Covid-19 has changed the way in which both livestock marts and their customers conduct business.
A number of marts across the country have introduced online auctions as a way to facilitate trade during the current health pandemic.
As traditional auctions are not currently permitted under current restrictions, both purchasers and sellers have had to adapt to new arrangements.
Buyer experience
Anne Marie Ryan assisted her father, Tony, to purchase cattle from the comfort of his armchair in recent days.
Speaking to That’s Farming, she explained: “I logged my father into Newport Mart’s online auction last Thursday and it was our first time using this platform.”
She explained that customers can view stock in the mart prior to the sale; all personnel entering the premises must wear gloves and utilise hand sanitizer.
“You take note of the cattle’s lot numbers, so you know what to bid on. The mart puts your phone number and herd number in the system to register for bidding.”
“You can download the LSL app on your phone or tablet. You can go home or you can sit in your vehicle in the mart to watch and/or bid.”
“Bidding is very easy – every time you hit the button it counts as a €10 bid. When you press ‘place bid’, the system will then tell you if you’re the highest bidder or if you’re not.”
“If you are the highest bidder, the line changes colour to tell you. It was very easy for him to use and we bought cattle.” she concluded.
