Negotiation keeps cattle sales going in Orkney through Covid-19

Efforts to negotiate sales between island producers and mainland buyers have helped keep the Orkney cattle trade flowing during the Covid-19 crisis.

Orkney Auction Mart auctioneers Graham Low and Jim Linklater say the introduction of coronavirus restrictions meant work needed to be done to ensure sales could continue when mainland buyers were unable to visit the islands.

“We rely heavily on our mainland buyers to come over for the sales and that was wiped out overnight at the end of March,” said Mr Low.

He said he and Mr Linklater have worked to negotiate sales between regular buyers and sellers, and cattle have been transported to the mainland using NorthLink Ferries’ freight service.

Mr Low said planning was on track for the autumn sales being back to normal, albeit with some restrictions on numbers to allow for social distancing, launching next month with the big show sale.

“Flights are booked for buyers from the mainland and pre-registered buyers and vendors should all be back on ringside,” added Mr Low.

“We are really looking forward to seeing friends and colleagues back at the mart.”