Auctioneer
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Auctioneer
Auctioneer
This profile highlights the skills and knowledge associated with the role. However, jobs will have varying responsibilities depending on level of the role and the size or type of the business.
As an auctioneer you would work at one of around 130 livestock markets across England and Wales. Livestock markets mainly sell cattle and sheep, although small numbers of pigs and horses can also be sold through the market.
Some markets will hold specialist sales and shows focusing on high-end animals of certain breeds to showcase the best stock available on UK farms. They may also have sales for machinery and other goods.
This role is about having a commanding presence and a clear voice and possessing deep knowledge of livestock and market trends. Your expertise will guide farmers in presenting their livestock to achieve the best possible sales outcomes. You will also spend time, on non-sales days, visiting the local farming community to advise on likely valuations for livestock and encourage farmers to choose your market. Established auctioneers are trusted members of the farming community and form strong relationships, often providing a listening ear and signposting to any relevant available support.
As an auctioneer, you'll also work closely with other key staff members at the market or mart. These include the drovers, who handle the livestock while on the market premises, and the market administrators, who handle all the financial and legal paperwork associated with the sales. This role can involve work outside typical working hours, although your overall hours will be fairly standard.
Sales day may mean early starts and late finishes for all auction mart staff as you ensure the market is open, the facilities ready, and all the pens are prepared for livestock.
Before the auction starts, the auctioneer will supervise the drovers in the market as they ensure all livestock are unloaded, penned and registered. They will also communicate with sellers and buyers and ensure sellers and auction staff complete all pre-sales paperwork. Once the sale starts, they may sell in the rostrum, or they may be in the ring, assisting in moving livestock in or out of the sale ring. This will then be followed by sorting livestock, loading, cleaning out and after-sales paperwork at the end of the day.
Auctioneers may also be involved in preparing sales catalogues, securing appropriate judges for showing events, advertising sales in social and print media and writing sales reports.
This is a role that requires experience, having first worked in the market and gained experience with other areas of the auctioneering business and processes. However, the industry is currently experiencing a shortage of auctioneers, presenting excellent opportunities for those interested in this career path.
Auctioneers take responsibility for advising the farmers or landowners to the value of their goods and facilitating their sale either at auction marts or elsewhere.
As an auctioneer, your responsibilities may include:
- Conducting public auctions, ensuring optimal prices for each animal sold
- Valuing livestock based on age, breed, weight and other desirable qualities
- Valuing other items that might be sold by farmers, growers and landowners
- Providing guidance to farmers on selecting and preparing livestock for auction
- Directing drovers to manage the flow of animals to the correct locations
- Handling auction-related paperwork and maintaining accurate records
- Staying informed about market trends and industry standards to provide the best service
To work as an auctioneer, you should:
- Be able to build strong relationships with customers; trust and confidence are key
- Be confident engaging with sellers and buyers to understand their needs and feedback
- Have good attention to detail
- Be able to work with care and focus
- Enjoy working with animals and other people
- Be able to take charge and make on the spot decisions independently
Auctioneers must be familiar with the animals they sell, be able to remain calm under pressure, possess strong organisational skills for smooth auction operations, have the stamina to maintain energy throughout auctions and understand basic business management principles.
It also helps to be able to project your voice and be confident with public speaking.
You'll also have some experience of leading or managing others and excellent planning skills.
Employers may appoint a candidate based on experience alone, however a relevant qualification in the industry is also beneficial and will increase your employability.
The role would suit someone with a keen interest and passion for making new contacts, developing and maintain relationships and monitoring market trends in the industry.
Starting salaries are typically in the region of £21,000 to £25,000 for more experienced auctioneers, with wider remits making upwards of £45,000. However, the level of pay will vary widely according to factors such as location, experience and qualifications.
Most auctioneers are paid a salary by the company they work for rather than being freelance. They may receive an annual performance-based bonus, but they are unlikely to receive additional wages from commissions etc.
As a trainee auctioneer you could progress your career if you choose to do so. The career path for an auctioneer in the agriculture and livestock industry can start with gaining experience through entry level positions.
With experience, auctioneers can specialise in specific types of livestock or agricultural products. Opportunities for growth into larger auctions and managerial roles in auction companies. Continuous education and staying updated with industry trends are crucial for career advancement.
While there's no set route into livestock auctioneering, a strong interest in livestock and farming is essential. Some auctioneers may also be qualified chartered surveyors or land agents, particularly in regions with fewer livestock markets. To this end, some auctioneers also have Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) qualifications and may undertake professional land agency work to support the business on non-sale days.
The Livestock Auctioneer's Association (LAA) Next Generation Group offers support and networking opportunities for young auctioneers and fieldsmen up to the age of 40, in a community where ideas and experiences can be shared.
Many aspiring auctioneers will gain experience and be advised in their development through auctioneering and showing events held by the National Federation of Young Farmers.
Contact your local livestock market for ways to get involved and learn more about the business. That might be working as a livestock drover or sales administrator to begin to gain valuable experience to support a career in auctioneering.
While a degree is not required, specialised training in auctioneering is essential. The Livestock Market Operations and Management course (Certificate of Higher Education in Livestock Market Operations & Management) is run by Harper Adams University.
This course, run on behalf of the LAA and the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers of Scotland (IAAS) involves two separate residential weeks per year at the university for tuition, group visits, assessments, and examinations, typically in January and July.
Additional online support is provided through a virtual learning environment between residential weeks.
Apprenticeships
There is not a Trailblazer apprenticeship for auctioneers, but some companies will run internal development schemes, often referred to as apprenticeships: e.g. the Auctioneering, Insurance broker and Land Valuer apprenticeship schemes offered at H&H (Carlise) and the Auctioneer scheme at CCM Auction Mart (Skipton Auction).
Short courses and online study
Once working in the sector you might wish to complete the Mart Safe training programme. This is delivered in LAA member livestock markets by the LAA for all the market's staff. It provides important training on animal behaviour, safe handling of livestock, health and safety and animal welfare.
TIAH Essential Skills
Our online Essential Skills modules can help you develop your skills and knowledge in various areas and are a great addition to your CV.
Anyone considering working as an Auctioneer would find our Foundations in farm safety and Animal health and welfare courses helpful.
Return to our job profiles page for more exciting roles in farming and growing.