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The total number of cattle that pass through livestock marts in NI each year is more than twice the number of farm-to-farm movements.
Figures from DAERA indicate that 386,375 cattle moved through local marts during 2019, which compares to 188,014 cattle that moved directly from farm to farm.
Data available for the past three years shows a similar trend over the period. The highest number of movements was in 2017, when 400,136 cattle passed through marts and 195,504 moved privately.
Monthly totals in NI marts peak in October each year with 51,121 cattle passing through sales rings during October 2019. A smaller peak is also seen in the spring when 39,896 cattle were auctioned in April 2019.
The data was published in response to a written question to DAERA Minister Edwin Poots from West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer
Throughput at local marts quietens during the summer and winter months each year. Monthly totals for July and December last year stood at 17,559 and 18,533 respectively.
Seasonal variations in farm-to-farm movements are less pronounced, although peaks are still seen in autumn and spring, with troughs in summer and winter. The busiest month for private cattle sales last year was May, when 19,613 head moved direct from farm to farm.
The data was published in response to a written question to DAERA Minister Edwin Poots from West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer.
The response also provided a breakdown of cattle movements across the 10 divisional veterinary office (DVO) areas in NI.
Herds located in Enniskillen DVO are responsible for the largest number of movements to local marts, with 58,890 head moving during 2019.
However, herds within the Newry DVO accounted for the highest total of farm to farm movements, with 31,231 cattle moving directly into other herds last year.
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