0:00:07 > 0:00:09We may live in a digital age...
0:00:11 > 0:00:14..but a surprising amount of British trade is still done the
0:00:14 > 0:00:16old-fashioned way...
0:00:16 > 0:00:19INDISTINCT BIDDING
0:00:19 > 0:00:21..at traditional auctions.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Now is your time to get a bargain.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27These sales may feel like throwbacks to a bygone age...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31..but for the buyers and sellers who flock to them,
0:00:31 > 0:00:33they're still the best way to conduct business.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36And 1,600, blow your nose and bid again.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39We'll be visiting the UK's most dynamic traditional markets...
0:00:39 > 0:00:41BELL RINGS
0:00:42 > 0:00:45..selling everything from pigs to cattle,
0:00:45 > 0:00:47sheepdogs to ponies...
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..fish to veg...
0:00:51 > 0:00:56and discovering how they are the heartbeat of rural life.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58There'll be bargains to be had today.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- 4.50.- Best part of being at an auction.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Today, we're in southwest England at one of the largest livestock
0:01:06 > 0:01:09auctions in the region.
0:01:09 > 0:01:1028, 29, £30. Sweet things.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13We'll be meeting the auctioneers in the hot seat....
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Store lambs for you this morning.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17I'm living the dream.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22..and following the fortunes of three buyers and sellers...
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Max! Heel!
0:01:24 > 0:01:26You've just got to keep trying, keep going.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30..as they experience all the excitement....
0:01:30 > 0:01:31What are you looking to buy today?
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- As many as I can.- As cheap as possible?- As cheap as possible, yes.
0:01:34 > 0:01:35Well, that ain't going to happen.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37..and tension...
0:01:37 > 0:01:39This is our one payday of the year.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41..as the hammer falls.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43All away at £18. All away.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59We're in the West Country's largest county, Devon,
0:01:59 > 0:02:00in the ancient city of Exeter.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Three-quarters of all the land in the southwest is devoted to farming.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12There are more livestock here than any other region in the UK.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19Exeter is home to one of the region's biggest livestock markets
0:02:19 > 0:02:23with huge twice-weekly sales of the whole range of farm animals.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26There are some decent animals here. It's worth coming.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28You've got to think that every day is going to be a
0:02:28 > 0:02:31good day and just see how it pans out.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33A little bit dearer than they have been.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36There's a lot of livestock to sell here in the next few hours.
0:02:37 > 0:02:44Over 100 calves, nearly 270 pigs and more than 800 cattle.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Each are sold in separate, simultaneous auctions,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51and each sale has its own auctioneer.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Morning, David.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- How's life?- Not too bad.- Very good.
0:02:57 > 0:02:58Perfect.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Righto, gentlemen, we're back in gear.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06But for sheer scale, one of today's auctions puts the others in the shade.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Sheep.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13A staggering 2,400 of them will be sold here in the next two hours.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17It's good of you to supply Andy with a bit of straw, isn't it?
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Quite a task for young auctioneer Russell Steer,
0:03:20 > 0:03:26who's overseen an amazing boom since his company took over the market in 2012.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29We've recently, actually, in the last couple of weeks,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32sold our millionth sheep in Exeter in the five and a half years we've
0:03:32 > 0:03:34been here, so we're averaging just over 3,500 a week.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38He's from a farming family and even keeps sheep himself.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Having a great understanding and being around sheep and being brought
0:03:41 > 0:03:45up with sheep and knowing how they act and how they respond makes it
0:03:45 > 0:03:49easier when I'm sorting sheep and also when I'm going to sell them.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53And knowing what buyers want and what buyers will be looking for and
0:03:53 > 0:03:55advising sellers on the best way to sell them.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57The ewes will be over there.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58And I enjoy it.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02I enjoy everything that comes with being a sheep auctioneer.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04I'm living the dream.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06The dream is about to become a reality...
0:04:08 > 0:04:12..because it's time for the auction to begin.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15All right, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Exeter Market.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Selling at 195. Mr Short, 195.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24All the auctioneers have to move fast...
0:04:24 > 0:04:29122, John Norman, Bridport.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34..but with 2,400 sheep to sell, and two hours to do it,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Russell Steer has to move at lightning speed.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Six, six, seven, seven, eight, eight.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44Nine, nine, nine, I'm bid. Nine bid, nine bid, nine bid.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46We try to be pretty much on time.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48We know people have got busy schedules...
0:04:48 > 0:04:51At 59.50, Rob Andrews.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55..and can roughly sell 12 or 1,400 store lambs an hour.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56All in together.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00It's November, the season for store lambs.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04These are young sheep aged around six or seven months being sold to
0:05:04 > 0:05:07farmers who will fatten them up on winter pasture.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13With such a lot of sheep here today,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16there's a risk of oversupply leading to low prices.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20It's a real worry for sellers like Stuart Crang,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22for whom every penny counts.
0:05:25 > 0:05:31There's 76 on there, which is just a comfortable load.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35You want them fairly crowded so they can all stand up and support each
0:05:35 > 0:05:37other but not as crowded as a tube train.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41Right.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Now I await instructions as to where to send them.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Stuart's farm is just seven miles from the auction, on high ground
0:05:56 > 0:06:00overlooking a beautiful West Country landscape.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02It's a lovely view, isn't it?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07You can just make out the sea over the top of the hill there and that's
0:06:07 > 0:06:10at Dawlish Warren and there is Stoke Woods which hides Exeter
0:06:10 > 0:06:12and Exeter is all behind that.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21My father and my grandfather moved here in 1954.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24I was born here in 1955.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26So, really, it's an inherited occupation!
0:06:29 > 0:06:34We've got just under 600 acres of ground and we lamb about 500 sheep
0:06:34 > 0:06:35at present.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40The farm may look picture perfect but the family has been through
0:06:40 > 0:06:42tough times.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Around 20 years ago,
0:06:44 > 0:06:48they had a serious outbreak of tuberculosis in their cattle herd.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53We were one of the first farms to go down with TB back in the mid-1990s.
0:06:53 > 0:06:59We were down with TB for nine years, which meant we couldn't sell any
0:06:59 > 0:07:01stock alive, so it was a very difficult time.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08We finally went clear of TB in 2005, at which point we sold the
0:07:08 > 0:07:12cows and decided to concentrate on using sheep to graze
0:07:12 > 0:07:16the steeper grassland, which aren't susceptible to TB.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21So the farm now relies entirely on income from the sheep.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25Stuart's flock were all born here on the farm about six months ago.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28This is the time of year when he needs to sell them.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31This year we've been fortunate. We've had a damp summer,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34very fortunate for growing grass and that means there's been plenty of
0:07:34 > 0:07:36grass for the sheep to eat.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39That means that this year, I'm probably selling bigger lambs than I
0:07:39 > 0:07:41would be selling in another year.
0:07:43 > 0:07:49Good dog. Every sheep farm, of course, needs its sheepdog.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Some can be a bit of a handful.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52Max!
0:07:55 > 0:07:56Meet Max.
0:07:56 > 0:07:57DOG BARKS
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Max, quiet. Good dog. Quiet!
0:07:59 > 0:08:01DOG BARKS AGAIN
0:08:01 > 0:08:02Max!
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Quiet!
0:08:05 > 0:08:06Max!
0:08:08 > 0:08:09I know you're apologising, but be quiet!
0:08:13 > 0:08:15With the auction tomorrow,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Stuart is bringing in a big group of sheep to take to market...
0:08:19 > 0:08:23..with trusty Max on rounding-up duty.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24Max!
0:08:28 > 0:08:29Max!
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Max! Heel!
0:08:31 > 0:08:32Heel!
0:08:34 > 0:08:39It's November, a particularly vital time for Stuart because autumn is
0:08:39 > 0:08:43the season when he has to make pretty much all his income.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45The farm here is owned by the Church of England.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47It is a rented farm.
0:08:47 > 0:08:53The position at the moment is that we basically rely on one burst of
0:08:53 > 0:08:59income in the autumn when we sell the lambs to pay our living expenses
0:08:59 > 0:09:00during the year.
0:09:01 > 0:09:02Leave him, Max.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05And pay me for all the time and effort I spend looking after the
0:09:05 > 0:09:06sheep during the year.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Profit margins for sheep farmers are very tight,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15so getting good prices at auction is crucial for Stuart.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17I'm bringing them into the yard where we've got the handling
0:09:17 > 0:09:20facilities so that we can pick out the ones that I want to take to
0:09:20 > 0:09:21market on Friday.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23There's about 400 in this group, I think.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Initially I'll probably pick out perhaps 80 or 90 of them
0:09:27 > 0:09:29and put back the ones I don't want to take,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31ones that have a problem because they're lame
0:09:31 > 0:09:33or indeed the ones that belong to my neighbour,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36like the one with the blue dot on!
0:09:36 > 0:09:39I can't find whose that one is. I've got messages to everybody.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42I've had him for weeks. The ones at the back aren't aware that the dog
0:09:42 > 0:09:44is there trying to push them forward.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Come on.
0:09:51 > 0:09:52No, not working.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57We want another sort of dog here, a dog that would run over the top of
0:09:57 > 0:10:00the sheep and push on the ones at the front when you've got a mob
0:10:00 > 0:10:01jamming a lane like this.
0:10:04 > 0:10:05We use Josh instead of a dog, yes!
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Stuart needs to select the lambs that are the right size
0:10:11 > 0:10:13to go to auction now.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Smaller ones will go in the next few weeks when they're bigger.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22This one, I don't think he's quite what I'm looking for.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24That one, no. Yes, we'll have that one.
0:10:24 > 0:10:31It's size, size I'm going for with this pick through here.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33I mean, he's a definite. This is a definite.
0:10:33 > 0:10:34Oh, he's an overweight lamb.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41He's definitely one that should've gone already but hasn't,
0:10:41 > 0:10:43so he'll have to go on Friday.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49The average price for each lamb will be around £60 at auction,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53but prices are changeable and even a small drop can make a big difference
0:10:53 > 0:10:56when you're selling 80 sheep.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59The difference in price varies, obviously, from year to year
0:10:59 > 0:11:01and it's not predictable and if I could predict it,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I'd manage to make a lot more money from doing it.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09The variation in the market from week to week can be as much as £5
0:11:09 > 0:11:10for each lamb that is sold.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Obviously, that amounts to hundreds of pounds.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17It could be as much as £400, I suppose, and that really does make a
0:11:17 > 0:11:18big difference.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Your only income is from those sales, so the actual outcome of
0:11:22 > 0:11:24the market matters a lot.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28The sort of lambs I'm looking to take this week,
0:11:28 > 0:11:33I would expect to make over £70 for them and if they only make somewhere
0:11:33 > 0:11:36in the 50s, then I will stop marketing lambs for this autumn
0:11:36 > 0:11:40and try to hold on and hope that the price rises in the spring.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44It really is crucial to get as good a price as we can because this is
0:11:44 > 0:11:45our one payday of the year.
0:11:47 > 0:11:48Lovely bred cattle here now.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Back at the market, the selling is well underway.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57£1,100 bid....
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Back rail, 88. While I sell away at 80.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05And sheep auctioneer Russell Steer is going great guns.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07INDISTINCT FAST BIDDING
0:12:08 > 0:12:13Store lambs are generally sold by farmers like Stuart who raise sheep
0:12:13 > 0:12:17on high ground that doesn't produce enough grass in winter to feed the
0:12:17 > 0:12:18hungry lambs.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Numbers are high today because lots of West Country farmers are in the
0:12:23 > 0:12:25same boat as Stuart.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29For many sheep farmers, there would just be that main source of income
0:12:29 > 0:12:33from selling store lambs in the autumn where they would have to
0:12:33 > 0:12:35make that entire amount to the next year.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38That would make this time of year a busier time of selling,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42the autumn, so this calendar is the busiest for a sheep auctioneer.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Today there are a lot of sheep in the market.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Perhaps nearly twice as many as they were last week and we'll see what
0:12:49 > 0:12:53effect that has on the price that we achieve today.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Hopefully, there are a lot of buyers in as well.
0:12:56 > 0:13:02In fact, there are fewer buyers here today than last week, and more sheep.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Oversupply could drive down prices.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09You have a figure in your mind what you think they're worth,
0:13:09 > 0:13:11but it doesn't really matter what you think they're worth.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14All that matters is what the price on the day is.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17There is a sense of apprehension and nervousness as to whether you've
0:13:17 > 0:13:20made the right decision bringing the lambs that day.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24A good run from Stuart. A good consignment from Stuart.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29One of Stuart's larger pens of 14 sheep is being sold.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31He's hoping for £70 a head.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Russell's got the bidding to £65.
0:13:36 > 0:13:42Five, half, five, half, five, half, 65, half. At 65.50.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43Away at 65.50.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48It's significantly lower than Stuart was hoping for by nearly £5,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51a real blow when margins are so tight.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Now it's another Stuart pen of 14.
0:13:55 > 0:13:5772, 72, £70.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Russell tries to start high at £72.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06But the canny buyers won't bite and it's back down to £65.
0:14:06 > 0:14:1166, 7, 66, half.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12£68.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14INDISTINCT FAST BIDDING
0:14:16 > 0:14:19WAR, £68.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23£68 is still under what Stuart would like
0:14:23 > 0:14:27but as seller and auctioneer both know, auctions are unpredictable.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30I have to accept that's the market price.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34With the livestock marketing system,
0:14:34 > 0:14:36there is a slight uncertainty and a slight gamble with it.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41But Stuart still has nearly half his sheep to sell.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43He's pinning his hopes on them.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Sheep play a hugely significant role in British agriculture.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01There are an amazing 15 million of them in England alone.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07More than 20% of that vast number are here in the West Country.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Britain is the biggest sheep producer in the European Union.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17Because of our close economic ties, exports are booming.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Nationally, more than 30% of the sheep meat produced in this country
0:15:22 > 0:15:27is exported to the continent, mainly to France,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31and the existence or otherwise of the trade to France makes a huge
0:15:31 > 0:15:33difference to the price we achieve in the market.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37With sheep so important in the southwest,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40they've always been a key part of Exeter's livestock trade.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47Here, they're being driven through the city to market around 100 years ago.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Since 2012, when it came under new management,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57trade has grown significantly at Exeter Market,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00hence selling 1 million sheep in 5.5 years.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04INDISTINCT BIDDING
0:16:09 > 0:16:13And true to form, today's sheep auction is proving frantically busy.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21For regular buyer Roger Heggadon, it's his most crucial time of year
0:16:21 > 0:16:25at auction so he's watching the form carefully.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27It looks quite busy,
0:16:27 > 0:16:29there's quite a lot of good sheep here today really.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31It does vary from week to week.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Some weeks you get some poor quality lambs here and you get a lot of
0:16:34 > 0:16:38poor quality, but today, there's a good quality lot of lambs here really.
0:16:38 > 0:16:44But prices could be competitive and Roger needs to buy at least 100 sheep.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47At this time of year, he may well be facing challenging competition.
0:16:52 > 0:16:58Roger farms 300 acres around 30 miles from the market on rich low
0:16:58 > 0:17:02pasture not far from Dartmoor National Park.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04We're in the lowlands of Dartmoor.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07It's a very good grass growing area.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12We get about the right amount of rainfall so for livestock, ie sheep,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14it's ideally situated, really.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Come on, sheep. Come on, sheep.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Sheep farming really is in Roger's blood.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23I come from a farming family.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28I've got three older sisters and my father had a habit of basically
0:17:28 > 0:17:32putting us on the back of a sheep and telling us to hold on
0:17:32 > 0:17:36and see how long you could stay on the back of the sheep!
0:17:36 > 0:17:39So, that's my earliest memory of being involved with sheep.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43He can draw on generations of ovine wisdom.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48My father used to tell me that judge a sheep by the size of his ears,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52which is a funny thing, but the smaller the ears,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54the smaller the sheep, and my father would say,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57"You buy sheep with big ears, boy, they'll grow into it!"
0:18:01 > 0:18:04I probably own about 2,500 sheep.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10Where Stuart Crang was selling store lambs, Roger is buying them.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16His low lying rich pasture is ideal at this time of year to feed and
0:18:16 > 0:18:18fatten store lambs.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19His flock is at its largest.
0:18:20 > 0:18:26The reason I would have more sheep now is because buying and fattening
0:18:26 > 0:18:30store lambs is a seasonal part of the farming business, really.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34But profit margins on store lambs are incredibly tight.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37If I sell them at the current trade,
0:18:37 > 0:18:41I'll probably only sell them at £10 more than they cost.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45But you hope that the trade picks up, so it's a bit of a gamble,
0:18:45 > 0:18:46really, on a futures market.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Because the profit on each sheep is small, you need volume.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Sheep is a bit of a numbers game, really, because it is quite small
0:18:56 > 0:19:00margins within the store lamb trade so you do need to be turning over
0:19:00 > 0:19:03thousands rather than hundreds to actually make some sort of
0:19:03 > 0:19:04decent living out of it.
0:19:06 > 0:19:12A good result for me would be if I buy 200 lambs for about 60, 62 or £63.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16I think there will be quite a bit of competition at the next market.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19£30 bid. 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5. 35, 35, 35.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26£900. 910, 920, 930, 940.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29It's vital for Roger not to pay too much at auction,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33but at the same time, he's got to buy enough sheep to keep the
0:19:33 > 0:19:34business moving.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36£80 bid.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41I like to think that I'd buy a minimum of 100 but a lot of people
0:19:41 > 0:19:44are looking for lambs to finish on their grass this time of year,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47so you get more and more competition, really.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50Sell away at £90.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53I get a buzz from it. I've been doing it a long time.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55I know I only look about 21!
0:19:55 > 0:19:58But I've been doing it for a long time, yes.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Roger's witnessed the transformation of the sheep business here at
0:20:01 > 0:20:06Exeter and puts it down to auctioneer Russell's hard work.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10To sum it up, he's transformed Exeter Market.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Six or seven years ago,
0:20:12 > 0:20:17they'd have two rows of sheep and now there would be 10 to 15 rows of
0:20:17 > 0:20:20sheep and I think that's purely down to Russell's effort that he's put in
0:20:20 > 0:20:24and he's got a very good rapport with the sellers and the buyers.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27But in a market that is now so busy,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29you'd better have your wits about you.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33When I'm at the sheep auction, I more or less shut my mind off.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37I concentrate on what I'm doing, try to avoid outside interference.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Buying sheep is a matter of seconds, really, so it's a split-second
0:20:41 > 0:20:44decision and, you know, if you snooze, you lose.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Simple as that!
0:20:46 > 0:20:50They are good lambs, they are. 75?
0:20:50 > 0:20:5276, 77. 78.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Roger's bidding but others are going higher.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59At £78. Dirk Harris.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02And Roger loses.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- 75, 5, 2...- 65.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09He's in again on another lot.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12At £73 bid. At £73 bid. 73, half.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15But competition is stiff.
0:21:15 > 0:21:1873, half, 73, half, all sure. Sell away.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Hammer's up at 73.50.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21And he loses the bid.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27You know that? Never would I do that.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33It's a better market for sellers I would say today, really,
0:21:33 > 0:21:38but, yeah, you've just got to keep trying and keep going.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Roger's got his work cut out if he's to buy the 100-plus sheep he needs
0:21:44 > 0:21:46to keep the business going.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51To be a buyer all the time, you nearly need to be a bit of a bully.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55You've got to be able to get in front, push your way in...
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Hang on, let me have a look there a minute.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02..and try and dominate slightly because if you're at all weak,
0:22:02 > 0:22:04I'm afraid you miss out.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Time to get his poker face on.
0:22:06 > 0:22:0966, 66, 66, half, 6, half, 6, half...
0:22:09 > 0:22:14BIDDING BECOMES FASTER
0:22:19 > 0:22:22These sheep are going a lot higher than Roger wants to pay, but time
0:22:22 > 0:22:25is running out and he has to get into the game.
0:22:26 > 0:22:2975, all done, selling at a half, 5, half, 5, half, hammer's up,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32selling at 6, 76, 76. Sell away.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Half, 6, half, 6, half. All done and I sell.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Are you bidding? At 76.50, Roger Heggadon.
0:22:39 > 0:22:4176.50.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45So, 13 down, 80 plus to go.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47But now, at least, he's got some momentum.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50He's bidding again.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52But so are his competitors.
0:22:53 > 0:22:561, half, 1, half, 2, 2, 2, 72, half.
0:22:56 > 0:22:592, half, 2, half, 3, 73, half, all done, sell away.
0:22:59 > 0:23:0173.50, Roger Heggadon. 73.50.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06Seems he's dominating the sale, but it's costing him.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Well, I've bought a few, but it's not very easy.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Quite a strong trade.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18The 26 lambs he's bought so far average £75 each.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Way more than his budget figure of 63.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25He can only hope things improve as the sale goes on.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35At 325. And gone. At 325.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39684.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44The rest of seller Stuart Crang's store lambs are up for sale.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46150 bid.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51So far, Stuart's sheep have sold for an average of £69 each.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54He'd like to break the £70 barrier.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56His target...
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Hammer's up at 155.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02..to ensure he can pay himself a decent wage at this important time of year.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Texel crosses this time.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08There are hundreds of different sheep breeds.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12This pen of Stuart's are Texels, originally from Holland,
0:24:12 > 0:24:16crossed with the popular native crossbreed, Suffolk Mule.
0:24:16 > 0:24:2170, 70, 70, £70. Yes. 66, 66, 7, 67, 8, 68.
0:24:21 > 0:24:259, 69, 70, £70 bid. 70 bid, 70 bid, 70 bid.
0:24:25 > 0:24:2970, half, 70, half, 70, half, 70, half.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32They've broken the magical £70 barrier...
0:24:32 > 0:24:34At £70.
0:24:34 > 0:24:381, 1, half, 1, half, 2, 72, 72, half, 2, half, 2 half.
0:24:38 > 0:24:44Sell away, 3. 73, 3, 73, half, 3, half, 3, half, 3 half.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46I sell at 73.50.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49..and sell for a pleasing £73.50.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54The sheep achieved the best price per head.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57That in itself is good, so I'm happy with the result of that.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00With things finally going in the right direction,
0:25:00 > 0:25:05another 14 of Stuart's lambs are also attracting real interest...
0:25:05 > 0:25:13FAST BIDDING
0:25:17 > 0:25:18At 74.50.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23..and sell at his best price of the day, £74.50.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26The pen sold very well.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30It looks as if we averaged, I think they should have averaged about 67.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34It's in line with the price I was expecting to get given the larger
0:25:34 > 0:25:36number of sheep we've got in today.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38The trade has been good this autumn.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42When I pick up my cheque next week,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45that's the pay for the previous year's work.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47It's been a good result.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Stuart has sold his 76 lambs for over £5,000.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Given that this is the time of year when he needs to make the most of
0:25:58 > 0:26:01his income, it's been a successful day at auction.
0:26:07 > 0:26:13The world of livestock auctions has changed a lot in the last 50 years or so.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18In the early 1960s, there were around 500 weekly markets,
0:26:18 > 0:26:20one in pretty much every English town.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27But by the late '80s, smaller markets were disappearing fast as
0:26:27 > 0:26:29big, purpose-built ones like Exeter appeared.
0:26:31 > 0:26:36I remember when Exeter Market was built in 1990.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39I've got a picture of me at the market on the day it opened and it
0:26:39 > 0:26:43was a big, modern market, and we all thought "marvellous".
0:26:43 > 0:26:48Since then, more farmers have begun to sell direct to supermarkets so
0:26:48 > 0:26:53livestock auction numbers have reduced more, from 200 or so when
0:26:53 > 0:26:57Exeter was built, to around 80 in England today.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02I think livestock auctions are consolidating in becoming bigger,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04fewer centres.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08We've lost a lot of livestock markets over the last 25 years,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11which I don't think is a good thing.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15But the success of Exeter shows that there's still a real need for
0:27:15 > 0:27:17traditional markets.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24Having multiple sales on one site with a group of surprisingly young
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- auctioneers...- Some wonderful, wonderful pigs.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30..really does seem to be working.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34We probably have 500 cattle, 2,000 sheep, 300 pigs and a heap of calves
0:27:34 > 0:27:36and you've got auctioneers and people here
0:27:36 > 0:27:39everywhere and there's a real hum.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42That's what makes a great auction place and when things are swinging
0:27:42 > 0:27:44and the trade is really good, there is no better place to be.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54INDISTINCT FAST BIDDING
0:27:57 > 0:28:0145, 40, 45, 5, 5, 5, 45 bid.
0:28:01 > 0:28:0371, 72, 73, 74.
0:28:03 > 0:28:055, 6, 7.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10Auctioneer James Morrish's pig sale is another Exeter success story.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14A few years ago, there were almost no pigs sold here.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Now the twice monthly sale is one of the largest in the region.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23And one of the biggest buyers is Rodney Phillips.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Before every auction, yes, you feel a bit nervous because you
0:28:28 > 0:28:30don't know who's going to turn up,
0:28:30 > 0:28:31who's going to be looking to buy what.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33There may be buyers here,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36new buyers from anywhere and that is what is competition.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41He has urgent orders that must be filled so there's a lot at stake for
0:28:41 > 0:28:43the seasoned buyer at today's auction.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Rodney's business is over 60 miles from Exeter.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59His operation is big but Rodney's focus has always been local.
0:29:00 > 0:29:06I'm a meat wholesaler and I've been doing this job for 35, 38 years.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09I supply local high street butchers and caterers.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14I basically have been born and brought up in farming and the meat industry.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18Going as a young child with my father to market
0:29:18 > 0:29:24to buy the animals and then actually seeing them back at the abattoir,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26that was where I got really interested.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28That's where it clicked with me.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33With constant orders to fill, Rodney buys at every Exeter pig market.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37Remember, pigs depend on what the trade is like that week.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40I can do anything from 60 to 100-plus.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43It just depends on what people want.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49But Exeter, twice a month, can't give Rodney all the pigs he needs so
0:29:49 > 0:29:53each week is a round of several regular auctions.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57Every other Wednesday, he buys at a small market in Frome in Somerset.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00That usually sells around 100 pigs.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01I do enjoy going to auctions.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04It's part and parcel of the job I do.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08A lovely lot of pigs here, yeah. A lovely lot of pigs.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12I can near enough guarantee I can buy what I want to
0:30:12 > 0:30:14suit customers in the auction market.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Right then, everybody, good morning.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Rather than buying it direct from a farm and not seeing what you've got
0:30:19 > 0:30:23coming in.
0:30:24 > 0:30:29Frome auction is only just under way but already Rodney is buying.
0:30:29 > 0:30:3410, 11. I'm going to sell then at 115.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39With nearly 40 regular customers and orders to fill,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Rodney needs to buy around 100 pigs a week.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45But there are no guarantees at auction.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49You go in hope and anticipation that the pigs are there for you to buy,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52but many times it doesn't quite work how you want it to,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55but that is the joy of livestock auctions, I'm afraid.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00When customers throw in last-minute requests by phone,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03life gets even more complex.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Oh, no, I haven't got you one of them, no.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10No, I haven't got you no boars, not at all.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Not for that job. I'll have the get them from Exeter.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15So Rodney's list for Exeter is building up already.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20The seasoned meat trader knows that an auction is always a battle
0:31:20 > 0:31:25between the conflicting interests of sellers and buyers.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Every farmer is hoping for very,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31very good prices and as a livestock buyer,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34you're trying to buy them very sensible so you can earn a living.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40While Rodney is out buying, his trucks crisscross the southwest,
0:31:40 > 0:31:42making the daily deliveries.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45My biggest challenge is, as a meat wholesaler,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48are trying to compete with the supermarkets.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54The pig prices can fluctuate in livestock markets.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57If I've got a lot of orders for that particular week,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00then I may be able to give a lot more money than other buyers.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03You've obviously got to increase your prices if you're giving more
0:32:03 > 0:32:06for it, but the customer at the other end needs to roughly know what
0:32:06 > 0:32:09they're going to be paying in the first place, so you've go to be very
0:32:09 > 0:32:12careful because you can lose a lot of money in the market.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18It's a difficult balancing act but end users like butcher Chris Vincent...
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- There we go.- Thank you. - Cheers, mate.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24..are delighted with what they get from Rodney.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Because he's local, up the road,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29I can meet Rodney and he just services whatever I need,
0:32:29 > 0:32:30get them specially for me.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34So I know that I'm getting the same standard of pig or pork all the time.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37We get through about six to eight pigs a week.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Basically, we're looking for very good formation, a nice fat covering.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44I've known Rodney for a long time now, for years.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47He knows his business, been in the trade for donkey's years,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49obviously a lot longer than me!
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Chris is typical of Rodney's 30-plus customers.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59A small, local butcher, creating a range of products...
0:33:00 > 0:33:02..for a loyal clientele.
0:33:03 > 0:33:04Thank you very much.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Cheers.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09This is exactly what Rodney's business is all about.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12- Cheers, thank you very match. - Not at all.
0:33:16 > 0:33:2094, 94. All done at 490.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27Hammer's up, sell away. £51. Rob White. £51.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31The Exeter pig auction is the largest Rodney goes to.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33And it only happens twice a month...
0:33:35 > 0:33:40..so it's vital that he gets the numbers he needs at the right price
0:33:40 > 0:33:43or he can't deliver what his clients have ordered for next week.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Rodney is a really thoroughly decent man.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50A thoroughly decent man and somebody I'm very pleased to have in our market.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53- Morning, Rodney.- Morning, James, all right?- Yeah, fine.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55- A good journey down?- Yes, very good, yes.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57What are you looking to buy today?
0:33:57 > 0:33:58- As many as you can?- As many as I can.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00- As cheap as possible?- As cheap as possible.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02Well, that ain't going to happen!
0:34:02 > 0:34:04I can see that. I can see that.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Well, Rodney, I've got about 260 pigs here for you.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09How many do you think you can get on your lorry?
0:34:09 > 0:34:12- How many do you want?- I won't be able to get the 260 on.
0:34:12 > 0:34:18Hopefully we should end up with, or possibly 50 or 60, or if not,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- a few more if we can.- There's a few other buyers here,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23determined to buy what you want, I suspect.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- Exactly.- We'll have to see what happens.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28That's why I've lowered my numbers.
0:34:28 > 0:34:29OK, well, good luck.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32On we go. There's a couple of other buyers that I've seen here already.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36One new man that might upset the apple cart a bit and I'll do
0:34:36 > 0:34:40everything I possibly can to make sure that apple cart
0:34:40 > 0:34:42gets turned completely over.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45There will be some competition here today.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48There is different buyers here from different parts of the country.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50The competition could be quite fierce.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54I definitely won't be going home empty handed today.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57You definitely need to have your wits about you when you're in a
0:34:57 > 0:34:58livestock market.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00You need to be looking around and see who's...
0:35:02 > 0:35:06..who's keen to bid and who isn't and that's how it works.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12All right, on we go. These are wild boar cross so if you've got a
0:35:12 > 0:35:14special job for them, these are sweet.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18They've all had their breakfast this morning and there we are and away we go.
0:35:18 > 0:35:19You tell me what's happening.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Rodney is bidding. But so are others.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Who else is having a go?
0:35:26 > 0:35:29He doesn't have a specific order for wild boar
0:35:29 > 0:35:33but knows these unusual pigs will interest several of his clients.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36The competition continues.
0:35:36 > 0:35:3815, 16, 17, 18.
0:35:38 > 0:35:3918 bid.
0:35:39 > 0:35:40At £18 at the front.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44£18. Selling away at £18.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- Lovely.- But Rodney wins the day.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50The very first pig I bought was a wild boar cross.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52You don't see them very often in the market.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56It is something I can earn a bit of profit on.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59The battle continues
0:35:59 > 0:36:03as Rodney and regular rival buyer Stewart Coombes lock horns.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Delighted, very much valued at 100.
0:36:07 > 0:36:08At 112, 114.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10116, 118.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16118, sold away at 118. Stewart Coombes.
0:36:17 > 0:36:22And it's round two to Stewart, who marks his trophy for collection later.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Another beauty there.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27And so the bout continues.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31110, 110, 110. 120. 21, 21.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Out. At 121, Rodney Phillips.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Rodney takes round three.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40But the tussle is far from over.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43And again from Andrew, 285.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46110, 15, 20. At 120.
0:36:46 > 0:36:52121, 122, 123, 124. 124, Stewart Coombes.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56It's round four to Stewart.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00Time is short. If Rodney is to get the 60-plus pigs he needs,
0:37:00 > 0:37:02he'd better up his strike rate.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05101, 101. Selling away at 101.
0:37:06 > 0:37:13- Phillips.- He's going in the right direction as he buys many more pigs.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17Pen 151, take them as they are, they are 64 kilos.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19And he's in there again.
0:37:19 > 0:37:20At £40, lower side.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21At £40.
0:37:21 > 0:37:262, 42, 44, 46, 48.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28£50.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29Rodney's on a roll.
0:37:29 > 0:37:3351. Done away. Phillips, 51.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38He ends with a flourish, by winning a pen of seven.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41A lot of pigs here I've bought today for fattening.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44Obviously in auction, you've got to buy them when you see them.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49I've spent lots of money, probably more than what I intended!
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Rodney Phillips is a really good buyer.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55Today he's probably been just about the main man, took the lion's share.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57He will have took just over 100 today.
0:37:59 > 0:38:04Today's pigs cost somewhere in the region of £5,200 today.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08I've got enough pigs to fulfil my orders for next week.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12Pig prices are not high, high, but they're a bit dearer than they have been.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Generally, all in all, I'm pleased with what I've bought.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17That's the way an auction market goes,
0:38:17 > 0:38:19you never know who's going to be here to buy.
0:38:19 > 0:38:20That's what gives it that bit of buzz.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26That's the last lot of pigs going on now.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30I shall be heading off back up to Langford now,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32back to the office and do a few hours' paperwork now.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37So, a really successful auction for Rodney.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39He wanted at least 60 pigs.
0:38:39 > 0:38:45He bought over 100, ensuring happy customers for next week at least.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52This extraordinary and busy auction is entering its last phase.
0:38:52 > 0:38:58INDISTINCT BIDDING
0:39:02 > 0:39:09Sheep buyer Roger Heggadon started the day paying an average of £75 per lamb.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11£10 over his target figure.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18He's bought a lot more since then at slightly better prices.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22But he needs another 30 or so lambs at well below £70
0:39:22 > 0:39:26if his business is to really prosper this autumn.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30I get a big buzz out of the buying process, yes, I do,
0:39:30 > 0:39:33because I think you're testing yourself all the time.
0:39:33 > 0:39:3964. 4, 64, 5, 5, 5, 5, 65 bid.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42At 65.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45All done, sell away, at 65.
0:39:45 > 0:39:46Roger Heggadon at £65.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51That's 15 lambs under his belt at a much lower figure than earlier
0:39:51 > 0:39:56- in the day.- Five, they are the five bigger lambs. They are ready.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59These five are looking even cheaper.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00£60, £60, £60 bid.
0:40:00 > 0:40:07- 5.- 55 bid. 55 bid. 6, 7, 8, and 9.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10INDISTINCT BIDDING
0:40:11 > 0:40:14All out, sell away. £60.50.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Roger Heggadon at £60.50.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19A bit of a snip at £60.50.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23Finally, some lambs that are lower than his target price.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Now Roger has another pen of 15 in his sights.
0:40:26 > 0:40:2863, I'm bid. 63.
0:40:29 > 0:40:30All done, sell away at 63.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32Roger Heggadon, £63.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35Another good price.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Well below the £75 average he was paying at the start of the auction.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42Now I've got to go and do the difficult bit and pay for them.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45And finally, Roger's work is done.
0:40:46 > 0:40:52I've spent roughly about £17,000, which is 252 sheep.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54I'm reasonably pleased with what I've purchased.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57I've more or less purchased what I wanted to purchase.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00I probably would've been happier if they'd been a couple of pounds
0:41:00 > 0:41:03apiece less but that's the market for you, really.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07Roger's had a good auction, buying more than enough sheep to
0:41:07 > 0:41:10keep his store lamb business going at this,
0:41:10 > 0:41:12his most crucial time of year.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Better just make sure they all get back to the farm.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Right, so you're happy to deliver these sheep?
0:41:18 > 0:41:20You know where they've all got to go and everything?
0:41:20 > 0:41:23- Yes, thank you, sir.- That's all right, as long as you know.
0:41:23 > 0:41:24- You've got the 138.- Yeah.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27- Then they're going to the end of the lane.- Fine.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29You know the three lots. Keep them all separate.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31- Are you happy with that? - Yeah, no problem at all.- OK.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34- I don't know what time they'll be back.- That's fine. Superb.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- Thanks very much, Roger.- See you later. Bye. Cheers.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40So the day is over here, but there's another day tomorrow.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44Another day, another dollar.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49After just over four hours of frenzied activity,
0:41:49 > 0:41:53Exeter Market has sold around 4,000 animals today.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57More than £700,000 has changed hands.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01A real shot in the arm for the local economy,
0:42:01 > 0:42:05the region's farmers and the auction itself.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09But there's no resting on laurels around here.
0:42:09 > 0:42:14Work for my next auction next week will start this afternoon.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16We've sold the pigs this morning.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Now this afternoon, I will then start to ring my sellers again to
0:42:19 > 0:42:24find out what they've coming in next week and then we do it all again
0:42:24 > 0:42:27next Friday and you go on 52 weeks of the year and you're always
0:42:27 > 0:42:30looking forward to next week and love every day.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36As for the buyers and sellers, Stuart Crang,
0:42:36 > 0:42:43Rodney Phillips and Roger Heggadon, it's back to the farm where they, too,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46will soon be getting ready for the next auction.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49My hopes and dreams for the future,
0:42:49 > 0:42:54I'd like to maybe expand a little bit more, as long as my health
0:42:54 > 0:42:55lets me continue to do so.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Hopefully I'll have another ten or 15 years doing what I'm doing.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02If you buy right, it's a big achievement and you slap yourself on the back.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04If you do it wrong, well, you've got to make sure you go back next time
0:43:04 > 0:43:06and do it right.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08So, yeah, it is quite a nice buzz, yeah.