New chair elected as LAA Next Generation Group looks to shape the future of red meat supply chain

Greg Christopher elected chair as next generation farmers and livestock auctioneers look at new opportunities and challenges

Helping to shape the future of the livestock industry by engaging with the next generation of farmers and newcomers to the industry will remain one of the key functions of the Livestock Auctioneers’ Association’s (LAA) Next Generation Group, according to the newly elected chair Greg Christopher.

As 25 members from all corners of England and Wales attended the 6th LAA Next Generation Group AGM, during The Thame Summer Sheep Fair, Mr Christopher was elected as new chair at the culmination of Russell Steer’s term, with Will Alexander of Bentham Auction Mart elected as vice chair.

Mr Christopher, of Sunderlands operating out of Hereford Livestock Market, takes over the chair with the Next Generation Group in a strong position following Mr Steer’s three-year term, which had been extended by a year as he oversaw the period encompassing the pandemic and lockdown.

“The Group has made great progress over the last three years, with Russell bringing in many fresh ideas, enlarging our audience and putting in a huge amount of time and effort into his role. The momentum the Group now has is credit to his work as chair, alongside the support afforded to both Russell and I from Zanna Dennis, in her role as Group secretary” says Mr Christopher.

“I see my role as very much carrying on from where Russell left off, pushing on new initiatives including social media and new technology. We are really looking ahead to where the industry will be in the next 20 years and beyond,” he adds.

The LAA Next Generation Group was established to represent younger auctioneers and fieldsmen working in livestock markets, as well as to connect with the younger generation of livestock farmers.

Mr Christopher says, “The Group is well placed to connect with the younger generation of farmer, be it through social media or other technological means, providing a greater understanding of how the live sales ring can help support a robust and sustainable farming industry.”

Bentham Auction Mart’s auctioneer and newly appointed vice chair Will Alexander adds, “I am looking forward to taking up the role as vice chair working alongside Greg, continuing and developing the work that Russell has overseen.

“The Next Generation Group has an influential role to play in shaping the future of our industry, and I am pleased to play a part in supporting that work.”

The AGM included an informative and well received presentation from Rizvan Khalid, managing director of Euro Quality Lambs, providing an insight into the Halal market for British lamb.

The presentation included key information on Halal slaughter, key requirements for the Halal market, festivals within the Islamic calendar, as well as the current and future domestic and global Halal markets for British lamb.

“We were privileged to welcome Rizvan to our AGM, it was an excellent presentation. The Halal market is vital for the live sheep trade and a large proportion of the UK sheep trade benefits enormously from this market,” says Mr Christopher.

The group meeting concluded with an industry update from LAA executive secretary Chris Dodds and development officer Zanna Dennis, followed by an industry discussion with contributions from all participants.

These discussions generated new thoughts and ideas from the Next Generation Group members, and these will be fed back through to the LAA council by Mr Christopher and Mr Alexander.