March 2014Issue 34

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Times they are a-changing!....…………………..Those of you who read our previous Gavel, or who keep up to date with the happenings at the Mart, will be aware that at our last A.G.M. a new Chairman of the Board of Directors was elected. The Board felt that, under new leadership, it was maybe time to take a look at the structure of the Company – most Businesses have annual staff reviews, etc, but the Mart is rather unique in that it is owned by Shareholders and led by a group of elected farmers who do not receive remuneration for their work and do not have a lot of time spare to conduct reviews, etc, therefore, they have secured the services of Robert Allan of Plus Business Solutions to conduct a review of the Business and support the Board to identify areas for improvement. Robert specialises in supporting the growth of organisations, by providing out-sourced leadership/management, developing culture change and improving sales and marketing. Robert works with a client list spread across the UK from his base in Kirkwall. He has conducted his initial review and presented findings and recommendations to the board and staff members. Over the coming months, with Robert’s support, the Board are looking to implement new processes and structures to further strengthen the Mart’s reputation and grow their market share.

GavelThis is what we’re aiming for………..

As a Board, we felt that in the past we may not have been as pro-active as we should have been, and, although the Mart has been showing a healthy profit, we felt that it was time to take a look at the structure of the Company. We were very aware that, in order to ensure the continuity of the Business, we needed to put in place some sort of succession plan, and that we also needed to ensure that we were delivering the best possible service to Shareholders and Customers. With the help of Robert Allan we aim to –

Provide the best value service to our Shareholders and Customers.

To market our customers livestock to the best of our ability.

To maintain and grow our market share.

To improve our customer service.

To increase procurement visits to both sellers and buyers.

Improve our efficiency and productivity.

Stevie Hay Chairman

The Board, on Robert’s recommendation, have agreed the following, in order to ensure that the Mart is run efficiently, and that there is some line of succession developed in certain areas.

Jim Linklater – As General Manager, will overseethe Mart as a whole.

Will lead livestock sales as main auctioneer.

Will support the development process for increasing farm visits.

Will drive improvements and efficiency within the organisation.

Malcolm Scott –As Office Manager, will continue to oversee the efficient running of the administration and financial functions of the business.

Will support Jim Linklater as second livestock auctioneer.

Robbie Stanger – Will manage the Valuation service at the Mart, ensuring a confidential and professional service.

Will lead on the procuring of livestock

Will support Jim Linklater and Malcolm Scott, as auctioneer,

Will maximise all revenue streams for the Mart Hall

John Copland –Will support Robbie Stanger in leading Valuations.

Will provide cover in all areas of the Mart, as and when needed.

Will support the development process for increasing procurement.

John Slater –As Yard Foreman, will lead the operational side of the Mart –

Ensuring sale days run smoothly.

Making sure Mart buildings are kept clean.

Ensuring customers livestock are well looked after (Bedded and fed)

Look after the day to day running of Glen Orkney.

As Spring is round the corner ?! ................. The Grass Let season is almost here again and this year we have decided to break with tradition and sell all our lets from “The Box”.

We propose to do this on Tuesday 22nd April, so anyone wishing to let grass should get their maps and field details to us, as soon as possible. We hope to have catalogues ready well in advance of the sale so that prospective purchasers will have plenty of time to go and look at the fields.If you require any further information about this, please do not hesitate to contact the office.

One of our letting units in the downstairs foyer has become available to rent – If you are

interested, give us a call

££££££If you require a Valuation for any purpose, (Jim, John and Robbie are all recognized Valuators), or if you are considering selling property, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

The Men fae Sooth ………..It was suggested that we should profile one of our cattle buyers in each gavel, just so you all know who is who. Bill Cameron is perhaps the face you most often see at the Mart, so I persuaded him to be first in the line-up!

How long have you been coming to Orkney to buy cattle, and how did you find out about us?I have been coming to Orkney to buy cattle for 25 years. I found out about Orkney cattle when I was buying fat cattle at Cornhill Mart for Buchan Meat. I saw top quality cattle coming through from the Beattie’s,Tillynought and the Innes’s, Reidstack, and found out that they were bought in Orkney.

How many cattle do you buy from Orkney in a year, what type of stock do you buy and what is it about our cattle that make it worth your while to travel this far?I buy about 1500 cattle a year for myself and for other North East farmers. I tend to buy the better end of stots (500kg+) and 450kg heifers. I also buy cows, both for immediate slaughter and for feeding. I will buy any breed if the quality and price is right, but prefer Charolais, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus. I find Simmentals don’t % or grade as well and Saler and “Blondies” are stiff to

feed. I like Orkney cattle because the age and quality suits my system.

What kind of farming enterprise do you have, and where do the stock you buy fit into your system?I supply ABP (Castle of Mey), Scotbeef, Inverurie, McIntosh Donald and Rhinds of Elgin with clean beef, on a regular basis, and Millers of Grantown and Highland Meats with cows. Having several outlets means that I can match stock to what the company wants. I have just a small farm of 200 acres. I grow 60 acres of Barley, the rest is in grass. I rent a lot of seasonal grazing on a regular basis from a neighbouring estate. We have 500 stots, 300 heifers and 100 feeding cows, along with our 58

breeding cows which are put to the Limousin bull - I would prefer to use a Charolais, but don’t have the calving skills of the Orcadian farmer! We have 500 breeding ewes - 200 Suffolk x Half-bred, which I put to the Texel tup, 100 Half-bred, which I put to the Suffolk tup and 200 Texel x which go to Texel and Beltex tups. Our fat lambs are sold to Rhinds of Elgin for Castle of Mey and Scotbeef Inverurie. Most of the feeding cattle are in rented straw courts. The farmer feeds them an add-lib blend of Barley, Beetpulp, Darkgrains, Minerals and Molasses which I supply. All blend is bought from W N Lindsay Ltd and sheep feed and tubs from Harbro. I have one self-employed worker along with my wife and myself.

You must attend Marts all over Scotland - How does our service and amenities compare?I find the Mart staff very helpful. The cattle are well cared for, especially when weather and shipping dictates that they have to stay for a few days. Our air tickets are booked for us, and any cattle passport problems are handled efficiently by the office staff, in a helpful and friendly manner.How do you think the proposed changes to the CAP Reform will affect you?If the CAP Reform changes are implemented, as proposed at the moment, I, as an intensive beef fattener on a small acreage, will find my Farm Payment will be reduced by 75%, therefore, I can only see my fattening numbers reducing dramatically. I feel my Farm Payment

benefits the local farmers whose courts I rent, the feed firms, the hauliers, the vets and most importantly to you, the Orkney farmer! We will all be losers.

What’s Cooking in the Kitchen? ………………….

Our Café staff are planning to add a few new dishes to the Menu over coming months, but here’s a reminder of what we do, meantime.

Soup £3Main Meals £6.95Puddings £3

(Our menu changes daily)Cold filled rolls - £1.35 - £1.80Bacon or sausage roll £1.55Mince £1.35Breakfast roll £2.30(Hot or cold filled rolls made up to

individual requirements)

Orders can be phoned in, (Before noon), and will be ready to collect, at a time that suits you.

Don’t have time to sit down?

We can put it in a tray for you to take away.

Concerned about food allergies?Please feel free to ask a member of staff about ingredients in any of our food.

High Chairs available;Ample parking;

Disable access & toilets;Friendly staff.

Next Special Sale of

Store Cattle -Monday

31 March

Orkney Auction Mart

& McIntosh Donald

(Working as a partnership, to procure Prime

cattle and lambs)

We believe that, together, we offer a

strong marketing option for Orkney

Farmers who “finish” their livestock

To book, for up-to-date prices, or

selection advice, Call Robbie – 07771991380

Or give the office a phone

******McIntosh Donald is one of

Scotland’s biggest processors,

killing about 1600 cattle and 2600 sheep per week.

McIntosh Donald’s marketing points –

* Bonus paid on –U, U+ & E Grades

* Full price paid up to 450kg carcase weight

* Payment within 3 – 4 days

* Competitively low costs

* Good comparative killing out percentage

We have an outlet for “Tired and Worn-out

Cows”

If you have something you think fits this bill, give us a call and we will come past and take a look.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

THURSDAY 13 MARCHSale of Implements & Tools

MONDAY 17 MARCHPrime, Store & OTM Cattle

THURSDAY 20 MARCHSale of Furniture

MONDAY 24 MARCHPrime, Store & OTM Cattle, and,

All Classes of Sheep

MONDAY 31 MARCHSpecial Sale of Store Cattle

MONDAY 7 APRILPrime, Store & OTM Cattle, and,

All Classes of Sheep

MONDAY 14 APRILPrime, Store & OTM Cattle

THURSDAY 17 APRILFurniture Sale

MONDAY 21 APRILPrime, Store & OTM Cattle, and,

All Classes Sheep

TUESDAY 22 APRILAll Grass Lets

THURSDAY 24 APRILOLA Sale of Breeding Stock

(Entries invited)

MONDAY 28 APRILOLA Show & Sale of Grazing Cattle

MONDAY 5 MAYSpecial Sale of Grazing Cattle, and

All Classes Sheep

MONDAY 12 MAYPrime, Store & OTM Cattle

THURSDAY 15 MAYFurniture Sale

MONDAY 19 MAYPrime, Store & OTM Cattle, and,

All Classes of Sheep

SATURDAY 24 & SUNDAY 25 MAY

Gardening Exhibition