Security of Payment Is Vital for Farmers Selling Cattle
With marts operating under COVID-19 restrictions and more activity on private farm-to-farm sales as well as increased live exports, IFA National Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden said farmers selling cattle should ensure that their payment is secure.
“It’s IFA policy to insist on payment on the day, or ensure that you are selling through an outlet where payment is guaranteed or secure,” he said.
While the marts are not operating as normal, they are providing a valuable service to farmers in most parts of the country.
“The sooner we can the marts fully re-opened the better. There is an increased level of direct selling going on and farmers need to be extra vigilant regarding security of payment,” he said.
The IFA livestock leader said farmers should be extremely carefully about payment arrangements before parting with their stock. “Sell through a local licensed mart where you know your payment is secure, or insist on payment upfront on the day is the best approach.”
Brendan Golden said there are too many cases over the years where farmers have been promised payment, but it never materialised or they had to wait a very long time to get their money.