Farm-to-farm sales hit high

FARM-to-farm sales of livestock boosted by the Foot and Mouth movement restrictions in 2001 were maintained at a high level throughout 2002.

Cattle Movement Monitoring System (CMMS) records show that one in three sales during 2002 were farm to farm sales in most categories, leaving two out of three cattle traded through the marts.

But tighter enforcement of the regulations governing farm to farm sales in 2003 could affect the outcome for this year.