Over 70,000 sheep have been sold in Kenmare Mart this year, according to Dan McCarthy.
The mart manager said this is the first time the mart has reached the milestone of 70,000 sheep sold in one year.
The Kerry-based mart has consistently hit the 50,000 mark for sheep sales over the past number of years. McCarthy described its final sheep sale of the year as a “historic evening”.
Over 70,000 sheep sold in Kenmare Mart in 2020
Ahead of the sale, the mart issued a post on social media: “We are looking for the last few sheep for the final sheep sale on Monday, December 14th starting at 10.30am.”
“We are hoping to reach a massive milestone on the final sale for the number of sheep sold in 2020. If we get to the magic number, we will have a prize of €100 voucher for the seller of this special sheep.”
“We would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and thank you all for your custom and support. Here’s hoping 2021 is a better one. In accordance with Government and HSE guidelines, restrictions are in place and face coverings must be worn at all times.”
Sheep prices:
- 24kgs – €58;
- 25kgs – €68;
- 35kgs – €87;
- 3kg – €71;
- 27kg – €69;
- 36kg – €89;
- 44kg – €110;
- 41kg – €97;
- 40kgs – €99;
- 30kgs – €70;
- 33kgs – €78;
- 29kgs – €66;
- 39kgs – €99;
- 43kgs – €108.
Ewes:
- 49kg – €54;
- 44kgs – €48;
- 44kg – €51.
Rams:
- €50-€110/head.
Support
“I would just like to thank you all for your support in 2020. Some days were a bit rougher than more, but we got through it. Have a safe and happy Christmas.”
“Thanks again to all the buyers from across the country and to our own staff here in the mart, the work they put in.” the mart manager concluded.
The mart will host its final cattle sale of the year this Thursday (December 17th).
Viral video
In recent weeks, a video of the popular mart manager went viral as he vented his frustration following a move to online-only sales as part of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.
McCarthy described the mart’s first sale held under level 5 Covid-19 restrictions as “a disaster”.
The esteemed mart manager told That’s Farming that “today has been one of the toughest days that I have ever put down, as manager of Kenmare Mart”.
“I came here on March 4th in 2004 as manager. What the Department [of Agriculture, Food and the Marine] is doing to us in marts is a total fiasco. The internet kept going down when one man would bid and another one then.”
“Please listen to me and take note of what I am saying tonight. This is a total and utter disaster for the people that are trying to sell their cattle.”
“I am asking you to help me and help the people that are trying to get the country moving again. We are trying to make money for a few farmers.”
“I know the frontline workers are under pressure, but after today, we are under severe pressure and I think every mart that was on today, I can safely say, if it was anything like we had, it was a disaster,” he concluded.
