Black and white images show livestock marts in all their former glory

The marts are still as important as ever to the rural community. And these classic images show they always have been.

clock • 1 min read
Black and white images show livestock marts in all their former glory

Although times have moved on and technology has taken over many parts of the farming sector, livestock auction marts are still vitally important to the farming community.

Gone are the days when farmers donned a full suit to go and sell their stock, but the marts still give farmers the chance to meet up with others and, in terms of business, they are a great shop window. 

But community has always been at the heart of farming, and always will be. Take a trip down memory lane with some black and white classics from the Farmers Guardian archive.

null
Jerseys, 1959
null
Champion Swaledale ram, 1962, shown by Stanley Harker at Kirby Stephen

See also: 88-year-old farmer shares passion for farming in heartwarming video: 'Keep flying the flag'

null
Machinery tractor sale, 1989
null
Welshpool sheep sale, 1982
null
Melton Mowbray, 1988
null
Classic pig show, 1939
null

2014 Used Massey 7626 7.4L SISU 240hp

2014 Used Massey 7626 7.4L SISU 240hp

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

Used Deutz Fahr 6155PS

Used Deutz Fahr 6155PS

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

New Kubota M4-073

New Kubota M4-073

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

More on Farm Life

Scottish farmer Kenny Logan to take on 555 mile fundraiser for Doddie Weir and motor neurone disease

Scottish farmer Kenny Logan to take on 555 mile fundraiser for Doddie Weir and motor neurone disease

Kenny Logan, Gabby Logan, Ally McCoist and many more are set to embark on a mammoth fundraising challenge on behalf of MND charity My Name'5 Doddie Foundation

clock 20 April 2025 • 3 min read
Baroness Batters makes heartfelt appeal on BBC Radio 4 on behalf of Farm Africa charity

Baroness Batters makes heartfelt appeal on BBC Radio 4 on behalf of Farm Africa charity

As an ambassador of the charity Farm Africa, former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters highlighted the story of Kenyan smallholder Juliet Muthoni

Farmers Guardian
clock 18 April 2025 • 6 min read
Entrepreneurial spirit behind success of Scottish farming enterprise with 700 staff and exports overseas

Entrepreneurial spirit behind success of Scottish farming enterprise with 700 staff and exports overseas

Now processing 500,000 litres of milk a day, Graham’s The Family Dairy has progressed way beyond its humble roots of 80-plus years ago, when Robert Graham senior’s parents took on the rent of Airthrey Kerse, Bridge of Allan

Lynsey Clark
clock 17 April 2025 • 8 min read