This year will be one which will be remembered for many to come. Despite not even being half way through the year, many counties have had record rainfall and serious drought.

However, the strangest aspect of 2020 so far is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This has had a profound effect on everyone around the world and the pedigree breeders of Ireland are no different.

Since the middle of March, closure of major outlets, restaurants, airports and even the roads have made it as difficult a time as ever to continue on with normal work.

This lockdown came at the start of peak bull sale season, which for many pedigree breeders is the main revenue driver of the entire year.

With no sales happening around the country, breeders looked to on-farm sales, adhering to strict social distancing measures for potential customers viewing bulls.

This lockdown came at the start of peak bull sale season, which for many pedigree breeders is the main revenue driver of the entire year

Many pedigree breeders used to regular annual off-farm sales continued to trade as near to normal as possible.

That said, the hundreds of breeders who exhibit thousands of bulls each spring weren’t as lucky.

Online sales

Online sales became more prevalent, but with potential buyers having to rely on video and pictures without seeing the animal in person, clearance rates took a heavy tumble.

Some breeders got away well at these sales with the use of professional photographers, but those unwilling to invest found their bulls harder to sell.

After over two months in lockdown, it came to a stage where a minimal amount of buyers were allowed around the ring and buyers could bid online having pre-inspected the animals on the morning of the sale, which was a big help. It was not the same as the ringside buzz of the champion or sale-topper leaving the ring, but, simply put, buyers understood the cows had to go in-calf so they needed to buy a bull that was right for them.

Breeders with bulls left over from the spring now need to decide if they are really good enough to carry over the summer for the autumn sales

Extremely difficult selling conditions, a smaller number of buyers and an oversupply of young pedigree bulls meant that 2020 proved to be one of the toughest years for many in recent times.

Breeders with bulls left over from the spring now need to decide if they are really good enough to carry over the summer for the autumn sales.

Nine times out of 10 the answer is no as if they were, they’d have been sold. These bulls should be slaughtered now, so that the oversupply of lower-quality bulls doesn’t hamper the upcoming autumn trade, in turn affecting sales next spring.

Sector positivity

While it may have been a very tough year to date on the cattle front, prospects are high for the fast approaching sheep sale season. Most major sheep breed societies will be hosting their premier sales in just over a month’s time.

The relaxing of movement restrictions and gatherings of people means that it’s very likely most sales will go ahead as close to the new normal as can be expected.

Prospects are high for the fast approaching sheep sale season

Speaking with some societies, they have mentioned that there is the option of having an outdoor sales ring if that is required also. Some smaller sheep sales have started across the water already, which have shown strong demand.

This time of year, the pedigree pages would usually be awash with pictures and reports from the many summer shows which would be taking place. Unfortunately, like many other events, these have all been called off.

In light of this, over the coming weeks, we will be going back to our popular herd profiles, where we will be featuring some of the top stock people from around the country.