Corona virus and marts

Mortelaro · 24-03-2020 10:38pm

whelan2 wrote: »

Will boats still be going with calves?

Just to answer this,Wicklow cattle Co went on with a load tonight anyway,so boats must be still going

Sheep breeder · 24-03-2020 10:55pm

Mortelaro wrote: »

Just to answer this,Wicklow cattle Co went on with a load tonight anyway,so boats must be still going

They always ship Tuesday and Saturday.

Western Pomise · 24-03-2020 11:48pm

Can see the individual Marts setting up a system linking buyers to sellers,they won’t want to be missing out on income over the foreseeable future.

Big advantage of that type of system over likes of Donedeal would be at least you would have a comeback through the mart if a buyer had a cheque that bounced or something.

milligan2 · 25-03-2020 12:44am

I always sell through the mart mainly because you get your money a week later which means a lot,but they really have to up their game.
The craic of queuing from 6am and being stuck there till 3 or 4 in the afternoon with a few weanlings is a joke when you could be making a few bob at work.
Book them in online,drop them in the yard get seller on the phone when they enter the ring and sell away.
The local mart had a few buyers that bought weanlings on a price per kilo basis which worked great,bring in your animals at a certain time and weigh them,out the door in 10 min,buyer and seller happy and mart paid.

20silkcut · 25-03-2020 5:31am

milligan2 wrote: »

I always sell through the mart mainly because you get your money a week later which means a lot,but they really have to up their game.
The craic of queuing from 6am and being stuck there till 3 or 4 in the afternoon with a few weanlings is a joke when you could be making a few bob at work.
Book them in online,drop them in the yard get seller on the phone when they enter the ring and sell away.
The local mart had a few buyers that bought weanlings on a price per kilo basis which worked great,bring in your animals at a certain time and weigh them,out the door in 10 min,buyer and seller happy and mart paid.

Queueing from 6am? Has your mart not switched to booking in over the phone?

Hard Knocks · 25-03-2020 8:45am

20silkcut wrote: »

Queueing from 6am? Has your mart not switched to booking in over the phone?

Booking over the phone can be a joke too, especially for big sales

milligan2 · 25-03-2020 9:20am

No phone booking at our local mart,on big sale days there would be lads at the gate at 4.30am,gates open at 8.
In France the sell a lot of weanlings by price per kilo,one price for U grade,another for R grade,sounds a good system.

patsy_mccabe · 25-03-2020 10:28am

milligan2 wrote: »

No phone booking at our local mart,on big sale days there would be lads at the gate at 4.30am,gates open at 8.
In France the sell a lot of weanlings by price per kilo,one price for U grade,another for R grade,sounds a good system.

That's ridiculous. Ennis mart changed it's intake system and it works very well. Before the virus, you drop off the cattle and the drovers take them to the chute. That means that the trailers are driven off straight away and nobody is holding things up. It was fellas leaving their trailers parked for ages, that was causing all the delays.

K.G. · 25-03-2020 10:34am

An on line transfer of money is hard to reverse so that should help with money security from a sellers point of view.next problem is transport which i suggest will be part of negotiations. I could see cattle dealing becoming a sunday pastimeðŸ˜.by the way.plenty Hereford bull and hiefer calves here and loads more inthe area

hopeso · 25-03-2020 10:38am

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

That's ridiculous. Ennis mart changed it's intake system and it works very well. Before the virus, you drop off the cattle and the drovers take them to the chute. That means that the trailers are driven off straight away and nobody is holding things up. It was fellas leaving their trailers parked for ages, that was causing all the delays.

I think that system was introduced at most marts as a safety measure after the lad was killed with the bull at the mart a couple of years ago.

Dakota Dan · 25-03-2020 11:30am

CloughCasey1 wrote: »

Dung deal will explode

How about farm to farm sales through the marts?

GrasstoMilk · 25-03-2020 11:47am

Due to Covid19 restrictions Carnew mart can not operate calf dairy cattle or sheep sales as normal. However we are currently liaising with the dept of Ag and the HSE to see how we can move forward. If you have livestock to sell please give us a call or text with what you have on offer and we will do our best to match stock with customers. For details please contact

From carnew mart

Hard Knocks · 25-03-2020 12:01pm

GrasstoMilk wrote: »

Due to Covid19 restrictions Carnew mart can not operate calf dairy cattle or sheep sales as normal. However we are currently liaising with the dept of Ag and the HSE to see how we can move forward. If you have livestock to sell please give us a call or text with what you have on offer and we will do our best to match stock with customers. For details please contact

From carnew mart

To keep calf sales going, if someone with good camera skills from the mart could visit the farms & have online sales

Maybe similar with bigger stock, just add a weighting scales

MrMusician18 · 25-03-2020 1:51pm

brandy21 wrote: »

What about HAYSTACK.IE a free site to sell agricultural produce,

Haven't looked at it but this site sounds like classifieds, which is distinctly different from auction.

The Marts need to set up eBay like sites. They could be run like a regular sale, with particular nights only running sales with animals 30km from a particular town, with clear rules in how animals were delivered - I'd suggest buyer collects.

Each participant would have to put down a say €500 bond. Sellers would provide pictures/videos and information about the animal. The bond could be called on if a sale was made and the animal didn't meet the description or a sale wasn't completed because either party backed out - with the Mart being the arbitrator. The seller doesn't need to provide information, like weight, the only obligation is that any information provided must be accurate.

A system like that would require large investment and a degree of trust. It does work for eBay, but would it work for Irish Marts, I don't know.

Bass Reeves · 25-03-2020 2:27pm

MrMusician18 wrote: »

Haven't looked at it but this site sounds like classifieds, which is distinctly different from auction.

The Marts need to set up eBay like sites. They could be run like a regular sale, with particular nights only running sales with animals 30km from a particular town, with clear rules in how animals were delivered - I'd suggest buyer collects.

Each participant would have to put down a say €500 bond. Sellers would provide pictures/videos and information about the animal. The bond could be called on if a sale was made and the animal didn't meet the description or a sale wasn't completed because either party backed out - with the Mart being the arbitrator. The seller doesn't need to provide information, like weight, the only obligation is that any information provided must be accurate.

A system like that would require large investment and a degree of trust. It does work for eBay, but would it work for Irish Marts, I don't know.

How could you make an assessment on an animal without a weight gauge. You might consider it if marts weighted and graded the animals but I be slow to trust marts either as they can favour certain sellers and buyers. I definitely would not give a bond of 500 euro to buy animals unseen or even from video/photos and depend on a mart to be a neutral entity.

I am not looking for cattle at present but I be going through DD rather than a system like that. There was a system before by GVM called GVM direct and I consider that where you went to see them and mart arranged weighting, you agreed with a flat price or price/kg and both parties shared transport costs.

Biggest problem at present is alot of 2year old cattle being sold will have only one movement left and dealer's will not be able to buy and sell these again.

It a case of direct farm to farm sales with any agent only putting people in contact.

K.G. · 25-03-2020 2:38pm

Bass Reeves wrote: »

How could you make an assessment on an animal without a weight gauge. You might consider it if marts weighted and graded the animals but I be slow to trust marts either as they can favour certain sellers and buyers. I definitely would not give a bond of 500 euro to buy animals unseen or even from video/photos and depend on a mart to be a neutral entity.

I am not looking for cattle at present but I be going through DD rather than a system like that. There was a system before by GVM called GVM direct and I consider that where you went to see them and mart arranged weighting, you agreed with a flat price or price/kg and both parties shared transport costs.

Biggest problem at present is alot of 2year old cattle being sold will have only one movement left and dealer's will not be able to buy and sell these again.

It a case of direct farm to farm sales with any agent only putting people in contact.

In some countries there is no weighing scales in the markets.i think its called buying by hand

Bass Reeves · 25-03-2020 8:05pm

K.G. wrote: »

In some countries there is no weighing scales in the markets.i think its called buying by hand

And I have no issue with that as long as you get the chance to judge/view the animals. But buying from a farm where you cannot view the animals and get no weight gauge is not a runner

orchard farm · 25-03-2020 8:27pm

Can farmers apply for covid emergency payments since marts are closed?i for one have ceased trading for now

alps · 25-03-2020 9:28pm

orchard farm wrote: »

Can farmers apply for covid emergency payments since marts are closed?i for one have ceased trading for now

Yes if they get sick

visatorro · 25-03-2020 10:22pm

20silkcut wrote:

Queueing from 6am? Has your mart not switched to booking in over the phone?

Dealers run the local place. If they bring in cattle you go down the list

ruwithme · 27-03-2020 10:56pm

Will tonight's announcement apply to farm to farm movement's?

Anto_Meath · 27-03-2020 11:56pm

Just thinking would it be a good idea if the department let herds that have negative BVD status delay taking the sample from their calves until later on in the year when the current crisis is over.

alps · 28-03-2020 2:58am

ruwithme wrote: »

Will tonight's announcement apply to farm to farm movement's?

Farm to farm movement is necessary for continued food production, however it could be stopped for a short period. We'll find out in the morning exactly what is included...

They're still making it up...

20silkcut · 28-03-2020 10:52am

visatorro wrote: »

Dealers run the local place. If they bring in cattle you go down the list

If that’s the case then it’s no harm they are shut.

ruwithme · 28-03-2020 10:34pm

Are we any clearer after today's published list of essential services regarding trading cattle from farmer to farmer?

i didn't see such mentioned,but would think it's off for the time being.

alps · 28-03-2020 10:47pm

ruwithme wrote: »

Are we any clearer after today's published list of essential services regarding trading cattle from farmer to farmer?

i didn't see such mentioned,but would think it's off for the time being.

There doesn't seem to be any change to farm 2 farm sales

morebabies · 31-03-2020 8:56am

https://news.google.com/articles/CBMiQmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJ0ZS5pZS9uZXdzLzIwMjAvMDMzMS8xMTI3NDM4LWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWFncmljdWx0dXJlL9IBH2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnJ0ZS5pZS9hbXAvMTEyNzQzOC8?hl=en-IE&gl=IE&ceid=IE%3Aen

Will this work do you think?

"Marts will match buyers and sellers, weigh animals and oversee the sale, however there will be no public auctions and no crowds attending.

Each mart will have to submit its operating protocol, which will then be approved by the Department."

tabby aspreme · 31-03-2020 2:48pm

Tullow mart looking for 47kg plus, fat hoggets tomorrow morning, ring them for price.

alps · 01-04-2020 11:19am

42 day TB test for calves going out to 120 days is a nice reprieve..

Mooooo · 01-04-2020 11:35am

alps wrote: »

42 day TB test for calves going out to 120 days is a nice reprieve..

Where did you see that?
Edit fcuk ya!

Castlekeeper · 01-04-2020 4:24pm

Kilmallock mart had a calf sale today under the new conditions. Drop and hope, buyers market.

CHOPS01 · 01-04-2020 4:44pm

Contacted 2 marts today to see if I could get a few 2 yr old bullocks. Both took number and said they expected to start getting calls in the coming days.
Could have the topper out a lot this year if I've to rely on 8 animals to keep the grass down on 40 acres !

Albert Johnson · 01-04-2020 4:51pm

Castlekeeper wrote: »

Kilmallock mart had a calf sale today under the new conditions. Drop and hope, buyers market.

What conditions? Is it a sale in the conventional sense or just a collection centre for a fixed price arrangement as I thought public auctions were still prohibited.

Buford T. Justice XIX · 01-04-2020 7:15pm

CHOPS01 wrote: »

Contacted 2 marts today to see if I could get a few 2 yr old bullocks. Both took number and said they expected to start getting calls in the coming days.
Could have the topper out a lot this year if I've to rely on 8 animals to keep the grass down on 40 acres !

Sell a crop of silage?

K.G. · 01-04-2020 7:17pm

Mooooo wrote: »

Where did you see that?
Edit fcuk ya!

Its on agriland

Mooooo · 01-04-2020 8:01pm

K.G. wrote: »

Its on agriland

Saw it after. Thought I was caught for an April fools. When you log in to AIM to register calves it says it as well

Castlekeeper · 01-04-2020 9:52pm

Albert Johnson wrote: »

What conditions? Is it a sale in the conventional sense or just a collection centre for a fixed price arrangement as I thought public auctions were still prohibited.

I was told that you phone in your booking, you're given a time to drop off your calves, cards stapled in lots, don't leave vehicle, go home. Then later the buyers will walk past the pens and write down their bids, and the mart will ring you up and you accept or come collect your calves in the evening.

3 the square · 01-04-2020 10:01pm

Castlekeeper wrote: »

Kilmallock mart had a calf sale today under the new conditions. Drop and hope, buyers market.

Any idea on the prices ?

Grueller · 01-04-2020 10:13pm

3 the square wrote: »

Any idea on the prices ?

Carnew tonight a friend got €75 for 2 week old Angus heifers and €260 for 4-5 week old Hereford bulls.

3 the square · 01-04-2020 10:16pm

Grueller wrote: »

Carnew tonight a friend got €75 for 2 week old Angus heifers and €260 for 4-5 week old Hereford bulls.

Happy enough ??

Fine Day · 01-04-2020 10:30pm

I dont know if I would like to leave my cattle to be sold without seen them been weighted etc.
I know we do it with the factories and they are the biggest gangsters of them all.

rule supreme · 01-04-2020 10:39pm

Grueller wrote: »

Carnew tonight a friend got €75 for 2 week old Angus heifers and €260 for 4-5 week old Hereford bulls.

Do you know if there were many calves there .

Grueller · 01-04-2020 10:55pm

3 the square wrote: »

Happy enough ??

Ya he was and his cows would be sharp enough too.

Grueller · 01-04-2020 10:57pm

rule supreme wrote: »

Do you know if there were many calves there .

Sorry I don't

3 the square · 01-04-2020 10:59pm

Grueller wrote: »

Ya he was and his cows would be sharp enough too.

It's on the day in any mart could be ok or could be a old disaster

Bleating Lamb · 02-04-2020 9:31am

Not sure I get how this is going to work?......will hundreds of Cattle be left off (as normal on a Mart day) by their owners and then potential buyers go in and inspect them,write down lot no’s and a proposed bid for the animals they like and then see if their bid is successful?

With older cattle especially I don’t resume they will all have being weighed going into Mart.

Hard Knocks · 02-04-2020 10:18am

Bleating Lamb wrote: »

Not sure I get how this is going to work?......will hundreds of Cattle be left off (as normal on a Mart day) by their owners and then potential buyers go in and inspect them,write down lot no’s and a proposed bid for the animals they like and then see if their bid is successful?

With older cattle especially I don’t resume they will all have being weighed going into Mart.

That’s not going to work
How many times do we see cattle open for 1/2 what they sell at

J.O. Farmer · 02-04-2020 12:00pm

Hard Knocks wrote: »

That’s not going to work
How many times do we see cattle open for 1/2 what they sell at

Nobody opens cattle at the price they expect to get them for.
They'd have to write down whatever their max bid and see if it's the highest and if it's accepted.

Hard Knocks · 02-04-2020 12:24pm

J.O. Farmer wrote: »

Nobody opens cattle at the price they expect to get them for.
They'd have to write down whatever their max bid and see if it's the highest and if it's accepted.

I’ve seen Auctioneers open cattle within a few hundred of selling price & others a well down & a hard fight back

Leaving their max bid & then ring their friends who are coming in after & let them know what they bid

The auctioneer & mart managers should have a good idea the value of the stock & not be accepting under valued quotes

Injuryprone · 02-04-2020 12:27pm

You'd imagine they could release a spreadsheet at say hourly intervals throughout the day to show the current bid status of each lot. Would give the buyers a bit more of a chance to have a bidding process that somewhat resembles the way it normally happens.

I'd say with the way it's described above, a favoured buyer could get the inside track on their opposition easily enough

Corona virus and marts

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