Trainee auctioneer challenges for national stockman title

A trainee livestock auctioneer is being heralded as an example of career opportunities in the land-based sector ahead of representing Yorkshire in the national Young Stockman of the Year next month.

While Max Robinson has made his mark both on the rostrum and as a valued member of the at CCM Skipton team since joining in July last year, he has continued to excel in Young Farmers’ competitions, notably the stock judging arena.

He crowned Northern Area Young Stockman of the Year at Clitheroe Auction Mart last month, but he also won the butchers lambs’ judging with 98/100 pts, as well as placing first in the animal health questionnaire, being one four in the overall winning Yorkshire A team.

Max has also won Yorkshire County Young Stockman of the Year for the last two years, while at this year’s county round he also picked up a hatful of firsts out of around 70 competitors in the prime beef, breeding sheep and prime lambs stock judging and the animal welfare questionnaire disciplines.

The next round is at Harper Adams University, Shropshire, for the national final in September, though this year’s multiple coups will sadly be his last as - now aged 19 – he is too old to compete in the under-18s as a young farmer, though will qualify for the senior classes.

Born and raised in Tunstall, between Richmond and Bedale, and from a farming background steeped in many generations, Max knew from a very young age that he wanted to become an auctioneer.

Now living in Hellifield, he remains Cledales District Secretary for the Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, which encompasses seven clubs, and has also built up his own flock of 30 commercial sheep.

Max is a product of CCM’s pioneering Next Generation initiative, an annual event that seeks to capitalise on the skills developed in Young Farmers’ competitions where students gain the opportunity learn how those skills might be used in future careers pathways.

February saw Young Farmers clubs from across the region represented at the event, but it was also open to all under 25s actively engaged with agri-business, be that college students or those from family farming backgrounds.

Last year, Max completed a two-year T Level Agriculture (Specialising in Livestock) course at Bishop Burton College, Beverley, and is currently undertaking a part-time Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA) university course at Harper Adams in Livestock Market Operations and Management, alongside the AAT (Associate of Accounting Technicians) qualification.

CCM general manager Jeremy Eaton said: “As well as the LAA qualification Max is studying AAT accountancy to broaden his knowledge, which is important as livestock markets adapt to an age of lower livestock numbers, higher prices, higher overheads and higher risk.

"His is an example of the opportunity which exists in the land-based sector at all ends of the spectrum, from pure vocational skills to full professional roles.”