Farm Stock Scotland is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades of farmer-led livestock marketing for beef and sheep producers across Scotland.
Established in 1996 by a group of farmers determined to strengthen their position in an increasingly consolidated livestock sector, the co-operative has grown into one of Scotland’s most trusted routes to market for cattle and sheep.
What began as informal collaboration between producers seeking stronger selling power and secure payment has evolved into a professionally run organisation marketing significant numbers of livestock each year. Despite this growth, the core principle remains unchanged: farmers working together to achieve better outcomes.
Over the past three decades the co-operative has helped members navigate major industry challenges, including BSE, Foot-and-Mouth disease, Brexit and ongoing market volatility.
A key strength of the Farm Stock model is its ability to aggregate livestock from multiple farms, giving processors consistent numbers of in-spec cattle and lambs while maintaining the independence of individual producers.
Farm Stock Scotland was built by farmers who wanted a fair, safe and dependable route to market, ”Robert Hall, Chairman of the Farm Stock Board of Directors said. “Thirty years on, those priorities haven’t changed, and furthermore our trading of store animals between farms has enormous advantages for buyers and sellers.”
As the co-operative enters its fourth decade, Robert Hall added, “Farm Stock’s priorities remain clear: Helping members by canvasing outlets to maximise returns, managing risk, and remaining competitive in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.”
Farm Stock Scotland plans to mark the milestone throughout 2026 at its regional member meetings as well as at industry events including NSA Scotsheep and the Kelso Tup Sales.
Thirty years on, the message remains clear: collaboration between farmers still delivers strength in the market place.
ENDS
Jonny Williams 07817 702 988 / 01750 723366 jonny@farmstock.org.uk
Farm Stock(Scotland) Ltd is a farmer owned, livestock marketing co-operative dedicated to maximising returns to livestock producers. Based in the Scottish Borders and operating throughout Scotland and Northumberland, it is owned by five regional livestock marketing groups – Scott Country Lamb, Lothian Lamb and Beef, Galloway Lamb, Ayrshire Country Lamb and The Milk Suppliers Association. With well over 400 participating farmers, Farm Stock is the largest single co-operative of its type operating within the Scottish livestock industry handling large numbers of both sheep and cattle with an annual turnover in excess of £26million.
As a farmers’ co-op Farm Stock’s role is to ensure that producers achieve the highest possible net returns by maximising livestock prices and by minimising marketing costs. Prime stock are marketed on a deadweight basis to a UK wide network of abattoirs and store and breeding stock are traded direct from farm to farm.
