How would you describe the mood among farmers?

The mood could be described as cautious. Buyers are hesitant. Good weather in this area has allowed orderly selling, helping to sustain a better trade than would be there otherwise.

How would you describe the mart trade this autumn?

Cautious but steady. Customers are buying but not losing the run of themselves.

Has the volume or throughput of livestock been up or down?

Numbers are up overall. Part of it is due to greater numbers in the system anyway. Greater emphasis on dairying in this area is increasing cull cow throughput.

How have prices been in comparison to other years?

In general, prices are back anywhere from €70 to €100 per head on the previous year, depending on the category of stock.

Have you seen an increase in farm-to-farm trading in recent years?

It’s increasing all the time. Time is the biggest factor for farmers. Particularly for dairy farmers selling calves. We have begun streaming sales online. This allows the seller to see his cattle being sold from home.

Has the devaluation of sterling fed into the mart trade?

The greatest devaluation happened immediately after Brexit, as factory prices tumbled. It has certainly affected the northern trade.

Do you think there is a need for rationalisation of the number of marts?

It is a continuous debate. No one likes to see their own mart disappear and farmers are quite loyal to their own. It was said 10 years ago there would be a lot less marts in the country by now but they are all still there.

Have you seen council rates increase for the mart?

They have increased and revaluations are ongoing in this area at present. They are a huge burden as marts tend to be large places that are only operational a couple of times per week.