The new normal as marts return with online extras
IT was back to business at Tuam Mart on Monday when they held their first public auction sale since mid-March – backed up a new online bidding system set up by the Irish Farmers Journal.
Tuam Mart Manager, Marion Devane, told the Farming Tribune, that the re-opening of the mart had been a huge success with around 300 cattle on offer – a large number for a Summer sale.
“It was different. We had all the spaces marked out for the buyers and the sellers came in as their animals were being sold, but overall it worked, and we got great co-operation from everyone,” she said.
Marion Devane also thanked the two auctioneers – Pat Burke and Peter McDonagh – for their implementation of the online bidding system, with bids taken for stock as they came into the ring from bidders on their home or office laptops or phones.
“The online app offers another opportunity to bid for and buy stock without being physically present at the mart – and it’s all good for competition,” said Marion Devane.
The new online buying of cattle at marts is called MartBids and has been developed by the Irish Farmers Journal in partnership with the livestock marts.
Tuam is the latest mart to ‘come on board’ with MartBids as well as Balla, Castlerea, Nenagh, Kilkenny, Roscrea and Elphin.
According to Irish Farmers Journal editor, Justin McCarthy, COVID-19 has transformed the way people do business, with marts being no different.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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