As we approach peak calf sale season, Ray Doyle from the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society (ICOS), joins Catherine Egan on the latest episode of the Beef Edge to discuss the limited range of essential services that marts are able to offer during Covid-19.

Over 1 million cattle are sold through Irish Livestock Marts on an annual basis and Ray outlines that there a number of farmers purchasing cattle now at the start of the grazing season and to make contact with their local Livestock Mart.

Similarly, any farmer that wants to buy cattle should first make contact with their local mart to express an interest.  Different Livestock Marts are offering different services during these challenging times and current restrictions.

A new Teagasc telephone helpline to assist farmers with queries in relation to the current COVID-19 challenge has also been set up. The information line phone number is +353 76 1113533 and will be open from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit:
teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.