Ireland’s livestock mart sector today consists of over 60 co-operative mart centres across the country. Marts provide many services to the farmer shareholders, in addition to the primary function of a transparent method of selling and guaranteeing payment for livestock.
In recent years, we have seen the emergence of farmer producers coming together regionally to promote and cultivate marketing opportunities with geographically pasture-grazed stock.
Not only are Livestock Marts a place to sell and buy cattle, sheep and pigs, but there is a social aspect to it as well as many farmers gather to discuss the trials and tribulations of their livelihood.
Facilities at a mart have certainly improved down through the years and a more modern setting now greets the people who attend. It is now far more than just a place to trade animals; marts have become a hub for farmers to carry out a number of activities.
Draperstown is a village in the Sperrin Mountains in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland and it is home to the long established Lauri O’Kane and Son t/a Draperstown Livestock Mart.
From its humble beginnings, the mart premises has continued to be enhanced, expanded and updated on a regular basis, delivering a first-rate service to buyers and sellers alike.
Fifty years ago, Lauri had the vision and self-belief to recognise the need for a sheep market in Draperstown to service the local people and bring business to the community. He dedicated himself to extending his auctioneering business to other local towns and villages.
He had the skill of combining the speed of assessment of value, knowledge of the animals’ credentials and the history of the owner with his auctioneering parlance, whilst extracting the best price all within the few moments of sale.
Lauri was also a renowned agricultural valuer and frequently dealt with extensive sales and lettings of land. A combination of his tremendous experience and knowledge ensured that every event he organised or was involved with was expertly carried out with absolute confidentiality and attention and to detail.
His integrity as a businessman never faltered throughout his life. He had the gift of being able to communicate with people from all walks of life and had many lifelong friends to whom he was intensely loyal. His passing in 2007 was a huge loss to his many friends, business associates and his community who all held him in high esteem.
His son Michael took over the business then and with his father’s ethos for hard work and determination to move with the times, Michael decided that a move in premises was needed to further enhance the business.
“In 2008, we moved to a new purpose built facility on the edge of the town here. It was a major investment at the time, but it was one that we felt was needed for the business to move forward,” said Michael.
“The new premises can house up to 5,000 sheep and 500 cattle in a fully covered over facility. No animals are penned outside at any time. We have weekly sales for sheep on a Friday and for cattle on a Saturday, while we would have monthly pig sales that are held on the first Tuesday of every month.
“Through September and October, we would have nightly sales three times a week where rams, weanlings and sheep cattle are sold.”
With 95% of suckler farms along with sheep farmers in the region, the mart plays host to a top class range of livestock from all breeds, while some of the finest suckler weanlings can also be sought there.
During this busy season there are upwards on 1500 sheep sold on a Wednesday night. There is a huge selection of store cattle and cows for further feeding, while finished stock are also a common sight at the mart.
It serves a vast hinterland, attracting cattle and sheep from the surrounding counties. The cattle in these areas are renowned for their quality and ability to thrive after purchase.
This is very much a family run business as Michael’s wife Noreen looks after the administration side of the business, while his sons Laurence, Ronan and Niall are also involved. His daughter Claire helps out during the busy period of night sales as well.
“We are busy all year round, between the sheep and cattle. Sheep sales are busiest from June to November, while cattle sales would always be steady and we would sell between 200 and 220 every week.”
For the past four years, pig sales have been added to the portfolio and Michael revealed that they have seen this service take off during that period.
“We are delighted with the way the pig sales have grown over the years. Currently we are the only mart in NI that focus on pigs, so we would have farmers coming from all over to sell their livestock..”
Michael revealed that animal stock prices were decent at the moment, but added that there was uncertainty in the market due to Brexit.
“No one really knows what is going to happen with Brexit so that has created a bit of doubt and indecision. It is a dark area at the moment.”
Despite this, Michael is looking forward and there are plans to enhance the business in 2017.
“We continually strive to improve our service to ensure our customers have the best market place to sell and buy livestock in terms of price, quality and choice. We are looking in to opening an agri-store on the premises at the moment.”
Draperstown Livestock Market
56 Cahore Rd,
Draperstown,
Magherafelt Road
Co Derry
BT45 7LY,
Tel: 028 79628321
Mobile: 077 52443477
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 5 No 1, January/February 2017
