"Farming is my life": Young stockwoman Katie Aiken carving out a career in livestock

Self-employed stockwoman Katie Aiken, 19, has already won some of the livestock industry’s top young handler titles while building her own flock and travelling the UK for lambing and show work

clock • 4 min read
Katie Aiken: “I want to keep working hard, keep learning and keep doing what I love."
Image:

Katie Aiken: “I want to keep working hard, keep learning and keep doing what I love."

Embarking on a career in agriculture is not always easy without a family farm, but Katie Aiken is a shining example of what can be achieved. At just 19, Katie is already carving out a name for herself...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Livestock

OPINION: "Different kit, same chaos – farming in the 1980s sounds a lot like farming today"

OPINION: "Different kit, same chaos – farming in the 1980s sounds a lot like farming today"

FG livestock specialist Ellie Layton on how the core themes in farming remain the same throughout the years

clock 11 May 2026 • 3 min read
The Northern Irish family achieving premium returns on a low-input, grass-based beef system

The Northern Irish family achieving premium returns on a low-input, grass-based beef system

Beef cattle performance is closely monitored by the Turley family of Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, where the suckler herd policy is shaped by bovine TB constraints and a low-cost approach

Wendy Short
clock 11 May 2026 • 7 min read
OPINION: What other sector would produce stock without knowing its final market value?

OPINION: What other sector would produce stock without knowing its final market value?

Farmers Guardian's head of livestock reflects on current prices for breeding cattle in relation to the finished trade

clock 06 May 2026 • 2 min read