Number of sheep farmers in Kilkenny is declining - Kilkenny Mart
I often wonder if there were no livestock marts operating what price would the farmers be getting for his sheep and cattle?
Monday’s sheep sale was an example where numbers were increased due to the activity of live shippers which has helped to keep a floor on the trade over the past few weeks, as they were anxious to buy ram lambs for export to Europe due to the upcoming Muslim Festival.
As this event takes place from June 28th to early July the window of opportunity is fairly small but it has helped to restore some confidence to the sheep industry.
Many years ago, due to the presence of butchers and wholesalers around the country, at Kilkenny Mart, which at that stage was based in Barrack Street, numbers of sheep being offered for sale were in the region of 2500 to 4000 head per sale.
In our new premises in Cillin Hill numbers per sale would vary from 500 to 1400 per head per sale.
Dramatic Fall
There are a number of factors that has added to this dramatic fall in numbers.
Red tape rules and regulations meant that many small butchers that were operating found it impossible to abide by all these strict conditions and many just closed up.
The big supermarkets also started to dominate and due to large volumes were able to do special deals with the bigger sheep factories.
Another factor was that as farmers grew older the younger men taking over decided that the margin of profitability and hands-on work of sheep did not merit consideration and turned to other farming activity, mainly dairy.
At present lamb prices have remained steady due to live export competition but if these players become less active factories will only have to compete with each other.
Numbers of farmers involved in sheep production have been declining for many years and perhaps those that remain may be rewarded due to reduced supplies. We will see.
Cattle
On the cattle front, marts over the past few weeks have been the bright spot regarding beef prices, with prices in the ring not showing the big reduction which have been quoted by factories.
Cull cow prices have remained very stable over the past few weeks even though quotes in factories have shown a constant reduction.
Another ploy by factories is reducing the number of days they kill cattle and also telling their many customers that they can only take limited numbers.
As everyone knows, livestock marts were set up by farmers to serve farmers so we here in Kilkenny Mart will never refuse animals that you want to sell.
So if factories are giving you the run around why not try the mart as an alternative you might be pleasantly surprised.
The procedure is simple - as long as your animals are tested for TB within the year you may enter before 3.30pm on the previous Wednesday by contacting Kilkenny Mart on 056 7721407.
The rain of the past few days has been badly needed so hopefully the weather will enter a settled period in the next week or so.
Upcoming Events
A few upcoming events are the Ballyfoyle Show this Sunday, 25th June.
The following weekend 1st and 2nd July, the Relay For Life takes place at Kilkenny Rugby Club, Waterford Road.
This is a fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society, and an event full of happening where everyone is welcome to attend from 1pm on Saturday to 1pm on Sunday.
For more information just Google Relay For Life and scroll down to Kilkenny .
Until next time do be careful on the farm, and good buying, good selling and good luck.