0:00:03 > 0:00:06Farming is a risky business. SHEEP BAAS
0:00:06 > 0:00:08315. 318.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11And when it's time to make money, the stakes are high.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Thainstone Mart, one of Europe's biggest livestock markets.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19We have 80 there. 81 there.
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 the big sales day.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34With livelihoods on the line,
0:00:34 > 0:00:37their animals have to look just right.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40This is the thing that puts the food on the table,
0:00:40 > 0:00:42of course, I'm nervous.
0:00:42 > 0:00:43Young lady...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Fortunes can be made and dreams can be dashed...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49..all in the blink of an eye.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51It's just another day at work.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Welcome to the Mart.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03It's late summer at Thainstone.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06And in today's programme...
0:01:06 > 0:01:09auctioneer Finlay is under pressure to get top prices
0:01:09 > 0:01:11at the Pedigree Ram Sale.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Better. A wee bit better.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Will a bust up among the Blackhall family sheep
0:01:16 > 0:01:18make them less attractive to buyers?
0:01:18 > 0:01:20The butterflies are starting, yes.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22We're wondering what we'll do in the ring.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24And it's all hands on deck...
0:01:25 > 0:01:29..when highly strung cattle arrive to be auctioned in Caithness.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Felt safer in a cage of lions.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Can the Mart team get local farmers top prices...
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Watch your back, watch your back.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38..and escape unscathed?
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Watch your back.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Early morning and the back of house team is dividing up sheep
0:01:51 > 0:01:52due to be sold today.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- SHEEP BAA - 138, 139, they're going to pen 21.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59It's been a poor summer for Scotland's farmers.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01And the Mart team needs to pull out all the stops
0:02:01 > 0:02:04to help their customers get top prices.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09So, sheep auctioneer Finlay McIntyre regularly visits farmers
0:02:09 > 0:02:12due to sell at Thainstone to give them advice.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15I can safely say, hand on heart, my customers,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18I respect them because I respect what they do,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20I respect what they do in the climate and how they do it.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24The summer was pretty grim and generally in agriculture,
0:02:24 > 0:02:26people would be hard up.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28So there's a lot of stress this year.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30I like to think I try and go the extra mile.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33I always feel like it's almost my stock that I'm selling.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35As long as you know you're making the effort,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37and you're there when they need you.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42SHEEP BAA
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Finlay's destination is the Blackhall family farm,
0:02:46 > 0:02:47near Banchory.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Go on, lads. Go on.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53There, sheep farmers Rodney and his wife, Gillian,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57are rounding up their pedigree rams, or tups, for Finlay's inspection.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59So far, so good.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03If I get the right ones in here, it will be a bonus.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Rodney hopes to sell a dozen of his Texel tups
0:03:05 > 0:03:08at the Mart's Pedigree Ram Sale in five days' time...
0:03:09 > 0:03:12He's been breeding Texels for 20 years.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16They're just a lot less maintenance than some breeds.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19The rams dinnae need to be prepared with a lot of trimming
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and clipping before they're sold.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25They look the part, they're a breed to have.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Rodney is very passionate about his sheep.
0:03:29 > 0:03:30Go on, boys.
0:03:30 > 0:03:31He strives for perfection.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33I'd think, most breeders, you know,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36are looking to breed the perfect sheep.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43One fit and healthy tup can father hundreds of lambs...
0:03:43 > 0:03:44Yeah. Hi, Finlay.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47..so buyers will be looking for strong back legs
0:03:47 > 0:03:48and a lust for life.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Aye, that's a number one.
0:03:51 > 0:03:52It's a fair lad, this lad here.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- That's a number one.- He's got his legs in all the right places.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58He has a fair bit of character about him, that sheep, too.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59He's not just a...
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Slouch. No, no, he has a bit of go about him. Yeah.
0:04:03 > 0:04:04Aye, what ends, they've got on 'em.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Skin's so important, and then the carcass is so important.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09That's one thing Rodney's aye got spades -
0:04:09 > 0:04:10good carcasses and good skins.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- Wee bit of stretch about them. - And stretch. Aye, rib.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Plenty rib. So, that's my kind of sheep.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- Yeah, long and clean. - Long and clean and bare.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19And a big end on him.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23Rodney's worked hard to get his sheep in top shape.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27He'll need to at least match last year's price of £750 per tup
0:04:27 > 0:04:31to cover costs and pay upcoming bills.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32If we can be on a par with last year,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35I'll be quite happy with the way things are.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- Well...- But, well... - ..we can but try.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39We want to give folk a feather in their bonnet,
0:04:39 > 0:04:41but the coins are no' falling just as in favour
0:04:41 > 0:04:43as what we'd like it this year.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Things are a little bit more under pressure.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51For getting animals ready for a ram sale, it's a lot of work.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53I mean, you look at Rodney there,
0:04:53 > 0:04:55every night of the year he has to think about his tups.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57He's got to get them clipped early,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59he's got to get them dosed, mineralised.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01You know, the work never stops.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02- RODNEY:- Go on.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05In fact, it's barely started.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Rodney's taking his tups for a presale scrub up.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Daughters Emma and Kirstie are rounded up too,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15and Team Texel swings into action.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18We're going to give these sheep the beauty treatment.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21It's a bit like a hair salon for a sheep.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23We make them try and look as good as we can.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24We don't want them looking sleepy.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Perfect.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33He's been my favourite one. Big hindquarters here.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Good, deep gigot on him and plenty of width as well.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- How's he looking front end, Emma? - Fine.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Not bad. I don't think is too enamoured with that, is he?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44You're always trying to breed the best you can,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47and the proof of that is when you go to the sale.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50You know all you can do is do your best
0:05:50 > 0:05:52because that's the joys of farming.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54We don't ever really know what we're going to get.
0:05:54 > 0:05:55And I hope to make a good price
0:05:55 > 0:05:58cos I really need a new pair of leggings.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59They've seen better days.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08A new day at Thainstone and a big machinery sale is underway.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10MESSAGE OVER LOUDSPEAKER
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Once a month, the Mart auctions heavy-duty vehicles and equipment.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Ten to the blue. £10 bid.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20From JCBs and tractors...
0:06:20 > 0:06:2216. 1,600 bid.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24..to dumpers and lawnmowers,
0:06:24 > 0:06:27over 4,000 lots to get through.
0:06:27 > 0:06:303,200, £3,200.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Head yardsman Robbie Cruickshank and his team
0:06:34 > 0:06:38must collect the keys for every vehicle and piece of machinery.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41But there's a problem.
0:06:41 > 0:06:42A key's missing.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46There's one who's never up because it's nae marked down in the book.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49That set of keys needs to be found fast,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52or the Shogun's owner will miss his slot.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56We're going to see if we can find this key.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00But Thainstone is a 350-acre site.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Robbie has a lot of ground to cover and not much time.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Still not found our keys.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Have you seen the key?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10I'll go up to the office and have a look,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- see if something's... - Well, we've had a look.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Oh, you've had a look? - We can't find it there.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18So, it's maybe wandered back down to the main office.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23I just hope it's down there. I'll go in there and ask.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28A Shogun for you, one of the Thursday night sales.
0:07:28 > 0:07:29With no luck in the main office,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Robbie hopes one man might hold the key to unlocking the mystery,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35vehicle yardsman, Davey.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Davey here, Jody?
0:07:37 > 0:07:40There's keys missing for a Jeep, and he might know something about it.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Is he up here?
0:07:42 > 0:07:45OK, on the move again.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46No, I cannae see him.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48The car's auction slot is minutes away.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53And as far as Robbie's concerned, the Shogun must go on.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02Over in the pens, a fresh batch of sheep is arriving to be sold.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Suffolk yearlings, round to the exhibition hall, please.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08With 750 tups expected,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11it's going to be a busy day for Finlay and the team.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13We're getting there, getting there.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16The grim weather is good news for sellers.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Farmers won't be harvesting,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20so they're more likely to come to the sale.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23It's ideal conditions for a tup sale.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25It's raining, so nobody else will be doing very much the day.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28We cannae put our hands in their pockets and pull the money out,
0:08:28 > 0:08:29but hopefully, if they're here
0:08:29 > 0:08:32and they're needing tups, they'll get them.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35More potential buyers will be welcome news for the Blackhalls,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38arriving with their 12 two-year-old Texel tups.
0:08:41 > 0:08:42But the good news ends there.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47The tups have been in the wars, and that might affect their price.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Oh, that is a mess. Aye, well done, well done.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- We'll clean it up.- Well, we'll have to...sticky plaster.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59And unfortunately, you can see the tups have been boxing a bit.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02There's a bit of competition between them to see who's boss.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Boys will be boys.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Texels don't have any horns,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10so when they box, it tends to be the top of their skulls
0:09:10 > 0:09:11that it splits open.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Cos there's four of us here, I'm going to be the head stock myself,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17I'll just hold them. I think he's saying, "Do you have to?"
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Back at the machinery sale,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Robbie's managed to track down elusive yardsman, Davey.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27Mind the traffic.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31And Davey's given Robbie a new lead.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36We're going way down to the compound where they store all the cars.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37There's a wee office down there,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41I think the keys might be down there, hopefully.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44There's just enough time for the Shogun to catch the auction.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47When they employ somebody here, they say,
0:09:47 > 0:09:48"If you're fast, you're sure to last.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50"If you're slow, you'll have to go."
0:09:55 > 0:09:56Eureka!
0:09:56 > 0:09:59That's it. What a boost.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01At least the key was in a safe place.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Well, somebody's taken it back in their pocket
0:10:05 > 0:10:07and just put it down there by mistake.
0:10:07 > 0:10:08When you're handling so many keys,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11there's bound to be an odd mistake now and again.
0:10:13 > 0:10:14Bingo.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Now, all Robbie has to do is drive the car to the sale.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It's the right key, but there's no power.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23We'll have to jump-start her now.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27ENGINE STARTS
0:10:27 > 0:10:30That's it, success.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31We're going to sell it now.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Perfect. When's it going under the hammer?
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Mission accomplished for Robbie.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Surely nothing can go wrong now.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42AUCTIONEER LEADS BIDDING
0:10:42 > 0:10:45The reserve price is £2,000.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49At 1,500, come on, wave out.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51At 1,500, 1,500,
0:10:51 > 0:10:53£1,500. All done?
0:10:53 > 0:10:57£1,500. I'm sorry, it's below my instructions, take her out.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Maybe the Shogun wasn't destined to be sold after all.
0:11:10 > 0:11:11Over in the sheep ring,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Finlay is struggling to get the Pedigree Ram Sale
0:11:14 > 0:11:15started on time.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20It's not working.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Sandy, could you turn that mic, the back pen microphone on,
0:11:22 > 0:11:23could you ,please?
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- OVER MIC:- Ready to start the sale of Bluefaced Leicesters,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Bluefaced Leicesters in ring three.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Bluefaced Leicesters in ring three, thank you.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34You get a wee bit of the shakes before you go in,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36but it's a good thing, keeps you sharp.
0:11:36 > 0:11:37I'll shoot round here.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Pensive. Pensive. A wee bit pensive.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I'll just have to work away quietly and see what they do.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47The Blackhalls have tried to patch up their tussling tups.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Have they done enough to save the day?
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Farming's an unusual business.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54When we buy stuff, we're told what price it is,
0:11:54 > 0:11:58but when we sell, we're very much vulnerable to where the market is.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01And at the moment, with every different sector of farming
0:12:01 > 0:12:03going through a very difficult time,
0:12:03 > 0:12:07there was never going to be as much money floating about at this sale.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09It's difficult because you've got bills to pay
0:12:09 > 0:12:14that never seem to get any less, but you just have to manage.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16But anyway, we're still quite optimistic.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20We won't be all doom and gloom until it happens.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22The butterflies are starting.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24We're just wondering what we'll do in the ring.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Come on, boys.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Will the Blackhalls get the £750 per tup they need
0:12:29 > 0:12:33to cover their costs and feed the rest of their flock over winter?
0:12:33 > 0:12:36They've done everything they can, now it's down to Finlay.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Lot number 84. Big powerful sheep here, again,
0:12:39 > 0:12:41from this good home this time.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Each tup is shown separately to allow him to strut his stuff
0:12:44 > 0:12:46and catch a buyer's eye.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48FINLAY LEADS BIDDING
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Lot number 84. Now, that's one big powerful brute of a boy
0:12:51 > 0:12:55here this time. Full of scouth, how about that? 500, 550,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57600, 650.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00650, I'm bid. 650, 650, 650, 650 700.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02700, now I'm bid, 700. 750.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05750, 800. 800, I've been bid, 800.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07800, 850,
0:13:07 > 0:13:08850, 850.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12850, I've a bid at 850 and done then. 850.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13That's a good start,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16but next, one of the bashed up tups enters the ring.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18He's a big scouthy lad.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Look at that, look at the skin of that lad now -
0:13:20 > 0:13:21bare as a badger.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23It starts now at 550, I'm on a bid 550.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25550, 550.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27At 550, 550, 550, 550,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30600, 600, 600,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33650, 650, 650, 650, 700, 700.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38700. All bid at 700, 700.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42The last-minute patch ups did the trick.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47In total, the Blackhalls tups make well over £8,000,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50with the highest average prices of the entire sale.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Thanks very much. Well done, ladies. Thank you very much.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Good. Yeah, that was fine.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59It went quite well,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02on the day when a lot of the prices are not quite so good.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Mum made a good job of putting them in.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06I think it's all down to Mum putting them in.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- It's the brushing up the hips, that's what does it.- Yeah.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Very happy with how things have gone the day.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Good sheep, they've got good price,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15and I think most people will be fairly satisfied
0:14:15 > 0:14:17with how they've done.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18- Well done, everyone.- Yeah.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Yeah, I think I'll need a dram the night.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Thainstone also runs satellite auction houses.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38200 miles north, in Caithness,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Quoybrae is the last mart to survive in the area.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48Local farmers, like Iain Gunn, rely on its services to make ends meet.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52It's a nice morning, for a change.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Iain hopes to sell 48 young beef cattle
0:14:56 > 0:14:59at the big Caithness annual sale tomorrow.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03There's a lot of contented farmers when the weather is good
0:15:03 > 0:15:04on a morning like this,
0:15:04 > 0:15:08and you see the cattle grazing in the fields chewing their cud.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Some of them just laying back in the sunshine.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14We haven't had many mornings like this, this summer.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Poor grazing has forced Iain to invest in specialist food
0:15:19 > 0:15:21to fatten them for the sale.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25It's a more expensive fattening process,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29but just the year that we've had, we've got to work round it.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Our main income is on sale day.
0:15:31 > 0:15:37You're really trying to get them in as good a condition as you can.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38So, Iain's bringing them in
0:15:38 > 0:15:40to spruce them up before the big day,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43but his Belgian Blue and Limousin cross-breeds
0:15:43 > 0:15:44can be a real handful.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Inside, inside.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50You don't normally go around there but trust him.
0:15:51 > 0:15:52Watch yourself.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Limousin especially - a highly strung animal.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13Helping Dad out with the lively herd, 14-year-old Ben
0:16:13 > 0:16:15and his younger brother, Craig, who's 12.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Wild. She's probably bred from a Limousin or something.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23She just wants company.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27Well, I used to be scared of them, but I'm not as scared any more.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Right, Ben, you can open up, if you want.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32We're about to take them into a pen,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36which will lead them into our cattle race.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41My dad will clip them and get them all ready for the show.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Iain's going to enter four of his best beasts
0:16:51 > 0:16:52in the presale show.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Prizes there can lead to higher bids in the auction.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Cross-bred bullock Malky is one of the chosen ones.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Showtime, we'll maybe just give him a wee comb
0:17:04 > 0:17:06just to exaggerate the fact
0:17:06 > 0:17:09that he's got a good backside on him, really.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13But Iain's worried the rest of his cattle
0:17:13 > 0:17:15aren't fat enough to make decent money.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19So, he's asked mart auctioneers John Bremner and Stuart Slessor
0:17:19 > 0:17:21to give them the once over.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24That'll be good carcass cattle when they're finished.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- A lot of buyers coming up? - There's plenty interest, Iain, yeah.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Yeah, yeah. Especially for this kind of stock.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- Is that right?- For the good stuff. - Aye, aye. Yeah.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36You're going to present them well, and you've been trimming them,
0:17:36 > 0:17:40and I think you would be speaking roughly about 900-odd quid, Iain.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Aye. Aye.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Iain's cattle are looking good for the spring and summer they've had,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49but he has been giving them a little extra than a trough.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53That kind of quality - they've got the length, they've got the shape -
0:17:53 > 0:17:55they'll be good carcasses when they're finished.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59A thumbs up from John is a big relief,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02but Iain isn't out of the woods yet.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04If his boisterous beasts misbehave in the ring,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06it could cost him dear.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Back at Thainstone, in the Porterhouse restaurant,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18preparations have started early for a pedigree sheep club's
0:18:18 > 0:18:20annual dinner this evening.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Auctioneer Finlay has been asked to make a speech,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26but he's a nervous public speaker,
0:18:26 > 0:18:30so he's practising on colleagues, Rory and Tim.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Listen to these jokes and tell me what you think.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33What are you doing?
0:18:33 > 0:18:36I'm away to speak at the Suffolk club dinner the night,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- up the stairs. - They must be getting desperate.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40They must be hard up for folk. I'm going to say,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43"Aye, through the winters, I only survived by wearing hand-me-downs.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46"It wouldn't have been so bad, but I had three big sisters."
0:18:46 > 0:18:48WOMAN LAUGHS
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- OK.- I'm sure you'll be fine, Finlay.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53You won't be asked to do it again, so...
0:18:53 > 0:18:56That's all right, thanks for your moral support.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Looks like Finlay needs some new material.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Over in Caithness,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12auctioneer Stuart is checking in cattle for the big sale.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Getting a bit of excitement now, we're getting closer to the sale.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19After weeks of building up to it, it's finally the big day.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25With 1,200 cattle expected, head yardsman Robbie Cruickshank
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and his Thainstone team have been drafted in to help.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32It's a different way of life up here.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36It's like down a gear up here, like.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38There's always tomorrow up here.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42Also just arrived,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46the Gunn family with their four best beasts for the presale show.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Time for a last-minute makeover.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55They actually quite like this brush up when they get used to it.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00The show starts.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02All the bullocks, also called stots,
0:20:02 > 0:20:04parade in front of the judge.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20He's made his decision...
0:20:20 > 0:20:23The pairs of bullocks. Go to the Blue stots here.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25..and it's good news for the Gunns.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Got Reserve Champion and First Prize Bullock here today.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33We're all delighted. It's been a good morning,
0:20:33 > 0:20:37successful so far, and now we're looking for a good price.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44And Iain's more likely to get a good price,
0:20:44 > 0:20:46if the potential buyers have a decent breakfast.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49That's where Joanna Mackay
0:20:49 > 0:20:52and the renowned Caithness catering team come in.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56It's quite hectic today because it's a big sale.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58I absolutely love baking and cooking,
0:20:58 > 0:21:02so when my family left home, I got roped in to come here.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Auctioneer John needs to build up his strength, too.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10There's already been porridge first thing in the morning,
0:21:10 > 0:21:12but we're now going to have a pie.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19There should be quite a lot of buyers through there, hopefully,
0:21:19 > 0:21:21and it'll help the Caithness economy
0:21:21 > 0:21:24because this year the weather has been pretty rotten,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and we need everything we can get.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33John's fuelled up and raring to go.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34The auction begins.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this show and sale.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Senior mart auctioneer John Angus
0:21:40 > 0:21:42has also come up from Thainstone to help.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45The buyers we get up in Caithness, they're serious buyers.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- Are you needing anything? - Can I get a...?
0:21:47 > 0:21:51The tea lady will come around with the teas and the pies about 11.30,
0:21:51 > 0:21:53so they don't have to leave the ringside.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59It's not just the catering team that needs to be on top form.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Robbie and his crew have their hands full
0:22:01 > 0:22:05moving the sometimes cantankerous cattle from pen to ring.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08And there's no prizes for guessing whose beasts
0:22:08 > 0:22:10cause the yardsmen most problems.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Splitting Iain's highly strung herd into smaller pens
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- to be sold separately... ROBBIE:- Come on! Come on!
0:22:17 > 0:22:19..is no easy task.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Hey! Hey!
0:22:24 > 0:22:27But Iain thinks they'll soon be on their best behaviour.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Once they're in their pens, they settle down,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and Robbie here, he knows what he's doing.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34He's been coming up here for years.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38I've seen them worse, like. Aye, murderous.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41There's some of his cattle, you'd have felt safer in a cage of lions.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44But it's not just Iain's beasts that are feisty.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Caithness cattle have a reputation for taking no prisoners,
0:22:49 > 0:22:51especially in the auction ring.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Watch your back! Watch your back!
0:22:58 > 0:22:59Ha, they're off!
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Iain's first lot should give the team in the ring
0:23:13 > 0:23:14a well-deserved breather.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18He's selling a short-horned heifer on its own
0:23:18 > 0:23:19to try to boost its price.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Iain needs to average £900 per beast today to break even.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26AUCTIONEER STARTS BIDDING
0:23:30 > 0:23:32980, 1,100...
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Iain's already £200 in profit, and it gets even better.
0:23:36 > 0:23:391,350, 1,400,
0:23:39 > 0:23:431,450, 1,450, 1,480,
0:23:43 > 0:23:451,500,
0:23:45 > 0:23:481,500, 1,500,
0:23:48 > 0:23:491,550.
0:23:49 > 0:23:521,550, 1,550,
0:23:52 > 0:23:551,600, 1,600.
0:23:55 > 0:23:571,600.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Thank you.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02So far, so good.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04And Iain's prizewinners do well, too.
0:24:05 > 0:24:061,180.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11But his last pen could undo all that good work.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14If his temperamental heifers kick-off in the ring,
0:24:14 > 0:24:15they might go unsold.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19800, 810.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21AUCTIONEER CONTINUES THE BIDDING
0:24:23 > 0:24:2650, 60, 70,
0:24:26 > 0:24:2880, 890, 900,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31910, 910.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34910, 910,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37910, 910,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39910, if you're all finished.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41910.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Iain's last pen was on best behaviour,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49helping his total reach nearly £46,000,
0:24:49 > 0:24:515,000 more than he hoped for.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Well, there's a bit of prize-money, boys, keep you going.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56And there's the £70 prize-money to collect as well.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59You'll be able to get two with that.
0:25:01 > 0:25:02A good day for the Gunn family
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and a good day for Robbie and his team, too.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08They return to Thainstone with no broken bones.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Back at the Suffolk sheep dinner, guest speaker Finlay is worried.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20His audience is arriving in droves.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23I'm nervous tonight. If I make a bad job of it,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26I'm going to make myself look like a neep, so...
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- You've not got any grey hair yet, so...- No, I know.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33I like to hear people laugh, so that's nice, if you can.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Maybe I won't the night, but it's nice if you can.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38- Right, are you ready to roll? - I'm ready to roll.
0:25:38 > 0:25:39Ready to rock and roll.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Fellow auctioneer Colin Slessor is on hand for support.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- I'm pleased to see you've had your hair cut anyway.- I know.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47It's tidied the job up a bit.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Cow's lick, Dandy brush...- Aye.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- ..talcum powder.- Aye, the cows should have finished it off,
0:25:53 > 0:25:54it's just licked one side.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57- Right, OK.- Thank you. - You'll be fine, you'll be fine.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59APPLAUSE
0:25:59 > 0:26:03I'll now hand over to Finlay.
0:26:03 > 0:26:04Thank you, sir.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Well, Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12I'd like to thank you all for your kind invitation here tonight.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14I was having a wee pep talk with Colin there before I started,
0:26:14 > 0:26:16and he said, "I hope it's no too long."
0:26:16 > 0:26:19So, I've abridged chapter four for yous.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23The last place I did an after-dinner speech,
0:26:23 > 0:26:24I got a standing ovation.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28So, it's always a pleasure to speak at the Knockando district
0:26:28 > 0:26:30of the National Hemorrhoid Society.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33LAUGHTER
0:26:33 > 0:26:37With the crowd on his side, Finlay's on a roll and the jokes flow.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40He even risks the gag that bombed earlier.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Talk about poverty, I knew poverty.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45The only way I survived the winters was by hand-me-downs.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48It wouldn't have been so bad, but I had three big sisters.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51LAUGHTER
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Ladies and gentlemen, I would just like to say that
0:26:54 > 0:26:57I'm very, very honoured to have been asked to speak to yous tonight.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00The show of sheep up here is absolutely first-class,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02and I always admire all your hard work and efforts
0:27:02 > 0:27:04every time you bring sheep to the Mart here.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06I hope your ears aren't bleeding too much,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09and I'll see you again some other time. Thank you very much.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Well, I think he did well.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17I think he was very good.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Absolutely brilliant.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21He's hopeless as an auctioneer, Finlay.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24You can't understand a word he says, like.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28But he's been clear tonight, he's been really brilliant.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31I was a wee bit nervous but not too bad.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32You've got to enjoy what you do,
0:27:32 > 0:27:34and I'm fortunate that I do enjoy what I do.
0:27:36 > 0:27:37It's always better to try leave somebody
0:27:37 > 0:27:40with a feather in their bonnet than a sore head.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44It's a triumph for Finlay,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47but tomorrow he'll be swapping quips and gags
0:27:47 > 0:27:50for tups and gimmers when he's back in the ring once more.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Next time on The Mart...
0:27:58 > 0:27:59Here we go.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02..Colin and his team face their most challenging sale of the year -
0:28:02 > 0:28:03rare breeds day...
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Come on, get down and catch it.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Come on. Good lads, get in there. Come on, boys.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09..a farmer selling sheep for the first time
0:28:09 > 0:28:12hopes a spray tan might boost his chances...
0:28:12 > 0:28:14It's amazing what that sheep will look like
0:28:14 > 0:28:16once it's had a wee tidy up.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19..and there's a life or death sale at the car auction.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21That's why we're here to sell the car,
0:28:21 > 0:28:25to save dogs like Zach and Snuggles.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29Will a Porsche go for enough cash to save an animal sanctuary?