Marts and factories across the country have told the Irish Farmers Journal that they have closed today as a result of Storm Emma.

With 1 March, marking the coldest day in March on record in Ireland and heavy snow expected particularly in the east and south of the country.

Farmers should check with marts that they will be open before travelling in icy weather conditions. Towing livestock in current conditions is not advisable.

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Factories

  • ABP has stated that is has ceased all operations for Friday. They expect to resume business as usual on Monday (5 March).
  • Dawn Meats has confirmed that none of its processing sites are in operation on Friday.
  • Foyle Food Group, Donegal is still in operation on Friday.

    • Calf exports

    Stena line hopes that the adverse weather conditions is not going to impact calf exports.

    “The Stena Carrier is sailing from Cherbourg today and will arrive at Rosslare port tomorrow (Saturday). It is (weather permitting) due to set sail again on Saturday 3rd March," a spokesperson for Stena Line said.

    Mart and sales

  • Macroom Mart will be closed on Saturday, 3 March. Business will resume as normal on Monday, 5 March.
  • Irish Limousin Society show and sale has been postponed. The show will take place on Sunday 11 March at 5.30pm and the sale will now take place on Monday 12 March at 11.30am
  • Tullow Mart in Co Carlow, has cancelling its cattle sale on Friday 2 March.
  • Skibbereen Mart has cancelled their sale on Friday.
  • Mohill Mart has cancelled this Saturday's sale.
  • Balla Mart has also cancelled its sale this Saturday.
  • Cashel Mart, too, will remain closed this Saturday and re-open on Monday.

    • Postponements

    The show and sale at Leinster Mart, Kilcullen, Co Kildare on Wednesday, 28 February has been postponed due to the extreme weather forecast.

    The show and sale will instead take place on Wednesday, 7 March. For more information, contact the mart on (045) 481301.

    Save Our Sucklers

    The Irish Farmers Journal Save Our Sucklers demonstration planned for Clare Marts in Ennis will take place on 14 March.

    Event cancellations

  • Cancellation of IFA National Council meeting on Wednesday.
  • Cancellation of event with Glanbia and Commissioner Hogan on Thursday 1 March.
  • Dáil, Seanad and Committees adjourned until next week.

    • This list will continue to be updated throughout the day.

    Read more

    Weekly weather: heavy snow and freezing weather ahead

    Is your farm ready for severe frost?

    From the archives: sheep losses and milking by hand in the big snow of 1982

    Storm Emma: HSA farm safety checklist

    Farmers told to bear farm safety in mind as country braces for Storm Emma

    How to manage cows and calves in extreme cold