A Day in the Life of Gwawr Jones- Livestock Auctioneer

 A Day in the Life of Gwawr Jones, the First Women Auctioneer for WLS / MMP.

“Market day is a day like no other with the alarm going off at 2 am giving me enough time to get out of the door to load the lambs up into the trailer to take from our family farm near Machynlleth to WLS.

I get to Welshpool in good time to unload, park up and fetch another (very strong) cup of coffee (A McDonald’s breakfast is a no-go, as they don’t start their breakfast menu until 5 am).

The early risers team here at WLS then heads out to start weighing the lambs at 5 am, with plenty of farmers here, ready and waiting for us. The prime lambs are then weighed, entered, and penned up ready to be graded by Steve and then sold later in the day. As the prime lambs steady up, we head over to the store lambs to sort and pen them up too. By 9 am most lambs are in which gives us time to get ready for the sale.

Jonathan starts selling the prime lambs first, so I head over to watch my lambs sell and gage the day’s trade, as every farmer does, I hope for a good price, before then scooting off ready to start selling the store lambs with the assistance of Tom Davies and Kim Barnett.

The store lambs kick off at 10.30 and as soon as the selling finishes, we then crack on and try to draw out the lambs according to the buyer’s lists and bills. Some buyers draw the lambs themselves, whilst others are drawn up by us and collected later in the day.

Market days are always busy days, with plenty going on throughout the day. The ladies in the office are always very helpful and so very knowledgeable. Of course, I can’t forget to give Manager Steven a mention, the bigger issues tend to head his way, but he has the answer to most, if not all.

When the stock is all drawn and queries (if we have any) resolved we can then think about heading home. After achieving over 22,000 steps throughout the day, it’s a relief to get in the truck, sit down and drive home. Once home, I feed the stock, let the dogs out for a run and then my jobs are done for the day and I’m usually flat-out asleep by 9 pm if not sooner.”

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Gwawr acknowledges that farming has become an increasingly isolated and lonely occupation, but the social networking that the market provides is invaluable to many farmers that attend.

As I’m sure you will all agree, one very hard-working lady with clear ambition and a vital team member at Welshpool Livestock Service / Morris Marshall & Poole.