Have you ever wondered what happens to all those cattle that are brought to marts across Ireland? Well, turns out, 95% of them get sold! According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), a whopping 1,442,887 bovines were sent to marts between January and the end of September this year. That’s an increase of 44,520 head compared to the same period last year.
Marts are bustling hubs of activity where farmers bring their cattle to be sold. In the first three quarters of 2024, 1,373,243 cattle found new homes through mart sales, up from 1,334,811 in the corresponding period in 2023. It’s heartening to see so many animals finding buyers and moving on to new pastures.
Selling Cattle in Marts
In Munster alone, 706,346 bovines were presented in marts, with 681,208 of them finding buyers. That’s half of all the cattle sold in marts across Ireland during the first nine months of the year. It’s like a lively auction where farmers and buyers come together to strike a deal on the best livestock available.
- 681,208 animals were sold in Southern Munster
- 25,138 bovines were returned home from Munster marts
Moving on to Leinster, 336,017 cattle were sent to marts, with 319,190 being sold and 16,827 returning home. Meanwhile, Connaught saw 262,240 cattle being brought to marts, with 242,491 finding new owners and 19,749 heading back home. And in Ulster, 138,284 cattle were sent to marts, with 130,354 being sold and 7,930 returning home. It’s a lively dance of buyers and sellers in the bustling marketplaces of Ireland.
Farm-to-Farm Movements
Apart from mart sales, there were also 1,061,768 farm-to-farm movements recorded by the end of the third quarter of 2024. This was a slight decrease from the 1,101,463 movements over the same period in 2023. Farmers are constantly making these movements to ensure their livestock are where they need to be.
- 517,425 movements occurred in Munster
- March was the busiest month for farm-to-farm movements
March saw the most significant activity in terms of farm-to-farm movements, with nearly 249,080 recorded. It’s like a well-choreographed ballet of cattle moving from one farm to another, ensuring the best care and management practices are in place.
Live Exports
Ireland has also been exporting its cattle, with 309,286 animals making their way to international markets in the first nine months of 2024. This was an increase from the 283,671 exported in the same period last year. It’s a testament to the quality of Irish livestock that makes them sought after globally.
- 196,167 beef cattle
- 113,119 dairy animals
The cows and bulls from the emerald isle are crossing borders and making their mark in foreign lands, spreading the reputation of Irish farming practices far and wide.
So, the next time you see a herd of cattle passing by, remember the journey they’ve been on – from farm to mart to a new home or even across oceans to new countries. The cycle of life and trade in the farming world is a vibrant and essential part of our agricultural heritage.
If you’re interested in staying up-to-date with more fascinating stories from the world of agriculture and livestock, don’t forget to subscribe to Cattle Weekly’s newsletter for all the latest news and insights.
Related Stories:
- Full house and strong trade at Carnaross Mart weanling sale
- Powerful mart trade for weanlings rolls into October
- Maiden heifer makes €12,200 at Goldstar Charolais sale
The post Nearly 1.4 million cattle sold in marts in the first nine months of 2024 appeared first on Agriland.ie.
