Mart sales are down 239,168 head of cattle in the year to 27 November when compared to the full-year figures for 2019.

A total of 1,429,970 cattle have been sold in marts across the country this year, down 14.3% according to the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Identification and Movement database.

The information was released in response to a parliamentary question by Sinn Féin’s Martin Browne.

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Mart sheep sales have remained steady at 1,409,105 head, down just 205 on 2019.

Farm to farm movements grew by 223,141 head of cattle in 2020 as mart attendances were restricted by COVID-19 rules.

This was an increase of 17.1% on 2019 figures, with 1,524,475 cattle changing hands. Sheep farm-to-farm movements rose by 54,108. This is a 9.3% increase on 2019, with 632,399 sheep moving directly this year.

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