What United Auctions does

United Auctions (legal entity UA Livestock Limited, registered in Scotland, company number SC303729) is Scotland's leading livestock auctioneer, operating a network of nine auction marts spanning the Central Belt, Highlands, and Islands — including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Oban, Islay, Tiree, Lochboisdale, and Lochmaddy. Founded in 1858 as Macdonald and McCallum, the company was reorganised in 1962 through amalgamation with Livestock Marts Ltd and has subsequently consolidated regional markets via acquisitions and joint ventures. The business serves commercial livestock farmers and pedigree breeders (Aberdeen-Angus, Charolais, Limousin, Simmental, Beef Shorthorn and other breeds), running regular auction sales plus the flagship Stirling Bull Sales (originally Perth Bull Sales, established 1865) held three times annually and attracting international buyers.

The core technology stack is intentionally modest: a website with sales reports and catalogues, live webcam streaming for remote viewing, and an online buyer registration system for pedigree, ram, and farm sales. There is no native mobile app, no public API, and no disclosed SDK or AI/ML capability. Distribution runs through physical auction marts as the primary channel, with online registration and live streaming serving as supplementary digital layers rather than core platform infrastructure.

The revenue model is built around four streams: (1) commission-based livestock auction fees on commercial and pedigree cattle and sheep transactions across the mart network; (2) direct farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services; (3) rural property sales and services; and (4) livestock finance. Pricing is auction-determined and not publicly disclosed. Group turnover is stated as "in excess of £260 million" with 18,000+ customers served annually across the UK and Europe. In April 2025, the company transitioned from its prior FTSE AIM listing to an Employee Ownership Trust, making all staff indirect stakeholders in the business. Headcount is reported at 51–100 employees, with revenue per employee figures consistent with a transaction-volume-driven model.

Name

United Auctions

Legal name

UA Livestock Limited

Website

https://uagroup.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1858

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

United Auctions is Scotland's leading livestock auctioneer, operating nine physical auction marts across the country and serving 18,000+ commercial farmers, pedigree breeders, and abattoir buyers annually through the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales and farm-to-farm procurement services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stirling

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Livestock Auction Commissions: Commission-based revenue from conducting auctions of commercial and pedigree cattle and sheep across their network of Scottish auction marts
2. Farm Procurement Services: Farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir livestock procurement services
3. Rural Property Services: Rural property sales and services
4. Livestock Finance: Financing services for livestock transactions

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Auctions conducts physical livestock auctions at a network of auction marts across Scotland, selling commercial and pedigree cattle and sheep on behalf of farmers and breeders. The company offers the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales three times a year, alongside farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir livestock procurement, rural property sales, and livestock finance services.

Product overview

United Auctions operates a network of auction marts throughout Scotland, offering a comprehensive suite of livestock auction services. The company's core offerings include commercial livestock auction sales and pedigree livestock auction sales, with the flagship product being the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales. Additional services include direct marketing of cattle and sheep (farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir), rural property sales, and livestock finance. The company provides sales reports covering all auction events across their Scottish locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Livestock Auction Sales
• Pedigree Livestock Auction Sales
• Stirling Bull Sales
• Direct Marketing and Procurement Services
• Rural Property Sales and Services
• Livestock Finance
• Sales Reports

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,000+ customers served annually across UK and Europe
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• British WoolcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026British Wool sponsors United Auctions' show and sale events for hoggs with lambs at foot, providing marketing support for wool-focused sheep sales.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cundalls: UK rural property and livestock auctioneer serving Yorkshire and the North of England. Comparable to United Auctions with a similar service mix spanning livestock auction, rural property, and professional services.
• H&H Group (Harrison & Hetherington): Leading UK livestock auctioneer group operating across Northern England and Scotland, including Borderway Mart in Carlisle. Directly competes with United Auctions in pedigree and commercial livestock sales with a similar mart-based business model.
• McCartneys: Long-established UK livestock and rural property auctioneer with marts across the Midlands and Welsh borders. Comparable to United Auctions in providing auction services, professional services, and rural property sales.
• Bagshaws: Long-established UK livestock and agricultural auctioneer with marts in the Midlands and North. Comparable business model to United Auctions, conducting commercial livestock sales and rural property services.
• Lawrie & Symington: Scottish livestock auctioneer with operations in Lanark and Forfar. Direct competitor to United Auctions within Scotland, providing commercial and pedigree livestock auction services across multiple Scottish marts.
• ANM Group: Major Scottish agricultural cooperative operating Thainstone Mart, one of the largest livestock auction centres in the north of Scotland. Direct competitor to United Auctions with overlapping geographic reach and similar commercial and pedigree livestock auction services.
• Nock Deighton Agricultural: UK-based livestock and agricultural auctioneer serving the West Midlands and Welsh border regions. Comparable to United Auctions in offering livestock auction, rural property, and professional services to farming customers.
• John Swan Ltd: Northern England and Scottish Borders livestock auctioneer. Comparable to United Auctions in providing commercial and pedigree livestock auction services with regional mart presence.

Regional players

• Hexham & Northern Marts: Regional livestock auctioneer serving Northumberland and the North East of England. Operates a comparable mart-based auction model but does not directly compete in Scotland where United Auctions is concentrated.

Emerging players

• SellMyLivestock: UK online livestock marketplace enabling direct digital trading of cattle and sheep. Represents an emerging digital-first alternative to traditional mart-based auctions, with potential to compete with United Auctions for commercial livestock volumes over time.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitedauctions
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/uagroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/United-Auctions-Livestock-Auctioneers-183800834978517
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedauctions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Auctions