The Mart, More than a Sales Outlet?

The Organic sector has boomed in the last number of years, and this has driven a surge in the number of marts hosting organic dedicated sales. In previous years Drumshanbo and Kilmallock were the pioneers in Organic marts, but now several others have followed suit. 

As the numbers of Organic farmers increase there is growing demand for an outlet for weanling and store cattle and sheep, and this demand is being met by many marts countrywide. These sales need to be supported by Organic farmers to ensure their continued success. There is an appetite for Organic stock at the sales so it is vital they are supplied with the required animals. The demand has been demonstrated in 2024 with prices at €3.40 - €4.00/kg for weanling cattle. The mart provides an educational resource for the young farmers of Ireland. It is an opportunity to see a great variety of breeds, ages and types of stock. Young farmers develop the ability to spot quality and expand their knowledge of various breeds.
 

As the age profile of farmers creep ever higher it is important to keep young people fueled with an interest in livestock. The ageing farming population is also restrictive in terms of selling cattle. Not everyone is capable of advertising online and this is becoming the most used platform to sell stock. Older farmers appreciate the ability to buy and sell their stock in person and this will be required for some time to come. While these sales are providing Organic farmers an opportunity to sell their stock into the Organic market, they also serve another purpose. Farming as a profession is quite often described as lonely and many farmers are isolated. The mart provides an opportunity for social interaction, a place to discuss the relevant farming updates or even get a good meal and break up the workday. This aspect of these weekly or monthly meetings is often overlooked and is a valuable resource to farmers. It allows older members of the farming community to stay in touch with the latest information and above all a chance to catch up with friends of many years.
 

The mart is a great help in the improvement of mental health amongst farmers in Ireland and many marts have tried different initiatives to further improve this. A tradition for hundreds of years, the marts have adapted to serve the needs of farmers. In recent times mental health has become a key aspect of events run across Ireland’s marts. Health checks and movie nights are examples of some initiatives that have been run in the past to ease the social isolation of the farming profession. There are approximately 80 marts in Ireland at present but there have been some closures in recent years. This is a long-standing resource that should be supported in the years to come to provide farmers with the benefits that a day out at the mart provides.
 

Selling and buying at an Organic mart - top tips:
When selling cattle at an organic mart you must provide the blue card, a copy of your organic licence and a livestock sales declaration form (LSDF) for each animal/batch of animals. 

When selling sheep at an organic mart you must provide a copy
of your organic licence and a livestock sales declaration form (LSDF) for each animal/batch of animals.
 

Buyers must ensure that they receive all of the relevant documentation upon purchase of organic livestock as this will be checked at their future inspections. It is not advisable to leave the mart without these documents. Check that licences are in date and reflect the type of stock bought and check the LSDF is correct for the animal purchased.

Some Current Organic Marts:
• Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim
• Elphin, Co. Roscommon
• Kilmallock, Co. Limerick
• Macroom, Co. Cork
• Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare
• Roscommon, Co. Roscommon
• Templemore, Co. Tipperary
• Tullow, Co. Carlow