Change in weather and dwindling grass bring cattle into the livestock marts

“You need to see those exporters’ hands waving when your weanling enters the ring,” said ICSA suckler chairman Dermot Kelleher last Saturday in Macroom, as we looked over a pen of weanlings.

Macroom mart held its second annual weanling show and sale on Saturday and Dermot, never a man to mince his words, was keen to highlight that suckler farmers must breed the best, if they are to survive in the suckling game.

“The suckler man should be aiming for a U3 animal, that should be his goal. Something to make exporters interested, otherwise he may as well pack his bags and go on the dole.”