The announcement of the €300,000 Mart Modernisation Scheme to assist in purchasing display screens has irritated mart managers, who say it is a step in the right direction but is way off the mark in terms of what is needed.

The Department of Agriculture is providing up to 40% in funding for the purchase of one new ringside display screen per livestock mart which will display relevant ICBF breeding values for beef and dairy replacement stock. “The problem is if we don’t get it the dealers will go elsewhere,” said one mart manager who is hoping to go ahead with the application. Another issue raised is the need to sell animals individually rather than in lots in order to display each animal’s star rating.

Smaller marts where rings are alternated will have to make the decision whether to invest in their smaller ring where heifers are sold during busy periods or in the main ring where heifers and bulls are sold in quiet times.

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A maximum grant aid of €4,000 is available to each mart and ICOS estimates that a screen could cost as much as €10,000. The application form implies that the scheme will just cover the cost of the screen and no other ancillary items needed for it.

“Our understanding was that this was for the installation of display screens but data doesn’t just come from thin air,” said ICOS marts executive Ray Doyle. He added that there are a number of other costs including wiring and a tablet/laptop needed to link in to the system.

“It’s great to see that marts are recognised as playing a pivotal role in rural economies and the sale of livestock,” said Tullow mart manager Eric Driver. “But it’s not just the board; there’s installation costs, wiring and not all laptops will marry to the new screen which is an experience I’ve had before.”

One prominent mart manager in the southwest said that “for the level of grant involved it doesn’t cover what ICBF are demanding”. Managers concede that “people need to know what they are buying” but they would like to have seen a bit more grant aid and say it is “too specific”.