Black and white images show livestock marts in all their former glory

The marts are still as important as ever to the rural community. And these classic images show they always have been.

Emily Ashworth
clock • 1 min read
Black and white images show livestock marts in all their former glory

Although times have moved on and technology has taken over many parts of the farming sector, livestock auction marts are still vitally important to the farming community.

Gone are the days when farmers donned a full suit to go and sell their stock, but the marts still give farmers the chance to meet up with others and, in terms of business, they are a great shop window. 

But community has always been at the heart of farming, and always will be. Take a trip down memory lane with some black and white classics from the Farmers Guardian archive.

null
Jerseys, 1959
null
Champion Swaledale ram, 1962, shown by Stanley Harker at Kirby Stephen

See also: 88-year-old farmer shares passion for farming in heartwarming video: 'Keep flying the flag'

null
Machinery tractor sale, 1989
null
Welshpool sheep sale, 1982
null
Melton Mowbray, 1988
null
Classic pig show, 1939
null

More on Farm Life

Only Farmers co-founder and Clarkson Farm star's son joins Farmers Guardian's diversification panel

Only Farmers co-founder and Clarkson Farm star's son joins Farmers Guardian's diversification panel

This free webinar is on September 24 (7-8pm)

Rachael Brown
clock 17 September 2026 • 1 min read
Farming summit highlights threats to upland farms

Farming summit highlights threats to upland farms

UK farming unions stressed that falling livestock numbers threatened food security in uncertain times.

Rachael Brown
clock 17 September 2026 • 3 min read
Siblings smash gruelling 100 mile run in 24-hour marathon in father's memory

Siblings smash gruelling 100 mile run in 24-hour marathon in father's memory

Olivia Midgley
clock 15 September 2026 • 2 min read