SKIPTON Auction Mart has gone live with its latest Farming Country Podcast, again shining the spotlight on food, farming and life in Skipton, Craven, the Yorkshire Dales and beyond.

In episode 15, Meg Schofield, of the mart-based WBW Surveyors, airs the latest on the Environmental Land Management scheme (ELM), The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), the updated Countryside Stewardship payment rates and reopening of the anticipated application window.

The NFU’s Sam Bradley, who presents the latest episode, is with Craven Farm Vets Andy Barrett, who has some wise words on best practice ahead of lambing time, while, with numbers all-important when it comes to lambing, there’s a fascinating insight into a day in the life of young up-and-coming local sheep scanning contractor Meg Walker.

The auctioneers are also back with the latest trade talk and trends at CCM Auctions, both ovine and bovine.

Since its launch early last year, The Farming Country Podcast continues to be extremely well received. It can be accessed via the home page link at www.ccmauctions.com and recognised social media channels

Meanwhile, the mart’s first working sheep dog sale of the year takes place this coming Friday with live action on the trials field supported by real-time online bidding for both field-run and pen-sold entries. There’s an 11am start, with the sale sponsored by Riverdale Gundogs and catalogues posted online and also available on the day.

Skipton is renowned for its working sheep dog sales, with the versatility and flexibility of both live and online sales with real-time bidding catering for the needs and preferences of vendors and buyers alike clearly demonstrated throughout 2021.

The two formats continue to offer a multi-purpose selection of fully trained, part-broken and unbroken dogs and pups, both registered and non-registered, covering all ages and abilities.

Future working sheep dog sales this year are scheduled for Fridays, May 21, August 13 and October 15.