Letterkenny Show Society hosts its annual spring show and sale of bulls in Raphoe Mart on Tuesday 5 March at 6.30pm.

The sale includes Charolais, Limousin, Angus and Hereford bulls.

Commenting on the sale, Raphoe mart manager Anne Harkin said: “We have had a lot of enquiries over the last few days from people wishing to buy bulls. COVID-19 restrictions mean the sale will be conducted 100% online on martbids.ie.

"Viewing time starts at 4pm and buyers are asked to book a viewing slot with Raphoe mart as soon as possible if required.”

Trade

Prospective purchasers need to have a Martbids account and be approved by Raphoe Mart before they can bid on animals.

Smyths Daleside Animal Feeds will provide 20 bags of beef weanling meal to the purchaser of the highest price bull, while the Irish Charolais Cattle Society and the Irish Limousin Cattle Society will both contribute €200 to the two highest priced bulls in each breed. All bulls are export tested and suitable for export to Northern Ireland.

Restrictions

The current restrictions around pedigree sales have angered both breed societies and exhibitors. Irish Charolais Cattle Society secretary Nevan McKieran deemed the Department of Agriculture conditions unworkable for pedigree breeders and called for changes ahead of a very busy period for pedigree breed societies with spring bull sales.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that a number of breed societies have written to the Department of Agriculture requesting changes in mart protocols for pedigree sales.

See the Irish Farmers Journal in print or online this Thursday for full sale report.