Golden Vale Mart (GVM) Tullamore has erected a new building to cater for sales of show cattle. According to mart manager Antoinette Daly, the development has been built with safety for breeders, mart staff and traders in mind.

“The new parade ring and penning areas give much more peace of mind for all involved, with health and safety now a big feature of the day-to-day running of marts,” Antoinette said.

“The fact that animals can now be prepared indoors also gives much more comfort and removes the risk of bad weather for autumn and spring sales.”

Antoinette adds that in recent years show and pedigree sales have become an increasingly important aspect of the mart’s business, with pedigree sales of all the main breeds, along with sales of commercial show cattle, now held on a more regular basis.

GVM marts manager PJ Buckley says the development in Tullamore is only one part of the group’s strategy to improve facilities in all their centres.

In the last three years, over €700,000 has been invested in new developments and upgrading of existing premises. This includes a new calf shed and yard specially designed to handle higher throughput of calves in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, a new truck wash at the same premises and a new livestock handling yard in Carrigallen, Co Leitrim.

“In addition to three major developments, we have also erected additional penning in all marts [other mart premises in Abbeyfeale and Drumcollager, Co Limerick] and additional computer facilities and modern TV screens in all marts to display the full range of information required now for traders to buy and sell stock.”

PJ reports mart turnover in 2013 in the five GVM premises of in excess of €81m.

He says that an increase in cattle numbers to the tune of 21,000 animals has been central to the company increasing turnover in their marts.