The increasing number of farmers working in off-farm jobs is leading to a growth in evening livestock sales among marts. According to the Teagasc National Farm Survey for 1999, 32 per cent of Irish farmers also work in other employment.
That figure is even higher in the west of Ireland, with the manager of Gort mart, Mr Patsy Kearns, estimating that "in our area most of the farmers, up to 70 per cent, are now part time".
Two years ago, this mart, which serves farmers in south Galway and in east and west Clare, introduced an evening weanling sale, mainly to cater for such working farmers, Mr Kearns says.
"It's a big benefit to people. They can do a day's work, come home at four or five o'clock, take their stock to mart and sell them outside of working hours. In one parish in our catchment area there are only three full-time farmers," he adds.
Gort was among the first marts in Ireland to opt for evening sales and, says Mr Kearns, the decision has proved a winner for farmers although it does have disadvantages for Gort's 22 yard workers and nine office staff who have had to revise their work schedule.
Selling at night took a while to catch on among local farmers, but now Gort mart regularly has between 500 and 600 weanlings in the ring on Thursday evenings.
It's also popular among full-time farmers, and Mr Kearns describes it as "a kind of a social event" as well as a place of business.
As yet, however, evening marts have not caught on for adult cattle and Gort continues to sell adult cattle and sheep during more conventional daylight hours.
"We considered an evening cattle sale, but after advice from buyers, we didn't do it. The buyers were unwilling because, with adults, they felt they'd be buying a more natural weight earlier in the day. They seem to think that weanlings are different."
Gort is not alone in opting for a night-time mart, says Mr Kearns. Mullingar also has one and it's a big success, although, like Gort, they continue to sell adult cattle at daytime sales.
"And there are a few other places following suit with evening sales. Loughrea are now doing one for weanlings on a Friday evening."
