A move to introduce an online bidding system for livestock in response to the coronavirus pandemic has been hailed a success by ANM Group.
The north-east farmers’ co-operative, which operates livestock marts at Thainstone near Inverurie and Quoybrae in Caithness, launched an online bidding option for buyers in response to social distancing requirements.
Since it was introduced the group has sold more than 16,000 store cattle and conducted a multi-breed pedigree bull sale which attracted buyers from as far south as Cornwall.
“Our online bidding system is proving very successful with old and new customers joining the system every week to source all classes of livestock,” said ANM head of livestock John Angus.
“We’ve consistently had in excess of 300 people simply viewing the sale in addition to those registered to bid.”
He thanked buyers and sellers for their support, and paid tribute to hauliers for adhering to new Covid-19 rules at marts.
Mr Angus said ANM had taken a number of other steps to ensure continued trade. These include holding commercial beef breeding cattle sales in the Exchange at Thainstone to allow more space for buyers to safely attend the sales in person.
Meanwhile, ANM prime and cull cattle manager Tim McDonald said online bidding had also boosted cull cow trade, where prices have risen by 6p per kg in the past fortnight due to the reopening of fast-food restaurants. He said: “The cow ring has welcomed registered bidders from abattoirs situated in the south, which have never had the chance to buy at Thainstone before.
“Butchers who can’t leave their shops to attend the mart are also now able to purchase prime cattle over the internet, welcoming new and old customers.”