Over 1,000 cattle have been sold over the last week using new online auction systems in Manorhamilton and Carnaross marts.

The new software system, Livestock Live, is the brainchild of Tullamore man Brendan Hannigan and uses video and audio technology to enable farmers bid electronically.

The company is also in the process of launching a new version of its app where farmers can upload a video of an animal and potential customers have 24 hours to bid on the animal.

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When the sale is complete the seller brings the animal to the mart to be weighed and the movement is put through.

The technology is currently available in three marts, Carnaross, Manorhamilton and Gortatlea, but orders have been taken to install systems in a further 20 marts in the coming weeks.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal Hannigan said: “We’ve been working on the technology for six years and have invested heavily in getting it right. Farmers and mart managers who are using the system seem to be very happy with it.”