Improved facilities at Islay Auction Mart
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News Release Date: 23 August 2006
The up-grading sees the old wooden auction ring and internal pens, which have been part of the mart since it was built in 1973, replaced with modern steel ones. Donald Morrison, managing director of United Auctions (West), who runs the Islay sales and is based at UA’s Oban office, said: “We’ve seen a steady rise in the number of livestock going through the mart and our customers have shown that they value the service we offer. This investment of around £20,000 in these new facilities is a signal of our continuing commitment to providing first rate selling and buying opportunities for our farmer customers in this area. The forthcoming sale on 2 September will see over 500 head of suckled calves and more than 3,000 sheep make their way through the new ring. It’s a show as well as a sale and some of the prize-winning beef calves from August’s Islay Show will also be auctioned.” Islay farmers got a preview of the new facilities at the opening sale of lambs and sheep on 11th August and the facilities were well received. The first lot of lambs through the newly installed ring belonged to Messers McMillan of Ardbeg and were bought by Messers Taylor of Easter Ochtermuthil for £61.00 per head. Donald also revealed that UA has acquired an extra 35 acres of land at Moleigh in Oban to improve lairage facilities there. He said: “The extra land doubles the size of our existing lairage. It means improved facilities for our expanding direct marketing service. And more space to serve the needs of farmers throughout the west coast and the islands.” For further information contact: Maria Limonci, Maria Limonci Public Relations, t: 0131 332 6226, m: 07753 163186, e: maria@limonci.freeserve.co.uk |
A new livestock auction ring and pens have been installed at United Auctions’ mart at Bridgend on Islay ready for the busy autumn selling season which gets underway on 2 September.