career.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

THEY LAUGH

-Well done, Rory.

-Well done, Rory.

One day, he'll be as good as John Angus!

CATTLE LOW

The Mart's autumn sales have gone well.

But the team can't rest on their laurels for long.

Soon, it will be spring and that's when things REALLY get busy.