The Irish Cattle Breeders Federation (ICBF) has introduced a tracking facility that follows mart sales of female cattle that are eligible for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP).

The ICBF has put the new ‘Mart Tracker’ live, with the aim of allowing users to see what BDGP-eligible heifers or cows are being traded in marts throughout the country on the same day.

Approximately 80% of marts now display ICBF data on the sales ring screens, the federation explained.

As animals are checked into these marts before a sale, the ICBF will list the eligible ones (genotyped and 4/5 stars) on the mart tracker.

The tracker will be available on the ICBF website’s homepage. Users can then select a mart, and the list of the BDGP-eligible heifers or cows going through the mart will appear.

The main details will be displayed for each animal, including lot number, age, star rating, etc. For more details on each animal you can click on the tag number, which will take you to the animal search page for that animal.

The ‘Mart Tracker’ will only display animals that are for sale on the current day. The ICBF is working with marts to host special sales. For these sales, animals will be submitted beforehand which will allow potential buyers more time to view the animals online.

Masks in marts

In other mart-related news, the wearing of face coverings will be mandatory in all marts from next Monday (August 24).

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine told AgriLand: “In consultation with the mart organisation, arrangements are being finalised in relation to the wearing of masks in marts.

“The wearing of masks in marts will be mandatory from next Monday. In the meantime, the voluntary wearing of masks when attending marts is recommended. Full details will be communicated to all marts shortly,” the spokesperson added.