The number of bovines traded in Irish livestock marts increased by 68,051 head, or almost 11% to the end of April.

In total, 700,097 head were sold in the country’s marts in the first four months of 2022.

The greatest year-on-year increase occurred in the first three months of 2022. Throughput of 80,208 head in January was 15,073 head, or 23%, above January 2021, while the number of cattle traded in February was 154,503 head and represented the largest numerical increase of 23,066 head (+17.5%).

The month of March recorded the greatest level of activity, with 249,081 sales (up 9.3%), while throughput of 216,305 head in April was 8,782 head, or 4%, higher year-on-year.

The number of animals entered in sales but going unsold reduced by 2,516 head to 34,840.

Nationwide online trading coupled with traditional ringside bidders has been one of the few major advantages that COVID-19 delivered for the mart sector

Ray Doyle of ICOS said COVID-19 had forced the industry to adopt online trading.

“Nationwide online trading coupled with traditional ringside bidders has been one of the few major advantages that COVID-19 delivered for the mart sector and thankfully this is here to stay,” Doyle said.

In contrast to mart sales, the number of farm-to-farm movements for the January to April period reduced by 71,312 head to 679,013 head. Farm-to-farm movements were up 4,103 head and 2,818 head in January and February respectively (82,957 and 139,310).

However, they fell significantly during March and April. The figure for March was 249,78, back 31,261 head compared to 2021. Farm-to-farm sales in April were back 46,972 to 200,043 head.