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With farmers fearing a potential shutdown due to coronavirus, there has been a big increase in cattle numbers through the marts over the past few days.
Clogher Mart sold over 1,500 head on Saturday, a 300-head increase on previous weeks, while Omagh experienced a similar trend on Monday.
Swatragh Mart saw sale numbers swell to 200 head, while at Dungannon midweek, there was a large turnout of both cattle and prospective buyers. In the weanling ring alone, reports suggest that well over 200 head were on offer, compared to the more normal 60 to 70 cattle at this time of the year.
Underpinned
In general, mart managers report that prices are being underpinned by buyers extremely anxious to source livestock ahead of any disruption to supply.
But despite the immediate concerns of closure, most livestock marts in NI are determined to stay open. At the time of going to press, only Saintfield and Armoy have cancelled sales.
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