Livestock auctioneers have been quick to assure farmers that marts remain open for business despite the coronavirus pandemic.
United Auctions, which runs marts all over Scotland including Huntly and Stirling, said it was closely monitoring the situation.
Managing director George Purves said: “The safety and wellbeing of our employees and customers is our first priority and we will take all appropriate and necessary actions to ensure their health is protected.”
He said it was critical for customers that auction marts continued to operate during the coronavirus crisis.
“We are working very closely with the Institute of Auctioneers and Scottish Government to ensure that livestock trade continues through our auction markets in a manner that is measurable and safe,” added Mr Purves.
Dingwall and Highland Marts said its regular Tuesday sales of primestock and Wednesday sales of store and breeding stock would continue as planned until further notice, but its upcoming machinery sale on March 28 had been postponed.
Its pre-sale show of Young Farmers’ overwintered cattle will now take place tomorrow at 8.30am, and the weighing of cattle this afternoon will be closed to the general public.
The company added: “If you are attending sales you do so at your own risk, and we would expect strict adherence to the hand- washing guidelines.”
On Friday ANM Group, which runs marts at Quoybrae in Caithness and Thainstone near Inverurie, confirmed its sales were still going ahead.
Group chief executive Grant Rogerson said: “Our overriding priority, drawing on the latest guidance, is to operate as normal in a safe environment with minimum disruption, while monitoring future guidance from the government very closely.”