Marts miss out on vital cash injection

Livestock marts have been “unfairly treated” by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it comes to the “finer details” of the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure scheme.

That’s according to Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice, who was reacting to the recent announcement by the Department that investments made by marts in 2020 will not be eligible for a grant of a maximum of €5,000 to cover 50% of any spending on ICT infrastructure.

“Marts have already borne the brunt of the costs and continue to make excessive payments, in terms of insurance etc,” said Deputy Fitzmaurice.

Speaking to the Farming Tribune, Athenry Mart manager Brian Hogan said that “marts had a very tough 2020 and now we’re asked to put our hands in our pockets again”.

Mr Hogan said that the mart moved online in 2020 and that “considerable investment” was required to ensure that high-quality ICT infrastructure was in place to facilitate online sales.

“Sales have proven great for competition as more people that couldn’t attend a sale at a mart’s premises have an opportunity to bid on livestock online,” said Mr Hogan, who is optimistic that even more advanced virtual digital technologies for the sale of calves, cattle and sheep will soon be available.

Special software and hardware facilitate the video streaming of a live auction where animals are shown in the ring to buyers, watching and bidding online from home or anywhere. Sellers can also upload videos of the animal they want to sell, giving an estimated weight.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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